We here at musomuso love to look at the alternative side of music, especially at Christmas time when everyone is overdosing on Mariah, Slade and of course, WHAM. Why not top up your sherry and have a read through our top ten festive faves that we hope you’ll enjoy….

Attending my first Horrors show during the festive season felt oddly appropriate for a gothic punk rock band. What better time to embrace the dark, atmospheric energy than at Christmas?

Because life’s too short to save the dancing for after dark.

It’s easy to feel that we’re living in the age of convenience, where music is consumed more than it is experienced. Streaming platforms like Spotify have reduced albums to mere playlists, where listeners pick and choose the most popular tracks and discard the rest. The artistry of a full-length album—once revered as the purest form of musical storytelling—has slowly been overshadowed by algorithmically curated lists. But there’s a quiet revolution underway, and it’s bringing back something we thought we had left behind: the humble Compact Disc.

Fresh from a sold out show in London at the Electric Ballroom and a headlining appearance at Planet Rockstock, globally renowned rock icon and founding member of Hanoi Rocks, Michael Monroe, returns to the UK in May 2025 for a series of headline shows.

Attending a music event in your 40s, 50s, or beyond is just as thrilling as it was in your youth, but let’s face it: the approach might need a tweak or two. From avoiding a sore back to dodging a hangover that lasts three days, here’s how to make your concert experience unforgettable for all the right reasons.

Capturing the energy, passion, and intensity of live music is no easy feat. For budding live music photographers, the challenges are many: low lighting, rapidly changing stage conditions, and the thrill (and chaos) of being right in the thick of it. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, we’ve pulled together ten essential tips to help you succeed in this exhilarating field.

On the 4th December 2024, Remi Wolf brought her vibrant energy to the O2 Academy in Bristol, delivering a performance that left the audience buzzing with excitement.

On 24th November 2024, Sports Team delivered a performance that tore through the old Trinity Hall in Bristol with the same ferocity as Storm Debi ripping across the UK. Despite the drenched city centre and less-than-ideal travel conditions, the anticipation for this gig was palpable—it was my first ‘proper’ Sports Team gig after catching them at various festivals over the years.

Tonight at the Cavern in Exeter there were two acts on the bill and yet I was lucky enough to experience three fantastic performances.

Last night at Bristol's O2 Academy, Del Amitri delivered a performance that was nothing short of magical. The audience, a mix of long-time fans and curious newcomers, filled the 1600-capacity venue to the brim, demonstrating the band's enduring appeal from their heyday in the mid-80s to the mid-90s.

On a cold night in Milton Keynes at the amazing Crauford Arm, Ginger Wildheart brought the full spectrum of Wildhearts songs to a full house in a set of 'kind of' acoustic arrangements. And it was very good!

So, I’m down the front, surrounded by fellow AF gangers : that collective of over 35,000 fans who have drawn each other into a beautiful, mutually supportive community via Facebook, a paradigm of how the internet can actually become a force for good in the world. The dedication and focus upon worthwhile, even life-changing experiences is evident in every direction.

Echobelly is a band that faced a massive uphill struggle against the strong 'lad culture' dominant in the 90's indie/Britpop scene. It's refreshing to see them still doing what they do best, alongside contemporaries like Sleeper, another favorite from the early days.

Tonight saw them take to the stage at The Phoenix in Exeter, read on to see how the evening went….

As the cold nights draw in, the UK’s folk-punk torchbearers, Skinny Lister, are set to warm up audiences with their highly anticipated Winter headline tour. Launching off with the release of their raucous new single, ‘Set Us Straight’, the six-piece continue to solidify their reputation for infectious, high-energy performances that turn every gig into a rollicking good time.

Walking into the Lemongrove venue, the air buzzed with anticipation. The University of Exeter's intimate venue which has seen some incredible acts over the years including Radiohead, Suede, Blur and MUSE was packed to the rafters, a testament to the polarising power of Sleaford Mods. As the lights dimmed, the crowd erupted in cheers, and the duo—Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn—stepped onto the stage, ready to unleash their brand of abrasive, minimalist post-punk.

Currently on a UK tour, King Creosote has brought his unique sound to audiences across the country. The tour has included performances in Leicester, Nottingham, Manchester, Brighton and Exeter (tonight) and culminated with two shows at the Union Chapel in London. Reading reviews of other shows, it is clear that his audiences have thoroughly enjoyed themselves, enjoying intimate and immersive experiences, with Anderson's heartfelt performances and storytelling captivating the crowd.

PERFORMING CLASSIC ALBUM ‘EX:EL’ IN-FULL
+ ‘GREAT TRANSMISSIONS’ -  A SET OF CLASSICS, DEEP CUTS & NEW MATERIAL

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A calm November evening welcomes earnest newbies and grizzled veterans to this most resolutely ordinary of venues, home to about 200 fans of our nation’s own soul music. It resembles an enlarged front room in an oversized house, upstairs to a discreet bar selling cake as well as coffee, tea and cider.

The Shiiine On Weekender which took place at Butlin’s Holiday Park in Minehead from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th November was a trip down memory lane for a demographic that certainly appreciated the nostalgia.

I arrived on Friday lunchtime, fresh faced and raring to go, I left on Monday morning a broken but very happy man, I had photographed many bands that I never had the chance to back in the day and met a number of my all time heroes, here’s a recap of my weekend experience…