Now Wave presents…Spectrals, Girls and Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks.

Strikingly-named Bass Drum of Death play in one of the more unlikely Manchester venues.

Two 4 star reviews of Corgan and co. Just because.

Warning: article contains a half-naked photo of Brandon Boyd. Don’t say we don’t give you anything nice to look at.

Very much an overlooked venue, Joshua Brooks provides a 5 star worthy night of music.

In becoming more confident, the songs lose the nervous emotional intensity that made them so endearing.

Dog Is Dead: nothing that you’ve not heard done better a dozen times before.

Surprises lay in wait even for those who thought they knew the established producer very well.

An album packed full of country, funk, blues, gospel, acid house, dubstep and afrobeat. Something for everyone then.

A wonderfully beguiling and sensitive record from Deerhunter frontman, Bradford Cox.

This overlooked British outfit still know how to produce some of the most gutsy and infectious rock music around.

A step-down from their last Mancunian venture at Academy 1, The Maccabees prove that it’s not where you play but how you play that matters.

Think Frankie Cocozza’s the most badass, rock n roll knobhead you’ve ever seen strutting his stuff? You’ve clearly never seen The Darkness then.

Poetry and drum cymbals set alight? This isn’t your usual gig. This is a King Blues gig.

The Dum Dum Girls manage to achieve the rare feat of recalling Joy Division in a manner that isn’t jarringly obvious.

Convincing in his role of the ‘eccentric musical genius’, Wolf is adored by all in attendance.

A gig so bad, you have to question why anyone bothered to turn up. Ouch.

The Glaswegians make the rounds for the last time on their farewell tour.

When a band like The Courteeners is able to sell out the MEN Arena, there must be a clear dearth of anything remotely listenable coming out of the city.

15,000 fans pack out MEN for the epitome of a perfect pop performance.