Writing
Music, culture and creative life from Manchester and beyond.
Notes from Manchester
A series of live reviews, essays and cultural observations from a British-Australian writer exploring one of the world’s great music cities.
Latest pieces
DON WEST at Manchester Academy 2: an Australian soul export finds his Manchester crowd
Live Review / Manchester Academy 2 / 28 May 2026
In his first Manchester show, DON WEST brought falsetto, brass, swagger and slow-burning soul to Academy 2, with a performance that suggested bigger rooms may not be far away.
DON WEST at Manchester Academy 2: an Australian soul export finds his Manchester crowd
DON WEST brought falsetto, brass and slow-burning soul to Manchester Academy 2 in a confident first Manchester show that suggested bigger rooms may not be far away.
Selected published work
Selected features, reviews and entertainment writing published before Notes From Manchester.
Pilerats (now live on The Music)
Features, interviews and music writing covering Australian and British artists, festivals, emerging scenes and new releases.
With Love Fame Tragedy, Matthew ‘Murph’ Murphy starts a new era
Feature | 19 August, 2019
A feature on Matthew Murphy stepping into a new creative chapter beyond The Wombats through his Love Fame Tragedy project.
Thelma, Foals, Corby + more: Behind the standout sets of Splendour 2019
Festival review | 31 July, 2019
A festival feature reflecting on standout performances from Splendour in the Grass 2019, including Thelma Plum, Foals, Matt Corby and more.
How Catfish and the Bottlemen are helping redefine indie rock
Feature | 10 July, 2019
A piece exploring Catfish and the Bottlemen’s place in modern indie rock, British guitar music and Australian festival culture.
SUPEREGO, Teischa, Noah Dillon and more: covering a stacked week for WA music
Release highlights | 4 July, 2019
A scene-focused piece highlighting emerging Western Australian artists and new releases.
Two Door Cinema Club are breaking free - and getting weird
Artist feature | 20 June, 2019
A feature on Two Door Cinema Club’s move into more experimental, electronic-leaning indie pop.
Hayden James and his collaborators tell the story of Between Us
Artist feature | 14 June, 2019
A collaborative album feature on Hayden James’ debut record and the artists involved in shaping it.
Student Edge
Entertainment and culture writing for a youth audience, including music, film and lifestyle coverage.
Southbound Organisers Say "It’s Now Time to Move On"; No Festival for 2018
News | 21 June, 2018
A music news piece covering Southbound organisers and the future of the festival following its cancellation.
Here’s Why Young People Need Taika Waititi’s Controversial WW2 Film "Jojo Rabbit"
Film opinion | 19 June, 2018
An opinion piece on Jojo Rabbit, Taika Waititi’s approach to satire, and why the film matters for younger audiences.
We Need to Talk About Men's Mental Health Now More Than Ever
Opinion | 14 June, 2018
A social commentary piece on men’s mental health and the importance of speaking more openly about vulnerability, support and wellbeing.
Dua Lipa’s New "Universal" Clothing Range Doesn’t Have Plus-Size Options, and That Matters
Culture opinion | 7 June, 2018
A pop culture commentary piece on fashion, inclusivity and why representation in celebrity-backed clothing ranges matters.
Here’s Why the New Arctic Monkeys Album Is Good, Actually
Music opinion | 4 June, 2018
A music opinion piece defending Arctic Monkeys’ creative shift and making the case for a more generous reading of their new sound.