Review
Reviews of Liverpool music, restaurants, bars and more
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The Shipbuilders’ Debut EP; Review
After giving fans a taster of what was to come, with their first single ‘Feeling In My Pocket’, The Shipbuilders’ debut EP Something In The Water was released at the close of 2016. The four-piece, comprising Matty Loughlin, Danny Lee, Nicky McGrane and Graeme Sully, were busy at the end of last year tying up all the loose strings for their album, so 2017 is set to be an exciting year of gigs and festivals…
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The Soul Rays At Chester Live Rooms; Review
January – the weirdest month of the year where everyone is super tired and skint from the Christmas madness but also hopeful for what is to come in the New Year. As I stepped in to Chester Live Rooms, it wasn’t clear exactly how the night would pan out. With the DJ playing some old school tracks whilst individuals stood dancing with one hand clutching their pint and the other in the air. The Soul…
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Amanda Brown & The Common Ears EP Review
For those loving a heavy dose of nostalgia, Amanda Brown and The Common Ears produce beautifully crafted jazz and blues that would not seem out of place in a prohibition speakeasy. Their six track album Medicinal Biscuit may differ greatly from the majority of music currently on offer, but it is an intriguing offering. The vocals are sweet and eminently suitable for the music. The band have kept things strictly retro rather than fusing bluesy…
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Golf Fang – Crazy Golf In Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle
Golf Fang (previously called Ghetto Golf) opened less than two weeks ago and is proving to be a popular topic of conversation in the city. This indoor crazy golf course really stands out from the average with its banging music, neon painted walls, caravans, boats and toilets to putt through and plenty of cocktails to help you along the course. From the outside Golf Fang is easy to find; fairy lights cover the open gates and…
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Top Ten Things To Do In Liverpool In December
Warning! This list will be quite festive! Independent Liverpool Christmas Festival – The guys at Independent Liverpool really know how to throw a party! They return to the Great Baltic Warehouse to host another spectacular festival bringing together some of the city’s best independent restaurants, bars and craft shops to get you in the Christmas spirit! Family Friendly event. 8th-11th December. Get tickets here. Christmas Cinema at the Palmhouse – The best Christmas films, screened…
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Alt-Rock Newbies Lasso Moon Unveil Debut Track
Jumping onto the music scene earlier this year, Lasso Moon have been slowly teasing more and more details about the men behind the music. With a five-man line-up compromising Bobby Westhead, Tom O’Brien, Dan Allen, Ben Whittingham, and Josh Perry, the Liverpool rockers have given a little taste (pun intended) of what’s to come, with their debut single. ‘A Taste of You’ sets them off in good stead, but is by no means a ‘little’…
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Spinn Set To Release Second Single ‘Bliss’
Fledgling indie band Spinn are set to release their new single ‘Bliss’ on 2nd December, following debut track, the laid back ‘Green Eyes’. ‘Green Eyes’ received attention from Dave Monks, who played the song on his BBC Merseyside Introducing show and has over 5,000 plays on the bands Soundcloud page. ‘Bliss’ is another slice of easy listening jangly guitar pop, with a slightly darker tone to their debut, dealing with issues of betrayal. It is…
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The Wicked Whispers / DUSST: The Buyers Club
This was the Wicked Whispers‘ first hometown gig in two years to support their excellent latest single release “If I Set You Free / Zodiac Girl”. They, and the main support from DUSST, did nothing on the night to detract from the air of excitement and anticipation. In DUSST, we have a band whose tonight’s short set only served to add to the general buzz that surrounds them at the moment. Borne to be on stage…
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Chaophraya; Incredible Edibles From Revamped Menu
Now I don’t think of myself as much of a VIP, especially not sat here on my bed, writing up this restaurant review wearing mismatching Moomin pyjamas at the age of 25. However on Thursday last week, there I found myself at the exclusive launch of Chaophrayas first menu revamp in over 3 years. I don’t know what I enjoyed more – the incredible edibles, the stunning surroundings or the open-armed staff who ensured…
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New Single From The Shipbuilders
Categorising their own genre as ‘gypsy scouse surf’, the lads behind The Shipbuilders have definitely hit a unique spot with their music. At their core, the band retains their Liverpudlian roots with a Northern twang rippling through their music. But there’s a low-fi South-Cal vibe mixed in too. New single ‘Feeling In My Pocket’ is uplifting, no matter how low your mood might be from the winter weather. The four-piece – comprising Matty Loughlin, Danny…
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Band Feature; DUSST
There is a long history of bands whose arrival is signified with a groundswell of critical praise. However, a closer look sometimes reveals an artistic promise that flatters to deceive. We all know of such artists. We debate over their creative strengths and weaknesses; friendships are forged and lost over such discussions. In their short tenure, DUSST have garnered similar reviews, championed as the latest buzz band of the week, the group identified by the…
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Lags E.P Review; Lags Capture The Essence of Youth In Their Jangling Indie Tracks
Drawing inspiration from the likes of indie gods Oasis, The Stone Roses and Artic Monkeys, Lags’ songs make for easy listening on a roadtrip or when you’re stuck in the house on a rainy day. The Kirby lads – Danny, Liam, Anthony and Brad – have recently released three tracks on their debut EP, with more expected on the way. Opening track ‘Feeling Alright’ is a catchy number, showcasing the band’s youth. The lyrics really…
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Lawoftheland Fill the Expanse With Their Instrumental-Only Sounds
It’s not an easy job for musicians to paint a picture with their songs, harder still if a song is devoid of lyrics and stripped back to just instrumentals. That’s where Lawoftheland have struck gold though – their songs fill an expanse that most musicians can only hope to. The Liverpool trio, Stephen Miceli, Adam Caine and Teddy Smith, evoke a progressive landscape in their title-track opening of EP Dancing Explosions. During the five minutes…
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The Butes Bring Their Rock ‘n’ Roll Tunes Into Your End-of-Summer Playlist
Relatively new to the music scene, The Butes have just announced their first single releases on a Double A Side EP – two chilled rock ‘n’ roll songs that are sure to become top of your late-summer playlist. The Wirral boys – Philip Collier, Adam Webb, Jon Couch and Sean Dagnall – all have a background in music, and it’s clear from these two tracks that they know how to collaborate to produce some catchy…
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Sneaky Nixons Return With Their Provocative Rock ‘n’ Roll, Belting Out New Single ‘Schadenfreunde’
Always one to draw a crowd for their wild performances, the Sneaky Nixons have returned with a new single that’s exactly not what the doctor ordered. Their reputation as Liverpool’s ‘bad boys’ intact, ‘Schadenfreunde’ is the kind of belter you’ve come to expect from the band. The name says it all, with the single being a two-edged sword – both riotously loud yet sickly sweet at times. Catchy riffs, a steady drum progression, and lyrics…
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Slim’s Pork Chop Express Late Night BBQ; Review
So, Saturday night we were out watching the Champions League final and we had not eaten. Dangerous that. Slim’s Pork Chop Express have started a late night menu called the BBQ CLUB – perfect. After seeing Ronaldo score that winning pen I was driven to food, my go to comfort. We arrived just before 10pm; the menu is available 10pm till late Thursday – Saturday and 9 till late through the week. We ordered some drinks – a Beavertown…
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Archie’s Burgers & Shakes; Review
Archie’s is the latest burger joint to shake up the Liverpool food scene – a pink paradise of extravagant burgers and decadent milkshakes – and last week I was lucky enough to try it out. Perched on the corner of Ranelagh Street, it’s the third venue in the Archie’s family (there are already two well-established restaurants in Manchester) but this is the first one outside of the M60, and also the biggest. And it’s not your stereotypical American…
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Five Guys Liverpool; Review
So Five Guys has arrived in Liverpool!! Many people including myself have been waiting for this moment for the last few years. It has a good reputation in London and of course the USA, oh and also the Trafford Centre. It is a fast food concept but the burgers are restaurant quality I had been told. So, I thought it was about time I found out what all the fuss was about at Five Guys. Me and my eating…
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The Brink; Food & Drink Review
It’s no secret that Liverpool is famous for its pubs and clubs, but recently I was lucky enough to have lunch a completely revolutionary venue on the Liverpool food and drink scene – The Brink. It’s Liverpool’s (and Britain’s) first dry bar and cafe, and was set up by Action on Addiction in 2011 to provide a safe and welcoming place to socialise without alcohol. Most of the staff have suffered from alcohol addiction in the past,…
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A Man Vanishes: Review At Liverpool’s Small Cinema
Japanese New Wave filmmaker Shohei Imamura’s 1967 documentary A Man Vanishes had a one off screening as Small Cinema Liverpool this Friday and it remains a treat for any cinephile. Imamura had been an assistant and pupil of the great Japanese director Yasujirō Ozu, working with him on such classics as Tokyo Story. However, Imamura soon began to disagree with Ozu’s vision of Japan and A Man Vanishes is his acidic and biting pronouncement of his view of mid…
