Sugarstone @ The Deaf Institute, Manchester
Photo Credit: Axekrill
Sugarstone proved once again that they are one of the best live acts in the North-West, never skimping on performance and intensity. As they commanded the room at their biggest ever headline show, heavy riffs, pounding drum rhythms and twisted synths spiralled around the crowd. Moshpits opened up from the very first track as the energy was unrelenting. By combining catchy vocal melodies with a darker gothic undertone and head-banging Rock energy with a harsh industrial twist, their sound is truly unique and it was a pleasure seeing them playing to their biggest crowd yet.
Wunderhorse @ O2 Academy, Liverpool
Photo Credit: Dylan Cox
Wunderhorse marked themselves as one of the UK's best new guitar bands with a ferocios performance filled with euphoric singalongs, intense Grunge outbursts and tonnes of scrappy energy. With a tour of America on the horizon and a momentum that refuses to show any signs of slowing, Wunderhorse are an unmissable live act.
Toy Car @ Hangar 34, Liverpool
One of Liverpool's most exhilarating Indie bands, Toy Car, took to Hangar 34 for a gargantuan hometown headline. They certainly stepped up to the occasion offering growling vocals from Shaun Hough, barreling rhythms and energy in abundance. Each time they take to the stage, things jump up a level so we can't wait to see what's in store next.
Beyond The Music @ Various venues, Manchester
Photo Credit: Kyle Roczniak
Beyond The Music is a multi-faceted industry conference which blends discussion panels, networking, in-conversations and live music. The conference side of the festival covered some of the music scene's most burning issues such as the increasing rate of venue closure, the imminent spread of AI in music and the ongoing battle for equality and sustainability. A wide range of leading industry voices from Aitch to Andy Burnham were in attendance providing perspectives from all sectors of the music scene.
Following the conference, a fantastic multi-venue showcase of emerging artists took place with a monumental 25% of the lineup dedicated solely to North-West based artists. The raw ferocity of Yaang, the transcendent vintage drama of Georgian and the high-octane Indie sounds of The Kairos were among the North-West highlights while Shelf Lives were our pick of the punch who took the trip up north for this wonderful venue hopping festival.
The Way Off @ The Zanzibar, Liverpool
Photo Credit: Johnsysshots
At just 16 years old, the members of The Way Off may not have much live experience under their belt but their headline at The Zanzibar was delivered with a maturity beyond their years. They radiated all the youthful Indie energy that you would expect from a young band and offered a command of the stage that is hard to pull off. They blended fun and joyfully scrappy originals with covers of Oasis and Wunderhorse, wearing their influences on their sleeve and getting the young crowd bouncing. It's wonderful to see the next wave of bands and music lovers having live events to thrive at. Hats off to Johnsysshots for organising the show.
The Last Dinner Party @ Mountford Hall, Liverpool
One of the biggest breakthrough acts of the year, The Last Dinner Party, brought all the drama and granduer that you would expect, delivering the same performative spectacle radiates throughout their debut album. Huge singalong chorus' created a wonderful unity in the crowd and left their slick melodies ringing around the walls of Mountford Hall.
LEAP @ EBGBs, Liverpool
We couldn't make this list without mentioning LEAP who headlining our co-promote night with Citezen Live at EBGBs. Their anthemic brand of infectious Rock had the room bouncing from start to finish. There were queues of people waiting to arrive and this eagerness never relented as the crowd were just as hyped as the band themselves who were kicking off their UK tour. One of our favourite lice acts in the country and it was a pleasure to have them playing in Liverpool.
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