There’s nowhere in the UK quite like Manchester for sheer volume of things happening at any given moment. On a Tuesday night in the Northern Quarter you’ll find a basement venue running a sold-out jazz night, a comedy club that’s been going since the early 90s, and a new gallery opening that somehow has a queue. It’s a city that genuinely doesn’t know how to have a quiet one.

Late October is particularly good. The clocks have just gone back, everyone’s slightly unsure what to do with themselves, and Manchester responds by packing the calendar. Halloween events aside (and there are a lot of them this year, some genuinely excellent, some absolutely not worth leaving the house for), there’s live music, club nights, arts stuff, food markets, and the kind of grassroots gigs that remind you why people move here in the first place.

Halloween and the Surrounding Chaos

Look, if Halloween is your thing, Manchester does it properly. Depot Mayfield has been running large-scale immersive events for a few years now and they tend to be worth the ticket price, which is more than you can say for every city’s attempt at spooky season entertainment. Escape rooms around Ancoats and Salford have all gone full horror mode for October, some with genuinely unhinged theming. Albert Halls has a couple of club nights this weekend that’ll go on until something ungodly.

Even if you’re not that into Halloween, you’ll inevitably end up at something adjacent to it this week. That’s just how Manchester works in late October. Embrace it or book a table at Elnecot and ignore the whole thing.

Live Music Worth Your Time Right Now

The music calendar is strong at the moment. O2 Victoria Warehouse has a run of shows this week that spans grime, indie, and something the promoter describes as “post-club ambient” which could mean absolutely anything. Academy 2 has been quietly booking some of the best mid-sized touring acts of the year, and if you haven’t caught anything there recently you might be surprised by the quality.

Smaller venues are doing the heavy lifting too, actually. Soup Kitchen on Stevenson Square is one of the best 300-capacity rooms in the country and they rarely get the credit for it outside of people who go regularly. Band on the Wall has a couple of interesting shows this week including something involving a 12-piece band, which I’ll admit I’m curious about even if the logistics sound like a nightmare.

The easiest way to get a proper overview of everything running across venues this week is to use whats on in Manchester via Skiddle, which aggregates listings properly rather than making you click through a dozen different venue websites. Useful when there are genuinely 40 or 50 things worth considering on a given Saturday.

Beyond the Obvious

There’s a reasonable argument that the most interesting stuff in Manchester right now isn’t at the big venues. Afflecks has a market running this weekend with local makers doing jewellery, prints, and clothing. The Science and Industry Museum on Liverpool Road is free and has a new exhibition that’s been getting good word of mouth, though it’s worth booking a slot in advance because it gets busy.

If you’re after something a bit more low-key, Pollen Bakery in the NOMA neighbourhood does a weekend brunch situation that’s worth planning around, and the area itself has changed a lot in the last two years. Worth a wander even if you don’t have a plan.

Getting Around It All

One thing people underestimate about Manchester is how walkable the centre actually is. The gap between Piccadilly and the Northern Quarter is about seven minutes on foot. Ancoats to the Printworks is similar. You don’t need to be strategic about it the way you do in London, which genuinely changes how the night can go. You can decide to go somewhere different at 10pm and actually make it work.

Tram links out to Salford and over to Withington are decent enough if you’re looking beyond the city centre. Just check the last tram times before you commit to a late finish, because there’s nothing worse than a £22 Uber you didn’t budget for on a Tuesday.

The post Five Manchester Plans for the Last Week of October appeared first on EQ Music.

How time flies! It’s already been six months since Tsatsamis first adorned our ears with his “Tsycophant“ mixtape. And what a ride it has been since. Following an extremely successful run of shows supporting the release, this emerging singer-songwriter is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down. In fact, if anything, the good times are only just getting started!

A tantalising teaser of what might be next came courtesy of Tsatsamis’ cameo appearance in Jessie Ware’s “Sauna” music video. Little did I realise however, that this was merely the appetiser before the main course. The subsequent announcement that Tsatsamis is joining Jessie on the UK and European legs of her “Superbloom” tour. Talk about a plot twist worth turning up the volume for.

And there’s even more to celebrate. With all the exciting things that have blossomed from the “Tsycophant” era, Tsatsamis is playing a special sold-out show in London tonight. Fans can expect to revisit their favourite tracks while getting a taste of new music that promises to expand the “Tsycophant” universe even further.

Enter “Masochist”, arriving at just the right moment ahead of these upcoming shows.

A thought-provoking yet thoroughly danceable deep dive into the curious relationship between pleasure and pain. The new single finds Tsatsamis exploring regret, emotional conflict and those pesky personal patterns that refuse to disappear, no matter how much we might wish them away.

Blending confessional songwriting with alluring, infectious electro-pop beats, “Masochist” makes a compelling case for dancing through the emotional turmoil rather than simply sitting in it. Because sometimes, apparently, the heart needs a dancefloor to work through its questionable decision-making.

As Tsatsamis explains:

“I wrote it at the end of August when I realised all the traits I thought I’d written out of myself in “Tsycophant” were actually still there. I’m still an emotional masochist”

There’s something wonderfully human about recognising that personal growth isn’t always a neat, upward trajectory. Sometimes, the same old habits return wearing a rather fabulous new outfit.

With “Masochist”, Tsatsamis turns that realisation into irresistible pop. Thus proving that even our emotional setbacks can have a soundtrack worth repeating.

Connect with Tsatsamis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tsatsamismusic

X: https://x.com/tsatsamis_

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tsatsamis/

The post Tsatsamis Explores Emotional Conflict on New Single “Masochist” appeared first on EQ Music.

With alt-pop superstar Allie X currently taking her deliciously theatrical pop catalogue across Europe and the UK on the Serial Diva Tour, there was a rather golden opportunity to unleash something new. And honestly, if there is anyone I would trust to soundtrack the witching hour, it is this particular priestess of dark, deliciously dramatic pop.

Factor in the Halloween season, and the timing could hardly be more perfect.

Midway through her tour, Allie X has dropped ‘Midnight for the Masses’, a self-produced offering that plunges headfirst into our collective seduction by convenience, the looming threat of digital collapse and that rather unsettling business of numbing ourselves to the pain of simply being human.

Now, I have always appreciated an artist who can make existential dread sound like something I might happily dance around my living room to. And Allie X appears to have understood the assignment rather spectacularly.

With references to:

“it’s not enough to score, your hearts still sore, any pain relief, can we rest in peace”.

And the rather telling refrain

“I’m killing my sadness, midnight for the masses”

There is a fascinating tension between the song’s hypnotic, danceable appeal and its rather bleak subject matter. We are talking about surrendering to convenience, seeking temporary relief and potentially losing a little of ourselves along the way.

Allie herself describes the track as:

“A song about surrendering to convenience until you don’t quite recognise yourself anymore. I kissed the beast too, so I’m in no position to judge.
Possibly my most digital-sounding song yet. Something to kill your sadness and dance to”.

And that, dear readers, is precisely where the magic lies.

There is something wonderfully Allie X about turning the prospect of digital doom into an invitation to move your feet.

So, should you find yourself feeling a little emotionally haunted this Halloween, consider this your invitation to surrender to the synths.

Connect with Allie X

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alliexxxxandra/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliex/

The post Allie X ‘Midnight for the Masses’: Witchy Goth-Pop for Halloween appeared first on EQ Music.

Well, well, well! If September’s “Roses” was Chvrches dramatic announcement of their return. The new single “Overthinker” feels like the Scottish synth-pop trio have swept in, switched on the neon lights and reminded us precisely why we fell head over heels for them in the first place. And honestly? My pop-loving heart is doing a little happy dance.

The band have been teasing glimpses of their next chapter. And now we have another rather delicious morsel to get our ears around.

“Overthinker” is the second taste of their forthcoming fifth album, “All The King’s Men”, which is due to arrive on 22 January 2027. So consider this your friendly nudge to get that date firmly circled in the diary!

Premiered as Jack Saunders’ Hottest Record on BBC Radio 1’s New Music Show. “Overthinker” arrives just as the excitement builds around the band’s upcoming tour.

Now, I know I wasn’t the only one hoping for another generous helping of those familiar soaring synths and Lauren Mayberry‘s gloriously airy vocals after “Roses” took us somewhere considerably heavier and darker. “Overthinker” certainly delivers on the electronic allure, bringing back the anthemic Chvrches magic while giving us something new to chew over.

And chew over it we shall. Because the lyrics are serving up more than a catchy chorus to get stuck in your head for the next three business days.

“Not sure how you raised such a chronic overthinker“ and “Inherited your manners, and your turns of phrase“ hint at the anxiety, habits and emotional baggage we can pick up from the people who shape us. It’s conversational, relatable and just the sort of lyrical detail that has you nodding along before suddenly wondering whether a song has been secretly reading your diary. Cheeky!

What’s particularly intriguing is just how different “Overthinker” feels from “Roses”. Two tracks, two very different sonic worlds. Speaking to Jack Saunders, Lauren described “All The King’s Men” as Chvrches’ most diverse offering yet.

One thing is certain: Chvrches haven’t returned to play it safe, and I’m certainly not complaining. In January when, “All The King’s Men” drops, it most likely could bring us a few delicious surprises. Until then, I’ll be over here playing “Overthinker” on repeat, pretending that listening to a song 47 times counts as perfectly reasonable behaviour.

Chvrches head out across North America, the UK and Ireland from February 2027. Pre-sale (28th October) and general ticket sale (30th October). All the details are available at chvrch.es.

All The King’s Men” is due to arrive on 22 January 2027. Pre-orders are available now

Connect with CHVRCHES

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHVRCHES/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chvrches/

The post Chvrches Tease Their Most Diverse Album Yet With “Overthinker” appeared first on EQ Music.

When I stumbled upon Jace Cameron and his track “Easy” back in August, I was overcome with a good feeling about this artist. There was something quietly captivating about the song. An emotional little spark that made me suspect there was considerably more to discover. And wouldn’t you know it? My musical instincts appear to be behaving themselves rather splendidly once again, because Jace has returned with another exquisite offering, “Cashmere”.

Where “Easy” introduced this new era with its emotional tenderness and understated magic, “Cashmere” takes those foundations and wraps them in something altogether more intimate. Think vulnerability, delicate storytelling and a lyrical narrative that feels wonderfully personal without losing its universal appeal. Basically, the sort of pop that makes you want to put your phone down, listen properly and perhaps have a little moment with your feelings.

There is an undeniable strength in the way Jace approaches vulnerability. Rather than simply presenting intimacy as a romantic notion, he explores the emotional intricacies that come with being close to someone. The lyrics capture a deliciously complex space between attraction, hesitation and the need for understanding.

And then there are those lyrics:
“Why so shy when I’m here wrapped in it like? Got a lil too close but your heart’s still in it right?”

There is something particularly evocative about this passage, suggesting an intimacy that is both reassuring and uncertain. It feels like a conversation happening somewhere between the heart and the head. Feelings are present but perhaps not entirely ready to be openly expressed.

What I particularly appreciate is that “Cashmere” feels like a natural progression rather than a departure from “Easy“. And that Jace is building an artistic identity around emotional honesty. Seriously I am thoroughly enjoying watching that unfold.

If “Easy” was the invitation, this latest track feels like a welcome inside. And frankly, I am rather fond of artists who make my musical intuition look good. Consider my pop radar officially wrapped in cashmere.

Connect with Jace Cameron

X:  https://x.com/jacecameronn 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jacecameronn

The post Jace Cameron – “Cashmere”: An Exquisite New Chapter in His Emotional Pop Journey appeared first on EQ Music.

There is something rather lovely about Harry Styles in his dancing shoes. His latest music video has given me yet another reason to appreciate this man’s ability to keep us guessing. The newly premiered video for “Coming Up Roses”, the latest single from his fourth studio album, “Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally“.

Naturally, I had to have a peek, and this is another captivating visual offering that leaves plenty of room for interpretation.

Reuniting with acclaimed directing duo Bradley & Pablo, who previously worked with Harry on “Watermelon Sugar“ and “Late Night Talking“. The video takes us into the world of a ballroom dancing class. Here, Harry moves between dancing partners with the sort of ease that makes me wonder whether he has secretly been polishing his ballroom credentials behind our backs.

Honestly, he changes partners almost as often as he changed those sparkly jumpsuits during the “Harry’s House” era! One thing is certain, though: the fluid rhythm of “Coming Up Roses“ lends itself beautifully to a spot of waltzing. And incidentally, it transpires Harry looks remarkably light on his toes. Who knew ballroom class could be quite so intriguing?

But, as ever with Harry, there is more going on beneath the stylish surface. The emotionally vulnerable lyrics evoke uncertainty, vulnerability and the delicate art of surrendering to the present. Against the backdrop of the dance class, the video feels open to interpretation. The visual invites us to consider the stories unfolding between the dancers and what their movements might reveal about the feelings they cannot quite put into words.

For those wanting to add a little Harry magic to their record collection, an exclusive “Coming Up Roses“ 7” vinyl is also available now via the Official Harry Styles Store

All told, “Coming Up Roses“ reminds us that Harry Styles can make even a ballroom lesson feel like a beautifully choreographed mystery. One minute, he has us admiring his fancy footwork. The next, we’re pondering the emotional twists and turns hiding beneath all that ballroom elegance.

I do love a pop star who gives me something to look at, something to feel, and just enough mystery to keep my brain doing the cha-cha long after the music stops. Harry, consider me thoroughly swept off my feet!

Connect with Harry Styles

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harrystyles

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrystyles/

The post Harry Styles Unveils Mesmerising ‘Coming Up Roses’ Music Video appeared first on EQ Music.

Tick tock, tick tock! We are getting tantalisingly close to the arrival of Chloe Qisha’s “Fantasize” mixtape, landing on 30th October. And because Chloe clearly knows how to keep us hanging on every last word, she has one final offering to share before the big day: “He Likes Boys”.

Oh, and did I mention the mixtape arrives on the very same day she headlines Heaven in London? Talk about a date for the diary!

With Chloe’s enviable knack for confessional lyricism, “He Likes Boys” serves up a deliciously vulnerable account of falling for someone who might just be out of reach. She wastes absolutely no time setting the scene, declaring:

“Welcome to my catasphoric love show. I hope you’re sitting comfortably ‘Cause I’m about to pour the tea”

Well, Chloe, I am seated, suitably intrigued and ready for every last drop.

Sharing the story behind the track, Chloe reveals:

“After the year i’ve had it wouldn’t be a Chloe Qisha project without a crying in the club moment x I was feeling really lost early last year – and then a big ol’ crush came hard and fast and I wrote this song, and ever since she’s been the driving force of this project – all roads lead back to “He Likes Boys”. And I’m so grateful to her for being my guiding light this past year.”

In this tender, endearing offering, Chloe unpacks the bittersweet business of wanting someone who doesn’t necessarily want you back. And with the aching confession, “I curse the world I’m not your taste” she sighs “‘Cause he likes boys and so do I“, she captures that frustrating collision of attraction, longing and circumstances that refuse to align.

Suddenly, “Fantasize” feels all the more intriguing, with “He Likes Boys” offering a glimpse into the feelings that helped shape the project. And with Chloe heading to Heaven on release day, I wouldn’t rule out a little real-life club catharsis to accompany these lyrical revelations!

Fans can also pre-order the exclusive “Fantasize” zine and signed CD.

Sometimes a crush leaves you with butterflies; sometimes it leaves you with a mixtape. Thankfully, Chloe Qisha knows how to turn heartache into pop gold.

Connect with Chloe Qisha

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chloeqisha

X: https://x.com/chloeqisha

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloeqisha/

The post Chloe Qisha Announces Final “Fantasize” Mixtape Single “He Likes Boys” appeared first on EQ Music.

To tell the truth, I was rather anticipating a Halloween offering from Haute & Freddy. If ever there were a duo suitably equipped to conjure up some seasonal musical mischief, it would undoubtedly be these two beguiling pop sorcerers. Between their spellbinding pop mastery and the ethereal majesty of Haute’s vocals, they have everything needed to create the perfect soundtrack to a deliciously spooky occasion.

What I hadn’t anticipated, however, was their involvement in the new reimagining of Stephen King’s cult-classic thriller Carrie, now streaming on Prime Video. And honestly, what a wonderfully fitting musical pairing!

It was their acclaimed track ‘Shy Girl’ that apparently caught the attention of serial developer Mike Flanagan. So taken was he with the duo’s musical magic that he rewrote the finale to bring them aboard, with their music ultimately helping to define the series. Now that’s what I call making an impression!

Their new single “Film Noir” is a suitably spellbinding affair. The track weaves an ethereal goth aesthetic into a deliciously dark, new-wave-inspired synth-pop composition. And do you know what? I can hear a rather fabulous A-ha influence running through this one, particularly from their “Scoundrel Days” era. Give ‘I’ve Been Losing You’ another spin and you’ll understand exactly where I’m coming from. Those dramatic synths and shadowy romantic undertones are right up my musical street.

Released alongside an official music video directed by Amalia Irons. “Film Noir” embraces the dangerous glamour and romantic mystery of its namesake genre. Here, desire and danger become increasingly difficult to distinguish, making for a beautifully twisted musical mystery.

The single arrives with B-side “In Your Eyes“, Haute & Freddy’s take on the Peter Gabriel classic. Both tracks feature in Prime Video’s supernatural horror series “Carrie“, alongside their Amazon Music Original “Do You Remember The Lilacs”, also out now.

Speaking to the song’s theatrical inspiration, Haute & Freddy share: “It should come as no shock to the royal court that we wanted our Halloween offering to feel as though the phantom himself created it… though no mere mortal could ever wear his mask, we can always try to conjure as much drama and lust into 3:48 seconds.”

Meanwhile, the duo continue their whirlwind year on the road, having spent much of 2026 bringing their Big Disgrace era to stages around the globe. Following sold-out North American dates and festival appearances. Their SOLD-OUT Big Disgrace World Tour kicks off its UK and European leg on November 4 in Berlin. Stop offs include Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne, Paris, Glasgow, Manchester, London, Galway and Dublin, before heading to Mexico City in December.

Their newly announced 2027 Australian dates include headline shows in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, alongside appearances at WOMADelaide and Golden Plains in March. The international adventure continues with Primavera Sound in Barcelona in June.

For the full tour itinerary, visit Haute & Freddy’s official tour page.

And there we have it, my fellow pop ghouls. Haute & Freddy have delivered a Halloween treat with just the right amount of theatrical drama, gothic glamour and synth-pop deliciousness. If Carrie is your excuse to embrace the shadows, ‘Film Noir’ is the soundtrack to slipping into your most mysterious musical alter ego. Just remember, darling, not every phantom needs a mask when the music is this enchanting!

Check out “Big Disgrace” here

Connect with Haute & Freddy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hauteandfreddy/

The post Haute & Freddy Release “Film Noir” for Prime Video’s Carrie appeared first on EQ Music.

Rachel Chinouriri’s spot on EQ Music Blog has been a long time coming. I’ve been admiring her music from afar for far too long. And with her sophomore album, “I think I spoke too soon”, arriving last weekend, I recognise it’s high time I stopped swooning from the sidelines and gave this exceptionally talented artist the spotlight she deserves.

With two BRIT Award nominations under her belt for Artist Of The Year and Best New Artist, alongside previous Ivor Novello Award and BBC Sound Of nominations, plus a recent appearance on the winners’ list at the O2 Silver Clef Awards. Rachel is certainly making all the right noises. And yes, she has absolutely earned my undivided attention.

Most weeks, my ears are in a tug-of-war between hundreds of new releases clamouring for a listen. But I pushed everything else aside to dive into “I think I spoke too soon”, and what a deliciously good decision that turned out to be! This is a beautifully crafted body of work. The album brims with shimmering, disco-sprinkled alt-pop, a dash of pop-rock attitude and deeply intimate conversations about love, self-discovery and growing into the person we want to be. Consider me thoroughly smitten.

Arriving alongside the album, the track “Pretty Girls” is an absolute gem, and quite possibly an anthem waiting to happen.

Of the track, Rachel shares: “‘Pretty girls’ is the anthem for all women wanting to express who they are with the freedom to not be judged. When I say all women I mean it. Straight women, queer women, trans women, masc women, non binary people and anyone who supports the girls. I have a deep love and admiration for beautiful women including myself and I’m glad I have a song that represents that confidence for me and hopefully many other pretty girls.”

The Dora Paphides-directed music video is a gorgeous extension of that sentiment. The clip radiates feminine energy with its sensual, goddess-like dancefloor aesthetic. It fits the album’s danceable allure beautifully, giving us another reason to press play and twirl around the living room.

And there’s more good news for fans! Rachel has announced headline shows for June 2027 in Dublin, London, Brussels, Amsterdam and Paris. Fans can purchase “I think I spoke too soon” or merchandise from her store for presale access, while general sale begins at 10am BST on October 23. Tickets for the rescheduled and updated London, Brussels and Dublin shows remain valid for the new dates.

So, it’s official: Rachel Chinouriri has graduated from my must-listen pile to my why haven’t I been shouting about her sooner? list. With an album to adore and “Pretty Girls” ready to soundtrack a little extra self-love. I furthermore suggest we all make room on the dancefloor. After all, life is far too short to dim your sparkle just because somebody else forgot their sunglasses.

Buy/stream “I think I spoke too soon”

Connect with Rachel Chinouriri

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/rachelchinouriri/

The post Sparkle without permission! Rachel Chinouriri’s ‘Pretty Girls’ is a gorgeous reminder that being yourself is always in style. appeared first on EQ Music.

With Halloween fast approaching and me being away for the festivities this year, I’m getting my seasonal music fix in early. And who better to provide the soundtrack than the incomparable Dylan and the Moon? Frankly, I’ll take a little indie-folk magic over another novelty Halloween playlist any day!

Dylan has been on my radar for a while now. In fact I’ve been itching to shine a spotlight on his journey towards his forthcoming debut album. But this isn’t simply a case of another emerging artist dropping songs into the musical universe and hoping we’ll take notice. Oh no, there’s a rather beautiful story unfolding here, and I’m all ears.

His documentary, “Tomorrow’s Too Late”, out now, takes us behind the scenes of a journey that’s anything but ordinary. From independent gigs and a stint on The X Factor to his transition and the emergence of Dylan and the Moon. he film traces the experiences that have helped shape the artist we’re getting to know today.

And then there are those duets. Reworking previous releases into male/female duets using recordings of Dylan’s own pre-transition voice is an incredibly moving way of reconnecting with his musical past. It’s personal, poignant and a reminder that sometimes our previous chapters deserve a place in the story, too.

But Dylan isn’t just looking backwards. He’s inviting us to watch his next chapter take shape, one song at a time.

“This year I’m sharing the making of my debut album in real time. Through my project 365, I’m posting every day and releasing one song each month while the record slowly takes shape”.

Now, that’s what I call bringing your listeners along for the ride! His latest 365 reveal, “Halloween Baby”, might sound like an invitation to something deliciously spooky, but don’t go expecting a full-blown fright-night banger. This is much more of a lovestruck little number. An endearing ode to a crush or lover, with Halloween references sprinkled throughout and a chorus begging to be belted out. Spooky season? More like swoony season!

I’ve also been rather taken with how personable and engaging Dylan comes across. You know when an artist’s personality shines through the screen and makes you want to get to know them and their music a little better? That’s very much the impression I get here. It’s something Raj also captured beautifully in his recent Emerging Artist blog coverage of Dylan and the Moon. Raj highlighting how Dylan’s intimate, engaging presence on social media translates seamlessly into his live performances. Honestly, I do love it when an artist makes the music feel like an invitation rather than a sales pitch!

And there’s more to look forward to. An intimate 3-6-LIVE UK tour running from November 13 to December 5, celebrating the forthcoming debut album. Ticket information is available [here]

So, between the documentary, the musical time-travelling duets, the album taking shape in real time and a Halloween love song that’s rather more heart-eyes than haunted house, Dylan and the Moon is giving us plenty to get our teeth into. Forget the pumpkins for a moment. This is a story with real heart, and I’ll happily follow its musical breadcrumbs wherever they lead.

Connect with Dylan and the Moon

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/dylanandthemoon/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dylanandthemoon/

The post “Halloween Baby” by Dylan and the Moon appeared first on EQ Music.