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The Fretwire - Issue 001
THE INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the first edition of The Fretwire.
Your laid-back roundup of what’s new, what’s making waves, and what’s worth turning up. No hype, no fuzz - just the latest gear, tour news, and music talk that actually matters.
Gear, tours and talk - without the noise.
Each month, you'll get:
The Gear Drop – Our top picks of the latest gear releases and where to grab them.
The Vocal Track – Direct links to the most interesting interviews and music podcasts.
The Live Wire – A roundup of the month’s major tour announcements.
The Deep Cuts – Hidden gems, rare gear, and offbeat selections from the vault.
Less scrolling. More playing.
Let’s kick things off with this month’s Gear Drop.
THE GEARDROP
Standout launches from the last month
Taylor x The Last of Us - Replica 314ce
Taylor has released a special edition of their 314ce, built to match the guitar featured in HBO’s The Last of Us. It’s a faithful recreation of the model played by Joel and later Ellie, right down to the custom moth inlay at the third fret - a visual detail lifted directly from the show’s closing scene.
Built in Taylor’s California factory, it features a solid Sitka spruce top, solid sapele back and sides, and Taylor’s ES2 electronics. This isn’t a display piece - it’s a fully spec’d performer’s guitar with the same tone and build quality you'd expect from a standard 314ce.
Priced at £2,299, it's available to order now, with a 6–10 week build time. A niche release, but a well-made crossover between pop culture and pro-level acoustic design.
Read more and buy at - Taylor Guitars
Image credit: Taylor Guitars
Moog Messenger: Analog Monosynth with Modern Connectivity
Moog’s Messenger, revealed at Superbooth 2025, marks the company’s latest foray into accessible analog synthesis. Priced at £699, it offers a single-voice, all-analog signal path, evoking the warmth and grit Moog is revered for. But the Messenger isn't just a nostalgic callback - it’s designed for contemporary producers and live performers alike.
The synth includes a highly flexible sequencer, individual voice outputs, and CV/Gate I/O for modular integration. Its compact form belies its depth: you get hands-on control over every parameter, and the connectivity extends to USB MIDI and traditional 5-pin DIN. Whether you're crafting intricate leads, textured basslines, or syncopated sequences, the Messenger adapts with surprising agility. Moog clearly aimed to blend tactile analog control with a modern workflow, making this an ideal entry point for newcomers - and a powerful tool for seasoned synth heads.
The full review - musicradar (9 May 2025)
Grab one from - Andertons
Image credit: Moog
Fishman Loudbox Mini: Compact Powerhouse for Acoustic Performers
The Fishman Loudbox Mini, a 60-watt acoustic amplifier, offers twin channels and a 6.5-inch speaker, delivering clear and powerful sound in a compact form. Ideal for solo performers and small venues, its portability doesn't compromise on tonal quality, making it a favorite among acoustic musicians seeking reliable amplification on the go.
Find the full review at - Music Instrument News (27 May 2025)
Pick it up from - Gear4music
Kemper Profiler MK2 Series: A Leap in Digital Amp Modeling
Kemper's Profiler MK2 series elevates digital amp modeling with enhanced processing power, expanded effects blocks (now totaling 20), and native 8-channel USB audio support. These updates streamline complex signal chains and facilitate seamless multi-track recording without external interfaces. The MK2's refined profiling system analyzes over 100,000 frequency points, delivering more realistic and dynamic amp captures. With faster boot times and a lighter Stage Profiler, this series is poised to compete with top-tier modeling.
Read the full review at - musicradar (28 May 2025)
THE VOCAL TRACK
Interviews, podcasts, and featured conversations
Saint Etienne’s Farewell Album
British indie pop band Saint Etienne announce their final album, International, set for release in September 2025. In a reflective interview with The Guardian, the trio discusses ending on a high, collaborations with the Chemical Brothers, and their enduring creative bond. The upcoming album is described as a celebratory "leaving party", encapsulating their journey over three decades. The band emphasizes their commitment to creative authenticity over mainstream success, with member Sarah Cracknell highlighting their bond as the group’s proudest achievement. Though saddened by the decision, they see this as a fitting end, with plans to pursue individual projects while preserving their personal connection.
Read the full interview - The Guardian (30 May 2025)
Wolf Alice Embraces New Horizons
In a conversation with Rolling Stone UK, Wolf Alice shares insights into their upcoming album, The Clearing. The band discusses recording sessions in Tottenham, the evolution of their sound, and the creative processes that have defined their most confident era yet. Lead vocalist Ellie Rowsell describes the album as a bold step forward, reflecting their growth and experimentation. The band also touches on their experiences during the recording process and how it influenced the album's direction.
Read the full conversation - Rolling Stone UK (20 May 2025)
Bloc Party’s Disco Heartbreak
Bloc Party reveals they’re working with legendary producer Trevor Horn on a new album described as “disco heartbreak”. In a new interview, frontman Kele Okereke reflects on the emotional weight behind the music, saying the band is aiming for something both "euphoric and devastating." The record is their first with Horn and marks a notable shift from their post-punk roots to a more groove-oriented, dancefloor-ready sound.
Read the full interview - NME (23 May 2025)
Turnstile Step Into Stillness
Turnstile's Brendan Yates opens up to Pitchfork about Never Enough, their reflective and ambient-tinged new album. With contributions from A.G. Cook and BadBadNotGood, the record marks a calm but creative shift for the Baltimore band.
All the info - Pitchfork (28 May 2025)
PODCAST PICK
Song Exploder: Tears for Fears Break Down Their Biggest Hit
In Episode 292 of Song Exploder, Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith of Tears for Fears dissect their 1985 classic “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”. They delve into the song's evolution—from its original title “Everybody Wants to Go to War” to the final version that became a defining anthem of the 1980s. The duo discusses the creative process, including the contributions of producer Chris Hughes and keyboardist Ian Stanley, and how the track's distinctive guitar solo and synth textures came together. This episode offers a rare glimpse into the making of a timeless hit.
Head to - Song Exploder (7 May 2025)
THE LIVE WIRE
The latest tour announcements and upcoming shows
Feature: SATCHVAI Band Announce UK Tour
Guitar icons Joe Satriani and Steve Vai are hitting the road together this June under the banner of the SATCHVAI Band - and they’re bringing an elite lineup with them: drummer Kenny Aronoff, bassist Marco Mendoza, and guitarist Pete Thorn. It’s a first-of-its-kind collaboration from two of the most revered instrumentalists of the past few decades.
The UK leg includes five dates:
York Barbican – 13 June
London Eventim Apollo – 14 June
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall – 17 June
Wolverhampton Civic Hall – 18 June
Manchester O2 Apollo – 19 June
Expect a masterclass in live instrumental performance from players who don’t just shred — they shape the sound.
Official announcement - Noble PR
Get tickets fast at - Ticketmaster
Quickfire: New & Upcoming Tours
Wolf Alice reveal 2025 UK tour dates, supporting grassroots venues with £1 from each ticket.
Drake confirms UK shows as part of his 'It’s All a Blur' tour, starting July 4 in Glasgow.
IDLES 2025 Bristol Block Party weekender, set for July 11–13 with a hand-picked supporting line-up. Weekend tickets still available.
Martha Wainwright plans 20th-anniversary tour for her debut album, starting 27 May in Bury St Edmunds.
Joy Crookes announces new album and 2025 UK tour with immersive live dates across the country.
Tommy Cash announces 2025 European tour, including a London show at Heaven.
Alessi Rose reveals The Voyeur 2025 UK and European tour dates.
THE DEEP CUTS
Unexpected finds and sonic oddities
The Search for Marty McFly’s Missing Guitar
Gibson is on the hunt for the cherry red ES-345 played by Michael J. Fox in Back to the Future - the same one he shreds at the "Enchantment Under the Sea" dance. Lost since the late ’80s, the guitar is now the subject of a new documentary, Lost to the Future, timed for the film’s 40th anniversary.
With support from cast members and musicians like John Mayer, the search is officially on. Fans can submit tips at LostToTheFuture.com - but until it's found, this one’s legend only grows.
Read more at - EW (3 June 2025)
Unusual Performance: A Warp Happening at the Barbican
On 30 May 2025, the Barbican Centre hosted A Warp Happening, a night of avant-garde sonic exploration. The event featured a collaboration between Actress and Suzanne Ciani in "Concrète Waves", blending electronic textures and modular synth improvisations. The lineup also included performances by Natural Wonder Beauty Concept and Moin, offering a journey through experimental soundscapes that challenged traditional musical boundaries.
Tickets available from - the Barbican
Hidden Gems from Bandcamp Daily
Bandcamp Daily's Essential Releases for 30 May 2025, spotlighted a range of under-the-radar tracks that push musical boundaries. These selections offer a treasure trove for listeners seeking fresh and unconventional sounds.
Find them at - Bandcamp Daily – Essential Releases (30 May 2025)
THE ENCORE
Deep dives and top-shelf picks personally selected by the editor
Editor’s Pick: John Martyn – Solid Air (1973)
An album that floats somewhere between folk, jazz, and a kind of smoky, sonic impressionism, Solid Air is a record that rewards deep listening. Martyn’s slurred vocals and liquid guitar phrasing give it a dreamlike quality — especially on the haunting title track, written for his friend Nick Drake. It’s the kind of record that changes with the weather: part pastoral, part inner-city haze, often both in the same breath.
Sonically ahead of its time, Martyn uses effects like Echoplex not for flash but for mood, creating space around every note. Tracks like Go Down Easy and Don’t Want to Know are heartbreak in high fidelity, while the closing I’d Rather Be the Devil is a ghostly blues jam that still sounds daring today.
Not quite folk, not quite jazz, not quite rock — Solid Air exists in its own humid atmosphere. If you're unfamiliar, this is a perfect late-night listen with headphones and no interruptions.
Listen now on - Spotify
THE SIGNOFF
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Got thoughts, tips, or something you’d like to see in the next issue? We’d love to hear from you. Just hit reply or email us at [email protected]
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We’ll be back next month with more gear, tours, and talk.
Until then — stay wired.