PVA & Double Helix – Esquires, Bedford
After a postponed gig in 2021, Grammy nominated electronic trio PVA finally headlined Esquires as part of a UK tour. PVA released their debut album Blush last year and headed…
Tom Grennan – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
Bedford's Tom Grennan is getting ready to release his new album Ifs and Maybes and kicked off his UK tour at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. It was a huge…
slowthai – The Black Prince, Northampton
This was a bit of a good one. slowthai has been playing a run of small 'pub' gigs across the UK as part of the 'Best Night Of Your Life'…
slowthai – HMV, Northampton
slowthai held a signing session at HMV in Northampton to mark the release of his new album UGLY. Fans queued up hours to meet the Northants native who was back…
Self Esteem – O2 Institute, Birmingham
Rebecca Taylor brough Self Esteem to the O2 Institute in Birmingham as part of her latest tour across the UK promoting her latest album Prioratise Pleasure. A full review of…
Frank Turner / Lottery Winners – Roadmender, Northampton
Frank Turner returned to the Roadmender for the first 'post Independent Venue Week'. He was joined by The Lottery Winners who were back for their third gig in Northampton in…
IVW23 – Opus Kink – The Black Prince, Northampton
Opus Kink brought Independent Venue Week to a close at The Black Prince with a great headline set. Second time in Northampton for these guys and my third time seeing…
IVW23 – Pale Blue Eyes – The Black Prince, Northampton
My penultimate gig of Independent Venue Week was Pale Blue Eyes at The Black Prince. Another packed one for the venue, with support by The Covasettes and Tvål. Headliners Pale…
IVW23 – Delights – The Black Prince, Northampton
Show #3 of Independent Venue Week was indie-pop five piece Delights at The Black Prince. Support by Northampton acts Pavilion and Lite Sleeper. More photos of gigs at The Black…
IVW23 – Benefits – Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes
Gig two of Independent Venue Week and one of the very best. I went into this one probably having read more about Benefits than I'd heard. Fantastic performance, intensely heavy…
IVW23 – Trampolene – Esquires, Bedford
Independent Venue Week got under way at Esquires in Bedford with alt-trio Trampolene. The band, led by Jack Jones, were playing gigs in both Bedford and Milton Keynes as part…
The Subways – The Black Prince, Northampton
The Subways are out on tour in support of their new album Uncertain Joys and headlined a sold out gig at The Black Prince. Great atmosphere and hell of a…
Torus / Potwash / Clearcut – The Garibaldi, Northampton
You can always rely on The Garibaldi to be hosting some of the best up-and-coming acts around and Torus was no deviation from this. The venue was absolutely rammed for…
Billy Lockett – The Picturedrome, Northampton
Following a triumphant gig at Islington's Assembly Hall in London in November, Billy Lockett returned to Northampton to headline a sold-out gig at The Picturedrome. Lockett is due to release…
Spinadisc Xmas Party – The Black Prince, Northampton
Spinadisc records held its annual Christmas party at the Black Prince on Friday. The gig was headlined by indie five piece Rolling Thunder with support by FFSYTHO?!, Maddox Jones, Balter,…
This Is Nottingham / Bru-C – Metronome, Nottingham
Here's a few from This is Nottingham, a night curated by actress Vicky McClure and the Teenage Cancer Trust featuring headliner Bru-C alongside Ja Digga and Kingdom Rapper. It was…
Therapy? – Esquires, Bedford
Therapy? returned to Bedford for the first time since 1998 to headline Esquires. The trio of singer and Andy Cairns, bassist Michael McKeegan and drummer Neil Cooper tore through a…
Sikth / Drownd, Roadmender, Northampton
Sikth headed to Northampton this week for an intimate warm-up gig at the Roadmender before gigs in London and Manchester. The acclaimed progressive metallers were marking the 20th anniversary since…
Tragic – The Black Prince, Northampton
Tragic launched new EP Recidivism with a hometown headline gig at The Black Prince. Probably one of the best gigs of the year at the Northampton venue. Great atmosphere, tons…
Joey Valence & Brae – Castle & Falcon, Birmingham
I wasn't officially photographing this show, but grabbed a few decent photos on my phone and it was definitely one worth highlighting. US rappers Joey Valence and Brae returned to…
Phantom Isle / Megalashhh – The Black Prince, Northampton
Phantom Isle and Megalashhh both launched new EPs at The Black Prince on Friday night. Both records have been released by Eight Limb Entertainment. Phantom Isle's Out Of Blue EP…
Warmduscher – Roadmender, Northampton
Warmduscher are on the road touring in support of their latest album At The Hotspot and headlined The Roadmender this week. The band were joined by Opus Kink. There's a…
Billy Lockett – Islington Assembly Hall, London
Billy Lockett returned to London to headline the Islington Assembly Hall. The Northampton singer songwriter releases his debut album Abington Grove in February. Support was by Dani Sylvia. A full…
Alfie Templeman – Esquires, Bedford
Bedford singer songwriter Alfie Templeman headlined a sold out gig at Esquires. Templeman had been due to play at the town's Halloween Festival which had previously been cancelled. Joining Templeman…
The Bellrays – The Black Prince, Northampton
Californian garage rockers The Bellrays headlined The Black Prince on Halloween. They were joined by The Big Dirty, who donned outfits from their Swine video for the gig. More photos…
Bodega / Regressive Left – Esquires, Bedford
New York's Bodega are on tour across the UK in support of their latest album Broken Equipment and returned to headlined Esquires in Bedford. The band previously played the venue…
Girls In Synthesis – The Black Prince, Northampton
Girls In Synthesis returned to Northampton to kick off their tour for their new album The Rest Is Distraction. Having previously played at The Lab in 2021, GIS headlined The…
From The Archives: Har Mar Superstar / Lizzo – Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes
Following Lizzo's meteoric rise to fame and the recent announcement of her return to the UK for a series of gigs at arenas next year, I thought it'd dig out…
Town Takeover – Northampton venues
Dozens of musicians headed to Northampton for the inaugural Town Takeover Festival. The multi-venue festival was organised by the pair behind The Scratched Record Podcast, Elliott Farrar and Joe Edwards.…
JOHN – The Black Prince, Northampton
Rock duo JOHN headlined The Black Prince as part of a fundraising gig organised by the pair behind the Pure Mood Podcast. Joining them were Norway's Spielbergs and Corby's Luna…
Yard Act – Esquires, Bedford
After covid enforced postponements, Yard Act returned to Esquires in Bedford to headline DIY Magazine's Class of 22 tour. It was almost exactly 12 months since the band last headlined…
Ben Ottewell – The Black Prince, Northampton
Gomez singer songwriter Ben Ottewell headlined The Black Prince as part of a short run of acoustic gigs. Joining Ottewell was joined by Jasmine Burns and Keiron Farrow. More photos…
FFSYTHO?! – Roadmender, Northampton
Following a summer appearances at festivals including Kendal Calling and Shambala, rapper FFSYTHO?! headlined a hometown gig at the Roadmender. Photos below include support by L3O Robinson, Napps, Nevmore, Deadboi…
Jah Wobble – The Black Prince, Northampton
Acclaimed bassist Jah Wobble and his band Invaders of the Heart played a packed mid-week gig at The Black Prince as part of run of shows across the UK. Wobble…
Bauhaus – O2 Academy Brixton, London
Post-punk goth pioneers Bauhaus headlined the O2 Academy Brixton in London - the band's only UK show as part of their latest jaunt across the world. It was the band's…
Cropredy Convention 2022
After two years off due to the coronavirus, thousands of people headed to Williamscot for the return of Crorpedy Convention. One of the key festivals on the folk rock circuit,…
Paul Weller – Bedford Park, Bedford
Paul Weller returned to the region to headline Bedford Park as part of the Bedford Park Concerts series. The mod icon was joined by his band featuring Ocean Colour Scene's…
KiLLOWEN / Oculate – The Black Prince, Northampton
One of the best nights at The Black Prince in ages for the inaugural Oculate live event. Joining headliner KiLLOWEN was a ton of NN talent including Anti!i, Remieworld, Vince…
Paloma Faith – Campbell Park, Milton Keynes
Paloma Faith brought Campbell Park’s live concert series to a close on Sunday night with a set of pop perfection. Following headline performances on previous nights by ABBA Symphonic and…
Rag ‘n’ Bone Man – Campbell Park, Milton Keynes
Thousands of music fans packed into Campbell Park on Saturday to see multi-platinum selling singer songwriter Rag ‘n’ Bone Man. The musician has been out on tour across the UK…
Ditz – The Black Prince, Northampton
The Revive Live Tour returned to The Black Prince with a headline set by Ditz. The band is touring in support of their debut album The Great Regression which was…
FFSYTHO?! & That Joe Payne – Pride, Northampton
There was an amazing turn out for Northampton Pride and after the main parade, the Market Square hosted a series of performances during the day. I wasn't about for the…
Pete Tong & The Symphony Orchestra – Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Legendary DJ Pete Tong brought his Ibiza Classics show to Franklin's Gardens on Friday night. Tong was joined by The Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jules Buckley. Together, they performed a…
Sarpa Salpa, Northampton Music Festival 2022. Photo by David Jackson.
NMF – Northampton Music Festival 2022
Dozens of acts took to stages across Northampton for the return of the annual Northampton Music Festival. The main stage in the Market Square was headlined by Sarpa Salpa and…
Black Doldrums – The Black Prince, Northampton
Psych goth post-punk trio Black Doldrums are on the road touring in support of their latest album Dead Awake. This was definitely one of the loudest gigs I've heard at…
The Jim Jones All Stars – The Black Prince, Northampton
Most people on stage at The Black Prince? Quite Likely. The Jim Jones All Stars are the latest nine-piece band by the acclaimed rock and roller. Great set by the…
Tom Grennan – Bedford Park, Bedford
Tom Grennan headlined an incredible sold-out hometown headline gig at Bedford Park, playing in front of thousands of fans. He was joined by Eden Hunter, Ella Eyre, The Scruff and…
The Specials – Bedford Park, Bedford
The Specials kicked off the opening night of the Bedford Park Concerts series with a career spanning set. The Coventry 2-Tone legends were joined by Tribes and Melt Yourself Down.…
Ceremony #2 Festival – Esquires, Bedford
Esquires hosted Ceremony #2 Festival on Saturday, the second instalment of its annual all-dayer. The line-up featured Pip Blomb, Big Joanie, Opus Kink, Keg, Low Hummer and Low Girl on…
My Chemical Romance – Stadium MK, Milton Keynes
After two smaller 'warm up' gigs in Cornwall, My Chemical Romance headed to Stadium MK in Milton Keynes for three huge gigs. The band's UK dates were at the very…