More from Manchester Folk Festival. Shovel Dance Collective with a fine variety of instruments and some impressive folk bellowing.

The always captivating Angeline Morrison on the first night of the Manchester Folk Festival. The Sorrow Songs is one of my favourite albums of the last few years, but we got a preview of some songs from her new album which sounded equally wonderful.

Our first of 4 gigs over 4 nights - starting with some nostalgic indie pop with Heavenly (35 years after I first saw them), supported by label mates Tulpa.

Some great bands at The Talleyrand on Friday, here are headliners Special Friend delivering some motorik goodness.

The Monochrome set performing the whole of The Lost Weekend, plus some other favourites, at The Deaf Institute.

I’m out of the habit of posting photos after a winter gig drought, but here’s one from last week. Lisa O'Neill and band with some gorgeous tunes at the equally beautiful Halle St Peter's.

Another fine performance from Manchester City Women yesterday. Goals from Shaw, Miedema and a hatrick from Kerolin who did some excellent goal celebrations.

The always excellent Stereolab at the Ritz last night with their usual mix of dreamy pop melodies and incisive critiques of capitalism. Great support from Brazilian band Mombojo.

Our second gig this week featuring a violinist, but with a slightly different vibe. Sudan Archives knows how to put on a good show, mixing industrial, rap, R&B with some classical and folky violin playing. Great support and excellent T-shirt from Cleo Reed.

Got free tickets to see Corinne Bailey Rae at Factory International last night. She has an amazing voice, and I especially enjoyed the more spacey newer stuff and her rock wig-out to New York Transit Queen.