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A wonderful evening We recently saw Olivia Dean deliver an almost spellbinding performance at Co-op Live in Manchester Author |  Peter Jones Entering Co-op Live to a sea of polka dots, gleaming smiles and the gentle hum of “Man I Need”, there was a buoyant sense of anticipation drifting through Manchester on a warm Sunday evening. It marked the second and final night of Olivia Dean’s sold-out run at the UK’s largest indoor arena.  The scale of the occasion felt all the more striking given that, just three years ago, she was performing at the Manchester Academy 3, a venue with a capacity of fewer than 500. Her rise since has been both swift and assured, underpinned by a clarity of voice and artistic identity that now places her among the most compelling figures in British music. Before Dean took to the stage on her first arena tour, support came from Jalen Ngonda This was a set of understated warmth and richness. The American, now based in England, drew from Motown, classi...

Two of the best gigs that I’ve been to in a while Belle and Sebastian celebrate the thirtieth anniversaries of Tigermilk and If You’re Feeling Sinister with two shows in Manchester. Author |  Peter Jones A decade ago, they took over London’s Royal Albert Hall for two nights, playing the albums in full to mark their twentieth anniversaries. The second show landed on the day of the Brexit referendum.  Ten years on, Britain’s place in the world may have slipped, but Belle & Sebastian haven’t. Still indie royalty with a loyal global following, they’ve revived that 2016 one-off concept for a wider run, hitting multiple continents with two-night stands in each city to cover both records.  After wrapping up a European leg and returning to the Royal Albert Hall earlier this week, they head back to Manchester’s own grand stage for a nostalgia-tinged celebration of the glory days. The frontman is in particularly excitable form View this post on Instagram ...

"For many veterans, it may well be the best Pokémon title in years..." For this reviewer, this is the 10th Pokemom game that I've played and its certainly up there with the most enjoyable. Author |  Liam C This game is definitely worth a play. Very enjoyable! youtu.be/6cbD1nPMJ8U?... [image or embed] — Super News Affiliate ( @eurosuperfootball.bsky.social ) 18 October 2025 at 08:37 Every new Pokémon game is someone’s first. The series continues to thrive on a steady stream of new, younger players, drawn in by fresh creatures, inventive mechanics and vibrant worlds. Ask fans of any generation, and they’ll insist that the games they grew up with remain unmatched. For long-time players, however, it can feel as though the franchise has spent most of its 30-year history catering primarily to newcomers. That is why the arrival of the Legends spin-off series has been such a welcome development among the more dedicated fans. Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the second entry in the s...

The football giant once known as FIFA is back, with a renewed effort to restore its reputation. This is a pivotal year for EA Sports FC. The franchise remains one of the most popular and lucrative in the gaming world, yet last year’s FC 25 was met with criticism. Author | Liam C For FC 26, EA insists it has listened to its audience and gone all out to deliver the game fans have been demanding. First impressions on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S The early signs are encouraging. From the first full 11-a-side match, it is clear that EA has made notable adjustments to player movement. The improvements are obvious, even if the introduction of two distinct gameplay modes feels questionable. The options, Authentic and Competitive, are pitched towards different audiences. Authentic is intended for Player and Manager Career modes, offering a slower, more tactical experience that mirrors the tempo and style of the Premier League . The emphasis is on patient build-up play and midfield control. Yet ...

Indie icons returned to Reading Festival and put on an amazing show Bloc Party lit up Reading Festival’s first-ever ‘icons’ slot, entertaining an all-ages audience that embraced their indie staples and frontman Kele Okereke’s upbeat humour. Author | Josh T Described as a “special set from festival icons”, the early afternoon appearance underlined the band’s cross-generational appeal, with much of the crowd too young to remember their 2005 breakthrough album Silent Alarm. The newly created ‘icons’ slot seems destined to become a regular part of the festival, echoing Glastonbury’s established ‘Legends’ tradition. Okereke, once known in the mid-2000s for a more reserved on-stage persona, looked to be thoroughly enjoying himself. “We’re gonna have some fun, OK?” he told the crowd. He delivered on the promise, launching from the jagged guitars of She’s Hearing Voices straight into the more electronic, dance-influenced Mercury from 2007. Before long he had taken off his top to reveal a...

The first Oasis gig in Scotland since 2009 Oasis opened their three-night residency at Murrayfield Stadium with a spectacular show, performing to 68,000 enthusiastic fans.  Author | Sean M Noel Gallagher and the band belting out " Don't Look Back in Anger " For many, it was a moment 16 years in the making and it certainly lived up to expectations. Fans who had followed the band through their rise, fall, and years apart gathered once more to witness a reunion that promised to recapture the spirit of a defining era in British music. The story of another memorable gig Like the other gigs in Cardiff , Manchester and London , the night opened with sets from Cast and Richard Ashcroft . Cast were impressive again then the former front man of The Verve entered looking "super cool." It was then time for the main act. As the minutes ticked down before Noel, Liam and Bonehead took to the stage, Underworld ’s “ Born Slippy ” blared through the speakers, prompting an...

A memorable night in Cardiff After their heyday in the 1990s and a post-millennium period often written off as creatively stagnant, this is Oasis repackaged for the 21st century. Author | Josh T Few bands have benefited more from the rise of streaming. Curated playlists trim the fat from the discography (and in Oasis's later years, there was plenty of it) while streaming strips away context, distancing the music from the accompanying baggage of critical scorn and tabloid drama.  The much-discussed Oasis fans that are too young to remember the band first-hand are real enough (you can see them dotted throughout the crowd ) and many of them are loving it.  This show leans into a convenient myth that Oasis essentially went on hiatus in 1998. It’s a setlist that resembles a greatest hits playlist, heavy on the early albums and B-sides from the years when Noel Gallagher’s songwriting was so prolific he could casually relegate songs as strong as Acquiesce or The Masterplan to CD s...

Shed Seven took to Woodsies to take everyone back to the mid 90s The band last played here in 1995, the same year Oasis, Pulp and Elastica were riding high. They may have missed out on the very top rung when Britpop ruled the charts, but they have proved impressively resilient.  Author |  Josh T They have recently landed two number-one albums with A Matter Of Time and Liquid Gold. Frontman Rick Witter, still wiry and full of swagger in a sheer black glittery top, summed it up with a knowing smile. “It appears we have become big time charlies,” he joked to the crowd. These days, Shed Seven are much more than an indie band. Five backing vocalists and a three-piece horn section add weight to their sound. There are hints of Oasis throughout, helped by guitarist Paul Banks, who manages to channel both Noel and Liam Gallagher at once. But there is also the unmistakable influence of an earlier Manchester band.  Songs like Chasing Rainbows, On Standby and Speakeasy, the latter ...

Britpop nostalgia in Birmingham Pulp’s live return to Birmingham's Utilita Arena was nothing short of a triumph.  Author | Josh T Far from trading solely on nostalgia, the Sheffield band proved they remain a vital, creative force with something urgent to say.  Touring in support of their first new album in 27 years, More, they delivered a show that was sharp, theatrical and surprisingly poignant. The evening opened with the pounding intensity of "Spike Island", a new track that set the tone for a set that was both musically tight and emotionally charged. There was a wonderful atmosphere by the point. Everyone was there to enjoy themselves. READ MORE |  Music news and gig reviews Jarvis Cocker remains a magnetic presence on stage, his wiry frame constantly in motion, his voice rich with wry charm and understated emotion. Beside him, Candida Doyle, Mark Webber and Nick Banks brought depth and texture to a sound that felt anything but retro. What stood out was h...

An amazing night at Anfield as The Boss entertained The Kop Bruce Springsteen brought a slice of the American East Coast to Liverpool, performing to a packed Anfield stadium in a characteristically sprawling and energetic show. Author | Amy W The home of Liverpool FC has, in recent years, found itself increasingly on the map as a destination for international touring giants. Taylor Swift brought her juggernaut Eras Tour to the stadium in 2024, and now it’s The Boss's turn to take centre stage. Liverpool is one of only a handful of UK stops on Springsteen’s current tour. Notably, London was left off the schedule this time, despite a string of sold-out shows at Wembley last year, with the singer seemingly turning his focus further north. READ MORE |  Music news and gig reviews READ MORE |  Sam Fender at London Stadium At 75, Springsteen remains an electrifying presence. His set stretched close to the three-hour mark and ranged from timeworn classics to lesser-performed deep ...

A recap of the Saturday of Neighbourhood Weekender Festival season is here Author | Josh T The start of the festival Starting the summer festival season in the right way Neighbourhood Weekender Festival in Warrington’s Victoria Park  Becoming increasingly popular, masses of people travel to the park to hear their favourite alternative and indie rock artists. With several  different stages across the park, there’s something for everyone and this hits you straight away as you queue to have your ticket scanned.  Let's explore some of the best moments. If you were in attendance, let us know what you thought of a slightly rainy Saturday. James were a worthy headliner  Who doesn't love James? They're a fantastic live band who have fans across the generations. This environment at Neighbourhood is perfect for them and they proved this once again. Sally told us: "There was some great bands throughout the day but James were just special. A fantastic day and evening." ...