A night of ska-punk is topped by a party-fuelled Revenge Of The Psychotronic Man at Joshua Brooks.

For a fun, fast and fierce tangle in teenage anxiety, Be Your Own Pet can't be beaten at Academy 3.

John Fairhurst delivers an instrumental opus of "enormous subtlety and fascinating obliqueness."

Grand Volume's exhilarating debut "might just be the best debut album to exit this city all year".

Slash and his mates pull out every rock pose and a fair few raucous tunes at the Apollo.

The Maple State's mini debut is a collection that is "both epic and effervescent".

Elbow's newie is full of "superior, soulful Mancunian lullabies" and "brilliant business as usual".

It might have been nostalgic, but Inspiral Carpets still prodcued something vital at Academy 1.

Still as gruff and glorious as ever, the legendary Neil Young is fantastic at the Apollo.

With able support from Twisted Wheel and Lowline, The Enemy rock a jam-packed Night and Day.

Yeasayer’s "timeless, pan-ethnic style" fires up the Night and Day in "a ritualistic blaze".

The mockney stylings of Kate Nash aren't enough to spoil her fine show at the Apollo.

The glowering glory of Editors thrills the Apollo, despite an odd performance from front man Tom.

Down at Academy 2, the "ice queen" of punk, Siouxsie, turns out to be "more convincing than ever".

Morrissey's chooses his latest compilation with an arch-pedantry only he could get away with.

They may be "backdated and occasionally irritating" but The Hold Steady still thrill the Academy 2.

The Sunderland post-punks fill the Night and Day with their fine tunes and love of Manchester.

The Welsh songbird is heard but not really seen for a packed show at the Ruby Lounge.

The riotous arrival of Gallows brings some fine tunes and much moshing at the Academy 2.

The Academy 1 gets a lesson in Maths + English from the one and only Dizzee Rascal.

The second showcase brings a host of acts together to celebrate the Love frontman at the Ruby Lounge

It’s half live band, half DJ set and all fun as the electronic wonders of Hot Chip hit Academy 1.

Billy Corgan's ego overbears the performance and destroys the show at the Arena.

It may be "nervous indie electro" but These New Puritans' sound is infectious at Night and Day.

Buzzcocks celebrate 30 years in music with a 28 track live album that takes in their whole career.

The twin powers of Simian Mobile Disco and The Whip get the crowd moving at a sold out Academy 3.

With "a dash of The Clash and a pinch of The Jam", The Rifles entertain the Night and Day.

With "a voice could melt glass", Alison Moyet shows how fantastic she is at the Bridgewater Hall.

Night and Day shimmers to the beauty and brilliance of Stephen Fretwell.

Only The Ting Tings shine out of the muddy mass of middling bands brought together at Academy 1.

The American singer-songwriter takes a solo turn at Night and Day, with varying degrees of success.

The Canadian indie rockers make a break for the big time with a killer show at Academy 3.

Rock, sweat and feedback are the order of the day for a triumphant Nine Black Alps at Academy 3.

"Constantly funny, totally honest and utterly thought-provoking", Henry Rollins entertains Academy 1

The fiery pop rockers bear their teeth and come of age with a blistering show at the Apollo.

The much-vaunted Glaswegian drone rockers are sturdy, rather than special, at Night and Day.

The Glaswegian new-wavers are saved by their insane support, The Bottomfeeders, at Night and Day.

The snarling country rocker delivers a "blistering and rousing" show at the Bridgewater Hall.

With "subtlety and nuance", Slow Club's Charles and Becky make things magical at the Night and Day.

Things get riotous for the arrival of Manchester's next big things, Twisted Wheel, at Moho Live.

"A poor man's Northern Uproar" or a brave beginning? International One fail to ignite Night and Day.

Glock'n'roll and enticing tunes are the order of the day for A Boy Called Doris at the Roadhouse.

Hundred Reasons show it's time for them to hang up their guitars with a lacklustre show at Academy 2

With a suitably full-on show, "no-holds-barred power-rockers" The Almighty return at Academy 3.

Former Darkness axeman Dan Hawkins finds a willing audience for new band Stone Gods at Academy 3.

Tarantino-style grooves and lick-lashed electronica go head to head at the Roadhouse.

Stephen Fretwell returns to his spiritual home on Oldham St, bringing a couple of Elbow with him.

Hero worship abounds as it's all cheers and no jeers for James Blunt at the Apollo.

Grand Volume, Bone-Box, RYNA + Ian Britt strip things down for an acoustic evening at the Roadhouse.

Exit Calm bring their epic songs and massive potential over the Pennines for a show at Night and Day