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NORTHERN EXPOSURE | BIG NOISE. SMALL TEAM. est 201 •

‘JAMES GIGS ARE A BIG CELEBRATION OF THE FUCK UP OF BEING ALIVE’ | INTERVIEW WITH SAUL DAVIES | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Few musicians can claim to have joined a band as a ‘temporary measure’ and stayed for over three decades, but Saul Davies is anything but typical. Since being discovered at an improvisation night in Manchester in 1989, Saul has become the multi-instrumentalist backbone of James. Whether he’s wielding a violin with punk-rock ferocity or crafting the soaring guitar textures that define the band’s arena-filling sound, his influence is woven into the very fabric of their 45 year legacy. We sat down...
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‘I KNOW THAT I WILL BE A STADIUM ARTIST ONE DAY’: ALESSI ROSE DREAMS BIG AHEAD OF HEADLINE TOUR | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Alessi Rose has taken the pop world by storm in just over two years, releasing three amazing EPs and touring the globe with some of the biggest stars in the business. We sat down to talk with her before her biggest headline tour to yet, and now it’s her turn to shine.


Your music perfectly blends pop with deeply personal lyricism. How do you strike that balance between mainstream appeal and authentic self-expression?


I don’t think anyone can seek to have mainstream appeal, however I do beli...
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A GENRE-BENDING MUSICAL OPERA | THE LAST DINNER PARTY RETURN WITH NEW ALBUM | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

The triumphant arrival of The Last Dinner Party revived the feminine urge to achieve success and glory in a field dominated by the male presence. A record that transcended the confines of whimsical indie sounds, the band’s debut album, titled ‘Prelude to Ecstasy,’ utterly turned the music industry on its head.


The Last Dinner Party carry that ethos in the same vein with their latest album ‘From the Pyre’, it’s a genre bending musical design made to defy the bounds of the industry. It is more...
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TAILOR-MADE FOR THE LIVERPOOL STAGE | SCOUSHALER REACHES ARENA STATUS | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

2025 marks two years since I saw Dublin 4-piece, Inhaler at Liverpool’s 800 capacity venue, the O2 Academy. I vividly remember turning to my mate and saying, “wouldn’t it be so cool if they played the arena one day, then we can say we’ve been their since the start”, she, like most others, gave me a look that I know all too well. Saturday night, however, proved them all wrong, in front of 11,000 fans Inhaler walked out onto the arena stage for a night of celebration for one of Ireland’s most enth...
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A SPELLBINDING PERFORMANCE FROM WOLF ALICE IN LIVERPOOL | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

In celebration of their 4th album, ‘The Clearing’, Wolf Alice landed in Liverpool’s Camp and Furnace with a rush of energy that set alight the intimae venue. Tickets for this exclusive show were snapped up in just four minutes. Superfans surged to the venue early, desperate to catch a glimpse of the band at such close proximity.


A spellbinding blend of repurposed content and new ideas weaved into an unbeatable 15 track set. Wolf Alice have arrived with a bang, confident of their contemporary...
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LIVE MUSIC, WHAT THE KIDS WANT | CATFISH AND THE BOTTLEMEN HIT STADIUM STATUS | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Friday night saw Indie icons Catfish and the Bottlemen dominate the Welsh landscape with their first ever stadium show at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium. The band overcame all expectations and doubts by playing to a packed stadium, producing an unforgettable experience for their sceptical critics.


The atmosphere at the Principality Stadium on August 1st, was electric since no one knew what to anticipate from the performance. Nevertheless, the moment the gates were opened and tickets were chec...
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‘A LIVING LEGEND’ : DIANA ROSS TAKES HER GREATEST HITS TO LIVERPOOL | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

There are few names more iconic than that of Diana Ross, and for good reason: she revolutionised the role of women in the industry during her time with The Supremes and then dominated the 80s music landscape. As the sun set over the banks of the river Mersey, Monday night saw the legendary performer bring the house down at the M&S Bank Arena with a set list that included Motown classics, iconic pop songs, and, of course, outstanding vocals.


Two sets of Diana Ross’s career-spanning hits would...
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‘MEMORIES TO LAST A LIFETIME’ : NBHD WEEKENDER RETURNS TO VICTORIA PARK | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

NBHD Weekender, a gathering that has become renowned for its welcoming atmosphere. On this bank holiday weekend, thousands of music enthusiasts flooded Victoria Park to enjoy the sun and heavy rains while the booming sound of the festival stages filled the air. You won’t find anything quite like the electrifying ambiance that permeates from the Northwest.


Fans spent the weekend scouring the park for the most promising up-and-coming performers and figuring out where they could score the very b...
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TAILORED FOR A LIVE ENVIRONMENT : SUNDAY (1994) TALK NEW MUSIC AND NBHD WEEKENDER | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

We are now firmly in arms length of festival season. NBHD Weekender is less than 20 days away, with stage splits and excitement building it’s only right that we speak to one of the festivals most anticipated acts, Sunday (1994).


They first appeared in 2024 as Sunday (1994), a British-American dream-pop ensemble with infectious tracks and an instantly recognisable retro look. They have gone viral on TikTok in the year since and are currently selling out live performances across the globe.


“...
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NELL MESCAL RELEASES ‘CANDID’ NEW SINGLE ‘THIN’ | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Following a string of sold-out US shows and intimate UK performances, Nell Mescal balances on the edge of stardom. Mescal has crafted the art of meaningful lyricism, with ‘Thin’ she hits home with deep personal struggle, putting her insecurities at the forefront.


The song delves deep into the perception body image and the emotional toll it may take on self-worth. Before releasing the sombre demo, the singer teased live and social media snippets of the track, much to the joy of her eager fans...
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‘THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!’| NATHAN SHEPHERD TALKS ALL THINGS BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC FESTVAL | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Greater Manchester will host the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival once more. The station’s premier event is returning to the area for the third year in a row. It will feature new music debuts, exclusive collaborations, surprise guests, and the world premieres of brand-new live events.


On Friday 28th March, Indie Forever will be Live at Band on the Wall with DJ sets from Sports Team, Lava La Rue, Steve Lamacq, Viagra Boys and of course Nathan Shepherd. What can you expect from the Indie Forever nigh...
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NOW IS THE TIME FOR CHANGE | BRIT AWARD WINNERS CALL FOR ACTION FOR GRASSROOTS VENUES | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Where do we start with the BRIT Awards? Given the current atmosphere, a night that is meant to honour the finest of British music felt a little overshadowed; the performers in attendance obviously felt the same way. One by one, performers used their on-stage presence to raise awareness of the crisis engulfing the UK music industry’s roots rather than to express their gratitude and control the spotlight.


Myles Smith, the Rising Star winner, started things off with a daring challenge to the est...
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‘A GENERATIONAL TALENT THAT DESERVES TO BE CONSIDERED AS ONE OF THE GREATEST’ | SAM FENDER IS BACK WITH ‘PEOPLE WATCHING’ | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

After releasing his debut album, ‘Hypersonic Missiles,’ six years ago, Sam Fender has achieved an extraordinary degree of success, propelling him into the spotlight. Fender appears to gain confidence in his musical skills with every release, his third album is no different. A thoughtful and frequently poignant album, ‘People Watching’ takes the achievements of his previous albums and offers them a fresh perspective and sound.


Fender finds himself at a metaphorical impasse in ‘People Watching....
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SAM FENDER’S RELEASES EMOTIONAL NEW TRACK ‘REMEMBER MY NAME’ | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Following the releases of guitar-driven anthems such as ‘People Watching’ and ‘Arms Length’, Sam Fender reinvents his iconic sound with his latest single ‘Remember My Name’. A bold and invigorating track, with a heartfelt and mature flare that distinguishes the genuine affection Fender captures for his late Grandparents.


‘Remember My Name,’ is simply astounding; orchestral and brass accompaniments, serve to add to the poignancy of this lyrical exploration. ‘Remember My Name’ is a completely n...
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MANCHESTER WELCOMES INHALER WITH THEIR ‘ARMS OUT OPEN WIDE’ | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

A venue of such grandeur deserves a band of equally impressive status. Saturday night saw Manchester’s O2 Apollo welcome Dublin band Inhaler, with their ‘arms out open wide’. Just a day after the release of the critically acclaimed third album, ‘Open Wide’, Inhaler brought tracks of old and new to the stage, its clear that within 48 hours of release fans had spent every waking moment learning the lyrics.


Consisting of Elijah Hewson, bassist Robert Keating, guitarist Josh Jenkinson and drummer...
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“MUSIC’S SUCH A POSITIVE, UPLIFTING THING”| INTERVIEW WITH THE WOMBATS | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Ahead of the release of The Wombat’s sixth studio album, ‘Oh! The Ocean‘, we sat down with Dan Haggis to talk everything from their arena tour, Sealife, grassroots venues and so much more. In his own words, Dan much like myself is “a fellow verbal diarrhoea sufferer“, so much so that before this interview was conducted we spent 5 minutes attempting to search for an official diagnosis, Logorrhea.


For a band that have achieved so much over their extensive career, The Wombats have stayed true to...
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BURSTING WITH NEW VITALITY AND OPTIMISM | THE LATHUMS RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘HEARTBREAKER’ | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

The Lathums launch their glammed-up indie pop debut in 2025 with the effervescent dynamite of a single, ‘Heartbreaker,’ bursting with new vitality and optimism. ‘Heartbreaker’ is evidence of the unbridled excitement that Lathums infiltrates their songs with, and there’s something so joyful about that. There’s something in the water in Wigan, with a plethora of artists making their mark on 2025, the upbeat stomp of ‘Heartbreaker’, however may be the most significant so far.


The fast-paced, pun...
NORTHERN EXPOSURE | BIG NOISE. SMALL TEAM. est 201 •

‘STAR-DESTINED’ ALESSI ROSE RELEASES NEW EP ‘FOR YOUR VALIDATION’ | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Alessi Rose is a star-destined artist, and 2025 is her year. She’s created a voice for a generation of self proclaimed ‘delusional’ teenage girls. With the release of her second EP ‘for your validation’, Alessi Rose has the potential to become one of the largest pop artists in the years to come. She is an all-round exceptionally gifted artist, that more people should be talking about than they presently are.


Pop music is ever evolving. The world is hungry for the kind of genuine joy that Cha...
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THE CASUAL DEMEANOUR OF A SUPERSTAR | SAM FENDER BRINGS ‘PEOPLE WATCHING’ TO CO-OP LIVE | NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Nothing will ever truly prepare you for the enormity and scope of Manchester’s Co-op Live, a highly regarded venue where only the finest musicians are permitted to perform. North Shields icon, Sam Fender, has earnt his rightful place amongst the greats, a two night stint in Manchester kicked off on Friday night as part of his ‘People Watching’ tour and what a night it was.


With the casual demeanour of a superstar, he takes the stage with ease, having done it all before. The Pyramid stage at G...
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‘I WANT TO HAVE SOME KIND OF POSITIVE IMPACT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE’ | INTERVIEW WITH KATE NASH - NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Kate Nash, the multi-platinum-selling and BRIT award-winning performer, will play at New Century Hall in Manchester on Tuesday, November 26th. The tour is in promotion of Nash’s most recent album, ‘9 Sad Symphonies’, which is her debut for the venerable label Kill Rock Stars but her fifth studio album overall. Nash makes a triumphant comeback to the top of the UK music industry with ‘9 Sad Symphonies’. It’s not just any record; it’s a monument to Kate Nash’s tenacity, inventiveness, unwavering d...
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SIOBHÁN WINIFRED ON HER DEBUT EP, HEADLINE TOUR, SUPPORTING SLOTS AND MORE!| INTERVIEW - NORTHERN EXPOSURE

With her skilfully pop-tinged, upbeat indie-rock, Siobhán Winifred has carved out a distinct niche for herself and developed a devoted fan base. Siobhán’s song writing is characterised by an unwavering sensitivity and sympathetic depth that defies her age, with themes that touch on community, friendships and human connection, personal growth, and healing.


In addition to opening for Stevie Nicks at BST Hyde Park and going on tours throughout the UK and Ireland with Rachel Chinouriri, Nieve El...
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“ANTONY SZMIEREK WAS MY ENGLISH TEACHER” | BALANCING ACT ON NBHD FESTIVAL, THEIR 2ND EP AND MORE! - NORTHERN EXPOSURE

We’re now less than a week away from Manchester’s biggest multi-venue festival! Bringing together some of the UK’s best new and upcoming talents to play across some of Manchester’s most beloved venues. We caught up with Kai Roberts and Jackson Couzens of Balancing Act ahead of their appearance at this years Neighbourhood Festival!


Keira : Balancing Act already have such a dedicated fan following, I’ve seen fans collecting setlist and even getting your lyrics tattooed! How do you hope this new...