• Theatre: Crongton Knights – Theatre Royal York – 25-29th February

    Theatre: Crongton Knights – Theatre Royal York – 25-29th February

    The world premiere adaptation of Alex Wheatle’s award-winning novel Crongton Knights comes to York Theatre Royal from 25 to 29 February. Life isn’t easy on the Crongton Estate and for McKay and his mates it’s all about keeping their heads down but when a friend finds herself in trouble, they…

  • LIVE: The Sherlocks – O2 Academy, Sheffield

    LIVE: The Sherlocks – O2 Academy, Sheffield

    It’s been a long time since The Sherlocks played their last headline show in Sheffield but on Friday night, it felt like they’d never been away with a sold out show at the O2 Academy. In 2019, the Sheffield four-piece secured their second Top 20 record with Under Your Sky,…

  • REVIEW: Over The Moor – Glass Violet

    REVIEW: Over The Moor – Glass Violet

    Band: Glass VioletTrack: Over The MoorTime: 4:36 minutesFor fans of: Killers, Kasabian, Catfish & The BottlemenH2N Rating 81/100 Last month, Bristol based band Glass Violet released their second single Over The Moor, the eagerly anticipated follow up to 2019’s Chemicals. The four piece (Alex John, Tom Hurdiss, Matt West, Josh…

  • REVIEW: Enemies – Skylights

    REVIEW: Enemies – Skylights

    Band: SkylightsTrack: EnemiesTime: 4:11 minutesFor fans of: The Ramones, The Stone Roses, OasisH2N Rating 72/100 What a year it’s looking like it’s going to be for York’s Skylights. With a Shed Seven support in Halifax announced, sold out shows in Yorkshire and festivals lined-up nationwide during the summer, the four…

  • STAGE: The Three Musketeers – Theatre Royal, York

    STAGE: The Three Musketeers – Theatre Royal, York

    Written in 1844, The Three Musketeers is a 700 page epic novel that tells teh story of d’Artagnan who leaves home to join, hopefully, the Musketeers of the Guard in Paris. Since being published, the story has been world renowned on stage, with an epic run on Broadway from 1928…

  • LIVE: Faux Pas with Brooders & Bloodhound – Victoria Vaults, York

    LIVE: Faux Pas with Brooders & Bloodhound – Victoria Vaults, York

    Faux Pas blow roof off local York venue Victoria Vaults during Independent Venue Week show playing alongside Brooders & Bloodhound. Independent Venue Week is one of the best weeks in the musical calendar and this year, York’s venues embraced it more than ever before. During the week, on a cold…

  • Live: The Clockworks – The Jacaranda Club, Liverpool

    Live: The Clockworks – The Jacaranda Club, Liverpool

    There is definitely something in the water, over the water.  The quality of the bands currently coming coming out of Ireland is first rate.  Inhaler are a band whose name is on the lips of many.  Fontaines D.C. album Dogrel was on countless album of the year lists.  The Murder…

  • Review: The Night We Ran Away – The Joyride

    Review: The Night We Ran Away – The Joyride

    Who doesn’t like a bit a synth-pop?  Well nobody judging by the current playlist of our nations radio stations.  And who doesn’t like a bit of synth-pop with added guitars?  Again nobody.  Except perhaps Neil Tennant.  But he’s wrong.  Newest cab off the synth-pop rank are Merseyside based The Joyride.…

  • STAGE: Once The Musical – Review, Grand Opera House York

    STAGE: Once The Musical – Review, Grand Opera House York

    This week, the incredible musical “Once”, arrived in York for the very first time. Following critical success in 2012 on Broadway, to acclaim on the West End in London, Once is billed as a must see show, and it did not disappoint. Once embarks on its first major UK tour after…

  • LIVE: Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band – Brudenell, Leeds

    LIVE: Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band – Brudenell, Leeds

    I’ve been a Michael Head fan since my friend Nigel Shipton lent me From Across The Kitchen Table in 1985.  I’ve followed his career through The Strands, Shack, and on to his latest incarnation with The Red Elastic Band.  I’ve seen him at places as diverse as Edge Hill College…

  • This is Tomorrow Unveils Friday Line-up for the colossal outdoor 2020 summer gathering

    This is Tomorrow Unveils Friday Line-up for the colossal outdoor 2020 summer gathering

    Royal Blood, Blossoms and Fontaines D.C. confirmed For Exhibition Park Festival As part of a wave of new announcements, SSD Concerts has today confirmed that English rock duo Royal Blood, Irish post-punk sensations Fontaines D.C. and indie-pop band Blossoms will all perform on the Friday leg of This is Tomorrow…

  • Breaking News! Berwick is back!

    Breaking News! Berwick is back!

    Grand Opera House are delighted to announce York legend Berwick Kaler will be bulk buying Wagon Wheels, dusting off his frocks and making his much-anticipated, triumphant return to pantomime to star in Dick Turpin Rides Again this Christmas! The star of pantomime in York for 40 years, Berwick’s critically acclaimed performance as dame has solidified…

  • LIVE: The K’s – O2 Ritz, Manchester

    LIVE: The K’s – O2 Ritz, Manchester

    Around 12 months ago, Earlestown band The K’s really announced themselves to the Manchester music scene with a sold out show at Academy 2. The 950 capacity venue was the perfect end to that chapter of the bands 18 month journey, and since then, the four-piece have grown leaps and…

  • Live: Walt Disco – Fulford Arms, York

    Live: Walt Disco – Fulford Arms, York

    I wasn’t alive in the 1980s, let alone experienced the decade many hark back to so often, but in recent times, it seems that much of 80s culture has crept back into society. With 2020 being a new decade I thought it was finally time to embrace some of this…

  • Review: Teetotal – The Kairos

    Review: Teetotal – The Kairos

    Liverpool based The Kairos are Tom Dempsey (guitar and vocals), Owen Forrester (bass), Sam Bradley (drums and vocals) and Lewis Chambers (guitar).   They first came on to my radar at the end of last year.  They were the main support to The Cheap Thrills at their sold-out Liverpool O2 Academy…

  • News: Alone In Berlin comes to York, 3-21st March

    News: Alone In Berlin comes to York, 3-21st March

    The world premiere production of Alone in Berlin, Hans Fallada’s acclaimed novel translated and adapted for the stage by Alistair Beaton, comes to York Theatre Royal from 3 – 21 March. Charlotte Emmerson, Denis Conway and Joseph Marcell lead an ensemble cast directed by James Dacre, Artistic Director of Royal…

  • Review: Fight On – The Lathums

    Review: Fight On – The Lathums

    Towards the back end of 2019, Halfway 2 Nowhere got a little bit carried away with our praise of a certain indie-rock band from Wigan. With bold statements such as “without doubt, the best 45 minutes of live music I’ve seen in 2019” and “If they’re not the band that…

  • Review: Brew-denell Beer Festival 2020

    Review: Brew-denell Beer Festival 2020

    As the editor of a blog that covers local music and beer, there is no better combination possible than a Beer Festival at the best independent music venue in the country, Brudenell Social Club. Heading down to the Brude on the Sunday of Brew-denell is always a risk. If it’s…

  • NEWS: Stockton Calling announces first set of artists

    NEWS: Stockton Calling announces first set of artists

    Stockton Calling – Teesside’s biggest and best multi-venue music festival – returns to Stockton on Saturday 11 April 2020.  Each year, venues across the town host stellar headliners, some of the most exciting national emerging artists, alongside the very best of regional acts. Now in its 11th year, Stockton Calling…

  • Review: Stanleys – A Better Life

    Review: Stanleys – A Better Life

    Back in 2019, there was one band that stood out for me above anyone else on the grassroots circuit. That band were Wigan’s Lathums. And listening to them on track and live I made the prediction that few bands over the next few days could create music like they did…