Music

How music shaped last year’s stand-out cinema

It’s been just over one month since the Oscars marked the end of another awards season. Musical performances from all the artists nominated for this year’s ‘Best Original Song’ were interspersed throughout the show, including a moment of virality from a pink-clad Ryan Gosling and his vanguard of 65 Kens. From original scores to compilation soundtracks, 2023 saw the true matrimony of sound and vision. Here are a few of the highlights.

Thundercat @ Victoria Warehouse review – A sing-along special led by R&B maestro

LA native Thundercat has garnered quite the reputation. On top of being a Grammy award-winning solo artist, he has proven to be a reliable collaborator to an eclectic mix of artists from Kendrick Lamar and more recently, Tame Impala, integrating an intoxicating mix of R&B and funk in the process. In the midst of a UK and European tour, it’s safe to say his reputation precedes him. 

Interview: Liverpool quartet Courting – hyper-pop theatrics from future icons

Liverpool-based quartet, Courting, are one of the most exciting new names on the scene. Merging hyper-pop with post-punk (and really anything else they feel like) provides limitless potential to their sound and following the release of second studio album, New Last Name. It seems there’s no stopping the outrageous theatrics of Courtings’ cinematic universe. We caught up with lead singer and creative director, Sean Murphy-O’Neill, to discuss the New Last Name record, tour, and more.

Taking Back Sunday @ O2 Ritz review – Hip-shaking post-hardcore classics… and the other stuff

In truth, Taking Back Sunday could dine out on their irreproachable first three albums until the sun swallows the earth, even if it takes a handful of usually bankable tunes to hit their stride tonight. Lazzara, a chimera of class clown, giddy labradoodle and Butlins redcoat, pirouettes, hip-shakes and skates around the stage between flawless mic catches. However, syrupy hair-metal ballad, ‘Amphetamine Smiles’, in which he straps on an acoustic guitar for the only time during the evening, springs the bar staff into action.

Pendulum @ Victoria Warehouse review – Drum ‘n’ Bass in your face

These Aussies may not have a lot of records to their name after 22 years together, but their mix of alternative and drum 'n' bass has made quite the impact. Seen in their collaborations with bands such as Bullet For My Valentine, remixing dance classics from The Prodigy and successfully capitalising on early 2010s dubstep in the form of their side project, Knife Party.

Yonaka @ Manchester Academy 2 review – Dark alt-pop trio pack a powerful punch

Jarvis is a strong role model for younger and older women alike; she isn’t afraid to show her rage towards patriarchy and use her music to share how it negatively impacts her. She also isn’t afraid to speak on her mental health as she introduces ‘PANIC’, detailing the lived experience of having a panic disorder. ‘Welcome To My House’ is another self-admitted dive into the singer's mind, she explains its about ‘Dealing with negative self-thoughts and then realising, no I am a good person.’.