Archive

Lucy Wainwright Roche + Two

Dad: Loudon Wainwright. Mum: Suzzy Roche. Background: Greenwich Village, New York City. Not a bad start, then, and shrugging off starry pretension with bittersweet clear-as-a-bell delivery and a refreshing, alternative take on the jive pop culture.

Panic Room + Blaze Camero + Chris Johnson

Classic Rock Society award winners led by the stellar Anne-Marie Helder. Big riffs, choruses and screaming metal to breathy ballads. And all shot through with flashes of jazz, metal, funk, folk and blues.

Frightened Rabbit + Airship + Paper Planes

Glasgow-based defiantly indie-folk-pop since 2003 and continuing a long tradition of emotive Scottish indie rock that includes Mogwai, Delgados and Arab Strap. RESCHEDULED DATE - ALL NON-REFUNDED TICKETS STILL VALID.

Doll And The Kicks + The Cardoons

You may already have caight the sexy sassy Doll & The Kicks as Morrissey's special guests on the Tour Of Refusal? Kate Bush vocals and Karen O visuals, punching out post-punk and floor-filling dance tunes. Winner!

Chew Lips + Red Chevrons + The Ides

It's all about the girls these days, and Tigs from electro-pop synth sensations Chew L:ips is Karen O via Ms Welch; dancing her ass off and with a larynx barely in need of a PA. A 'Solo' sensation of a band, we think.

Nitzer Ebb + Zeitgeist Zero + Alice Moving Under Skies

From a shared interest in witchcraft and inspiration from Killing Joke/Bauhaus to analogue trickery, minimal song structures, sledgehammer drums and International Funk Aggression. End result: sweaty dancefloors worldwide. Not a bad road.

Dead Rebellion + RSJ + Testtone3

One immensely powerful and intense live act, but not just brain-numbing power. There's imagination at work. Lyrical, bursting with tunes and groove and clever detail on the decks. All nailed to a show most professional acts take years to develop.

Judy Collins + Kenny White

Perhaps best known for Send In The Clowns, Both Sides Now and Amazing Grace; double-Grammy winner, iconic folk artist and political idealist Judy also championed the early works of Dylan, Ochs and Woody Guthrie.

80s Party Night with Rubix Cube, presented by Dan Whiting

Sometimes all you wanna do is have a party. Have fun. The occasion of drummer par excellence, bon viveur and local promoter Dan Whiting's birthday is such an occasion. Real 80s music, real good time.

Rupa And The April Fishes + Arthur Rigby And The Baskervylles + Brigada Mercy

San Fransisco world/jazz/latin with vintage cabaret vibe, positively crackling with energy and sex. DeVotchKa, The Tiger Lillies and Gogol Bordello from melting-pot city!

Tom Russell

Straight outta the wild west blending C&W with a hearty helping of fierce tex-mex and rootsy folk. A gen-you-whine USA legend, a performance scattered with tales from Charles Bukowski, childhood and the beat generation. A maverick. A genius. And a bloody

Skylights + Radio Gypsy + Young Believers + Blaze Camero

There's a reason why so many people pitch up at Skylight gigs every single time. They can play, they have good tunes, they play truly madly deeply from the heart. And that makes a refreshing change.

Annual Xmas Eve Charity Show curated by Turbo feat. Boss Caine + The Federals + Mike Newsham + Tom Euesden + Fuzz Club DJs

GT Turbo's annual Xmas Eve show and, as usual, all proceeds go to Oxfam. Featuring the usual suspects and DJs providing more entertainment than your stocking can handle. Always puts us in the mood ...

Limehouse Lizzy

Founded '93 and still the world's most authentic Lizzy tribute, keeping the spirit and music alive in the best way possible - with love and some bloody great musicianship, featuring Wayne Ellis as Phil Lynott.

Beyond All Reason + The Humour + Drowned In Flames

Currently recording second album in Germany, a rare local appearance from York's searing and inventive alt-rock heroes drawing on 80s metal and "rock'n'roll in a roundabout whisky type of way" ...

Tragedy; All Metal Tribute To The Bee Gees + Black Paper Cats

Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother you're stayin' alive, stayin' alive. But when the feeling's gone and you can't go on, it's definitely time for TRAGEDY! From the New York home of disco, the sensational Bee Gees metal show ...

The Modfathers - The UK's No 1 Paul Weller Tribute Show

Paul Weller. One of the most iconic musical influences of nearly the last three decades. No arguments with that. And you can relive the years of The Jam, the mellow tones of The Style Council and all the classic hits of his ever expanding solo career.

Pete Molinari - postponed

The band's agent informs us that Pete's band is now unavailable for this tour and, regretfully, the shows have been postponed. Our event will definitely be rescheduled and all tickets will be valid! Our humble apologies ...

Josh & Co + Parade

From the guitar and songwriting genius who founded prog rock legends Mostly Autumn, comes a more personal expression of his wonderful music, performing solo album Through These Eyes at a limited number of venues.

Gallows + Trash Talk + Sharks

Fronted by Frank Carter, the loudest, brashest and downright noisiest hardcore punks to ever have a go at social commentary are back in York.

The Yards - FINAL AND FAREWELL GIG!! + The Federals

"Somewhere in between Queens of the Stone Age and The Who" (The Sun) or "Recalls prime 80's REM" (Q)? Whatever! Effortlessly gliding from Starsailor-ish balladry to Velvet Underground and the ballsy attitude of Iggy, inventive and poetic rock!

Thea Gilmore + Rod Clements

Blending Lucinda Williams' songwriting with the crystal voice of Chrissie Hynde, prolific Oxford singer-songwriter Thea returns with eighth album (Liejacker) in ten years. Leaving Katie, Norah and Amy in her wake ...

Detachments + Detronik + Ten

Layering sparse, tweaked acid house production over post-punk ESG percussive beats and chunky bass should make for a hands-in-the-air experience - and it does, but only in the sense that Detachments have taken you at gunpoint.

Alvin Purple + Hungry Ghosts + Young Believers + Skylights

Slickly-produced r'n'b lavishing laidback jazzish vocals over listen-up big bass and screeching solos. Commercial AND cool - Beth Ditto in a back room bar or a chain-smoking Imelda May!

MENCAP presents York Idol, also featuring X-Factor's Project A

Aiming at raising a massive £8000 for MENCAP, York businesses are pitted against one another to find that hidden superstar!

Peggy Seeger + Martin Carthy + Norma Waterson + Mike Waterson

Sorry, this show has been cancelled through no fault of the artistes. Ticketweb and See purchasers will be refunded automatically; cash purchasers please return your ticket to the venue. Apologies once more.

Hadouken! + Soft Toy Emergency

They're back in black and, as befits the more sombre look, the rave rabble of 2007 are more aggressive and more hard. Genre-pulping grindie, and the neon-splattered sound of every decent record yelling loudly over the others.

The ELO Experience

Amassing nine gold, platinum and multi-platinum albums with a unique blend of symphonic rock and memorable tunes. Tonight's tribute has already sold out a week in Las Vegas, it's the closest you're going to get.

Cosmo Jarvis + Satori

Either Jilted John meets Mike Skinner or Beck meets Billy Bragg, but rest assured it ain't a space-rock Jarvis! Over to Mark Jones (Wall Of Sound), "Without a shadow of doubt the most raw talent I've ever come across".

David Ford + Katy Carr

Some people are just natural songwriters, effortlessly penning irresistible, memorable tunes and words that chime with feelings and events we all know. Formerly of indie nearly-rans Easyworld, David Ford is definitely one of these ...

Up The Racket Halloween Ball

And whosoever shall be found without the soul for getting down, must stand and face the hounds of hell and rot inside a corpse's shell. Yup, it's the annual Halloween Ball - £100 for the best fancy dress. Come all ye ghouls and ghosts, pirates and nuns

The Unthanks + Jonny Kearney and Lucy Farrell

Mercury-nominated and formerly known as Rachel Unthank & The Winterset, innovative and critically acclaimed English folk band. The Unthanks are the inheritors, curators and distorters of Tyneside traditions and now with an extended line-up. Formidable st

Nine Black Alps + Sucioperro + Ghosts On The Intercom

A raging torrent of Jesus & Mary Chain/Dinosaur Jnr but with Cobain's ear for a melody. They're back with a vengeance.

York Against Cancer and Alderhey Hospital presents THE CAVERN CLUB COMES TO YORK with The Undertakers + The Shakers + The Spidermen + The Ian Watts Band + The Mojos + Flashback + The Media + Lovers Of Sum

What better way to support one of York's best causes by coming down for an afternoon featuring LOADS of live bands of old friends and nostalgic treats, for York Against Cancer and Alderhey Hospital. DOORS 6.30PM; FIRST BAND 7.15PM.

Hedphone Party (silent disco!) - 2 DJs and not a sound ...

Put on headphones; choose between 2 DJs: dance and sing. And not a single note can be heard. As seen around the UK club and festival circuit. Nothing can prepare you for how surreal and how much fun this is ...

Oysterband, The Oxford Girl and Other Stories Tour + Two

An acoustic journey through classic and rare gems from the Oysterband songbook presented in the inimitable, upfront Oyster style - energetic, joyful, spontaneous and everything you'd expect from the former bad boys but now godfathers of folk.

AToM presents Oui Love MusiqueXchange Tour with Nelson + Kid Bombardos + The Loungers

Another great gig from Access To Music in collaboration with our friends across the channel. And it's FREE!

Nerina Pallot + Jonathan Jeremiah

Platinum-selling artist and Brit Award nominee, best known for second album Fires (Everybody's Gone To War/Sophia) but the long awaited third is out in 2009! Classically trained singer-songwriter and musician; a great show.

Sonic Boom Six + The Skints + New Youth + Acid Drop

Energetic, pogo-inspiring, witty lyric spouting ska kids taking the liveliest bits of punk, ska, rap-reggae and hip hop and turn them something loved by everyone from Reel Big Fish to Paramore. And now main stage Reading/Leeds - result!

RZA - SHOW POSTPONED

APOLOGIES, WE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED ON SUNDAY EVENING BY THE PROMOTERS THAT THS SHOW HAS BEEN POSTPONED, POSSIBLY ONLY UNTIL NOVEMBER. SORRY, THIS IS ENTIRELY OUT OF OUR HANDS.

Player1 + Astrae

Alighting on cool and listenable funk and rock (NOT funk rock!) with steely songwriting and huge choruses, Player1 are that rare thing, a "local" band with longevity, talent and spunk.

The NME Radar Tour with The Golden Silvers + Marina And The Diamonds + Local Natives + Yes Giantess

Love 'em or loath 'em, the NME does a great Radar Tour, shipping the best cutting edge bands around the UK in a big old tour bus (previous occupants La Roux, Cribs, Monkeys, Killers) and this time it's calling at York.

UK Guns N' Roses

Arguably the greatest rock 'n' roll band of the 90s, some would say of all time. PLEASE NOTE THIS DATE HAS BEEN MOVED FORWARD FROM OCTOBER; ALL TICKETS STILL VALID!

Angie Palmer And The Revelators + The Jen Low Band + Suzy Bradley And The Morning After

What the UK's answer to Lucinda Williams lacks in Americana credentials, she makes up for with a dues-paying busking-in-Paris past. A singer-songwriter of considerable talent, accurately described as English Americana whilst skilfully mixing country, blue

T-Model Ford and GravelRoad + Tim Fox (Hijak Oscar)

THE most hardcore and authentic Mississippi gangster blues player still playing. Born Forrest, Mississippi, and 2 years on a chain gang, T-Model "Traildragger" Ford thinks he's 75 but isn't sure (!) ...

Fact + Drowned In Flames + Utoxator

OK, so they're from the land of the rising sun but so are the best motorbikes, whisky and women. Admired by The Used and Stutterfly, Fact's sonic thrash, duelling guitars and post-hardcore screamo is konnichiwa not sayonara ...

Juliet Turner + Gentry Morris + Yvonne Lyon

After double-platinum albums and awards, Juliet's palate for life's sweet and salty moments has evolved and her appreciation for life's minor chords has grown. Once a Terry Wogan favourite ('Take The Money And Run') now quiet, relaxed and wickedly funny.

Jeffrey Lewis And The Junkyard + Jack Lewis And The Fishermen Three featuring Simon from The Wowz

Jeffrey Lewis is the coolest nerd on earth. With his spidery folk band The Junkyard, fifth official album "Em Are I" was released to rapturous reviews and wowed the beardies at All Tomorrow's Parties. Special stuff ...

The Watanabes + Towns And Houses + Take To The Seas

Bringing together indie-rock vistas of home with references to japanese cooking, language problems and getting used to a different kind of toilet; an endearing evening of real-life-details and almost Smithsian indie.

MPHO - sorry, this has been cancelled at the last minute due to illness!

Sorry, this has been cancelled at the last minute due to illness. MPHO will be back in October!

The King Blues + Mates Of Dave + Don't Let Paris Fool You

London town, Labour Girls, Tory Boys and crying on your mates shoulder; King Blues are The Streets with even more punch, The Clash with a perfect ska kick. AFTERNOON SHOW; DOORS 1PM; EVENT FINISHES 4PM.

Alive By Fire + Lost From Atlas + Surprise Fire + New Youth

Re-educate yourselves this summer with the best of York's local talent at The Duchess. Squealing rock riffs and old school emo values; big rock and pop twiddling; power chords, sensitive noodling and beats and strings.

Death Promotions presents Day Of The Dead Festival 2009
RSJ + The Fallen + With One Last Breath + Kill The Captain + Nailbed + Lost Effect + Alive By Fire + Index.Code + Asperity + Epidemic + Bitter Skies + Teen Zu + The Spheric

Organised by the area's leading metal promoters, Death Promotions, and including the area's top names like RSJ, The Fallen and With One Last Breath, this is one m*therf*cker of a day, metal madness from start to messy finish. Doors open 1pm;

York Rox Part 1!

You gotta hear this to believe it; twenty or so unintroduced young musicians produce miracles in just four days.

Attack! Attack! - SORRY, THIS SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO A FAMILY BEREAVEMENT + The Fallen + Natccu + The Broadcast

Sorry, we were informed on Monday afternoon that, due to a family bereavement and the band's wish to attend the funeral, this show has to be cancelled.

Chris Helme + Mark Wynn + Tom Euesden

One of the most eloquent and raucously British rock, roots and blues voices in a couple of decades wrapped up in Dylan, Buckley and Van Morrison. A voice that goes to the back of the room. And your psyche.

Athlete + Iain Archer

From early influences Grandaddy and The Flaming Lips to double-platinum album sales to an Ivor Novello Award (Wires) and beyond. The quintessential English band; guitar-soaked electronica bubbles underneath sweeping soundscapes and songs with a BIG heart

Rock'Its vs Sonisphere!!

The only classic rock/metal and party punk in town has teamed up with Sonisphere Festival (Metallica, Linkin Park, Nine Inch Nails) and we've got TWO TICKETS AND A GUITAR HERO:METALLICA TO GIVE AWAY TONIGHT!! £££££s or what??

Rachel Harrington + Rod Clements + Holly Taymar + The Troubadors

Warmly likened to Gillian Welch and connecting with the ghosts of American folk music, Rachel Harrington's bluegrass and folk depressive style is entirely authentic. Joined here by ex-Lindisfarne Rod Clements in a rare and exclusive pairing.

Green Date

Explosive and uncannily accurate two and a half hour show from first EP "1039/Smoothed Out Slappy Hours" to "American Idiot" with all the classics in between.

Gun + Morpheus Rising + $lash Vega$

Word up ... GUN are back! And now with Toby Jepson (Littlle Angels). The latest classic act to prove that the best rock and the best bands never fade away; and are more than capable of putting young pretenders to the sword!

Live/Wire

Hell's Bells, for those about to rock - we salute you. World-acclaimed AC/DC show featuring both the Bon Scott and Brian Johnson eras with two different singers. We're on the highway to hell ...

Sawyer - sorry this show has been postponed due to illness!

Please welcome Rush fanatics and brilliant musicians Sawyer (previously Tom Sawyer who gigged country wide to huge acclaim) in to our midst - the best UK-based tribute to our Canadian friends. Snakes And Arrows for all ...

Tommy Reilly + James McKay + Travels By Telephone + Nathan Luke

Teenage winner of Channel 4's Orange Unsigned Act and owner of a Top 20 single (Gimme A Call), the Jamie T-ish Glaswegian's confident and smart songwriting and delivery looks like it will prove the "experts" right this time!

White Rose Movement + Ulterior + R O M A N C E

Dark Depeche Mode / Joy Division glamour and New Romanticism all wrapped up in filthy 80s bass and synths. Currently recording new album of sex-soaked choruses and whiplash beats. Watch the sparks fly.

Fairport Convention Acoustic + Two

The first consistently talented and prolific English electric folk-rock band and doing for real ale what The Grateful Dead did for LSD. Forty years on, still going strong and delighting packed houses everywhere!

Magnapow + Dreamz Murphy + Jonny P And The Howlie T Experience + The Shambles

Fresh faced, fun filled and energetic - poptastic music for the love generation. York Uni 2009 Battle of the Bands winners bursting with youthful enthusiasm, all bright colours and catchy tunes.

Teitur + Share + Arhur Rigby And The Baskervylles

He's a poet; he's a romantic; he's an Ingmar Bergman soundtrack; he's Al Stewart and Neil Hannon. A polite and fresh-faced young troubadour of whom John Mayer once said, "Music like this is jet fuel on the fire of a broken heart".

Puressence + The Number + The Slow Readers Club

Operating adrift of current fads, the exquisitely simple love songs and symphonic grooves of Puressence are still all here, carried away on the singer's gorgeous choral range. For heaven's sake, catch up with this band - even if you've missed 'em for the

Stephen Fretwell + Kami Thompson

"I don't lust after fame ... I lust after being a creative soul". Dylan-esque songwriting genius squeezes style and weariness, vigour and eloquence in to humble subjects and all with typical northern candour.

The Federals + Jonjo Feather + The Standbys + The Rising Hours

Get 'yer head taken off in a hurricane of fuzzed-up guitar, battered-to-death drums and a howling vocals. MC5 meets The Stooges all wrapped up in Louie Louie, but with better material. More garage than Kwik-Fit and they're going to be bigger.

The Sunshine Underground + Boy Crisis + Exit Calm

"We are," says Craig Wellington, simply, "a party band." Big tune after big tune and not pigeonholed but The Sunshine Underground definitely are one big, f*ck off rolling riot. Sorry, sold out ...

Hatcham Social + The Lookout + Two Click Wish

For you, is Orange Juice more than a morning beverage? Even with more than a whiff of early Pavement, Josef K and Franz Ferdinand this is no mere 80s indie worship band.

"A Night For Heroes" featuring Mostly Autumn + Breathing Space (with "Harry" James from Thunder) + Flight + Free Spirit + Freeway

In aid of child and adult brain tumour charity "Andrea's Gift", and in memory of local musician and family man Howard Sparnenn. Rare local show for leading UK classic rock / folk / celtic sensations Mostly Autumn.

Art Brut + The Robocop Kraus + STOP! Motion

"Is it so wrong, to break from your kiss to turn up a pop song?" ask the New Cross champions. Spiky, short, energetic punk/new wave kitchen sink drama and French philosophy; dancefloor melodrama and deranged art-pop. Very cool.

Beyond The Bar presents Veils + RSJ + Osmium + Bitter Skies

Explosive technical riffs, savage breakdowns and howling spitting vocals. That'll be Veils from Manchester, then. Joined here by the Will Haven-meets-Meshuggah groove-laden clobbering of York's own RSJ.

Supersuckers + Nashville Pussy + The Pace Shifters

Classic double-bill of full-throttle blue collar USA rock 'n' roll! The devil has all the best tunes and with lead singer/bassist Eddie Spaghetti they're in good hands. Loud. Proud. Damaged. And still not sucking after all these years.

Eliza Carthy + Dogan Mehmet

Double Mercury-nominee and figurehead of an English folk revival, the daughter of folk royalty Waterson:Carthy is a truly inventive and innovative singer and fiddle-player. "Bewitching and original" - Q.

Esser + Young Fathers

He was in Ladyfuzz, but we forgive. Irresistible bubbly synthy bounce and mouth-filling wordplay welds Jamie T-ish geezer delivery to Hot Chip hooks. Pop is back; and about time too.

Urban Scum + Acid Drop + By Default + The Swindells

Punk should be all about three chords, drinking beer and having a good time with two fingers up to the world. At least, that what it was until John Lydon started selling butter. Tonight is REAL punk; turn-up-plug-in-let's-go. Oi!!

Sgt Peppers Only Dart Board Band + Faces Of Dorian

Touring their Beatles show in the UK, Europe and the USA for ten years; performing even the most complex tracks completely live. Roll up for full Pepper regalia, Liverpudlian humour and the Fab Four's greatest hits The rest just rattle your jewellery!

The Jan Akkerman Band + Geoff Hurricane Watson

One of the few truly mindboggling jaw-dropping virtuoso guitarists, making his name with Focus in the 70s. And you can expect to hear those favourites as well as jazz, blues and classical with dazzling technique.

Hounds Of Love featuring Josie Mills + Angela Gordon

What a pleasure to find somebody with the versatile, tuneful and beautifully-sounding pipes absolutely essential to do justice to an iconic artist with such a great canon of work; Josie and her band perform with passion and empathy.

Martyn Joseph

Gifted singer-songwriter Martyn Joseph wants to, and probably will, move heaven and earth. Edgy, serious-with-a-smile protest cum love songs abound, but being a raffish raconteur doesn't mean you can't have the best message ever.

Wilko Johnson + The David Sinclair Trio

There are few better sights in rock 'n' roll than Wilko Johnson, bug-eyed, skittling back on forth across a stage, coily lead stretched to the max. The Canvey Island Godfather of Punk and co-founder of Dr Feelgood is back!

The Yards - 2nd Album Launch + Hope & Social

"Somewhere in between Queens of the Stone Age and The Who" (The Sun) or "Recalls prime 80's REM" (Q)? Whatever! Effortlessly gliding from Starsailor-ish balladry to Velvet Underground and the ballsy attitude of Iggy, inventive and poetic rock!

Chris Difford (Squeeze) + Ella Edmondson

It wasn't just Tilbrook and Holland in Squeeze y'know! Tonight there'll be song. Tonight there'll be talk. And there may even be a slide show and homemade cake (!).

Hedphone Party (silent disco!) - 2 DJs and not a sound ...

Put on headphones; choose between 2 DJs: dance and sing. And not a single note can be heard. As seen around the UK club and festival circuit. Nothing can prepare you for how surreal and how much fun this is ...

Tragedy: A Metal Tribute To The Bee Gees! + Beyond All Reason

Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother you're stayin' alive, stayin' alive. But when the feeling's gone and you can't go on, it's definitely time for TRAGEDY! From the New York home of disco, the sensational Bee Gees metal show ...

The Gig Cartel presents
It Bites + John Reilly (Boy On A Dolphin)

A compelling song-driven mix of prog, pop, hard rock and metal, they remain a force to be reckoned with even today and with a (perfect) replacement frontman in John Mitchell. Instrumental virtuosity and a blistering live show.

The Sneakypeeks + The Station Club + Popes Of Chillitown + Hungry Ghosts

Two talented brothers and a best mate bassist, with huge Killers-meets-Doors tunes and buckets of live attitude. Unsigned and definitely worth a sneaky peek ... But not for too long 'cos 2009 is THEIRS!

Limehouse Lizzy presents Roisin Dubh: The Spirit Of The Black Rose Tour 2009
Limehouse Lizzy

Founded 1993 and still the world's most authentic Limehouse Lizzy tribute, keeping the spirit and music alive in the best way possible - with love and some bloody great musicians! Bass player and vocalist Wayne Ellis is almost the embodiment of Phil Lyno

Hugh Cornwell And Band; the legendary voice of The Stranglers + Player1

Strangler's mainman until 1990 and still one of the UK's consistently great (and controversial) songwriters. Seasoned performer, raconteur, author and all-round good guy. How much rock 'n' roll can just one man deliver? Lots more, obviously.

Telegraphs + I Call Shotgun + Dressed In Their Best

OK, so due to phenomenal rise of Brighton's Telegraphs, we've rearranged this Friday's show around a bit. But still for the same silly cheap price of £4 ...

Kris Drever, John McCusker and Roddy Woomble Trio + Boo Hewerdine and Heidi Talbot

Three brilliant Scottish musicians join forces in a unique folk/traditional collaboration. Singer-guitarist Kris Drever from Lau; John McCusker who has played with just about everyone, and Roddy Woomble taking time out from Idlewild.

Peter Broderick + Share + Olympic Symphonium + Miles Cain

Fans of Bon Iver and Gravenhurst, listen up, Broderick's celestial virtuosity and songwriting has already earned reams of quality press (Times, Guardian, Mojo etc). Stunningly beautiful music. No other words for it.

Undergrass + The Strands + Red Chevrons

How do such young guys distill the essence of classic Free/Bad Company blues rock and bring it up bang up to date a la Endeverafter and The Answer?

Little Lost David + Lights + Dan Webster

Delicately folk-tinged, autobiographical and achingly honest. No wobbly heads or faux blues here, welcome to the new breed of singer-songwriters.

Arlo Guthrie - The Solo Reunion Tour, Together At Last + Dan Lucas (Boss Caine)

Penning the immortal "Alice's Restaurant" was only the beginning for an accomplished musician; songwriter of distinction; socio-political commentator; engaging raconteur; genuine American legend; eldest son of Woody; and here in York. Result!

Hedphone Party (silent disco!) - 2 DJs and not a sound ...

Put on headphones; choose between 2 DJs: dance and sing. And not a single note can be heard. As seen around the UK club and festival circuit. Nothing can prepare you for how surreal and how much fun this is ...

The Officers + Alvin Purple

Beware York's dark and dangerous gutter-groove pirates. Electro-basslines and rock 'n' roll; from Jesus And Mary Chain to Timbaland - Immaculately tailored from the devil's cloth!

Mick Pointer and friends perform Marillion; 25th Anniversary Script For A Jester's Tour Part II (presented by Marvellous Events)

Featuring Mick Pointer (ex-Marillion) with Nick Barrett (Pendragon), Mike Varty (Credo), Ian Salmon (Arena) and Brian Cummings (Carpet Crawlers) reprising classic 1983 Marillion album Script For A Jester's Tear. Did they invent Neo-Rock? Whatever, SFAJT

The James Taylor Quartet + Dusty Floors

Haunched over a Hammond, JT invented acid jazz long before Jay Kay and the rest. With a "quartet" of seven musicians inc. brass and girl backing singers, this is soul, jazz, groove and everything in between. Get the funk outta here!

Encuentro Latino and Salsa York present
K.I.S.S. A.S.S. Christmas Party with Leon Rose and Noemie Millon

Encuentro Latino and Salsa-York are bringing all salsa styles and ability levels under one roof to share their passion in a Christmas Special with two of the most sought after international stars Leon Rose and Noemie Millon!

Mike J Gig 5
Darker Shades of Gorgeous + Summerlin + The Strides + Lights In The Sky

The area's best showcase! Always a great line-up and, as always, put together with love and attention by Mr Mike Harrison.

The Redwalls + People: In Airports + Apply The Brakes

Coming on like The Beatles in an almighty duff-up with 13th Floor Elevators, all crafty real-life pop with a clattering garage twist. The Yanks that think they're Brits - now there's a pleasant change.

madeyoulook.tv presents
Death Defying Life + The Gilligans + Holly Taymar + The Unit + Taz Bedford

Headlined by 1000mph ska-punk monsters and wih a stellar local cast launching controversial madyoulook.tv campaign - and it's all FREE and it's all day!

Jackie Leven (SORRY, SHOW CANCELLED; RESCHEDULED TO MARCH 2009)

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this show has been cancelled but has been rescheduled to MONDAY MARCH 16. Please accept our apologies; refunds available from point of purchase.

The Complete Stone Roses

Ten Kens + Thieves + The Federals

Following in the footsteps of Arcade Fire, Broken Social Scene Black Mountain - and not a Ken amongst this heavy psych-rock pack from Toronto. The most exciting band we've heard in a long time

The Lancashire Hotpots + The Re-Entrants

Is tha' reet owd cocker? You can keep 'yer white wine spritzer and Babycham is fer thy sister. Les Dawson, Peter Kay and Fred Dibnah set to wildly funny and deadly accurate Lancashire tales of ordinary life.

The View + Holy Ghost Revival

Teenage council house upstarts from Dundee take indie-pop scene by storm. Wear same jeans for four days. Announce another huge tour. Sell out in double quick time. Result.

Anberlin + Furthest Drive Home + Data.Select.Party

Expanding the grasp of just what a modern rock band can do; multi-unit shifting Anberlin from Florida release third album Cities amidst critical and popular acclaim. If great songs, choruses and pop perfection are your bag ...

Up The Racket presents Lords Of Flatbush

Disco is back; Wild Cherry plays Chic!! Feel that 70s funk and git yer dancin shoozies on for Andy Nicholson's new project (yes, that Andy Nicholson) with blazing, flat-four-to-the-bar 70s/80s disco beats, twittering synths and even vocoders!

The John Otway Big Band

Stepladders, microphone headbutting, pathos and a double-necked bend-in-the-middle guitar. He may be the rock 'n' roll's greatest failure but he can fill The Albert Hall. Top that.

Uriah Heep + Maccara

Up there with Purple and Sabbath as great survivors of metal/prog; selling 30+ million albums and still releasing more. From Gypsy, July Morning, Easy Livin', The Wizard and to the present day ... helium vocals, killer riffs and swirling keyboards.

The Fall + Calvin Party

Thank heaven for Mark E Smith and real music. Evergreen, atonal, belligerent indie alt-rock legend and maverick returns to York. Fans of X Factor need not apply.

Access To Music presents The AToM Live Tour with
Josephine Oniyama + The Abstracts + Annie And The Astronaughts + Hannah And The Junk Funk

Showcasing new talent from the student network and tonight AToM have pulled off a bit of a coup with the very wonderful Tracy Chapman-elect Josephine Oniyama headlining. Free admission.

Ezio + Gillan Edgar + The Wayfaring Strangers

As always, appearing with Booga, a man two metres high and almost as wide - this is high octane rock 'n'roll acoustic with affection and a smile.

The Hair + The Runaway Sons + Dead Rebellion

Leeds scamps majoring in infectious rhythms, vibrant guitars and disco-drenched bass. Warning: they get everywhere.

Jackie-O Motherfucker + Celebrity Love Crisis + Valet + Inca Core

Shimmering backdrops, space-rock and a free jazz version of Godspeed Ye Black Emperor. An extraordinary feast of Industrial to Floyd from their Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun-era. Are you experienced?

The Datsuns (afternoon show!) + Sons Of Albion

Pay attention kids, THIS IS AN AFTERNOON SHOW. Doors open 2pm so after 'yer dose of stuck-in-the-70s NZ garage punk rock 'n' roll being a motherf*cker from hell, you can pop home for tea and still be on the lash Saturday night.

Club Go presents Bloggers Delight York
Matt Walsh (Turbo Records) + Casper C + Club Go residents

Bringing the definitive Camden electro-club to York with Bugged Out and Wax:On regular Matt Walsh and Adventures In A Beetroot Field co-host Caspar. Doors open 10.30pm; strictly 18+

Frank Turner (and band!) + Chris T-T + Emily Barker

Now distanced from the ex-Million Dead tag and proven as a wonderful songwriter and communicator in an age when half a song gets you front page NME. To be in a roomful singing along with this man-of-the-people performer is to truly be somewhere.

To The Bones + The Federals + Joey And The Deacons

Sometimes bands just worry you. A lot. Bolton's high octane and timelessly cool riot-rockers don't just sound AND look like a rock band. Ramming in classic post-punk grunge and rock; file next to The Bronx, Motorhead, and Nirvana.

Jeremy Warmsley + Oh Wow, Meow! + Sam Bennett

Occupying a weird, and at the same time exhilarating, space between Aphex Twin and The Beatles with skewed content and original lyrics, prepare yourself for wistful indie folk-pop almost as if Buckley was fronting Four Tet.

Elliot Minor + The Hot Melts + Third Conduct

Classically-trained ex-York Minster choirboys gone bad. Very bad. Corrupted by All-American Rejects and Green Day at an early age and now teen sensations. But with hearts of gold as tonight's show is in aid of York Against Cancer.

Lykke Li + Yoav

Swedish pop chanteuse with a brace of hits on her hands. Kylie meets Feist or an icier Lily Allen with tons of electro-pop soul; perfect for that bedsit neon-pink gloomdisco.

Shed Seven at Teesside University, Middlesbrough

No show at The Duchess on this night so we're all off to Middlesborough to see York's greatest export, courtesy of our friends at Ten Feet Tall. There's still a few tickets left - see full story.

The Spinto Band + Isosceles + people:in airports

As near as indie ever comes to soaring; perfect multi-harmony grown-up Oh Mandy pop perfection all wrapped in great songs. They're back; new album shortly on the racks; full of Killers-charm but not the bluster.

Friendly Fires + Jape

Like fellow alliteration kids Crystal Castles they're making Grade-A catchy disco pop beats with fuzzy guitars, tattered old analogue synths for the asymmetric crowd. Daft Punk electro-elan and indie-disco sweaty melodies ahoy ...

Longview + The Domino State + Lecorum

Achingly exquisite broken-heart love songs and Smithsian life commentary with the muted anger of MBV. Don't pigeonhole them with Coldplay and Snow Patrol; they've written better songs.

Mike J Gig 3
Alvarez Kings + The Bottom Bunk + Grinny Grandad

Third in a series of sell-out shows put together by Mike Harrison, a man of impeccable taste but not in the shoe department. As usual, tonight's fine selection will not disappoint. First time here for Rotherham's Alvarez Kings - a must see band!

Heaven's Basement + Tidal Fury + Undergrass

Ex-Hurricane Party and Roadstar; dirtyfilthysleazy gutter-metal rock of snarling lyrics, melt in your gob solos and attitude. Exactly instantly intentionally and unequivocably what great rock should be.

Eileen Rose And The Holy Wreck + TD Lind + Mike Newsham

Nobody sings about regret and precious time lost quite like Eileen. With near perfect songsmithery she's a one-woman mid-period Floyd. Or the new Janis Joplin/Stevie Nicks/Patti Smith. And she rocks ...

The Dodos + Euros Childs + Airheads

Psychedelic campus folk-rock duo from San Fran meshing Zepp III and Sonic Youth with campus pop, art-punk and communal lo-fi psychedelic drawl. Gorky's Zygotic Mynci frontman does the honours in support.

Jubilee + Les Gars + The Fallen

With Aaron North (Nine Inch Nails) and Michael Schuman (QOTSA) but this ain't no LA-based lets-pass-some-time supergroup; it's the real deal referencing Janes Addiction, The Replacements, Neil Young and everywhere in between ...

The Bitter Image + Manifesto + Section 30

Classic Backyard Babies rock from The Bitter Image with Manifesto's mix of Rush and Stereophonics close behind. Self-styled rock monkeys and cycling offenders Section 30 are first up.

We Are Scientists + Cut Off Your Hands + Fist Full Of Yen

It's OK to be geeky if you have wired tangents and scratchy indie-punk. SOLD OUT!

Last York show in 2008!
Hijak Oscar + 98 Pages + The Summits

Indisputably proving themselves to be no Channel 4 flash in the pan, York's Vudu Blues bad boys (and girl) tear a new hole in modern blues with searing harmonica/vocals from Tim Fox and a band whose stageshow gives Slipknot a run for their money.

Evan Dando + Frank Turner + Stuart Allan

Once the 90s grunge-poster boy and role model for slackerdom, the years have not withered Evan's talent, looks or, it seems, his appetite for still writing great songs and entertaining the Lemonheads faithful and beyond.

Jim White + Boss Caine Acoustic

Loss and isolation, sex and the search for grace all wrapped up in motel room melancholy and tales of the dusty road.

Youngblood Brass Band + Akimbo

How on earth can a bunch of brass-players and percussionists transform hip hop in to something other than bling and bitches.

Shed Seven + Chris Helme

Homegrown and now reformed 90s indie champs with more Top Ten hits than Oasis in their day. Still packing venues and still bloody marvellous.

The Mike J Gig2
Hot Recruit + Dinosaur Pile-Up + Fist Full Of Yen + The Gilligans

No other way to describe this other than the MikeJ series being the best indie line-ups in recent years.