One Direction fans take heart: as Slipknot have repeatedly demonstrated over the last few years, when a band of massive teen meaning announce a hiatus, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re completely abandoning their lifeblood-providing duties by actually splitting up. Having returned to music-making last year after one such break with fifth album .5: The Gray Chapter, the masked Des Moines metallers announced a four-date February UK tour last week, and a new Belfast date has just gone on sale (15 Feb, SSE Arena) …
Since the end of his and Alice Levine’s nightly new music show, Radio 1’s Phil Taggart seems to be floating around the station’s schedule somewhat. Now, though, the presenter is putting down some roots by curating his own monthly club night. The first edition of Slacker has Ratboy, Big Narstie and a Slaves DJ set, while the Japanese House and Nimmo play the second (31 Oct & 20 Nov, The Victoria, E8) …
Finally, it might seem as if festival season is barely over, but it’s time to start thinking about house music in mysterious European countries again, as tickets for Annie Mac’s Lost & Found fest go on sale (31 Mar-3 Apr, various venues, Malta)
