TRUCK Festival’s celebration of female-fronted bands is refreshing and welcome — in doing so, the small indie-focused festival has become a leader in furthering the cause for feminism in music.

A narrative triumph with some mechanical caveats

An underwhelming night, though not without moments of spark and creativity

To celebrate National Vegetarian Week 2018, Kirstie O’Mahony tried The Pen and Pencil’s new veggie and vegan offerings, and was left reeling

Even with a chill vibe, For Now certainly does not lack magnificence

The Vaccines manage to rise from the rubble with a fourth album that harks back to the good old days, and may be their strongest release to date

One ex-boyband member finds his own Direction in an upbeat, folksy gig that promises a bright future

The Wombats bring their relentless energy to the Academy for a second sold out show

Big Bad Wolf’s debut title offers potential and disappointment in equal measure

Far Cry returns with a big, bloody, but ultimately banal installment

An accomplished co-op adventure marred by a lack of launch day content

Kylie playing Gorilla is a special treat for all, and Manchester shows its gratitude better than anywhere else

Don’t miss the chance to get involved with this year’s Manchester Lift-Off Film Festival!

Feeder demonstrate their generation-spanning appeal

Four universities go head to head in a slam poetry competition tackling issues ranging from puberty to politics

Despite the elements, Julien still puts on an impressive performance while in support for Belle & Sebastian

California’s moody monochromatic musicians drop an extremely average third album.

After reading James Weldon Johnson’s 1912 book, Margherita Concina gives her thoughts on race and politics

The name is the worst thing about it

Anuli Changa reviews Music Society’s spectacular night of opera on the themes of war and conflict