February 2012
4 posts
“There are small bands touring in vans that should be on TOP of the charts while...”
– Themerchdude (via themerchdude)
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Gig Review: The Devil Wears Prada @ Manchester...
Saturday February 4, 2012
Review by Frances Roach
Support from: Brotherhood of the Lake, Last Witness
Support for tonight consisted of two UK hardcore outfits Brotherhood of the Lake and secondly Last Witness, whom many seemed to be there for, donning their matching Witness beanies. Their set is slightly reminiscent of a young Your Demise, with room for growth.
The American metalcore band,...
January 2012
1 post
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Gig Review: Panic! At The Disco @ Manchester O2...
Friday January 27, 2012
Review and photography by Frances Roach
Support from: Me.
I was surprised to see Panic! At The Disco play to a sold out Apollo, considering their last two trips to Manchester saw them playing a much smaller Academy 1, during their peak. Over the past two years, they have brought back the ! in their name and seen two of their founding members quit, leaving them as a...
December 2011
8 posts
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Gig Review: Architects @ Manchester Academy 2
Thursday December 15, 2011
Review by Frances Roach
Photography by Danielle Booth
Support from: Deaf Havana, Tek-One, Heights
A near full capacity Academy 2 sees Brighton metalcore five-piece Architects storm their way through a blistering set of songs old and new, with audience following suit. Starting with new single ‘Devil’s Island’ off their anticipated upcoming...
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My Top 10 Albums of 2011
Saturday December 17, 2011
Written by Frances Roach
Below are my top 10 albums that you (hopefully) will have checked out in 2011. If not, I’d advise you to get to it!
It is not in any particular order and this is just based on my opinion/ my personal tastes. There are so many I have missed off the list that I have heard great things about but I just haven’t gotten round to giving...
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Gig Review: I Am The Avalanche @ Manchester Moho...
Sunday December 11, 2011
Review and photography by Frances Roach
Support from: Hostage Calm, Apologies, I Have None
After witnessing the high interaction and intensity seen from both band and audience via the Liverpool show at The Magnet last Friday (which was rather impressive considering the last minute venue change due to the closure of The Masque) and despite the band calling the...
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Album Review: Four Year Strong- In Some Way,...
Wednesday November 23, 2011
Written by Frances Roach
Decaydance Records/Universal Motown
Many people had already made their minds up about this record before it was even released, or were hesitant at the least. With a departure (and lack of replacement) of keyboardist Josh Lyford, the Massachusetts pop punk band had the task of creating album #4 to the standards expected from their long term...
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Gig Review: The Swellers @ Manchester Academy 3
Sunday December 4, 2011
Review and photography by Frances Roach
Support from: Broadway Calls, Into It. Over It.
Two amazing shows were taking place simultaneously at the Manchester Academy venues on this rainy Sunday evening, with many gig goers opting for the show that was happening in the basement of the building (Glaswegian rockers Twin Atlantic), who ironically enough, announced the day...
November 2011
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Gig Review: Madina Lake @ Manchester Academy 2
Wednesday November 16, 2011
Review and photography by Frances Roach
Support from: My Passion, Super Happy Fun Club
Playing their previous two Manchester shows in Academy 2, Madina Lake are more than familiar with what to expect tonight. They even go as far as to mention that their previous show here in 2010 was “the best show we have ever played”. The audience has a LOT to live up...
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Bands To Watch in 2012: letlive
By Frances Roach
With a notable re-release of Fake History in 2011 on renowned post-hardcore and punk label Epitaph, letlive have already experienced much deserved recognition recently, mainly due to an intense touring and festival circuit, especially across the UK and mainland Europe.
Making their well received debut at Download and Reading & Leeds this year, their live sets are not one...
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Gig Review: A Day To Remember @ Manchester Academy
Tuesday November 15, 2011
Review and photography by Frances Roach
Support from: August Burns Red, The Ghost Inside, Living With Lions
Promoted as the final ever Eastpak Antidote Tour, starting in mainland Europe, ending with a string of shows in the UK, it brings a stellar lineup of bands from the other side of the Atlantic.
Vancouver outfit Living With Lions successfully warm up the sold...
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Gig Review: Rise Against @ Manchester O2 Apollo
Saturday November 5, 2011
Review and photography by Frances Roach
Support from: Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman, Polar Bear Club
Review and photography by Frances Roach
Following up from their 2009 UK headline tour, Rise Against are back with a string of shows on English shores. With an impressive bill consisting of pop punk outfit Polar Bear Club and the legendary Tom Morello, of Rage...
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Gig Review: Evanescence @ Leeds O2 Academy
Saturday November 12, 2011
Review and photography by Frances Roach
Support from: The Pretty Reckless, Me
After 5 years away from our shores and various lineup changes, the somewhat symphonic rock band are back with a much anticipated string of UK dates. Abruptly walking onto the stage with opening song and current single ‘What You Want’ and making their way through a row...
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Gig Review: Katy Perry @ Manchester Evening News...
Monday October 31, 2011
Review and photography by Frances Roach
Support from: DJ Skeet Skeet
Pop’s favourite 21st century Californian export Katy Perry graced the Manchester stage for a fun-filled Halloween stop on her ‘California Dreams Tour’, however this show was far from scary, instead consisting of a 2 hour set of bubblegum pop, from the candy inspired stage designs,...
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October 2011
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Album Review: I Am The Avalanche- Avalanche United
Thursday October 27, 2011
By Frances Roach
Six years after their last release, their debut self titled album back in 2005, the Brooklyn quintet I Am The Avalanche are back with a belter. ‘Avalanche United’ sees a significant magnitude of progress from where they left off and is apparent from the get go with opening track ‘Holy Fuck’, evidencing their objectives in the...
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Gig Review: Jessie J @ O2 Manchester Apollo
Friday October 21, 2011
Review & photography by Frances Roach
Support from: Devlin, Cherri V
Jessie J has blown up over the past 12 months, with chart success in the UK, across Europe, even so far as breaking the States. Embarking on her first official UK tour, and opting to play in medium-sized theatre venues, it is apparent that these will most probably be the smallest venues she will...
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Gig Review: Enter Shikari @ HMV Ritz, Manchester
Friday October 7, 2011
Review and photography by Frances Roach
Support from: Your Demise, letlive.
After spending the majority of the summer out of the country and opting for an American summer on the road via the Vans Warped Tour, Enter Shikari are finally back on English soil, promising sold-out nights of absolute insanity. With a rather stellar lineup of bands on the bill,...
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Album Review: New Found Glory - Radiosurgery
Tuesday October 11, 2011
By Frances Roach
Now with 7 full-length albums to their name, New Found Glory, one of the long standing pioneers of pop punk are back with Radiosurgery. From the first spin, it is obvious that this latest release from the Floridian five-piece has a much higher pop-to-punk ratio than previous full length release, Not Without A Fight. Opening with the...
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Album Review: Blink 182 - Neighborhoods
Friday October 14, 2011
By Frances Roach
Eight years, several rumours and post-hiatus band formations later, the ultimate heroes of the pop punk genre are back, with much anticipation and a whole deal of expectation. After delays regarding its completion and a controversial postponement of their 2011 UK Summer Tour, ‘Neighborhoods’ is finally released upon the...
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Album Review: The Wonder Years - The Wonder Years...
Wednesday June 29, 2011
By Frances Roach
Whilst successfully keeping the same core values as in previous albums & EPs, there is a distinct progress in the The Wonder Years as the overall outcome & production suggests the band are musically at their tightest.
As far as the lyrics go, the album focuses on the same themes as their previous record, documenting their ...