Music

Outer Waves FestivalNorth Docks, Liverpool24th–25th May 2026 Following a well-received inaugural festival of eclectic underground artists in 2025, Outer Waves returns to Invisible Wind Factory and Make CIC this year.  This year’s lineup is a step up in its big-name draws and representation of obscure acts, featuring headliners in Lankum’s Radie Peat as part of dark folk group ØXN, industrial synth duo Dame Area, and noise legend Jarboe, feat. Thor Harris (both of Swans) & Joy Von Spain.…

Lucy Kitchen: In The Low Light (Bohemia Rose Records/Make My Day Records) Released 27 February 2026 CD | Vinyl | DL | Streaming 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0 Folk songstress Lucy Kitchen knows what it’s like to be emotionally wounded. But as her third album demonstrates, she also knows what it’s like to live to tell the tale. Robert Plummer marvels at her ability to turn sour into sweet. The first snows of 2026 have fallen and the…

Auld Spells: Everything You Want (Self-released) DL | Stream Out Now BUY HERE Edinburgh-based Auld Spells finally return to the recording studio after a hiatus of over two years and release their new EP, Everything You Want. In common with previous releases, it’s a collection of songs which showcases their very own brand of dream pop, blending chiming guitars, hazy synths, dreamy harmonic vocals, and layered and ethereal tones. The first embers of Auld Spells were ignited by…

TVAM: Ruins (Invada Records) Vinyl | DL available at Sister Ray Released 27 February 4.5 out of 5.0 stars4.5 TVAM (Joe Oxley) is back with another mind bending album three years after the excellent High Art Lite. It’s another lesson in clever psych electronica that flirts with genres like never before, cementing his place as the warped wizard of Wigan. Wayne AF Carey reviews… The album origins explained: TVAM returns with his new album, Ruins, the follow-up to…

Lisa O’Neill / Iona ZajacSt George’s Bristol  20 February 2026 Ged Babey’s fascination with Lisa O Neill began with one song.  Then the mini-album, The Wind Doesn’t Blow This Far Right  blew him away. What would she be like live? Faultless. Magnificent. Utterly spell-binding. One of the best performance I’ve ever seen. “It really is like being in the presence of One of The Greats” * There was pin-drop silence during her performance. No one spoke a word.…

Fronting up: Murray Lightburn of The Dears The DearsOslo, Hackney18th February 2026 Nine albums deep and into a fourth decade of intense and intimate live shows, Canadian veterans The Dears show no signs of slowing down. Steve Morgan gets his elbows up in appreciation Brave is the band that dares to use the golden tonsils of Edith Piaf as walk-on music.But The Dears have never shirked a challenge – this is an act that goes all in. In…

The Colourfield: Sound Of The Colourfield (Chrysalis Records) Released 27 February 2026 CD + DVD | DL | Streaming 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0 In the run-up to what would have been the late Terry Hall’s 67th birthday on 19 March, moves to revive his back catalogue continue apace. This time, his third band, the Colourfield, comes under the spotlight with a comprehensive six-disc retrospective. Robert Plummer enjoys himself. Terry Hall was a restless spirit, never staying with…

The Immortal Samsara Travelers: Mausoleum (Jouissance Records) Vinyl | CD | DL | Streaming Out Now BUY HERE   The Immortal Samsara Travelers unveil a new album of post-apocalyptic drone psych. Andy Brown steps inside the Mausoleum for Louder Than War. With a name that evokes the likes of Flower Travellin’ Band and The Taj Mahal Travelers, it would be fair to say I expected something a tad psychedelic when it came to The Immortal Samsara Travelers. Suffice…

Louder Than War drone-metal favourites SUNN O))) have announced a run of UK & EU tour dates in support of the bands eponymous album which will be released via Sub Pop on the 3rd April 2026 (LTW News). Ahead of the album launch the band have released a further single titled ‘Butch’s Guns’ which is available now via all the usual streaming sites including Bandcamp. Tour Dates: Tue. Jun. 23 – Zurich, CH – Rote FabrikWed. Jun. 24…

Helen Love: Some Fucking Love Songs EP (Precious Recordings Of London) Ltd 7” / Digital Buy Here Hey hey it’s Helen Love! Precious Recordings Of London sneak out a limited 7” featuring four brand new tracks from the Welsh legends. Described as ‘four slices of pure Helen for the romantic souls among us’ the Some Fucking Love Songs EP arrives somewhat out of the blue. It’s been four years since the last ‘proper’ album, This is My World,…