It takes all sorts to be successful in the music business; some get by with a mediocre voice and average performance with exceptional lyrics to carry them, with others it’s all about the show. Every now and then though you get reminded that what counts most is the music. Tonight was one of those nights when you couldn’t help but be touched by music and song so exquisitely performed that a full room stands in rapt silence.

Without a new album to promote some might question the reason for Bloc Party’s Bloctober tour, not the fans though. They turned out in their droves to see the band in action and weren’t disappointed.

I love going to a new city and finding out where the local bands are playing. Norwich is no exception and was recently named in NME as one of the hotbeds of unsigned indie talent. Central to this is the Brickmakers and its live music venue B2.

It’s not just the music that people go to gigs for but it’s a fair comment to say that a lot of up and coming bands (as well as some successful bands) forget that. I remember seeing the Verve on the main stage at the V festival a decade or so ago. Musically they were fantastic, and you’d have been hard pushed to tell the difference between listening to their live performance and their CD, but that’s part of the problem…

While most of the country was having a quiet Sunday night in, a small basement club in Manchester was rocking out with an transatlantic twist.

Well it's looking good if Friday night was anything to go by anyway. I was in Sale, Manchester at Bar Amp for Designer Mag's tenth All Ages gig. The idea of the all ages gigs is to give under 18's a taste of live music and on this performance it's a taste they love!

The Sugarmill in Stoke-on-Trent has been one of my favourite venues for a long time so when I was feeling restless one chilly night in January I had a wander down to see who was playing...

News from a trip to Liverpool's Korova Bar to see Polly Mackey, The Verdict, Parka and Alexis Blue

My very first post and some photographs from a recent Delays gig