NEW FEATURE! No Place Like Home: Ailsa Tully Seeks Solace On Intimate Debut Album ‘Womb Room’ – Interview LINK: shorturl.at/4imIR Ailsa Tully plays The Trades Club on Sunday 3rd May, supporting Arborist. Matinee show. Doors 2.30pm. Tickets: shorturl.at/02iRu

Live Review: Westside Cowboy, The Trades Club (Nov 2025) Westside Cowboy’s rise to fame has been nothing short of stratospheric. Dave Leggett reflects on a more formative point in the band’s career – their sold-out Trades Club gig at the end of last year. LINK: shorturl.at/ieJLW

NEW FEATURE: 'We've been cool, it's time to be honest' - Herbie May Talks Solo Work, Live Music and Red Licorice Poppy Cortese sat down with former Lounge Society guitarist Herbie to find out more about his latest solo single and the philosophy behind his new record label. READ: shorturl.at/rRyxd

Interview: Martin Bramah on Post-Punk, Mark E Smith and House Of All’s New Album With the post-Fall supergroup about to head out on a UK tour in support of new album, ‘Inklings’, we caught up with House Of All’s frontman Martin Bramah. Words by Poppy Cortese. LINK: shorturl.at/PYfzP

New Music Reviews: GROW, resonance, Stormhavn, Committee Of Sleep A round-up of some of the best new releases from local artists and labels, in and around the Calder Valley. GROW play a special EP launch show at The Grayston Unity on Saturday 4th April. dirtysunbeams.com/2026/04/02/n...

Live Review: Courtney Barnett at The Trades Club The Australian star brought her messy-country rock to a rare, intimate show at The Trades Club, celebrating the release of her latest album. Words by Poppy Cortese. LINK: shorturl.at/7kmrA

‘Exhilarating, energetic’: FEET at The Trades Club – Live Review The indie-rock quintet, originally formed at Coventry Uni, mark their Trades Club debut with a typically high-octane performance. Poppy Cortese was on hand to witness the unbridled joy. LINK: shorturl.at/axrvE

Live Review: TTSSFU at The Trades Club Tasmin Nicole Stephens revels in her deeply addictive, dreamy, post-punk sound at The Trades Club as a part of her Spring 2026 tour. Words by Poppy Cortese. READ: shorturl.at/D3UBX

NEW FEATURE! Poetry In Motion: Irish Songwriter Arborist Talks Heaney, Dylan and New Album ‘Looking For Love’ LINK: shorturl.at/4KNts We caught up with award-winning ambient-folk artist Mark McCamrbidge, aka Arborist, ahead of the release of his fourth album, ‘Looking For Love’, and a UK tour.

NEW ADDITION TO THE LINE-UP... We are thrilled to announce that Ailsa Tully will be performing at our Trades Club matinee show on Sun 3rd May, supporting Arborist. Ailsa blends dreamy bass with tender vocals, creating an ethereal world rooted in folk yet decorated with experimental subtleties.

NEW ADDITION TO THE LINE-UP... We are thrilled to announce that Ailsa Tully will be performing at our Trades Club matinee show on Sun 3rd May, supporting Arborist. Ailsa blends dreamy bass with tender vocals, creating an ethereal world rooted in folk yet decorated with experimental subtleties.

In Search Of Perfection: Cavan Murphy - Interview We caught up with local teenage songwriter, Cavan Murphy, ahead of his biggest headline show to date at The Grayston Unity, to hear about his musical journey so far. LINK: shorturl.at/tirns

NEW MUSIC REVIEWS: Ellur, Molly Rymer, Lines Of Silence, Cavan Murphy A round-up of some of the best new releases from local artists and labels, in and around the Calder Valley Link: shorturl.at/WslXp

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

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

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

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 nearly 40 years. Ahead of their farewell tour, we spoke to guitarist Peter Solowka. LINK: shorturl.at/xYc1f

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

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

NEW: “I am the only saviour!” – Saul Adamczewski Lays Claim to the Future of Rock When Fat White Family founder Saul Adamczewski 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: Rose Villas, The Golden Lion, Independent Venue Week 2026 Rising indie rock band Rose Villas were headliners of choice for Dark Matter Promotions’ Independent Venue Week showcase. On hand to witness their latest exhilarating live performance was Poppy Cortese. LINK: shorturl.at/NkRTf

NEW FEATURE! Dreamcoaster Bring Their 'Jangly Indie' Magnificence To Halifax – Interview LINK: shorturl.at/LffUo Dreamcoaster's gig at The Grayston Unity on Saturday 21st February is an An Ox & Hope Music event. Support comes from Eve Joné. Buy Tickets - shorturl.at/nsAgw

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

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) on sale now - thetradesclub.com/events/arborist The Trades gig is a rare English date for Arborist, who is releasing a new album in 2026.

NEW MUSIC REVIEW: Lily Rae Grant’s Much-Anticipated Debut Oozes Decadence The double-A single is the latest offering from Red Licorice, the label launched last year by Herbie May of The Lounge Society. READ: shorturl.at/xbVq9 Lily Rae Grant plays a special launch show at The Trades Club 8th Jan.

NEW! Live Review: ‘Grinding, Relentless, Thrilling’ – The Moonlandingz See Out 2025 In Style Poppy Cortese braved the chaotic world of experimental rock outfit The Moonlandingz as they brought their full gamut of eccentricities to The Trades Club. READ: shorturl.at/kX2FR

NEW FEATURE: ‘Guitar music’s been made cool again’ – Rose Villas Talk Fontaines, Social Media & Grassroots Venues Poppy Cortese caught up with local four-piece Rose Villas at Mark It Zero studio where the band have been recording their debut EP. READ: shorturl.at/Di0O9

NEW: 'Who’s Playing Noise In The Valley? Your Complete Guide To All The Artists' READ: shorturl.at/SldwN A rapid-fire rundown of the whopping 23 bands lined up for this year’s (still totally free) cathartic noise fest across three days and five venues in Sowerby Bridge and Halifax. #sowerbybridge

NEW! Top 10 Gig Picks For November: This month, a ballsy new-rage duo from Brum, a fresh-faced Mancunian double header, a free festival of noise and more. Here’s our speedy guide to the region’s best of the best live music in November. LINK: shorturl.at/c0hVd

NEW! 'My Generation: Punk-Pop Star Elizabeth Westwood Talks Billy Idol, The Sex Pistols & A-List Supergroups' READ: tinyurl.com/ka88ukun **XGenerationX play The Trades Club on 11th November. Also appearing on the night, Herbie May of The Lounge Society and Alastair Bentley**

‘Miss Belief’: Rebecca Spooner, Album Review & Interview The remarkable debut album by Rebecca Spooner captures the intimacy of home recording while exploring some highly ambitious songcraft. Here’s our take on it, with exclusive insights from Rebecca herself. READ: shorturl.at/pLzaD

NEW FEATURE! ‘Cos We’re Gonna Be Big: Introducing… Atlas Meet the indie-rock five-piece from Rochdale who are whipping up a storm with their potent mix of 70s riffs and jangly pop. READ: shorturl.at/mtDxA

NEW! Album Review: Fishing 4 Compliments – ‘Lost In Good Intentions’ On their second album, the Huddersfield band led by singer-songwriter Eileen Alanna, traverse many universal emotions and, ultimately, create a warm and joyous sense of belonging. READ: shorturl.at/4Z6iU

Gigs For October DirtySunbeams.com/Live

NEW! Living The Dream: Mik Artistik – Interview As part of a series of Town Festival interviews, Niamh Robinson chatted to the eccentric Irish-born artist and performer, Mik Artistik, about fashion, his unique history as a creative, moving to England and more. READ: shorturl.at/QH80F

NEW INTERVIEW! Making It Personal: Katie Spencer On Her Introspective New Album READ: shorturl.at/jrYnL Katie will be playing a special full-band show at The Trades Club on October 2nd, the northern launch event for the album, which comes out the following day.

Drone-Folkist Ben McElroy Talks Collabs and the Calder Valley READ: shorturl.at/4065h It’s been a busy year for Ben McElroy, one that's seen the ambient soundscape artist branch out into new realms. Ahead of his show at The Puzzle, we spoke to Ben about the inspirations behind his creative burst.

NEW! Interview: Goa Express Singer, C Douglas, Opens Up On Exciting New Solo Career Splitting his time between Todmorden and Paris, James Douglas Clarke has struck upon a new-found creative sparkle that is less indie-rock and more synth-pop. LINK: shorturl.at/2e52f

NEW FEATURE! Live Music - 10 Gig Picks For September This month, future-proofed ghetto funk, quirky indie-popsters from Canada, an experimental four-speaker surround sound extravaganza and more. Here’s our speedy guide to the region’s best of the best live music. READ: shorturl.at/9hMup

NEW FEATURE: 'One In A Billion: What It Means To Become A Trades Club Member' LINK: shorturl.at/ZKSoV More than just an iconic grassroots music venue, The Trades Club has an intrinsic purpose - a socialist agenda - that runs deep.

LIVE REVIEW: W.H. Lung, The Golden Lion Dave Leggett reports on an emotional night in Todmorden where W.H Lung headlined a fundraising event for Keith McIvor – JD Twitch of Optimo (Espacio) – who has been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour. LINK: shorturl.at/u1QkF

NEW! Back To Your Roots: Sigue Sigue Sputnik and Starcat guitarist Neal X – Interview Ahead of Starcat’s gig at The Trades Club, we spoke to the rockabilly supergroup’s guitarist Neal X about his time in Sputnik and his love of quirky venues. LINK: shorturl.at/AWkcK

10 sensational local GIGS in August that will very likely improve your wellbeing. READ: shorturl.at/tCXN8 Listings: DirtySunbeams.com/LIVE #grassroots #caldervalley #todmorden #halifaxyorkshire #hebdenbridge #sowerbybridge

Weekend Gigs: And it's a big one.... There's the Do-It-Together all-dayer at The Puzzle, all organised by a new Youth Music collective. And The Incident play a sold out single launch show at The Trades. And and and..... DirtySunbeams.com/Live go, go, go.

NEW MUSIC REVIEW: The Incident’s Explosive Second Single ‘Red Flag Ruby’ The enthralling Halifax band ramp up their glam-pop credentials and bathe in rock-nostalgia for a meticulously-crafted new release. Out 18th July. Launch show at The Trades (sold out). LINK: shorturl.at/2eUxS

NEW: 'Landmark All-Dayer For Grassroots Youth Music Collective' The Puzzle plays host to a full day of live music on Sat 19th July, all organised by a group of local young musicians, technicians and promoters. We take a look at some of the bands on a packed bill. LINK: shorturl.at/OkVJh

NEW! 'Jazzing Up Halifax - The Grayston Unity Presents September Jazz Weekend' The guys at The Grayston sure are busy this summer. Their latest announcement? A new jazz weekender. Here’s Niamh Robinson, the venue’s content producer, digging into the detail... LINK: shorturl.at/2he0L

NEW! Grayston Unity and Launchpad Team Up To Get You ‘Out Of Your Comfort Zone’ The Grayston has announced a new, exciting, genre-busting series of gigs, collectively entitled 'Comfort Zone'. Here we take a look at some of the fresh-faced artists they’ve got in store. LINK: shorturl.at/4oGVc

NEW! Beku – ‘I See You Lurking’: Review and Interview We caught up with Halifax-based musician and spoken word artist Beku to discuss the inspirations behind his debut EP. LINK: shorturl.at/JCswt