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written for High Voltage It has long been acknowledged that Deerhunter are one of the most enterprising bands in the world, with their influence on other contemporary musicians already highly noticeable. We can now add ‘consummate professionalism’ to their growing list of attributes. This performance at Manchester’s Sound Control was highly impressive, once again demonstrating […]
March 19, 2011
written for High Voltage Manchester’s Deaf Institute played host to three bands tonight as Woods, Spectrals and The Doozer were each given an opportunity to impress a room full of organic food lovers and long beards. Each band had their own approach and each band had differing fortunes on the night. First up was The […]
February 7, 2011
4AD are proving to be masters at signing high-quality music acts, and Twin Shadow is the latest to emerge from their offices. Twin Shadow is the moniker adopted by George Lewis Jr., a Dominican-born singer who makes synth based music layered with ingenuity. Manchester’s Deaf Institute was sold-out as locals clamoured to assess his credentials […]
December 12, 2010
1 – Laura Marling at the Lowry, Salford This was a truly spectacular performance from one of this country’s most gifted artists. Laura Marling’s stunning arrangements and incisive lyricism left her audience at the Lowry amazed at the depth of her talent. Later nominated for a Mercury (which she was cruelly denied), 2010 has offered […]
November 21, 2010
If this tour really is to be the last hurrah for LCD Soundsystem then they will leave behind a large void in the music world – as well as some very disappointed fans. It hardly seems believable that they will disband since they possess such an incisive ability to translate impressive studio work into marvellous […]
November 2, 2010
written for High Voltage Spectrals may not be the most well-known band around at the moment but expect that to change very soon. They have long been heralded as one of the most exciting new bands in the UK and their career is now starting to take off. Their stylish brand of short and sweet […]
November 2, 2010
written for High Voltage Marina Diamandis has had a very successful year indeed. She sits proudly in the pantheon of new-wave female pop-singers and projects a clear desire to stay there. With her first big tour nearing its conclusion and her following growing rapidly it seems safe to say that her success will continue. However, […]
October 25, 2010
Formed in Los Angeles back in 2004, Warpaint are an ambient rock group that combine experimental tendencies with post punk rhythms. Having undergone various changes in personnel, the band’s progress had been somewhat stifled in the past but anyone inside last night’s sold-out Deaf Institute gig would agree that they are now set to become […]
October 21, 2010
written for High Voltage Within the space of two studio albums, Yeasayer have managed to accrue a string of first-class hits. Although these albums display dramatically different sounds, the quality of each is undeniable. Tonight, at Academy 2 in Manchester, they delivered a set containing the very best songs from their career to date and […]
September 20, 2010
written for High Voltage The Palace Theatre opened up its well-worn doors for an evening of top-class folk music tonight, as Roy Harper and Joanna Newsom combined to create a wonderfully inspiring evening. When a legend of music and a true modern-day great share the same bill it usually makes for a terrific spectacle, and […]
August 9, 2010
written by Robert Pollard for High Voltage Yeasayer have had a breathless start to life as a band. Their live performances and two studio albums have received high praise from music critics and they have an ever-increasing fan base. High Voltage caught up with singer and multi instrumentalist Anand Wilder to get his thoughts on […]
August 6, 2010
written for High Voltage The Wu-Tang Clan are the absolute embodiment of true hip-hop. Despite some shaky record releases during their time, they continue to shine like a beacon of authenticity when compared with their contemporaries. There was a time when rappers were political activists and serious thinkers but the hip-hop world has become increasingly […]
July 23, 2010
written for High Voltage The music industry has become an increasingly fickle entity. Record labels are now far more inclined to drop underperforming artists, making musicians seem disposable and temporary. Stories of record labels showing blind faith in a band they have a passion for seem a distant memory, with most music acts now lucky […]
May 15, 2010
Last Friday saw the official launch of I Am Blackbird’s fantastic new EP ‘This Town’ at the Night & Day Cafe in Manchester. Recently named Piccadilly Records’ ‘Record of the Week’, a truly deserved accolade, the EP is excellent and there is a review available on Passions Just Like Mine for anybody not familiar with […]
April 1, 2010
written for High Voltage Manchester’s Deaf Institute was packed to the rafters as The Drums made their much anticipated return to this growing left-field venue. An expectant audience did not leave disappointed as the New Yorkers provided an energetic performance full of vocal hooks and superb dancing. Support tonight came in the shape of Uranium […]
March 1, 2010
Manchester has a renowned reputation for being a hot-bed of musical talent, though occasionally that can feel like an over-played myth. There are seemingly endless amounts of bands with very little talent or direction and many gig nights in Manchester will leave you disappointed. Still, every now and then a band will come along and […]
February 10, 2010
It is instantly obvious when listening to Crystal Stilts that their musical diet is somewhat limited, however, this does not detract from the quality of their sound. Their songs are simple in technical terms, with stripped down drum patterns and uncomplicated chord structures, but their minimalist approach and dark, crooned vocal, together with reverb-heavy guitar […]
February 3, 2010
Written for Student Direct photography by Sam Ellis After a breathless 2009, which saw the release of 2 new albums and 2 re-released classics, as well as endless touring across America, UK and Europe; […]
Passions Just Like Mine 
April 1, 2011
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