Liverpool Music Scene
Find out about the musicians and bands shaping Liverpool’s music scene through features, interviews and reviews
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Michael Aldag’s ‘Fantasia’: A Synth-Pop Dreamscape For A New Era
Michael Aldag effortlessly spearheaded his way to top of the sonic circuit with his breezy, synth pop since launching his solo career in 2021. With a rising social media presence and fan base, Aldag utilises his platform with innovative charisma, a position most upcoming artists begrudgingly wince at. But where his online presence is thriving, the Merseyside born artist’s music is equally as burgeoning, gaining millions of streams on Spotify. Described as the “beginning of…
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‘Changing of Skies’ EP is Laura & The Ark’s Journey Through Growth and Healing
With Changing of Skies, Laura Bentley turns her attention to personal growth, pain and hard-won wisdom. Recording under the name Laura & The Ark, the Frodsham-based musician brings together this collection of five songs as a statement of intent, entrusting listeners with her deepest vulnerabilities and asking them to share in the healing process. The EP opens on a quietly optimistic note with Significant Ramblings, a song about trying to untangle reason out of chaos.…
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Helen Maw’s ‘The Moment’ Is An Anthem of Heartache and Hope
Get ready, Liverpool! Today is launch day as Helen Maw is about to hopefully send her latest single The Moment into orbit. With the space metaphors behind us, it’s time to get serious and tell you that it’s going to be the song that feels like the silver lining in this never-ending January. This new country pop track taps into that bittersweet struggle of letting go, something we can all relate to at some point.…
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Mike Ryan Releases Brilliant New Single ‘Breathe Again’
Mike Ryan’s latest single, Breathe Again, is an emotive gem that showcases his signature blend of indie-pop sensibilities and introspective lyricism. Following the momentum of his burgeoning career, which has seen him garner critical praise and multiple accolades, Ryan once again delivers a track that resonates on both a personal and universal level. The song’s sound is anchored by the delicate interplay of Ryan’s voice and the warm opening piano and acoustic guitar, crafting an…
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Who Are U.Dot? Inside The Enigmatic Duo Redefining Retro Sound
When a band emerges cloaked in mystery, it’s natural to lean in closer, curious to decode the riddles they leave behind. Enter U.Dot, New Retro Records’ latest and most intriguing signing who seem to thrive in the shadows of obscurity while shining a light on some of music’s hidden gems. With their debut releases, Quitters Never Win and Stall Out, this enigmatic duo are rapidly reshaping how we think about reinterpretations, with their seamless blending of nostalgia and bold…
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Country with Conviction: ‘The Final Part’ is Fiona Lennon’s Fearless New Single
The Final Part is the latest release by Liverpool-based singer-songwriter Fiona Lennon. Going from strength-to-strength in the post-Covid music scene, this is her first foray into the world of Country. You would be forgiven, dear reader, for thinking otherwise as The Final Part hits that Country sweet spot where melody and music combine to tell a story we can all relate to. The rich tapestry of Country music has seen contributions from artists of all…
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Blood of Achilles Release Sensational Debut Album ‘Only Will Be Black Mountains’
Blood of Achilles’ debut album, Only Will Be Black Mountains, offers a sprawling, genre-defying journey. Formed from the ashes of their previous project, the band has crafted something uniquely their own, blending chaotic energy with meticulously constructed musicality. With the combined forces of Ryan Mallows (drums), Phil Collier (vocals, guitar), Jon Lawton (lead guitar), and Jon Couch (bass), the album emerges as an ambitious and complex statement. The album has been a true labour of…
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Staring Into The Abyss: def.fo’s ‘Music for Dinosaurs’ Is a Cosmic Concept Masterpiece
Tom Powell, aka def.fo, is the kind of artist who can stare into a black hole and still see its potential. In fact, that’s pretty much the point of his new release Music for Dinosaurs, a concept album set on the inhospitable plains of Mars. As its population hovers on the brink of collapse, they set their sights on Earth for a fresh start, with these eleven tracks charting their precarious voyage through space. …
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Rising Star, Lydia Reece Premieres Her Debut Album ‘Looking Glass (Live)’ At District This December
After releasing her highly anticipated debut album ‘Looking Glass (Live)’, rising star in Liverpool’s Soul, Jazz and R&B scene, Lydia Reece will premiere her album at District on 12 December, alongside her live band, strings, backing-singers and horn section. In celebration of the release, Lydia Reece is partnering with Parrjazz this December to captivate audiences, taking them through her journey with an album play-through. Cultivating a passionate, free-flowing and evocative tone alongside a powerful stage presence, Reece’s…
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Dylan Robert Releases Film Credits-Ready Indie Pop Anthem ‘Harper’s Tune’
With a name chosen as a tribute to Bob Dylan, Liverpool singer-songwriter and rising talent Dylan Robert makes upbeat and high energy indie pop-rock, alongside his band (Ethen Gaylard on bass, Issac Grover on lead guitar and Jamie Alsamarraie on drums). Dylan has previously released a couple of singles dating back to 2021; however it was with the release of Broken by Design that saw Dylan break out to a wider audience, with the track…
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Naomi Campbell Releases Stunning New Single ‘Don’t You Mind’
Naomi Campbell’s latest single, Don’t You Mind, marks a bold and captivating departure from her usual sound, showcasing a dynamic fusion of soul, country, R&B, and folk. This track is her third solo release of 2024, and it underscores her versatility as an artist, stepping away from the country/Americana influences of her previous work and embracing a new musical blend. Following the success of her two previous solo releases of 2024, Tuesday’s News and This…
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Scene Here Liverpool – A Visual Representation of the City’s Music and Venues
Scene Here Liverpool is an ambitious new mapping project that Baltic Triangle based design studio Dorothy have been compiling with the help of customers from the new Rough Trade store on Liverpool’s Hanover Street. The project, which has culminated in a special edition print designed by Dorothy maps the connections between the venues, bands and individuals at the heart of music scenes in the city of Liverpool and its surrounds from the 1950s to the present day. The…
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Bette Schindler Releases Soulful New Single ‘I Love You’ on New Retro Records
Amsterdam-based soul singer and rising star Bette Schindler is back with her latest single, I Love You, on Merseyside label New Retro Records. From being discovered in an Amsterdam hair salon to regular airtime on Jazz FM, Bette has rapidly gained attention for her distinctive voice and rich, heartfelt songwriting with Radio host Nigel Williams of Jazz FM already giving her high praise, stating, “I love your songs”. With Christmas quickly approaching, I Love You is…
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Americana from the Mersey: She’s In The Trees ‘The Heart is a Lonely Hunter’ Album Review
The plains of Andalucía are well-known for providing a backdrop to spaghetti Westerns – with a little Hollywood magic, you could swear you heard the call of a coyote in that sprawling Spanish desert. For more than a decade, this ethereal landscape was also the backdrop for singer Amy Scott-Samuel’s adult life. Having met Jules Watts (guitar) and Tristan Appleby (violin/bass), she settled back in Liverpool to form She’s In The Trees, an Americana-tinged folk…
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The Memos Return With Anthemic Single ‘Do You Believe?’
After the release of their debut single Save Tonight back in March, Indie-Rock newcomers The Memos have returned with their latest single Do You Believe?. The Liverpool-based band was formed by former solo musician Aaron Spencer alongside bassist and backing vocalist, Gary Robertson, drummer Jake Freeman, and lead guitarist Zak Langford-Do. Do You Believe? uses the universal and ever-relevant love song as a vessel to explore themes of faith and fate, with a driving chorus…
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Rooftops To The Docks: City’s Unique Musical Legacy Comes Alive with Liverpool In 360
Liverpool, a UNESCO City of Music, has long been celebrated around the globe for its indelible contributions to a wide range of musical genres. That tradition continues as world class artists are captured in unique and historic locations across the city. Liverpool in 360 is designed to tap into the city’s incredible and iconic musical history showcasing a diverse collection of artists across a wide musical spectrum performing in unusual and unforgettable settings. The city’s…
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Pleasure Island Release Stomping New Track ‘Greek Riot Squad’
Pleasure Island, aka Liverpool based-duo Sean Ekins (vocals & guitar) and Sam Pierpoint (drums) have returned with their hotly anticipated new single, Greek Riot Squad. Released on 1 November, the track follows up from previous single Evangelion released back in January, and forms the second track from their forthcoming EP. Having made their recording debut back in 2020 with Help Me NHS, the duo make kinetic, cerebral post-punk / indie-rock “for bodies and minds in…
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Motel Sundown’s ‘Rosie’ Captures Intimate Americana
Motel Sundown return with their latest single, Rosie, a warm, easy-listening folk track that offers a softer, more intimate side of the Liverpool-Americana trio. With the same intensity and energy that defined their recent work on the El Dorado EP, they’ve followed on from the title track and wonderful single, Waterfall, in keeping with this vulnerable instrumentation that hides nothing. Rosie is a beautifully sparse and stripped-back tune that allows the band’s lyrical storytelling and harmonies to…
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Red Rum Club To Headline Aintree Racecourse In 2025
Liverpool’s rising stars, Red Rum Club, are set to make an unforgettable appearance in their hometown next year, headlining an outdoor concert at Aintree Racecourse on Friday, May 16, 2025. Presented by The Jockey Club Live, the band’s performance in the iconic Red Rum Garden will follow an evening of exhilarating races, bringing together live music and the spirit of Merseyside in one dynamic event. The Crosby-born sextet has been riding a wave of success…
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In Conversation – Jon Withnall of New Retro Records
New Retro Records was born from a shared vision to support artists in an evolving music industry. Founders Jon Withnall, Mario Anastasiades, and Martin Tibbetts initially managed emerging artists Lois Levin and Bette Schindler. Recognising the benefits of creative control and cost-saving measures, the trio transformed their management company into a label. Their diverse skills meshed instantly, creating what Jon describes as a “dream team.” With a commitment to artist autonomy and a fresh approach…
