Reviews of Prog Rock, Classical Music, Art Rock and Jazz
Friday 9 October 2026 RNCM, Manchester A joyful and exhilarating meeting of cultures ★★★★★ Last Friday’s concert by Manchester Collective and the Sidiki Dembélé Ensemble brought together two cultures: British classical music and traditional West African music. Born in Abobo, near Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, Sidiki Dembélé is a percussionist and composer. Rakhi Singh, the Collective’s …
Continue reading "Manchester Collective x Sidiki Dembélé: Constellations – Live Review"
Thursday 8 October 2026 The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ★★★★★ The Hallé continues its magnificent season with the debut of conductor Nodoka Okisawa in two 20th-century Russian masterpieces The Hallé Orchestra and Pavel Kolesnikov It’s a great time to be living in Manchester, not just because of the consistently lovely weather (!), but also because of …
Continue reading "The Hallé – Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 – Live Review"
Saturday 10 October 2026 All songs by Syd Barrett and/or Pink Floyd, except where marked Pünk Flöyd BikeThe ScarecrowSee Emily PlayWined and DinedArnold LayneInterstellar OverdriveGigolo AuntJugband BluesThe GnomeBaby LemonadeDark Globe Radhika Theme from R.A.D.H.I.K.A. (Radhika)Starry Eyes (Radhika)Feline Bandits (Radhika)Matilda MotherCocoa Butter Eyes (Radhika)Since Yesterday (Strawberry Switchblade)Interstellar Overdrive Diana Silveira & The Psychedelic CircusNo Man’s LandOctopusShine On You …
Continue reading "A Celebration of Syd Barrett – Live at the Corn Exchange, Cambridge – Setlist"
Tuesday 29 September 2026 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester The Sixteen bring peace and stillness to the opening concert of the Bridgewater Hall's 30th International Concert Series ★★★★ The Sixteen and conductor Harry Christophers. Credit: Johnny Millar/The Bridgewater Hall Harry Christophers and his chamber choir The Sixteen first performed at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall in February 1998, eighteen …
Continue reading "The Sixteen: Angel of Peace – Live Review"
Saturday 19 September 2026 Bridgewater Hall, Manchester ★ ★★ ★ ★ The Orchestra opens its new season with a stunning homage to nature, and a new piece by Gabriella Smith with a strong ecological theme BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, John Storgårds, conductor © Chris Payne Saturday evening’s opening concert of the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra's new season, …
Continue reading "BBC Philharmonic Orchestra: Sibelius Symphony No. 5 – Live Review"
Thursday 17 September 2026 The Ritz, Manchester ★★★★★ Voyage 35 take us on a joyful trip to the outer reaches of the Porcupine Tree catalogue Colin Edwin and John Wesley. Image courtesy of Steve Livesley In an interview with Nick Holmes Music in August, bass player Colin Edwin explained how Voyage 35, his newly-formed band …
Friday 31 July 2026 Band on the Wall, Manchester ★★★★★ Shez Raja and friends bring joy and virtuosity to a life-affirming gig Guthrie Govan (left) and Shez Raja © Mia Scudds Shez Raja is a great communicator. Dressed in his trademark white suit and cap, he bounded on stage at last Friday's gig at Manchester’s …
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Saturday 18 July 2026 Royal Albert Hall, London ★★★★ There’s life in the old prog yet… A celebration of the classic era of British prog rock The BBC Concert Orchestra and conductor Robert Ames.Image © Andy Paradise The first-ever rock band to appear at the Proms was Soft Machine on 13 August 1970. The first-ever …
Continue reading "Prog Rock Prom: A Fanfare for the Common Man – Live Review"
Tuesday 30 June 2026 Aviva Studios, Manchester ★★★★ The music of four titans of contemporary classical music, including a new piece from Cassie Kinoshi that was remarkable in more ways than one Manchester Collective. Image © Mike Skelton Tuesday evening’s concert by Manchester Collective at Aviva Studios in Manchester was titled ‘Patterns in Repeat’ with …
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Saturday 20 June 2026 Manchester Monastery, Gorton Lane, Manchester ★★★★★ Kantos Chamber Choir celebrates its tenth anniversary in stunning surroundings and an amazing acoustic Kantos, RNCM and the University of Manchester Chamber Choirs, with conductor Ellie Slorach. Image © The AC Product It’s ten years since Claire Shercliff (Company Director) and Ellie Slorach (Creative Director) …
Continue reading "Kantos Chamber Choir – Hope on Earth – Live Review"