The Charlatans ♥ the NHS - Gorilla 15/11/21 The capacity venue is full of everyday heroes brought together under the Anderson-style corrugated roof of Manchester's Gorilla. The Charlatans take to the stage tonight as both a warm-up show to their postponed 'A Head Full of Ideas' 30th, 31st Celebration Tour and also to thank and … Continue reading The Charlatans 15/11/21
Gigs
The Charlatons – 31st Anniversary Tour
It’s hard to believe that The Charlatans are about to embark on a 31st anniversary tour (should have been 30th but we all know why this didn’t happen last year!). I mean if bands had gone through half of what these lads have gone through, they'd have packed in a long time ago: nervous breakdowns, … Continue reading The Charlatons – 31st Anniversary Tour
Fontaines DC – Manchester Academy
Fontaines DC - Manchester Academy 7th October. Reviewer: Matthew Forrest Sometimes you get a feeling when walking up to a venue that the night ahead is going to be pretty special, a vibe in the crowd, a buzz around the venue. As I joined the queue at the Academy for Fontaines DC for the second … Continue reading Fontaines DC – Manchester Academy
Cast All Change 25th Anniversary Tour
ALL CHANGE’ 25TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR Back in the summer of 1996, big things were happening for 16-year-old Master Forrest. Sure, I’d just left high school for the last time, nervously awaiting my GCSE results. However more important than that, I would be seeing three bands that had provided the soundtrack to my final, care free year at … Continue reading Cast All Change 25th Anniversary Tour
Spike Island: The Resurrection
Spike Island: The Resurrection At this moment in time, a trip back in time to the 1990’s doesn’t seem too bad an idea. No pandemic, no face masks, no allegations of Tory sleaze! A step back into time to the so called, “Second Summer of Love” may be something we could all do with... well … Continue reading Spike Island: The Resurrection
Thumper preview – 27.2.20 at Night People
What’s better than a band with three guitars? Of course, the answer is four guitars! The excess doesn’t just stop there as the band have two drummers as well. Thumper have gone for it straight, creating a fearsome wall of noise - I’ve no doubt they're preparing themselves for the leap from pubs and clubs, … Continue reading Thumper preview – 27.2.20 at Night People
Carson McHone. 29.01.20
Carson McHone Gorilla, Manchester 29/01/20 Country music is on the rise in the UK and despite not getting a huge amount of radio play over here, Country stars from across the pond regularly play at sold out venues, with little, if any, fanfare. Tonight in Manchester, 100 yards apart, Sturgill Simpson is at the O2 … Continue reading Carson McHone. 29.01.20
Harrison Whitford – 17.1.2020
Harrison Whitford - Gorilla, Manchester, 17/01/2020 It’s a great feeling to dust off the cobwebs, get over the Christmas bloat, get out, and see some live music. As it is a new year, it’s only fitting that I should go out and see a fresh, exciting, emerging talent and Harrison Whitford fits the bill. The … Continue reading Harrison Whitford – 17.1.2020
Sean McGowan 14.12.19
Seán McGowan – The Castle, Manchester, 14.12.2019 Reviewer: Matt Forrest 48 hours removed from the most depressing election result in recent memory, and it was a good feeling to be out with likeminded people, and to know that not everyone out there is a self serving c*nt. That is why what Seán McGowan achieved tonight … Continue reading Sean McGowan 14.12.19
Babybird – 29.11.19
Babybird – Deaf Institute 29/11/19 Reviewer: Matthew Forrest There was a lot to admire about tonight’s Babybird gig. First and foremost, in Stephen Jones you have a performer comfortable in his surroundings, so comfortable in fact that he clearly doesn’t give a toss, what you, I, or anyone else thinks. And quite frankly the night … Continue reading Babybird – 29.11.19