Author: Beth Kirkbride

Bursting with youthful exuberance, the Oxford Imps dance their way onto the stage and are introduced to us by Giles Gear, who is in charge of opening the evening’s proceedings. Gear briefly warms the audience up and explains how transitions between the scenes will take place, and in doing so, nervously reveals to us that […]

Eavesdropping on a conversation during the drinks reception held prior to Oliver and James Phelps’ Q&A at the Oxford Union, I am struck by a comment made by one attendee that, “it would be weird to interview them and ask questions about things they’ve done apart from Harry Potter.” Ever a sucker for a challenge, […]

Child Death – Balam Acab By Naomi Southwell The ominously titled Child Death is Balam Acab’s latest release since his debut LP Wander/Wonder. The artist is known for his ethereal watery sounds immersed in psychedelic witchy beats. In anticipation of the new release Alex Koone (Balam Acab) revealed a photo montage of samples he had […]

It is a truth universally acknowledged that people are born, and people die. Stars are born, and they too, must eventually die. On 6th January 2016, a star whose light has been shining since he launched his music career back in 1967 died aged 69, after an 18-month long struggle with cancer. That star, of […]

Basked in lambent green light, Spector swan onstage, evidently wondering what to make of this evening’s crowd. Partway through the set frontman Fred Macpherson notes the O2 Academy is only two thirds full. Whether this is because it’s a Wednesday evening or because Spector’s reach is limited to a small group of ardently devoted fans, […]

Crafting an ethereal, mystical landscape with her haunting vocal style, Halsey has seen her debut album propelled to number nine in the UK charts and number two in the US following its release on 28th August. Her success with Badlands is testament to the record’s pulsating aura, which consumes the listener and – at times […]