Recently by Matt McKenzie

WENT to see Natalie Marchant at the Sage last week. Here is my review from the Journal:

A LYRICIST for 30 years, Natalie Merchant has got plenty of beautiful words tumbling from her lips tonight, but few are her own.

Spent a wonderful evening at The Sage last week being treated to a display of virtuoso songwriting by one of the best in the business.

I appreciate this may be construed as meaning Ray Davies was actually writing songs in front of our very eyes. To clarify: he was merely performing them. But he was very good.

Here's my review from the Chron...

Went to see a rather good gig featuring woman-of-the-music-moment Laura Marling.
Here is my review from the hallowed pages of The Journal.

Popped down to The Cluny on Friday night, to see Cumbria's finest, WIld Beasts. Here's my review...

This was like nothing I've ever seen.

Have you heard Oh My God, Charlie Darwin by The Low Anthem? Maybe you'd like to.

Have just finished putting up the news of Michael Jackson's death on this here Culture page of The Journal's website.

While I've been at it, the BBC have been over to Glastonbury to ask one of White Lies what he thinks (commendably sober) and Sky have treated us to a blast of Don't Stop Till You Get Enough (fair dos).

But the finest piece of commentary came from a stalwart DJ, the Professor of Pop.

Matt McKenzie reviews The Specials on the first date of their reunion tour at the Newcastle O2 Academy

TERRY Hall nearly ruined it when he started crowing about Man U being top of the league.

Nearly, although he'd have probably got away with most things given the mass, panting delirium that waited for The Specials before they trotted out to a slow, long blast of Enjoy Yourself.

BEING an Englishman, I try not to clap at gigs.

But the great Baaba Maal made me on Tuesday night, with his polite request for us to "Clap your hands, please" during his infectious "African party".

Not long after seeing Leonard Cohen in London, I heard another beautiful, sacred sound.

This time in Paris.