GIG ANNOUNCEMENT! Award-winning Irish singer-songwriter ARBORIST plays a special matinee show at The Trades Club on Sunday May 3rd. Tickets £10 (£9 members) - thetradesclub.com/events/arb… The Trades gig is a rare English date for Arborist, who is releasing a new album in 2026.

NEW MUSIC REVIEWS: The Orielles, CHAR, Marie Franc, The Light Show, Lily Rae Grant A round-up of some of the best new releases from local labels and artists, in and around the Calder Valley. LINK: shorturl.at/3ZNmR

LIVE REVIEW: Rose Villas, The Golden Lion, Independent Venue Week 2026 Rising indie rock band Rose Villas were headliners of choice for Dark Matter Promotions’ IVW showcase. On hand to witness their latest exhilarating live show was Poppy Cortese. LINK: shorturl.at/NkRTf

NEW: “I am the only saviour!” – Saul Adamczewski Lays Claim to the Future of Rock When Fat White founder Saul rolled into town with his Insecure Men project we simply had to grab him for a natter. Unravelling his chaotic genius was Poppy Cortese. LINK: shorturl.at/FiYvq

Live Review: Antony Szmierek, The Trades Club, IVW 2026 For the first of two sold-out shows, the charismatic Antony Szmierek delivers a set that is as unifying as it is celebratory. LINK: shorturl.at/tvaeA

LIVE Review: Pale Blue Eyes at The Grayston Unity, IVW 2026 Pale Blue Eyes, indie-modernists from Sheffield via Totnes, chose The Grayston Unity and Independent Venue Week for their first gig of the year. Poppy Cortese was there to witness it all. LINK: shorturl.at/t2hSf

The Band Born Out Of A John Peel Session: Four Decades Of The Ukrainians – Peter Solowka, Interview International roots-rock band The Ukrainians are calling it a day after 40 years. Ahead of their farewell tour, we spoke to guitarist Peter Solowka. LINK: shorturl.at/xYc1f

From Humanoid To Humanist: Matthew C Whitaker at The Golden Lion - Live Review Stepping away from his alter ego, Zpor - the animated frontman of cosmic trailblazers Henge - Matthew C Whitaker finds new, subtle ways to express his mystic-folk visions. shorturl.at/8D5qC

Soul Searching: Herbie May at The Trades Club - Live Review Opening for late-80s indie-pop band The Primitives, Herbie reveals a new-found sense of introspection and intimacy in his solo work. Words by Poppy Cortese. READ: shorturl.at/xN518

Live Review: Insecure Men at The Trades Club, Independent Venue Week Saul Adamczewski's band brought their genre-bending, apocalyptic, exotica flair to The Trades for IVW. Poppy Cortese was there to revel in the chaos. READ: shorturl.at/LRnJK

Live Review – Bill Ryder-Jones Revels In Intimate Duo Performance With a stripped-back line-up featuring Evelyn Halls on cello and harmonies, the former Coral guitarist finds a perfect setting for his rich catalogue of biographical ballads. LINK: shorturl.at/rbcHa