WHAT: More than 400 acts across 30 venues WHY: Because Liverpool has no shortage of musical outlets and keenness to foster its history and reputation. Like its spiritual precursor, Manchester's In The City, there's also talks and conferences, including Arthur Baker in conversation with Nelson George (Friday 1pm) and a DIY label panel (Thursday 1.30pm) with Rich The Line Of Best Fit, John Brainlove, Whiskas Dance To The Radio, Alex Holy Roar and Shell Amazing Radio. WHEN: 17th-19th May WHERE: Across Liverpool HOW: £45 for all the gigs, £150 for everything WHO: THURSDAY: Slow Club, Still Corners ...

First thing: listen to that drummer go. Right from when we spotlighted them as tips for, cough, 2010 it's been evident they had a dark post-post-punk angle to bring to the nu-gaze party, and on this new single out on the 28th it feels like a constant pushing battle against the grain, more than a hint of Walkmen">The Walkmen subsumed in swirling pedal-pushing guitar textural swarms, sounding like they're racing against nothing so much as the passing of time.

Manchester's Young British Artists tell us about the three records that changed the way they look at music, and reveal the details of their special, very limited edition Record Store Day release.

Every year, Record Store Day is getting bigger and bigger in the UK, with more and more people queuing up to get their hot little hands on limited edition releases, special re-pressings of classic albums, and enjoy shedloads of live music events held in celebration. In the wake of last year's crippling PIAS warehouse fire, which saw thousands and thousands of pounds in losses for independent record stores across the country, RSD2012 stands to be all the more special, and all the more worth while supporting, to help independent labels and artists get back on track. But remember, not ...

WHAT: The centre of Wakefield turns into a multi-venue showcase of greatness WHY: Because we went last year and had a fun day out, the promoters Rhubarb Bomb punching above their weight, not to mention that of the local venues' capacities (oxygen or Wave Pictures? Tough call) WHEN: 1st-3rd June, the bulk of the big bands on the 2nd WHERE: Eight venues across one area of Wakefield WHO: The Vaselines, Art Brut, Aidan Moffatt & Bill Wells, Napoleon IIIrd, Standard Fare, Runaround Kids, This Many Boyfriends, The Twilight Sad, Evans The Death, Herman Dune, Let's Wrestle, Withered Hand, White Town ...

Canadian artist Grimes is amongst the latest additions to the line up of this summer's Bestival. Real name Claire Boucher, Grimes has been a part of Montreal's arts scene for around a decade. Completing work on her new album 'Visions', though, it's clear that the producer regards this as a re-birth of sorts. A strangely beautiful work, 'Visions' is out on Monday (March 12th). Adding some muscle to her live show, Grimes will perform a number of European dates this summer including an exclusive visit to Bestival. Her sole British festival appearance of the summer, Grimes join ...

Factory icons New Order are set to headline Saturday night at this year's Bestival. So New Order are set to hit the festival trail. The legendary group reformed last year, and have already confirmed appearances at Benicassim, EXIT and more with the Factory icons now setting their sights on the UK. In an announcement this morning (February 14th) Bestival organiser Rob da Bank confirmed that New Order are set to headline the Robin Hill event. “So I've got Blue Monday blaring out of the Bestival HQ office speakers as we unveil our iconic Saturday night headliner New Order ...

Our special Manchester focussed feature kicks off with a remix featuring two of the city's brightest bands.

As played on The Far Side, Phantom 105.2, Tuesday January 24. DJ-ing plug: I’ll be DJ-ing at Glider on Friday (January 27). Glider happens on the last Friday of every month at the Workman’s Club, Dublin 2 from 10pm and admission is free. The Men “Open Your Heart” (Sacred Bones) Young British Artists “Everything In Front Of [...]

At the start of a new year, you want something that will rattle your bones a bit, something that will make you feel alive. So that’s where this band Young British Artists comes into the picture, you see. Their name would come up ever so often in my Twitter feed in 2011 and I thought, hmmm, must be something to them then. But I never actually got around to listening to them, until now. They... Continue reading Single Review: Young British Artists – Everything in Front of You

Words: Saam Das There's still a month to go but I must have listened to at least 500 singles this year. Conversely, I've listened to about 15 albums. People have told me I'm doing it the wrong way round - yet I love the single as an artform. Three minutes of perfection is much more likely than an hour of perfection. Although November hasn't been quite as stellar, here's ten of the best singles out now. Paper Crows - 'When Friends Survive' (14th) Finally out on 12" vinyl on Pete Tong 's resurrected FFRR label, I said ...

wer red deer club sagt, muss manchester sagen, muss aber auch benjamin wetherill, muss david a. jaycock, george thomas & the owls, muss stealing sheep oder young british artists benennen. denn ohne seine außerhalb der norm agierenden künstler wäre das kleine label eines unter vielen. ist es aber nicht, denn regelmäßig bietet es emporkömmlinge auf, die sich als stand- und wehrhaft erweisen, die dank ihrer qualität an der wasseroberfläche des haifischbeckens musikindustrie bleiben. natürlich planschen sie eher in randbereichen, aber he kopf unter wasser hört sich wesentlich schlimmer an, oder? mit jamie harrison wollen wir uns heute auf einen jungen mann ...

A single that's drunk on speed

New EP forthcoming from Manchester's Silverclub to tease your ear lobes with today; 'No Application' is out on the 21st November via Canadian imprint Hidden Pony . You can listen to the whole thing over at their website & get lead track 'No Application' as a free download. Couple of smart remixes from The Countach & The Viceroy Suite to check too. The band are also doing a free gig next week in London town with D/R/U/G/S and Young British Artists, for a chance to win tickets click on the linky .

D/R/U/G/S is set to lead Manchester's latest charge on London courtesy of Gio Goi. Anyone see the football at the weekend? In case you didn't notice, the teams in Manchester took London, chewed it up and spat it right back out again. Now it seems that the city could do the same to the music scene... Clothing brand Gio Goi have their roots in Manchester, having been inspired by the Acid House explosion. Now the brand have decided to host a free party in London featuring some of Manchester's hottest new electronic talent ...