Mike Davies

Earlier this year the digital-animated band Gorillaz released their ambitious album Song Machine, which takes the form of a number of "episodes" designed to make the most of their visual aspect. Now they've released the latest single from the album, The Valley Of The Pagans, and it features an artist we wouldn't normally cover in the shape of American singer-songwriter

Since the Covid-19 pandemic reared its head earlier this year, the live music scene has been decimated due to the real and continued need for social distancing measures that stop the spread of the virus around the world. With 52 million cases and 1.2 million deaths to date, along with sustained and serious "second waves" in many countries as the

The UK, like many parts of the world, is now well in the grips of a deadly and potentially disastrous second wave of the Covid 19 pandemic, with over 1000 hospital admissions and over 300 deaths, per day, and doubling roughly every two weeks. Yet this frightening news along with the announcement of a second nationwide lockdown, hasn't stopped the

Pioneer have been kicking out DJ gear like it's going out of fashion lately, with the DJM-V10 and the brand new CDJ3000 both making an appearance this year. But with the rumoured replacement for the DJM-900NXS2 still just the talk of forums and social media gossip, they're not letting up on the mixer front, with the Pioneer DJM-S11 now making

The UK live music industry is set to lose up to 170,000 jobs by Christmas, with many jobs already gone, accounting for up to two-thirds of those working in the sector. Since the Covid-19 pandemic began early this year, the live music industry has been decimated, with an 80% drop in revenues. The research, conducted by music industry group Live, concludes

What does the name Above & Beyond bring to mind? It probably largely depends on when you first got into them. From the uplifting early 00s style trance they first became known for, to the euphoric dreamy vocal trance that propelled them into superstardom, to their more chilled but raw proggy/electro trance instrumentals, they're a trio who've offered up a

The UK government, via Arts Council England, have allocated a further £76 million in grants to companies and organisations across the country, in addition to the £257 million granted last week. As part of an ongoing effort to shore-up the industry during the Covid-19 pandemic, the funding takes the form of grants, not loans, and aims to keep the industry

The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner Department has released a preliminary report that states Erick Morillo died of "acute ketamine toxicity" and has officially ruled his death an accident, according to the Miami New Times. Morillo was found dead aged 49 at his home in Miami Beach on September 1 this year. Starting out in the New York club scene in the

1385 UK arts and culture companies are set to receive a £257 million funding package, as part of a wider £1.57 billion funding package from the British Government's Culture Recovery Fund. Originally announced in July, the fund came under criticism for focussing mainly on "high brow" arts organisations and venues such as the National Theatre, however the latest round of

In 1978, when the synthesizer was quickly overtaking the electric guitar as the hottest instrument in popular music, Sequential Circuits released the now-legendary Prophet 5, the world's first programmable poly-synth. Despite ending production in 1984, it has retained its popularity on the second-hand market as well as in various software emulations. But now, it's back, re-created in full by Sequential

Recently we got an insight into how Calvin Harris works his magic in the studio with a behind the scenes video showing part of the process of making his collaboration with The Weeknd, 'Over Now'. But what equipment is he using? Is it a matter of great gear or great mastery of his craft? Let's break it down and take

Well it's finally autumn, or 'Fall' if you're American, and while it's been a tough old year, what better way to celebrate than with the ever sublime output of Lane 8 and his stunning new Fall 2020 Mixtape. It's been a busy old year for the US-based producer, starting with the release of his third studio album Brightest Lights back in

There's a multitude of mixers available for DJs nowadays, from the basic to the professional stuff, there really is something for everyone. From Pioneer's industry-standard DJM mixers to the analogue sounds of Allen & Heath's Xone series as favoured by the techno crowd, you're spoilt for choice. Pioneer's top-range stuff may be expensive, but it's ideal for those looking to

It's been a tricky time for DJs over the past several months, but most haven't let the situation keep them quiet. Take techno-queen Charlotte de Witte for example, with her live streamed sets becoming something a techno staple during the early months of the crisis. She's also been busy in the studio too, and now we get to hear the