Dirty Sunbeams
dirtysunbeams.bsky.social
Dirty Sunbeams
@dirtysunbeams.bsky.social
Shining a light on independent music in the Calder Valley, while helping young adults develop online media skills.
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
Who’s Playing Noise In The Valley? Your Complete Guide To All The Artists
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.
shorturl.at
November 2, 2025 at 12:26 PM
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
Top 10 Gigs 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 Novembe…
shorturl.at
November 1, 2025 at 6:18 PM
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**
My Generation: Punk-Pop Star Elizabeth Westwood Talks Billy Idol, Sex Pistols & A-List Supergroups
What do you get if you put a legendary punk drummer with a founding member of Spandau Ballet and throw a gutsy rockabilly songstress into the mix? Answer: XGenerationX. We caught up with the new su…
tinyurl.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:49 PM
‘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
‘Miss Belief’: Rebecca Spooner, Album Review & Interview
‘Miss Belief’, 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 …
shorturl.at
October 17, 2025 at 9:24 PM
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
‘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.
shorturl.at
October 8, 2025 at 11:08 PM
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
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.
shorturl.at
October 3, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Gigs For October
DirtySunbeams.com/Live
October 3, 2025 at 2:54 PM
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
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 En…
shorturl.at
September 26, 2025 at 11:16 AM
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.
Making It Personal: Katie Spencer On Her Introspective New Album – Interview
The deeply heartfelt nature of Katie’s astonishing third album, What Love Is, sees her baring all as she explores themes of love and adoption. We caught up with Katie on the eve of her 37-date UK t…
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September 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Drone-Folkist Ben McElroy Talks Collabs and the Calder Valley

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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.
Interview: Drone-Folkist Ben McElroy Talks Collabs and the Calder Valley
It’s been a busy year for Ben McElroy, one that has seen the ambient soundscape artist branch out into new realms. Ahead of his show at The Puzzle, the starting point for his autumn tour, we …
shorturl.at
September 13, 2025 at 10:07 PM
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
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.
shorturl.at
September 4, 2025 at 10:30 PM
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
Live: 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 bes…
shorturl.at
September 3, 2025 at 11:18 PM
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.
One In A Billion: What It Means To Become A Trades Club Member
Hailed by The Guardian as “the hippest venue in the north”, there’s no debating the Trades Club does live music exceptionally well. But it is much more than that. The Trades Club has an underlying,…
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September 2, 2025 at 10:10 AM
August 27, 2025 at 10:16 PM
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
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 ter…
shorturl.at
August 12, 2025 at 9:51 PM
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
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 Sigue Sigue Sputnik and his love of quirky independent venues.
shorturl.at
August 6, 2025 at 10:35 PM
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.
July 17, 2025 at 11:04 PM
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
Review: The Incident’s Explosive Second Single ‘Red Flag Ruby’
The enthralling Halifax band, The Incident, ramp up their glam-pop credentials and bathe in rock-nostalgia for their meticulously-crafted new release.
shorturl.at
July 17, 2025 at 8:25 AM
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
Landmark All-Dayer For Grassroots Youth Music Collective
The Puzzle in Sowerby Bridge 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 ban…
shorturl.at
July 14, 2025 at 10:11 AM
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
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.
shorturl.at
July 11, 2025 at 10:55 PM
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
Grayston Unity and Launchpad Team Up To Get You ‘Out Of Your Comfort Zone’
The Grayston Unity has announced a new, exciting, genre-busting series of gigs. Here we take a look at some of the fresh-faced featured artists they’ve got in store.
shorturl.at
July 2, 2025 at 10:54 PM
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
Beku – ‘I See You Lurking’: Review and Interview
We caught up with Halifax-based musician and spoken word specialist Beku to discuss the inspirations behind his debut EP.
shorturl.at
June 30, 2025 at 10:19 PM
NEW: “Created in solidarity, fuelled by grief, driven by hope” – Molly Tilston & The Ceasefire Choir

Local folk star Molly Tilston talks about her inspiring new project, The Ceasefire Choir, which aims to raise funds for medical aid in Palestine.

READ: shorturl.at/pUAVo
“Created in solidarity, fuelled by grief, driven by hope” – Molly Tilston & The Ceasefire Choir
We spoke to local folk star Molly Tilston about her inspiring new project with The Ceasefire Choir, which is raising urgent funds for medical aid in Palestine, and how she’s found new creativity in…
shorturl.at
June 27, 2025 at 2:59 PM
WEEKEND GIGS: Grayston's Aussie double-bill, feat indie-pop risers Holiday Mystics (pictured) and The Wattles. Plus, Casino Rockets, Sweet Williams at The Puzzle, Sowerby Festival, Molly Tilston and her Ceasefire Choir and the endearing Josh Rouse.
DirtySunbeams.com/live
June 27, 2025 at 8:18 AM