At The Barrier

Arlo Parks ends the Ambiguous Desire album tour in Manchester’s atmospheric Albert Hall. atthebarrier.com/2026/11/02/… #livereview @arloparks @Alberthallmcr #carryonpress #ambiguousdesire

Elephant Sessions go bravely forth, or fifth even, with plenty enough new to appeal and plenty enough old to entice. atthebarrier.com/2026/11/02/… #albumreview #folk #thisplaceofours #elephantsessions @Retropath

Ultra-extensive retrospective of Soft Machine’s imperial phase.  Over 14 CDs and 3 Blu-Ray discs, Slightly All The Time tells the Soft Machine story. atthebarrier.com/2026/11/02/… #albumreview #softmachine @CherryRedGroup

Recent releases that fit the ‘Prog’ label – make way for some musings on new albums by Pure Reason Revolution, Kavus Torabi, The Pineapple Thief and Lesoir. atthebarrier.com/2026/11/01/… @PRR_official @Knifeworld @Lesoirmusic @pineapplethief @ForthelostPR @insideouteu #prog

Long overdue anthology of the influential work of Keith Hudson – Jamaica’s ‘dark Prince of Reggae.’ atthebarrier.com/2026/11/01/… #albumreview #melodymaker #keithhudson @CherryRedGroup

A masterful fusion of alt-folk, dream-pop and indie-rock to confront her insecurities and search for a way home, on the Danxgerous debut album, Old Soul. atthebarrier.com/2026/11/01/… #albumreview #oldsoul #danxgerous #wallofsoundpr

Ring those bells! Bright and breezy brass from North Shields, if tempered by a folk-rock confessional style that builds together both unexpectedly and auspiciously. atthebarrier.com/2026/11/01/… #albumreview #thegreatshakedown @HectorGannet @Retropath @sonicpruk

A stunning double bill of Hue And Cry and Roachford creates the perfect pop/jazz/rock blend for a fabulous night out. atthebarrier.com/2026/11/01/… #livereview @roachfordmusic @hueandcry #geniusphoto #symphonyhall

Retro styled synth pop funsters Deco launch their second album with an accompanying tour atthebarrier.com/2026/10/31/… #tournews #dreamhouse @decobanduk

Cinematic soundscapes in heavy prog from French artists Could Seed with their thrilling second album Terminal. atthebarrier.com/2026/10/31/… #albumreview #terminal #couldseedband

One of Scotland’s leading vocalists, Hannah Rarity, turns her talent to some classic covers with entrancing results. atthebarrier.com/2026/10/31/… #epreview #theline #hannahrarity

Friend or an enemy? Or aren’t they, all too often, both the same thing? Carthy sings it how it is and has never been so sure of who she is. Best not file under folk. atthebarrier.com/2026/10/31/… #albumreview #frenemies #therestitution @gelizarvwt @Retropath

Our monthly round up of albums includes Europe, Katie Knipp, Sam Horan , Bamako Express, Kin Hana, Joanne Shaw Taylor and Arborist. atthebarrier.com/2026/10/31/… @joshawtaylor #europe @Duffpress #samhoran @KatieKnipp #bamakoexpress #kinhana @Retropath @arboristmusic

Album number ten from Swedish heavyweights Cult of Luna arrives with a real sense of anticipation that only a band of this standing generates. atthebarrier.com/2026/10/30/… #albumreview @Cultofluna_off #intheshadowofyourshadow @rickeaglestone

Welcome to Issue #28 of Singles Selection where we take a look at some of the brand new singles that have pricked our ears. atthebarrier.com/2026/10/30/… #newsingles #jezwilliams #ejoy @glasvegas @toriawooff #swampparrots

Din Of Celestial Birds land in Manchester in support of their latest album, Takeoffs & Landings. Wildernesses and Swamped are in support. atthebarrier.com/2026/10/26/… #livereview #dinofcelestialbirds #theyard #swamped #takeoffsandlandings

For an album that is approaching 60 years old, Nektar’s  part science-fiction tale  and part nuclear war protest is, with the aid of a  remix, astoundingly fresh. atthebarrier.com/2026/10/27/… #albumreview #progrock #journeytothecentreoftheeye @NektarBand @CherryRedGroup

Breaking new ground and terra firma alike, Breabach are back with a beauty. atthebarrier.com/2026/10/27/… #albumreview #gatheringground #breabach #folk @Retropath

Fragile Beauty - the latest stage in the evolution of Alex Henry Foster. atthebarrier.com/2026/10/27/… #albumreview @alexhfoster #fragilebeauty #hopefultragedy @sonicpruk

37 years on, The Flower Kings are still Progging intently with the best of them in a grand, glowing adventure. atthebarrier.com/2026/10/26/… #albumreview #hope #progrock @TheFlowerKings @insideouteu @ForthelostPR @roinestolt