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April 2016
THU.27.OCT.16 FRI.29.APR.16 MON.23.MAY.16
I N D E P E N D E N T
C U LT U R A L
J O U R N A L I S M
Issue 37, April 2016 © Radge Media Ltd. Get in touch: E: hiya@theskinny.co.uk T: 0161 833 3124 P: The Skinny, Second Floor, Swan Buildings, 20 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JW The Skinny is distributing 28,000 copies across Liverpool and Manchester, a wide range of advertising packages and affordable ways to promote your business are available. Get in touch to find out more.
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Contents
Editorial Northwest Editor Film & Deputy Editor Events Editor Music Editor Art Editor Books Editor Clubs Editor Comedy Editor Deviance Editor Fashion Editor Food Editor Theatre Editor Travel Editor
Lauren Strain Jamie Dunn Jess Hardiman Dave Kerr Sacha Waldron Holly Rimmer-Tagoe Daniel Jones John Stansfield Kate Pasola Alexandra Fiddes Lauren Phillips Jennifer Chamberlain Paul Mitchell
Production Production Manager Designer Sub Editor Editorial Assistant
Amy Minto Thom Isom Kristian Doyle Will Fitzpatrick
Sales Sales & Digital Marketing Analyst Sales Executives
Caroline Harleaux Issy Patience Mat Parry
Lead Designer
Sigrid Schmeisser
General Manager
Kyla Hall
Editor-in-Chief Chief Operating Officer Publisher
Rosamund West Lara Moloney Sophie Kyle
THE SKINNY
Photo: Emily Wylde
WED.27.APR.16
Contents
Up Front 06 Chat & Opinion: Welcome to this
here magazine. Read last minute news! Have Mystic Mark tell your horoscope in BALLS! And check out what other bits and bobs you can read online at theskinny.co.uk!
08 Heads Up: A cultural tour of the
10
Travel: Our writer explores Thailand’s problematic relationship with elephants.
30 Deviance: We debate the usage of the
word ‘fuckboy’ and, in the first instalment of a new column, enter the world of ‘millennial wankers’.
month ahead culminating in the Spring bank hol.
31
Fashion: A look back at the trends that emerged from Paris, London, New York and Milan throughout Fashion Month.
Features
32
Showcase: The Skinny’s outgoing designer, Thom Isom, leaves in style with a spread of his work exploring environment and space, urban and natural decay.
34
Food & Drink: Liverpool’s The Brink is this month’s local ‘Pioneer’; plus, a look at the creatives behind some of the most beautiful and enticing beer labels of recent times.
We’re celebrating European cinema this month as a trio of visionary filmmakers – Hungary’s László Nemes (Son of Saul), Germany’s Sebastian Schipper (Victoria) and Norway’s Joachim Trier (Louder than Bombs) – deliver films so good that they should shatter all talk of an EU Brexit.
12
We catch up with Future of the Left’s Falco, who’s on uncharacteristically placid form.
15
Canadian standup Katherine Ryan talks celebrity culture ahead of her UK tour.
16
Is Shakespeare still relevant after 400 years? Talawa Theatre director Michael Buffong gives his thoughts ahead of the company’s King Lear production.
18
No idea where to pitch your tent this summer? We give you some tips with our guide to some of the summer’s best music festivals.
21
John 'Speedo' Reis talks us through Drive Like Jehu’s curation of this month’s festival.
22
Lifestyle 29
himHallows, artistic director of this year’s Sounds from the Other City festival, gives us a taste of what to expect – from cardboard crustaceans to a masquerade ball and much more madness.
25
Kowton spills the beans on his debut LP, and the musical journey that got him to this point.
26
To gong, or not to gong? Two great standup comedians, Kiri PritchardMcLean and Jon Whiteley, discuss the pros and cons of gong shows.
27
From Fifty Shades to One Direction erotica, we take a look at the sometimes bizarre world of fan fiction.
28
Master filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda talks about his latest deceptively simple drama, Our Little Sister, and we get excited for HOME’s new-look, cross artform ¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival.
April 2016
Review
37
Music: This month’s New Blood is Glaswegian duo Bossy Love, who’ve quietly become the most talked about band north of the border. Plus, new records from Explosions in the Sky, Deftones and Frightened Rabbit and your guide to this month’s gigs and festivals.
42
Clubs: James Ruskin relates the musical progression of his label Blueprint, Melbourne’s Harvey Sutherland lets us in on his all-time fave LPs, and Solid Blake takes us through the DJ mix she’s kindly recorded for us.
44
Film: Jeff Nichols channels Spielberg with Midnight Special and last year’s Palme d’Or winner, Dheepan, finally makes it to cinemas.
45
DVD & Comedy: We’ve a reappraisal of Nic Roeg’s underrated Eureka ahead of its Blu-ray release, while Top Joe gives some suspicious answers under the glare of the Comedy Spotlight.
46 Books & Art: Your guides to the month’s best exhibitions and literary events: art highlights include Katie Paterson’s new solo show, while Alexei Sayle, Kate Tempest and Mark Thomas are lighting up many a bookworm’s April calendar.
47
Competitions: This month you’ve chances to win a night’s stay in Liverpool for LightNight, VIP tickets to Field Day, a country break at a luxury hot tub lodge and Andrew Bird’s new album (plus gig tickets!).
48
Listings: Our curated guide to what’s on in Manchester and Liverpool. It’s far handier than Google.
Contents
5
T
his month we lead with a clutch of pieces looking at three highly distinctive films from the European filmmaking community: Son of Saul, from László Nemes; Victoria, by Sebastian Schipper, and Joachim Trier’s Louder than Bombs. While all completely different in subject matter and style, the films share a predilection for visual innovation, each director employing unusual techniques to tell their story: in Son of Saul, the camera rarely leaves actor Géza Röhrig’s face; Victoria is a genuine one-shot movie, while Louder than Bombs upends the traditional family drama with cut-and-paste editing and dream-sequence flashbacks. They are just three titles from a yearly release schedule that regularly brings us the best in challenging and visionary cross-continent filmmaking, and as the question of Britain’s status in the EU steers public narrative, it seemed an apt time to celebrate the creativity and ambition of those networks we are lucky enough to enjoy. Elsewhere, there’s a lot going on this month to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death; not least in these pages, where our Theatre editor speaks to the artistic director of trailblazing company Talawa Theatre about their new production of King Lear and why the Bard’s play about borders and divide has relevance to Brexit. Debate continues to rage in other sections, with Comedy and Books tallying up the pros and cons of gong shows and fan fiction, respectively; also in Comedy, Canadian standup Katherine Ryan considers the irony of becoming famous for skewering celebrity. Love ’em or not, festivals now dominate the calendar (literally: see our guide to some of the summer’s main events on pages 18-19), so we’ve chats with John Reis of Drive Like Jehu about the curation of All Tomorrow’s Parties; artist himHallows, the new art director of Salford’s everbrilliant Sounds from the Other City festival, who lets us into his studio for a sneak peek at some of his occultish cardboard creations; and Lorenzo Vigas, director of one of the jewels in the crown of this month’s ¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival at HOME.
Music brings us a pair of spiky interviews with Future of the Left’s Andrew Falkous and Scotland’s madly hyped Bossy Love, and Clubs is packed out with Kowton, James Ruskin and Harvey Sutherland, all offering insights into the sounds that shaped them. All that, and there’re visual delicacies galore, as Food and Drink surveys the recent trend for vibrant and innovative beer-bottle design, and Fashion identifies the trends to emerge from the recent big four fashion weeks. Finally, this month we say goodbye to the magazine’s designer of three years, Thom Isom, who’s embarking on the freelance life to focus on his artistic practice, which spans video, graphic design and illustration. Thom has been with The Skinny since the Northwest edition launched in April 2013 and has played a huge role in championing many of the artists we’ve covered in these pages, thrown some rad parties, kept the office going with the smoothest R’n’B known to man and eaten a ton of nuts. Look out for his distinctive work (as Showcased on pages 32-33), as well as his always thoroughly mind-expanding events with Liverpool-based art and music collective Deep Hedonia. Good luck Thom, you are one of the good guys. [Lauren Strain]
Eyes to the website
theskinny.co.uk/comedy We chat to “Britain’s answer to Chris Rock” Dane Baptiste, and ask if BBC Three’s move online could be good for British comedy.
ON THE COVER: We asked illustrator Nick Booton to create an image celebrating European cinema.
theskinny.co.uk/clubs Our Clubs editor’s pick of the best UK, European and international dance music festivals.
Working under the studio moniker Bruï, Nick Booton is an illustrator, designer and printmaker operating from a DIY print studio in Liverpool Baltic Triangle. Nick thrives on the diversity of projects and is able to pull from a wealth of design know-how to create unique, thoughtprovoking and visually appealing graphic work. He is currently contributing regular editorial illustrations as well as working with emerging fashion designers and forging his way onto the gig poster circuit. On top of this he is working towards his first solo show in Berlin this summer. Stay tuned...
theskinny.co.uk/film Tom Geens talks to us about Couple in a Hole, his new film about a couple in a hole.
theskinny.co.uk/theatre What do The Lion King, Game of Thrones and West Side Story have in common? William Shakespeare, that’s what. Don’t believe us? Then check out our Theatre ed’s guide to these and other unexpected Shakespeare adaptations.
Spot the Difference
bruistudio.com | Instagram: @BruiStudio
Wolf Alice at Manchester Academy, 10 Mar by Michael Barrow
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theskinny.co.uk/music We catch up with Scotland’s favourite timorous beasties Frightened Rabbit at their recent secret show in Glasgow.
Shot of the Month
6
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Editorial
TWO CATERPILLARS Ah, the humble caterpillar. The nascent form of the beautiful butterfly. The famously hungry hero of a treasured childhood tome. The source of your folks’ annoyance when they find out their greenery has once again been demolished by ravenous wee beasties. We salute you, mighty caterpillar, with two identical images of your finest form – but hang on a second. Something is amiss. What a pa-larva! Insect these pictures for the barely
detectable difference, and see if you can work out what’s bugging us. If you think you know the answer, head along to theskinny.co.uk/competitions and tell us your findings. The best or funniest answer will win a copy of Endgame by Ahmet Altan, courtesy of the righteous souls at Canongate. Competition closes at midnight on Sun 1 May. Winners will be notified via email within two working days of closing and will be required to respond within 48 hours or the prize will be offered to another entrant. Our Ts&Cs can be found at theskinny.co.uk/about/terms
THE SKINNY
inventors, leaders, makers and creators of our future, and the events info released so far suggest it’ll be a lively affair. Among the early announcements are ‘Get Your Head Around Code’ hosted by Liverpool Girl Geeks, ‘An Introduction to Virtual Reality’ with Starship and a presentation of the ‘The Dos & Don’ts of Crowdfunding’ from JUXDIT. Go to binaryfestival.com for more announcements and full festival details. Pizza box art auction to help The Christie You might have noticed that Crazy Pedro’s, the kings of weird and wonderful pizza creations, have been dipping their toes into the world of pizza box art of late – and it’s all in an effort to raise money for NHS trust The Christie. Among the local artists taking part include Northern Quarter street artist Stewy, who’s come up with a Tony Wilson inspired piece, and there’s also an eye-catching Mancsy original. The boxes are currently on display in the venue until 6 April, when they’ll be auctioned off. For more information and to find out how to attend the auction go to facebook.com/CrazyPedrosPizza Help curate Thursday Lates Love Thursday Lates at the Whitworth? Now you can get involved in choosing what goes on at these weekly gatherings. If you’ve an idea that brings art and people together and think it would make for an invigorating Thursday Late, then the Whitworth want to hear from you. Head to the gallery’s website to submit your suggestions: whitworth.manchester.ac.uk/learn/adults/ talkasandtours/thursdaylates Binary Festival first announcements The first keynote speakers and participants for Liverpool’s inaugural Binary Festival have been revealed. The two-day festival aims to celebrate and connect communities of innovators,
Get set for LightNight LightNight, Liverpool’s one-night arts festival, returns on Friday 13 May for its seventh year. Expect to see tens of thousands of visitors descend on the city centre as venues, museums, galleries and arts spaces stay open late into the night. This year’s programme includes interactive light projections, new musical compositions, outdoor games, hands-on art and science workshops, walking tours, and even visualisations created by your own brainwaves and heart rate. It’s an arts festival for all ages, so join in and enjoy what is sure to be a spectacular night to remember. Festival guides can be purchased online at lightnightliverpool.co.uk Green Room
Women in Comedy fundraiser It’s not for another seven months, but we’re getting pretty psyched for the fourth Women in Comedy festival. Acts already confirmed include Harriet Dyer, Kate McCabe and the All Killa No Filla duo Kiri Pritchard Mclean and Rachel Fairburn. If you’re picking up this here mag before 31 March, then you’ve still time to support this brilliant festival by making it along to Manchester’s Frog and Bucket for the festival’s first fundraiser. Host for the night is Katie Mulgrew, with a turn from festival patron Jo Caulfield as well as Milo McCabe, Lewis Dunn as Stanley Brookes and Ian Lane. 31 Mar, 7pm, £10 (£7).
The May Issue: Out 3 May In our next issue, Music brings us interviews with Andrew Hung, Gold Panda and Malcolm Middleton.
Film, meanwhile, dives into creepy coastal body horror Evolution with filmmaker Lucile HadĹžihalilovic and enters Green Room, a brutal punk vs Nazi siege movie from Blue Ruin director Jeremy Saulnier.
BALLS.
with Mystic Mark
ARIES To make matters worse, this month you find out that ISIS don’t even believe in Santa.
TAURUS Give your body clock a good wind up with half a beak worth of cocaine.
LIBRA Your cat dies this month after you heroically fire it into space.
GEMINI This month you do a fart so bad your family stops going to church.
SCORPIO You love having a large family but you often have to freeze most of it for later.
CANCER You’re a freedom fighter. No matter what it takes, you will crush freedom wherever you find it. Stomping it out with your thick black boots.
LEO Complicated Leo is often compared to a jigsaw puzzle, but that’s because you’re pathologically dull and spend all your time hiding in a cupboard at the old people’s home.
VIRGO In April, while observing a local cluster of heavenly bodies, your teen astronomer son inadvertently discovers something remarkable: a brown star. Hitherto only thought to exist in theory, the rare sight was glimpsed through the bathroom window of your nearest neighbour by your son’s powerful new telescope. Though only seen for a fraction of a second, the grainy images give the teenage community a lot to think about. Based on preliminary data, many local teen-scientists have given fascinating presentations on how they
Hex// Light DiVision at LightNight 2015
April 2016
Photo: Matt Ford
would go about probing the neighbouring brown star, although considering their current stage of technological and social development, these proposals remain mere flights of fancy.
SAGITTARIUS In April you lose both your eyes in a skiing accident, but luckily paramedics are on hand to pop a pair of emergency fake eyes in there and send you on your way.
CAPRICORN You’re kind and considerate. For instance you like to buy tins of pre-murdered food for your cat so he doesn’t have to go out and murder it for himself.
AQUARIUS Having frequently enjoyed smoking a joint after sex, this month you decide to honk on a mid-sex bong.
PISCES You’ve got to stop calling an ambulance every time you need a shit.
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Time for your spring awakening with all kinds of eye-opening cultural goodness, including the return of FutureEverything, Other Worlds, Live at Leeds and Sounds from the Other City.
Thu 31 Mar
Manchester’s innovative DSLR filmmaking group Bokeh Yeah! present an evening of poem films, which have been produced for the Timeline Poetry Film Challenge in association with Manchester Literature Festival and local publishers Carcanet Press, Flapjack and Commonword. HOME, Manchester, 6.20pm, £5-£7.50
Following last year’s 20th anniversary edition, digital culture festival FutureEverything straddles March and April, with the debut performance of Kingdom Come from British artist Gazelle Twin on Thursday, hotly tipped producers Nidia Minaj and Nkisi on Friday, and much more. Various venues, Manchester, until Sat 2 Apr, times and prices vary
Get a boozy, seasonal spring in your step with the Liverpool Spring Beer Festival, where 200+ real ales, ciders and perries are all housed under one roof alongside local food traders and a live music stage hosted by Threshold Festival. Cains Brewery, Liverpool, until Sun 3 Apr, times vary, Free
Gazelle Twin
Bokeh Yeah!
Liverpool Spring Beer Festival
Thu 7 Apr
Hitchcockian classic spy thriller The 39 Steps is brought to life in an Olivier Award-winning comedy, which is now celebrating its 10th anniversary and sees just four actors tackle some 130 characters. Liverpool Playhouse, until Sat 9 Apr, 7.30pm, £10-£28
A bold and unflinching portrait of an Irish girl growing from womb to adulthood, Eimear McBride’s award-winning debut novel A Girl is a Half-formed Thing now has its very own stage adaptation, which makes its way to the Everyman Theatre with star Aoife Duffin. Everyman, Liverpool, until Sat 9 Apr, 7.30pm, £12-£20
Scandinavia’s longstanding output of captivating, mellow folk acts continues to entice, as Norwegian dreamfolk singer Siv Jakobsen heads to Liverpool – proving there's also nowt more attractive than a free gig, especially for fans of Laura Marling, Ane Brun and co. The Pen Factory, Liverpool, 7.30pm, Free
For 2016, Blackpool’s Other Worlds festival is promising fresh blood and new sounds across its three-day run, which we’re happy to see features fiddle and recorder player Laura Cannell, noisemakers Gum Takes Tooth, a Tse Tse Fly-curated night at the Bootleg Social and lots more. Various venues, until Sun 10 Apr, times vary, £5-£30
The 39 Steps
A Girl is a Half-formed Thing
Siv Jakobsen
Photo: Jørgen Nordby
Wed 6 Apr
Photo: Richie Gilligan
Tue 5 Apr
Photo: Dan Tsantilis
Mon 4 Apr
Laura Cannell
Thu 14 Apr
While it’s hard to beat the traditional pub quiz blueprint, Kosmonaut are on to a winner with Quizadelphia, which sees the tried-and-tested format given an It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia theme so that you can answer questions based on those loveable arseholes. If in doubt, put ‘milk steak’. She'll know what it is. Kosmonaut, Manchester, 7.30pm, Free
Baltimore’s experimental electronic pop group Animal Collective return to the live setting with new material from tenth album, Painting With, which we gave the four-star seal of approval back when it was February’s Album of the Month. Go see. O2 Ritz, Manchester, 7pm, £16
Bam!Bam!Bam! and Madnice Marauders team up this month to bring three East Coast hip-hop heads and members of Guru and DJ Premier’s extended crew to Liverpool, as Jeru the Damaja, Big Shug and Afu Ra stop off in the UK as part of the Gang Starr Foundation world tour. Constellations, Liverpool, 7.30pm, £15
Animal Collective
Photo: Atiba Jefferson
Wed 13 Apr
Illustration: Mantis Toboggan
Tue 12 Apr
Gang Starr Foundation
Tue 19 Apr
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Thu 21 Apr
Outlandish Canadian garage duo The King Khan & BBQ Show – alias of former Spaceshits bandmates Arish Ahmad Khan and Mark Sultan – make their way to Manchester in support of their first record in six years, Bad News Boys, bringing with them the weirdo live energy that they’ve become loved for. Night and Day Cafe, Manchester, 8pm, £12
Enjoy a double bill of two dark comedies from Naughty Corner Productions, with the award-winning apocalyptic adventure The Bastard Queen! joining crime caper Not the Horse for two hours of theatrical LOLs. Unity Theatre, Liverpool, 8pm, £11-£13
Seems many of us don’t like to talk about death, even though it’s one of the very few things we can relate universally on. Taking the plunge, Jon Spooner and Chris Thorpe talk and sing about what happens when we kick the bucket in Am I Dead Yet? The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, until Sat 23 Apr, 7pm, £10-£12
There’s lots going on this month as part of the ¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival, including the UK premiere of Chamaco (Kiddo) by contemporary Cuban playwright Abel González Melo, known for depicting the underbelly of Cuban society. HOME, Manchester, until Sat 23 Apr, 7.30pm, £10
Not the Horse
The King Khan & BBQ Show
Am I Dead Yet?
Photo: Richard Davenport
Mon 18 Apr
Chamaco
Tue 26 Apr
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Thu 28 Apr
Two years on from his debut LP, singer-songwriter Matthew Hagerty, aka Matthew and the Atlas, is back with a second album and more of his gentle, atmospheric folk sounds, which he teased with the release of latest single, Elijah, earlier this year. The Shipping Forecast, Liverpool, 7pm, £7.50
It’s been 15 years since Bristol’s Mark Watson was nominated Best Newcomer at the 2001 Perrier Comedy Awards with his Cambridge Footlights troupe, and in that time he’s written books, been on the telly, hosted his own radio series and generally conquered the UK’s comedy circuit. He brings new show I’m Not Here to Liverpool. Unity Theatre, Liverpool, also on Thu 28 Apr, 7.30pm, £17
A festival of provocative work spanning contemporary dance, visual arts, music and theatre, Week 53 features 200 international artists and a ton of Lowry commissions, with highlights including Syzygy, a solo exhibition from Katie Paterson, and 30 Days of the Smiths by poet Jackie Kay and sound artist Oberman Knocks. The Lowry, Salford, until Sun 8 May, times vary, Free
Matthew and the Atlas
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Mark Watson
Katie Paterson - 100 Billion Suns (2011) Confetti cannon, 3216 pieces of paper
THE SKINNY
Photo: Stuart Moulding
Compiled by: Jess Hardiman
Wed 30 Mar
Photo: Joe Singh
Heads Up
Tue 29 Mar
Grassroots multi-arts festival Threshold returns for another three-day whopper. Highlights on our radar include noise-rock trio Barberos, acclaimed singer-songwriter Natalie McCool, former Jesus and Mary Chain support-slot fillers Bathymetry, folk duo Gilmore and Roberts and local newcomers OVVLS. Various venues in the Baltic Triangle, Liverpool, until Sun 3 Apr, times vary, £5-£20
Time to witness a part of hip-hop history as The Pharcyde Ahead of the release of new book The Blade Artist, which make a beeline for UK shores for the 20th anniversary tour hones in on Trainspotting's Begbie, pioneering cult auof Labcabincalifornia, their seminal second album which thor Irvine Welsh leaves his base in Chicago to join felspawned that forward-thinking backwards Spike Jonze mu- low author and broadcaster Kevin Sampson in conversasic video… waaay before Coldplay cottoned on to the idea. tion. The Dancehouse, Manchester, 7.30pm, £8-£10 Mantra Warehouse, Manchester, 7pm, £15
The Pharcyde
Threshold
Photo: Richard Manning
Sat 2 Apr
Irvine Welsh
Sat 9 Apr
Sun 10 Apr
Mon 11 Apr
Rhythm Section and Ruf Kutz join forces to welcome Vancouver’s Pender Street Steppers, comprising some of the several producers behind the Canadian West Coast’s underground imprint Mood Hut – and known for sumptuous, laid-back new-age house. Hidden, Manchester, 10pm, £10-£12
Seems the UK can’t get enough of carnival-themed club nights at the moment – and fair enough, given the need for some sunny escapism. In steps the latest, Festa Delirio, promising global music, samba dancing and colourful cocktails, also raising cash for arts charity Liverpool Carnival Company, known for its yearly Brazilica Festival. Constellations, Liverpool, 9pm, £5-£10
Sefton Park’s iconic grade II-listed Victorian palm house becomes temporary home to seasonal splendour as Artisans in the Palm House sets up shop for the weekend. A great excuse to drink locally brewed beers and ciders in one of Liverpool’s most apt settings for the (fingers crossed) brighter climes of spring. Sefton Park, Liverpool, 12pm, Free
Mondays have that strange ability to immediately quell all sense of hope, but you can make this one suck significantly less with a night of laughs courtesy of Trapdoor Comedy, headliner Ray Peacock and the comfort of a traditional West Didsbury pub. The Railway Inn, West Didsbury, Manchester, 7.30pm, £5
Pender Street Steppers
Brazilica Festival
Photo: Thomas Lennon
Fri 8 Apr
Sefton Park Palm House
Ray Peacock
Sun 17 Apr
One of the world’s most captivating and pioneering jazz ensembles, Sun Ra Arkestra return to Manchester following a brief stop-by last year, this time taking to Band on the Wall to salute their inimitable late frontman with more of those spine-tingling avant-garde sounds. Band on the Wall, Manchester, 7.30pm, £20
Record Store Day rolls around once more, and in Manchester, Piccadilly Records does early doors from 8am, The Deaf Institute hosts an afterparty with live sets from Horsebeach, Blooms and others, before R.A.D screenings present a themed double-bill of High Fidelity and Empire Records at Gorilla the next day. Check out our guide to RSD events across the Northwest at theskinny. co.uk/things-to-do
Regarded as one of the 20th century’s most important classical composers, Argentina’s Alberto Ginastera would’ve been celebrating his 100th birthday this month were he still alive. Instead, we’ll have to do it for him with an evening of live music in his honour. International Anthony Burgess Foundation, Manchester, 4pm, £5-£8
Sun Ra Arkestra
Horsebeach
Photo: Gwen Riley
Sat 16 Apr
Photo: Kate Johnston
Fri 15 Apr
Alberto Ginastera Centenary
Fri 22 Apr
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Mon 25 Apr
Mark a curious coincidence in the lives of literary icons Cervantes and Shakespeare, who both died on the same April day 400 years ago, as Manchester Metropolitan University’s Humanities in Public programme presents Cervantes Meets Shakespeare, an evening featuring readings and an acted encounter between the two writers. 70 Oxford Street, Manchester, 5pm, Free
Cosmic jazz meets afrobeat as United Vibrations launch their new album, The Myth of the Golden Radio, with a do at 24 Kitchen Street. Support comes from leftfield zelig Paddy Steer and post-techno/jazz improv duo Spaceheads. 24 Kitchen Street, Liverpool, 8pm, £3
Placing music and literature at the heart of independent publishing, Faber Social comes to The Trades Club for an evening featuring songwriter and guitarist Brix Smith-Start, who’ll discuss her forthcoming memoir, and Viv Albertine, best known as the guitarist in punk band The Slits. Plus: poetry and a psychedelic soundtrack! The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge, 3pm, £6-£8
St George’s Hall kicks off its Where There’s a Will season, marking the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death, with a disturbing, diesel-punk-inspired take on one of his most famous works, Macbeth. You’ll have five days to catch it, with performances running 24-28 Apr and matinee shows also available. St George’s Hall, Liverpool, 7.30pm, £12-£14
United Vibrations
Viv Albertine
Cervantes Meets Shakespeare
Macbeth
Sun 1 May
Mon 2 May
Celebrating all the great sounds that disco, funk, soul and house have to throw at us, Ghetto Child is a new night at The Ruby Lounge that’ll be launching in style with none other than Notting Hill’s Norman Jay MBE, famous for his Good Times Sound System and eclectic sets spanning rare grooves and overlooked gems. Definite corker. The Ruby Lounge, Manchester, 11pm, £8-£12
Leeds’ favourite metropolitan festival Live at Leeds rides forth once more, this time to celebrate its 10th anniversary with a roster featuring Jess Glynne and Circa Waves joining the likes of Mystery Jets, Band of Skulls, We Are Scientists, Ghostpoet, Holy Esque, Slow Club and others. Various venues and times, Leeds, £32.50
Sounds from the Other City festival pops back up in Salford, celebrating new music, performance and art through the likes of psych poppers She Drew the Gun, another collab between the BBC Philharmonic and ExEaster Island Head, himHallows-styled art direction and other such goodness. WE’RE EXCITED. Various venues, Salford, 3pm, £20
The annual four-day Liverpool Art Fair returns to break down barriers and connect local artists with new art buyers with its admirable open-submission format. Prices start from around £20, and today’s your last chance to catch it before it packs up for next year. The Gallery, Liverpool, 11am, Free
Norman Jay MBE
April 2016
Ghostpoet
Sounds from the Other City
Photo: Alexander Bell
Sat 30 Apr
Photo: Michael Barrow
Fri 29 Apr
Liverpool Art Fair
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Illustration: Peter Locke
Sun 3 Apr
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Continental Drift This month sees the release of a trio of visually distinctive works by directors from across the Channel. We begin with László Nemes, who tells us how he approached filming the unfilmable with blistering Holocaust drama Son of Saul Interview: Patrick Gamble
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et in the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in 1944, László Nemes’ Academy Award-winning Son of Saul plumbs the depths of human cruelty. The Holocaust has been filmed through multiple lenses, ranging from the sentimental to the macabre, but Son of Saul is an exercise in filming the unfilmable, with Nemes turning the unimaginable horrors of the Holocaust into a series of tangible nightmares. Jean-Luc Godard famously stated that the reconstruction of the concentration camps for the sake of storytelling was an obscenity and a handful of critics have been disparaging of Nemes’ debut, with Manohla Dargis of the New York Times going as far as describing the film as “radically dehistoricised and intellectually repellent.” When The Skinny sits down with Nemes to discuss the film, he explains his family’s connection to the Holocaust and his choice to represent humanity at its most desperate. “It’s a tragedy I know in a very intimate way,” he says. “This is the one that although it only affected me in an indirect manner, it was very profound, as if the destruction of my family was already transmitted to me in my genes.” This level of intimacy may be why the number of people who have found Nemes’ depiction of Auschwitz legitimate far outweighs the naysayers. Shoah documentarian Claude Lanzmann, famous for his disapproval of dramatised representations of the Holocaust, praised the film as the “anti-Schindler’s List.” For Nemes it was incredibly important to avoid the type of sentimental narrative that has become synonymous with the Holocaust. “For me, films dealing with this subject tend to deal with it in a static way, presenting it from an outside perspective and I want to go into the inside,” he explains. “I wanted to have this immediate sense of reality, without all the projections of the post-war period; the safe path established by Holocaust films with the coats, striped uniforms and all the iconography. It had to be raw.” This immediacy is achieved by Nemes and his cinematographer, Mátyás Erdély, via their precise control over what the camera glimpses. The film follows a Hungarian Jewish prisoner named Saul, played by Géza Röhrig. Erdély keeps
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the camera close to Saul’s eye level throughout, providing a very limited perspective of the events surrounding him. “I wanted to give the measure of the plight of one human being in a very visceral way,” Nemes says. “I wanted to communicate this through the means of cinema. Cinema can be a very immersive art form and I wanted to grab the viewer and take them on that journey.” Nemes has been vocal in his desire for the film to be screened in 35mm. “The organic quality of the film stems from my interest in cinema being an immersive experience. I’m interested in films that transport viewers into a space and time that the viewer can’t feel. To me space means something, it means something regarding the continuity of life, and I’m really interested in that – how space evolves and its relationship to time.” Shot in a square 1:37 aspect ratio to focus the attention on Saul rather than his surroundings, the film’s limited visual information leaves the soundtrack — and the viewer’s imagination — to do the harrowing task of visualising the action outside the frame. Audio is therefore central to the film. “Sound was paramount and we worked on it extensively,” says Nemes. “I was there for the entire process of sound mixing, even picking which fire sounds from the library to use. This film had to be visceral and sound is there constantly to say much more than the image, it gives the mental image to the audience of the enormity of the context.” Son of Saul presents the Holocaust as a conveyor belt of inhumanity. For Nemes it was imperative that the camp looked and felt man-made, from the grinding metal doors that imprisoned the victim’s blood-curdling screams, to the crunch of human bones and roar of the fire pits. “It’s a crematorium, a simple factory designed to kill people on an industrial level. I didn’t want to take the viewer into a world of fantasy, I wanted the viewer to have this sense of reality.” This focus on humanity’s capacity for evil is what separates Nemes’ film from other Holocaust narratives, forcing the viewer to understand that the atrocities at Auschwitz aren’t
incongruities of history but merely one moment in the continuing chronicle of mankind’s proclivity for violence. “There’s no one guy for you to project the evil on to – it’s machinery that’s already in place,” he says. “It forces you to look at yourself. It’s why German audiences have problems with this film: you cannot identify the evil character. It’s a machine, a monster living inside us.”
“I wanted to show that Hell is a constant possibility within civilisation” László Nemes
Saul is a Sonderkommando, who, as the film’s opening caption explains, were prisoners coerced into assisting with the atrocities that occurred in the camps. The Sonderkommandos’ unique perception of the genocide formed the perfect perspective for Nemes to examine his own country’s culpability in the Holocaust. “In Hungary there were a few Nazi officers organising the round-up of Jews but everything else was done by the Hungarians. Not just the state but the citizens too; it was a collaborative effort to kill the Jews. This wasn’t only in Hungary, but Hungary had the record for the fastest deportations.” The film opens with its most harrowing sequence, entering an Auschwitz crematorium where Saul’s duty as part of the Sonderkommando is to clean up the gas chambers after the mass executions. We learn nothing about Saul’s past, but his reaction to the screams behind the metal door implies that he’s been in the camp for some time. The work of the Sonderkommando was a form of complicity far beyond mere survival, as each knew they were to be killed at some point. They’re very much
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the walking dead and this proximity to death helped Nemes explore mortality and human behaviour from a unique vantage point. “I think the Sonderkommandos are victims to whom death is being stretched over a long period of time,” he suggests. “They experience death not in themselves but indirectly and in an extremely cruel way, sometimes having to burn their own families. Their role is extremely hard to understand. They are in between the victims and the perpetrators, stuck in a world between the living and the dead.” We see Saul and his colleagues looking on expressionlessly, their faces inanimate, as new arrivals are ushered into the chambers. They proceed with their duties like automatons, checking for valuables within the clothes of the recently slaughtered and scrubbing the blood from the chamber floor as the corpses are dragged away. The performances in Son of Saul are terrifyingly detached yet full of pain and suffering. How did Nemes elicit performances of such entrenched suffering? “I made them read all the testimonies and manuscripts from the Sonderkommandos,” he explains. “I wanted them to read everything and know what the everyday life was in the crematorium. Then I tried to make them forget it all, so they had to integrate everything. Usually I had to bring down the emotional level on the set because they would project their own emotions into the scene. We had to find a frequency of resistance that was low-key and at the same time intense; a robotic way of being.” The film’s title relates to the body of a child that may, or may not, be Saul’s son. Throughout the film, as his fellow Sonderkommandos undertake an elaborate escape plan, Saul desperately searches for a rabbi to perform burial rights on the corpse of the child. Is Nemes suggesting that religion could provide the possibility of peace within oneself during such atrocities, or is it an attempt to find hope and dignity amid the horror? “It is in a sense about religion: it’s about the God within, it’s just we try to kill God first. This film is about human suffering and the human experience in Hell and I wanted to show that Hell is a constant possibility within civilisation.” Son of Saul is released 29 Apr by Curzon/Artificial Eye
THE SKINNY
One-Shot Wonder Sebastian Schipper has made a thrilling single-shot crime odyssey set in Berlin, Victoria. Unfortunately, few believed he pulled it off without hidden edits. It’s time to set the record straight Interview: Patrick Gamble
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itting down with German actor-turned-director Sebastian Schipper to discuss his latest film, Victoria, is like reminiscing with an old friend about a wild night you both shared – an evening of danger and exhilaration, of nightclub euphoria and rooftop musings about life, death and everything in between. For Schipper, drawing in the audience is paramount: “I like entertaining. I don’t think that word is stupid; I trust that word. I wanted to tell a story that gives energy to people. At the same time some of these films that call themselves entertaining aren’t, because after five minutes you know how the film’s going to end.” That’s certainly not a criticism you can level at Victoria. Running 134 minutes, it’s shot in a single take without any digital subterfuge. It opens with strobe lights and the relentless thump of techno music as the title character (Laia Costa), a young Spanish woman working in Berlin, dances by herself at an underground club. At around 4am, she decides to leave, but falls in with Sonne (Frederick Lau) and his friends, and finds herself on an unexpected adventure across the city.
“I like entertaining. I don’t think that word is stupid” Sebastian Schipper
At one point, one of Sonne’s friends tells Victoria they’re going to show her the “real Berlin.” “Ha, what a fake statement,” says Schipper when faced with this quote. “I’m not sure it was ever in the top of my mind to make a Berlin film.” It may not have been Schipper’s intention to tap into the city’s psychogeography, but Victoria does have a vivid sense of place. The film takes the audience on a journey through the city, jumping from location to location (22 locations in total) and it’s fitting that the film’s end credits lead with cinematographer Sturla Brandth Grøvlen, whose restless digital camera accompanies the characters throughout. “The film talks about money and privilege,” Schipper says while explaining why he decided to shoot around Friedrichstraße, a huge shopping mile that’s divided by the notorious Checkpoint Charlie, where the Berlin Wall
used to be. “There’s the former eastern part of Friedrichstraße, and crazily that part is now the main shopping centre of Berlin, while the former western part is the overlooked end of the street. We chose it because it doesn’t look like a spectacular part of town – there are no sights at all. I think it comes with us not wanting to tap into that fake, manufactured style too much. I wanted to take some of these words like ‘radical’ and ‘authentic’ and ‘real’ – words which have been kidnapped and forced to sell products – and I wanted to see what would happen if we decided to take these words seriously. What if we really do something with a punk rock attitude?” There’s no denying that the film adheres to a punk rock aesthetic, and these anti-establishment sentiments are shared by the film’s characters. A burgeoning romance between Victoria and Sonne is put on hold when Sonne’s friends are ordered to meet with a professional gangster to whom they owe a debt. Victoria unwisely accompanies them to an underground parking lot, where they’re tasked with robbing a bank. It’s here, just past the hour mark, that Victoria goes full-throttle – and what began as a rambling Berlin-set homage to Richard Linklater’s Before Midnight evolves into a high octane retelling of Bonnie and Clyde. “I knew that at a certain point you’ve got to put all your money on the table; raise the bar,” says Schipper of the tonal shift. “I try to pull the best of two worlds. I like indie films; I like how the characters are real people. But I also like genre films; I like seeing people robbing banks. I think I tried to force the best of these two worlds into Victoria.” Before Victoria’s Berlinale premiere in 2015, both the Toronto Film Festival and Sundance rejected the film because they didn’t believe it could possibly have been shot in one take. And according to Schipper, even the Berlinale organisers had their suspicions. “Dieter Kosslick, the Berlinale director, came to me during the closing ceremony and he said ‘Sebastian, tell me… did you cut?’ I said, ‘No we didn’t,’ and he said, ‘See, I knew it! But I had somebody come up to me and he said: I have information; there are three cuts in the film.’” Schipper can’t help laughing at this recollection. “It’s funny because, of all the conspiracy theories in the world, this is the one time in my life where I know the truth.” Victoria is released 1 Apr by Curzon/Artifical Eye
Cut It Up Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier makes his way across the Atlantic for Louder than Bombs, a New York-set family drama starring Jesse Eisenberg, Gabriel Byrne and Isabelle Huppert. Thankfully he’s brought his indie sensibility with him Interview: Jamie Dunn
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ike the hip-hop that obsessed him as a teen, Joachim Trier likes to play with form. Listening to the likes of Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash in the early 80s, he fell for the genre’s dirty formalism. “You could scratch a record, cut it up, and put it back together differently,” the Norwegian filmmaker recalls. “I remember getting a tape recorder with two tape decks, so you could record from one to the other, and I’d take all my favourite moments of every Beatles song or hip-hop song and record only that beat on to the mix to create that perfect melody, the perfect tune… and as I played it back it was the worst mish-mash you could imagine.” He bursts into a deep-throated laugh. “And in a strange way that’s what I’m still trying to do.” Now 42, Trier applies his cut-up approach applies to moving image as well as sound – but the results are far more successful than those early tape-deck experimentations. He’s at the height of his powers with third feature Louder than Bombs, his English-language debut. The film deftly plays with time, space and point of view as it tells the story of a New York family – father Gene (Gabriel Byrne) and sons Jonah (Jesse Eisenberg) and Conrad (newcomer Devin Druid) – haunted by the death of their matriarch (Isabelle Huppert).
“The difficulty to be who you are in any given environment – I connect that with a sense of Bergman” Joachim Trier
Speaking to The Skinny on a fresh February afternoon in Glasgow, the day after Louder than Bombs’ UK premiere at the city’s film festival, Trier explains that the fragmented structure of his film came out of a similarly fragmented writing process with fellow filmmaker Eskil Vogt (Blind). “We have a very incorrect, I’m sure, way of working,” he says. “I sit with Eskil, we’ve
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written three films together now [the other two being 2006’s Reprise and 2011’s Oslo, August 31st], and we sit in a room for six months and discuss all kinds of ideas. It can be a formal concept, it can be character, it can be a scene, and slowly it develops.” The result is a free-form style where the focus is on character and formal expression over plot. “I like the fact that you feel there are some jumps and cuts and things that are left out.” It’s a form that fits the content perfectly. Like the characters, the film is littered with absences. This all might sound like this is some alienating, abstract work, but Trier is simply putting his personal stamp on a very familiar tradition in American cinema – that of the family-in-existential-crisis drama. It’s a subgenre he clearly adores, although he’s keen to claim its Scandinavian roots. “I call it the BergmanWoody Allen dynamic,” he says. “You know, if you look at the 80s movies from Woody Allen that I grew up watching – Another Woman, Interiors, Hannah and Her Sisters – or you look at Ordinary People by Robert Redford, or something like The Breakfast Club from John Hughes, all of that is very influenced by Scandinavian cinema through Bergman, I think.” Come on, we protest. The Breakfast Club is influenced by Bergman? “Think about it!” he says, laughing. “OK, maybe I’m reaching there, but I think there’s something going on with that kind of character portrayal and the devastation of identity that it deals with. The difficulty to be who you are in any given environment – I connect that with a sense of Bergman. I wish John Hughes was around – we could ask him. He was an amazing filmmaker.” Like many foreign filmmakers coming to America (think John Boorman with Point Blank or Wim Wenders with Paris, Texas), Trier’s outsider’s eye has proved laser-like. His probing of this New York milieu is full of sharp details and acute observations: “I hope so,” he says in response to our compliment, “because I tried to, in all humbleness, really go there and look. I wanted to know how high-school life in America is right now, so I went to high schools and looked at it.” And he didn’t find what he saw in his beloved Breakfast Club: “It wasn’t at all like they are represented in a lot of the films I’ve seen, so I don’t think America is always doing their reality either. You’ve got to find your own take on it.” Louder than Bombs is released 22 Apr by Soda Pictures
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Ceasefire In spite of his famously sharp tongue, Andrew ‘Falco’ Falkous is trying his best to be a nice guy. Ahead of his band’s appearances in Liverpool and Manchester, he tells us about The Peace and Truce of Future of the Left Interview: Will Fitzpatrick
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ndrew Falkous is a reformed character. “I’m really doing my best not to slag off other bands,” he explains, following a 16-year career as one of the premier agent provocateurs of UK rock music, first with Mclusky and now with the remarkable Future of the Left. “I’ve done interviews where I’ve made one disparaging remark about a band, and that’s always the headline. It’s always ‘MATT BELLAMY A GOBLIN, SAYS FALCO.’ I didn’t say he was a goblin!” This newly placid Falco certainly echoes the title of his band’s new album. The Peace and Truce of Future of the Left is suggestive of a much more sedate affair than their usual serrated riffola. It’s a relief, then, to discover that FOTL remain as brutal and noisy as ever, with their frontman’s barbed lyricism on devilishly hilarious form as he tears strips from themes such as bourgeois self-entitlement and cultural complacency alongside a host of additional topics all ripe for ridicule. With cosier concepts such as ‘peace’ and ‘truce’ seeming pretty far from the record’s true essence, we have to ask: what’s with that title? “It actually comes from a movement in the early middle ages called The Peace and Truce of God,” he says, “which was kind of a version 1.0 of chivalry – a code placed on knights to try and formalise their behaviour, to stop them from attacking strangers and taking all their stuff. It sounds far more worthy and mighty than it was – a bunch of rules for a gang of bullies, a formal reaction to misbehaviour. Basically, ‘God is with you, but don’t be too much of a bastard. There are limits to how much of a bastard you can be.’” That almost makes it sound like the album itself is a manifesto, we suggest. This meets a sceptical response. “Perhaps… That’s unconscious though. It’s one of my least favourite things about bands, when they have a manifesto. Maybe they grew up during the heyday of the music press, when you had to say a succession of really stupid things in order to hide the fact that your band sounded like Guns N’ Roses. Don’t get me wrong, it’s very nice to have things to say, but a rock band’s main function is to make rock music, I would think. Unfortunately, we have a lot of artists – and I use that term loosely – who say controversial things in order to cover up the fact that they make incredibly bland music.” Clinging firmly to his resolution, he offers no examples to support the point – this older, wiser Falco seems comfortably resigned to armistice: “If a band has an audience, that justifies the band and its actions, I suppose. Can’t blame people for being themselves. And the people that go out and support it… that’s their business.” He chuckles to himself. “I don’t have controversial opinions – it’s the fans who are at fault!” The antagonism hasn’t entirely gone away then, we note. “Yeah,” he replies. “The people I admire are prepared to grow on… well, not on a daily basis, who can be arsed? Fuck that. But even for somebody who enjoys speaking my mind, I’m genuinely horrified if I really offend somebody.” The whole Future of the Left experience seems to ride on their mordant sense of humour, which meshes seamlessly with a penchant for pulverising riffs. The joke often seems lost on listeners, however, much to Falco’s exasperation: “I think humour is generally lost on people in
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music unless it’s of the Bloodhound Gang variety, the kind which screams, ‘I’m being funny now!’ I guess you’ve got to be quite serious about being funny to get it across properly. You’ll have heard popular comedy music, stuff like Tenacious D or whatever, where I’m assuming the prime reason is to make people laugh, as opposed to actually being this great rock band. If you want real hilarious comedy in your music you could always – no! I was gonna slag off a band! I’m not gonna do it!” In keeping with Falco’s muse since his time in Mclusky, current musical trends get quite a kicking on The Peace and Truce. This time it’s the turn of ‘serious’ musicians striving for pop music’s singular most worthless fallacy: authenticity, as depicted on The Proper Music. Its author seems to have expanded his thoughts on the subject since writing the album, however: “It’s a bit of a weird one – at this moment in time, I’m as bored by the opponents of ‘proper music’ as I am by the proponents. In their desire to write brilliant thinkpieces on pop, they have fundamentally misunderstood the main calling of pop music, which is certainly not to have fucking thinkpieces written about it. It’s to jump around like a twat! “I have a problem,” he continues, “in that I am completely contrarian. If you put me anywhere I’m going to end up disagreeing with everybody fundamentally. There’s even some comedians or political thinkers where I agree with everything they say, but the condescending way they put it across makes me want to disagree with them.”
“I don’t have controversial opinions – it’s the fans who are at fault!” Andrew Falkous
Again, he offers no specific names (“I’ve just had so many problems over the years”), but continues the thought with a different kind of example. “I don’t believe you stop anybody being racist by leaning over and screaming ‘racist!’ at them for 20 minutes. I just don’t think that works. It’s one of the things with the world: everybody thinks they’re right. Nobody’s deliberately being wrong. Apart from… nope! I’m not gonna say it! It’s tough for me, I’ve punched myself in the balls four times during this interview.” Future of the Left are often pegged as being a political band, although in keeping with Falco’s own irritations, this is an observational tendency rather than a means of hectoring or addressing subjects head-on. “I admire anybody who holds political viewpoints which are contrary to their own interests. It’s very easy to be on the left, to earn not much money and to want more for yourself and the people you know – it’s essentially selfinterest. So I’m very aware that, with the economic position that I’m in, by default I’m on the left, unless I’m a crazy person. But let’s
face it: 98% of the people who come to our shows are gonna be… if not Labour supporters, then certainly not Conservative. That’s true of the whole milieu of indie rock. “Talking about politics would feel patronising, like engaging in an echo chamber. A threeminute pop song isn’t an incredibly discursive medium, I suppose. It’s very difficult to write songs saying, ‘I passionately believe in this, however there’s a caveat.’ It doesn’t make for a great rock song. ‘I believe political correctness is a good thing; however the movement can have its excesses’ – that isn’t the way papers or concert tickets get sold. ‘This guy has a nuanced opinion on social justice, they rock!’” And, of course, the really dangerous figures like Trump and Johnson are already beyond parody. “Well, this is it. How do you parody Trump? Johnson’s had a go at doing it himself; let’s face it, that man is far cleverer than he puts across. His bumbling fuckwittery is a tactic to disarm, whereas Trump is amoral. Anybody who only accepts information that confirms what they already know... it’s a sad position to be in. “If I had a choice between Jeremy Corbyn and David Cameron, I don’t need to tell you which one I would save; it would be the real person rather than the android construct. But on
MUSIC
Facebook the other week somebody said, ‘how dare Cameron insult the way Corbyn looks? The ham-faced twat.’ And you’re like, ‘don’t you see the irony in what you’ve just said?’ Apparently people don’t, and they gravitate towards what they know and what they like.” He laughs bitterly. “Good on them, that’s what I say! Let’s have a big fucking war. Like a colonic cleanse of the planet.” The Skinny makes a thoroughly cheap gag about mandatory conscription for a certain type of listless, landfill indie band, which gets a more generous laugh than it deserves: “The possibilities literally have an end. Let’s not think about that.” Of course. After all, we’d be wandering dangerously close to singling out individuals if we went down that route. Falco laughs once more. “Yeah, we don’t want to single out individuals! Unless it’s for praise.” Is that a hint of sarcasm we detect? Surely not. With the peace and truce of God on his side, provided he keeps his levels of bastardry within reason, who could doubt the sincerity of a changed man? The Peace and Truce of Future of the Left is released on 8 Apr. Playing Liverpool Arts Club on 20 Apr and Manchester Night and Day on 13 May futureoftheleft.net
THE SKINNY
Thurs 7th Apr • £15 adv
Leon Bridges Fri 8th Apr • £12 adv
Patent Pending Sat 9th Apr • £16.50 adv
GIGS SUN 27 MAR 7pm SOLD OUT
DIIV
SUN 3 APR 7pm
MIKE DIGNAM WED 13 APR 7pm
BRY
Jack & Jack
THU 14 APR 7pm
Tues 19th Apr • £6 adv
TUE 19 APR 7pm
Alxndr
Wed 20th Apr • £13.50 adv
Neck Deep
Thurs 21st Apr • £14 adv
The View
Sat 23rd Apr • £12 adv
The Clone Roses Sun 24th Apr • £16 adv
The James Hunter Six Thurs 28th Apr • £20 adv
Earl Slick & Bernard Fowler perform David Bowie’s Station to Station Thurs 28th Apr • £13 adv
65daysofstatic Tues 3rd May • £15 adv
Less Than Jake Thurs 12th May • £7 adv
Louis Berry
Fri 13th May • £16 adv
Foxes
HOLY ESQUE GAVIN JAMES WED 20 APR 7pm
FUTURE OF THE LEFT THU 21 APR 7pm
WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS SAT 23 APR 7pm
NEW FACES TOUR 2016 SAT 23 APR 7pm
MOOSE BLOOD WED 27 APR 7pm
THE BLUETONES FRI 29 APR 7pm
DECLAN McKENNA MON 2 MAY 7pm
BOY JUMPS SHIP WED 4 MAY 6.30pm
SHONEN KNIFE SAT 7 MAY 7pm
THE SPITFIRES SUN 15 MAY 7pm
SEPTEMBER GIRLS WED 18 MAY 7pm
SPRING KINGS THU 19 MAY 7pm
EMMA POLLOCK TUE 24 MAY 7pm
WE CAME AS ROMANS & MISS MAY I WED 25 MAY 7pm
Sun 15th May • £15 adv
AS IT IS
Wed 18th May • £15 adv
BEN WATT BAND FEAT. BERNARD BUTLER
Tues 24th May • £15 adv
BEN CAPLAN & THE CASUAL SMOKERS
Laura Mvula
Hayseed Dixie Adam Green
Fri 10th Jun • £20 adv
Bad Manners
Sun 19th Jun • £17.50 adv
Blackberry Smoke Sat 3rd Sep • £15 adv
Animal Collective Tues 11th Oct • £27.50 adv
All Saints
Sun 27th Nov • £14 adv
Electric Six
Sat 10th Dec • £15 adv
The Icicle Works Sat 17th Dec • £20 adv
Cast
WED 25 MAY 7pm
THU 26 MAY 7pm
SUN 29 MAY 7pm
HANDS LIKE HOUSES TUE 31 MAY 7pm
MOON HOOCH THU 2 JUNE 7pm
SUNDARA KHARMA MON 20 JUNE 7pm
BOYSETSFIRE WED 22 JUNE 7pm
UNKNOWN MORTAL ORCHESTRA WED 10 AUG 7pm
SARA BETH & GLEN MITCHELL THU 15 SEPT 7pm
THE SHERLOCKS WED 28 SEPT 7pm
JAKE QUICKENDEN SAT 1 OCT 7pm
ELVANA - THE WORLD’S FINEST ELVIS FRONTED TRIBUTE TO NIRVANA SAT 3 DEC 7pm
IAN PROWSE CLUBS & MORE SAT 26 MAR 10pm
Sat 30th Apr • £15-£22.50 adv • Mountford Hall
GENERATE CLUB
Martin Solveig presents My House + Blonde + Michael Calfan + Pep & Rash
Sat 11th Jun • £28.50 adv • Mountford Hall
Dr. John Cooper Clarke
Sat 16th Jul • £18.50 adv • Mountford Hall
Father John Misty
Sat 26th Nov • £23 adv • Mountford Hall
Soul II Soul
LIVERPOOL’S MOST ICONIC STUDENT NIGHT
LIVERPOOL
BLUETONES.BAND
TICKETS FOR ALL SHOWS ARE AVAILABLE FROM
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90 April 2016
Wed 27 th April
EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT 11pm
SEEL STREET, LIVERPOOL, L1 4BH
13
The Imitation Game 13 February – 5 June Free entry manchesterartgallery.org
James Capper TELESTEP 2015, collection of Sebastien and Caroline Mazella Di Bosco, courtesy the artist and Hannah Barry Gallery, London
14
Date
Event
Location
20 April
The Great British Breadwinner
No 70
20 April
Cervantes Meets Shakespeare
No 70
25 April
The Battle of Chile
No 70
26 April
The Battle of Chile
No 70
27 April
Austerity: Local and Global
No 70
7 May
Beyond Babel Film Festival
No 70
13 May
Global Girls
No 70
19 May
Dolly Birds and Swinging Cities
No 70
28 May
Animals in the Classroom
No 70
7 June
Faith in The World
Manchester Cathedral
11 June
Digital Re-enchantment
Nightingale Centre
11 June
Longbarrow Press Poetry event
Old Hall Hotel
25 June
Inspired by Ruskin
No 70
THE SKINNY
Comedy Is a Conversation Katherine Ryan chats about fame, the welcoming UK comedy scene and the meaning of her show title
Interview: Jenni Ajderian her face more and more familiar to the viewing public. Is she not concerned about becoming a celebrity herself? It would seem not: when it comes to fame, “comedians are largely not interested. I don’t think that we court fame in the same way. Comedians, in my experience, are lovely, humble people, because even the biggest comedian in the whole world has to go on stage and risk dying on his ass.” Anyone who has braved a preview show or a new-material night will recognise this: comedians old and new all need to preview their new jokes on someone. “It’s like every time you write new material you become a new comedian,” she observes. And it takes a really long time to get to the point where people come to see you on purpose; you have to slog it out on night buses, being heckled, and for that reason comedians are really supportive of younger comedians starting out. We’ve all done the same. Actors or singers, you sometimes have an overnight success story, but with comedians it’s just not possible.” Ryan, at this point, is far from new on the comedy scene, or on the shores of the UK. Having briefly started doing standup alongside uni, she left her native Canada eight years ago and has been living, gigging and raising her daughter in the UK ever since. The comedy scene on this side of the Atlantic has been far more welcoming than the one out West. “When you’re a comedian in Canada you have to travel a whole lot, of course, but you also have to play a lot of rural towns that are maybe just not interested in alternative comedy,” she says. A person on stage telling jokes about celebrities, does that really count as alternative? “The fact is that at that time, as a woman, I was an alternative comedian. But I found a place in the UK because it’s such a positive culture: people will pay to see live music and art every night of the week, and comedy is valued. Because of that, different kinds of comedy are valued, and I think a lot of Canadian comedians come over here for that reason.”
Kathbum: family and childhood nicknames
F
ew comedians’ material is on the same level of high-calibre analysis and theme-spotting prowess as Katherine Ryan. Variously described as icy, waspish and acerbic, her cutting, introspective and up-to-the-minute barbs tend to tear apart the pompous and powerful. By punching up, she can expect to ruffle some feathers along the way, but instead of political satire her focus is more on celebrity culture as a whole, or the media’s odd reaction and celebrification of a news story. “I’ll hang celebrity stories on a greater theme,” Ryan says, whether using an example of a martyred lion to demonstrate how obsessed we are with fame, or of a woman contractually obliged to keep working with her abuser. “It’s not just about Kesha,” she continues. “It’s about a recurring theme of women being assaulted and marginalised in that industry, and unfortunately that is not a new thing and it’s not going away. While the news changes, the themes remain the same: Oscar Pistorius in some ways is just OJ [Simpson] 20 years on. In a way it’s really discouraging.”
April 2016
On comedy’s enduring appeal
When on TV, Ryan is usually the one on the panel making incisive comments about celebrity, to the extent of making viewers guffaw into their tea, perhaps trying to figure out if the joke was too close to the bone. On the page, via her weekly column in NME, she wryly dissects politics, celebrity and the links between them, and in her live shows, she does all of this to evergrowing audiences. The current run of her third live show, Kathbum, has been extended and extended again due to phenomenal demand. Since the new year she’s performed Kathbum 23 times (if you don’t count the night she was on top of a mountain in Austria as part of Altitude comedy festival). “I say yes to a lot because I’m interested in a lot,” she tells us over the phone, just before show number 24 in Cambridge. “I just love comedy and I’m so open to watching other people in comedy. Anything that makes me laugh, I want to watch it, I want to listen to it, I want to be part of it. But standup is the bones of all of that. It’s important to be doing live comedy, because comedy is a conversation, and that’s when you get to see people and meet them and see their towns.”
“Every time you write new material, you become a new comedian” Katherine Ryan
Ryan’s subject matter – pop stars, actors, make-ups and break-ups – has been likened to that of a women’s magazine, and in many ways this is accurate. It’s the editorial in that magazine, and how it treats its material, which makes it absolutely killer. “It’s important to entertain people and be funny and talk about the news,” she says, “but somewhere in there I always hope to have an introspective assessment of an important theme that matters to me.” Take that, Heat. There is of course an irony in someone who speaks so critically of fame and celebrity status becoming a regular on all kinds of TV shows,
COMEDY
While writing her current show, Ryan found herself in an odd place identity-wise. “I’ve got to a point in my own life where my daughter is six and a half, she says. “She’s definitely very British, and I’ve been away from my family for enough time that I can now take a pause and look at where they are and where I came from. Taking a look back rather than a look forward.” Writing a speech for her sister’s wedding made the Ontario-born Londoner reassess what she left behind and what she moved towards. The show’s title, Kathbum, is taken directly from her childhood: this was her family’s nickname for her, and it has followed her ever since. But what makes Ryan distinctive remains: “My style and my voice haven’t changed. I’m kind of taking the pressure off celebrities in this show, and putting it on my family. The people who really deserve it.” PC police, fear not: judging by her daughter’s performance alongside her at knockout five-star Fringe show The Wrestling last year, we can safely assume that the thick skin and the sense of humour run in the family. Katherine Ryan: Kathbum is at Burnley Mechanics, 15 Apr, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, 16 Apr, Leeds City Varieties, 21 Apr and Preston Charter Theatre, 16 Jun katherineryan.co.uk
Feature
15
Four Hundred Years of Lear
Photo: Jonathan Kennan
As his company prepares to stage a new production of King Lear, Talawa Theatre’s artistic director Michael Buffong discusses the relevance of Shakespeare to a time of division and turmoil Interview: Jennifer Chamberlain
F
or most people, the arrival of April signifies sudden showers, pretty tulips and and lighter evenings. But, for all you theatre lovers out there, this month is a little different. This April marks 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare, who died on 23 April 1616 (and is thought to have been born on the same date in 1564). In a double whammy of events, Talawa Theatre company is marking this anniversary with a special celebration of its own. The Birmingham-based company is bringing King Lear, one of Shakespeare’s most epic tragedies, to Manchester’s Royal Exchange in celebration of 30 years as the UK’s leading black-led theatre company. But special anniversary or not, why Shakespeare? With so much new work emerging, why do companies insist on reproducing plays written four centuries ago? What is it about Shakespeare’s plays that is so timeless that, even for the umpteenth time, audiences come back for more? “It’s the ability to access the human experience,” says Michael Buffong, artistic director of Talawa Theatre and the man at the helm of this anniversary production. “I think it comes down to the fact that he was acutely aware of the human condition and an amazing storyteller.” Storyteller he certainly was. With almost 40 plays to his name, Shakespeare knew how to tell a tale. One of his most famous tragedies, King Lear is a popular choice when it comes to staging the Bard’s plays but, as Buffong is quick to point out, it’s not without its challenges. “It’s a daunting prospect, there’s no way you can avoid it. On one hand it’s exhilarating, but
16
Feature
on the other hand I wonder if I can pull off this beast of a play. Some days I think I’ve got it and other days I worry it’s slipping away.”
“The idea of splitting the country into three causes huge problems because nobody knows who is in charge. We absolutely understand those feelings today” Michael Buffong
The challenge of Lear
It took the director several years to decide whether to take on King Lear, and to weigh up how to go about successfully communicating the play’s sheer enormity, an idea he discussed with lead actor Don Warrington. So what came first, the actor or the play? From the way Buffong talks about Warrington, it
seems that the principal role for this production was always going to belong to him. “Don has got amazing gravitas. He has stature and an amazing voice that makes you believe without reservation that he is a king,” says the director. But it’s not just aesthetics that make Warrington the man for the job; it’s his ability to successfully navigate the rocky road an actor must take in portraying a character of this kind. “It’s a particular challenge for an actor to bring this iconic character to the stage,” Buffong says. “Lear goes from a man with absolute power to a man who’s lost all his sensibilities. That’s an amazing journey for an actor to make and it’s incredible to watch Don on that journey.”
A modern interpretation
King Lear depicts a world in chaos, a tumultuous place where order has been completely turned on its head. While Lear has been historically represented as a madman, Buffong has a modern view of the title character’s mental demise. “The main theme of King Lear is of a man who is in the throes of what we would now call dementia. How do you deal with that? How do the people around you deal with that? It’s actually quite topical, there are a lot of people having to deal with that.” And just like that, he hits the nail on the head. Shakespeare is still relevant because his stories are still relevant; we continue to see ourselves in the characters and the plots of his plays. “That’s what King Lear does brilliantly,” Buffong says. “Here we have a whole social strata: a king to servants and madmen, then paupers on the street. Shakespeare has the ability to encompass all those people, to give them all a voice and put across their point of view and their problems.” One thing’s for sure, it’s not often you discuss Brexit and the Bard within the same sentence, but Buffong is able to draw parallels between life within the pages of Shakespeare’s plays and society today. On a more basic level, it’s the humanist element that we can most understand. King Lear tells the story of a father and his three daughters, one of whom goes against his wishes. It’s the story of a family in turmoil, but this family just so happens to be royalty, and what transpires in the domestic situation has huge implications nationwide. “The idea, in the first instance, of splitting the country into three causes huge problems because nobody knows who is in charge. That then causes unease and an unsettled feeling in the country and there’s rumour and counterrumour,” Buffong explains. “We absolutely still
THEATRE
understand those feelings today, and we worry about it. Are we in or out of the EU? Who’s in charge and who will come next? What will that mean for us all? There’s a paranoia, perhaps, that seeps through the population as we’re unsure as to what exactly is happening. King Lear touches on that and his ability to feel current is one of the amazing things about Shakespeare.”
Historical roots
So with modern parallels running throughout, we could assume that the director is going for a modern take on the classic play. But this, he insists, couldn’t be further from the truth. “I’ve gone for a classic retelling. The play is set in pagan Britain, so that’s what I’ve recreated. I like the idea of an ancient time where there isn’t religion as a controlling factor to keep everyone together. There’s just this idea of loyalty to the throne and to the father.” But it’s the links to Talawa Theatre that make the director’s creative decisions particularly interesting. “The idea of having a black king also hints at the idea of a black presence in England, hundreds and hundreds of years ago,” Buffong says. “Everyone believes that this started in the 50s, with the Windrush generation, whereas now bits of history are coming to light to suggest there has been a black presence in Britain for possibly thousands of years.” Indeed, challenging convention is at the heart of what Talawa Theatre sets out to do. Over the past 30 years, the company has built an incredible legacy in improving representation of, and providing opportunities for, black, Asian and ethnic minorities across the British theatrical landscape – a world saturated with the white middle-class. With recent talk of diversity, or lack thereof, on stage and screen, Michael Buffong admits there’s still a lot of work to do. “This conversation has been happening for a long time, but it needs to happen much quicker,” he says. “It’s taking far too long to improve representation. Do we ringfence money? Should we have quotas? Do we need more diversity in terms of people in positions of power who are making these decisions? I say yes to all of the above, all of it.” In all its success of the past and all its ambition for the future, Talawa Theatre, led by its visionary artistic director, definitely has a part to play: “Hopefully we are a beacon of not only fantastic theatre but also, for BAME artists, a light to lead them in being part of the theatre ecology of this country.” King Lear is at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 1 Apr-7 May and Birmingham Repertory Theatre, 19-28 May talawa.com
THE SKINNY
RNCM Sun 03 Apr MARCEL KHALIFÉ Fri 15 Apr NIGHT
LIVERPOOL’S INTERNATIONAL ARTS VENUE
WHAT’S ON www.thecapstonetheatre.com Spring Season 2016
Wed 20 Apr KATHRYN TICKELL AND THE SIDE Thu 12 May CHRIS WOOD Thu 12 May @ John Rylands Library NEON SONNETS Sun 15 May KRONOS QUARTET Sat 28 May TEDDY THOMPSON WITH KELLY JONES + SUNNY OZELL
8 I April
£11.50
John Law’s New Congregation
Tue 31 May MARKUS STOCKHAUSEN AND FLORIAN WEBER INSIDE OUT Thu 02 Jun MARTIN AND ELIZA CARTHY Sat 04 Jun RNCM SESSION ORCHESTRA
15 I April
£11.50
Ant Law
Sat 11 Jun JULIAN ARGÜELLES TETRA Wed 22 Jun COLIN CURRIE Fri 24 and Sat 25 Jun RNCM BIG BAND AND SINGERS TOO DARN HOT Fri 01 Jul FRITZ LANG’S METROPOLIS FILM SCREENING WITH LIVE ORGAN SCORE
22 I April
£11.50
The Breath
Sat 23 Jul
MANCHESTER JAZZ FESTIVAL
THOMAS DE POURQUERY: SUPERSONIC PLAY SUN RA (UK PREMIÈRE) Tue 26 Jul
29 I April
£11.50
THE IMPOSSIBLE GENTLEMEN
Phronesis
MANCHESTER JAZZ FESTIVAL
Wed 27 Jul
MANCHESTER JAZZ FESTIVAL
IRWIN MITCHELL MJF ORIGINALS 2016 BEN COTTRELL: NEW SEEING (WORLD PREMIÈRE)
BOX OFFICE 0161 907 5555 www.rncm.ac.uk RNCM, 124 OXFORD RD, MANCHESTER, M13 9RD
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April 2016
17 RNCM Skinny Ad Apr 16.indd 1
22/03/2016 10:18
ENGLAND & WALES / ALL TOMORROW’S PARTIES 2.0
10–12 JUN
METZ
Words: Katie Hawthorne
MANCHESTER, VICTORIA WAREHOUSE: ATP recently announced that Drive Like Jehu’s curated weekend of punk-rock chaos would be held in Manchester, rather than Pontins, but the line-up remains consistently right-on. Brace up for METZ’s formidable live show and the rhythms of cult favourite Omar Souleyman, but the major slots are claimed by post-hardcore legends Drive Like Jehu (obviously), and John ‘Speedo’ Reis’s later bands Rocket From The Crypt and Hot Snakes. All three are reuniting for the occasion – as are The Monkeywrench (with Mudhoney’s Mark Arm centre stage). Don’t miss out on a true rarity. Tickets £35 per day, £100 full weekend
11-12 JUN
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
LONDON, VICTORIA PARK: Field Day is an evergreen source of hotly tipped indie favourites; it’s guaranteed to leave you sounding knowledgeable enough to moan about the Mercury Prize shortlist via social media, when the time is right. Headlined by James Blake on Saturday and PJ Harvey on Sunday, you’ve got similarly statuesque support in the form of Beach House, The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Deerhunter, Four Tet, Gold Panda, Holly Herndon, Parquet Courts and the legendary Thurston Moore. Younger blood is represented by NAO, Novelist, Girl Band and Kelala – just don’t blame us when Field Day release their clashfinder. Tickets £94 weekend, £54.50 Sat, £49.50 Sun
Deftones
EAST MIDLANDS, DONINGTON PARK: The best and brashest rock festival in the UK has a predictably heavy-hitting line-up. The newly crowned Lemmy Stage will witness Rammstein, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Korn and Deftones leading the pits, with Pennywise, Napalm Death and NOFX heading up the smaller stages. You’ll find the likes of Glassjaw, Disturbed, Neck Deep and Don Broco making appearances across the weekend too, completing a who’s-who of punk, hardcore and metal across the generations. Fearsome confirmation that Download remains on top for a reason. Tickets £104.50 for full weekend + camping
/ PARKLIFE
14-17 JUN
/ LATITUDE
Photo: Leah Henson
/ FIELD DAY
Photo: Sam Huddleston
11–12 JUN
Photo: Jelmer de Haas
No idea where to pitch your tent this summer? From Green Man in Wales to Reykjavik’s Secret Solstice, The Skinny’s guide walks you through some of the more enticing music festivals on offer around the globe, both indoor and out
/ DOWNLOAD
Photo: Vito Andreoni
22–24 APR
Wolf Alice
MANCHESTER, HEATON PARK: Parklife bests itself this year. Headed by the Chemical Brothers and Major Lazer, what follows is a proper bounty of contemporary music: Jamie xx, Years & Years, Annie Mac, Wolf Alice and DJ EZ hold up the rest of the top slots. Pushing grime’s mainstream revival is Stormzy, Novelist and Skepta, with Daniel Avery, Todd Terje and Ben UFO leading the nightlife. Fat White Family, De La Soul and Pusha T complete a thorough booking of the UK’s favourite party starters. There’s also a very impressive selection of street food, ready to provide some much needed TLC. Tickets from £95.00 for a full ticket
Grimes
Photo: Ingrid Mur
Option Paralysis
SUFFOLK, HENHAM PARK: Possibly the loveliest festival on this list, Latitude is turning into something of a gentle giant. With curators ranging from BBC 6 Music to Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols, there’s music, theatre, poetry and film to suit all tastes and interests. The Maccabees have bagged their first ever headline slot, backed up by the eternally capable New Order and The National. Grimes, Kurt Vile, Beirut, M83 and Chvrches have second-incommand duties on lockdown, with Father John Misty, Courtney Barnett, Frightened Rabbit, Perfume Genius, John Grant and Protomartyr in slightly smaller letters. Really, Latitude, there’s no need to be so modest. Tickets £197.50 full weekend
SCOTLAND
The Green Man
WALES, BRECON BEACONS: Green Man fully blooms for its 14th birthday. 20,000 discerning festival goers will nestle in amongst the beautiful Brecon Beacons, with a line-up that easily bags this year’s indie crown. Belle & Sebastian, James Blake, Wild Beasts, Warpaint and Grandaddy take the leading roles, with Battles, Julia Holter, Cate Le Bon, Emma Pollock, The Besnard Lakes and Awesome Tapes from Africa representing just a handful of the genres on offer. The festival site takes place on the cross-hair of mystical ley lines – and, as extra proof of the magic in the air, there’ll be 99 Welsh ales and ciders flowing freely. Even a week-long holiday won’t feel long enough. Tickets £175 “normal” ticket, £220 for a week-long “holiday”
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Feature
/ OUTSKIRTS
1 MAY
Kathryn Joseph
GLASGOW: A celebration of Glasgow’s artistic community in all its diversity, Outskirts combines music, theatre, art and film for an ambitious but familyfriendly billing. Presented by Platform, the day’s activities range from experimental Glasgow theatre folk Company of Wolves to jazz duo Herschel 36 providing a unique soundtrack for seminal documentary Wunder der Schöpfung. There’s an aerial performance from Ellie Dubois, Matthew Bourne and Michael England teaming up for a special performance of Moogmemory, and an interactive walk between Bridgeton and Easterhouse. Scottish Album of the Year winner Kathryn Joseph, in collaboration with James Graham of The Twilight Sad, concludes an evening that’s far left of the mainstream, but hyper-focused on Glaswegian talent. Tickets £10/£7.50 (under-16s go free)
MUSIC
/ STAG AND DAGGER
Slow Club
GLASGOW: Stag and Dagger returns to cause the usual chaos on Sauchiehall. You know the drill: one wristband gains you entry to a multitude of stages, for an afternoon combining hotly pegged up-and-comers with long-serving indie legends. This year, venues range from the ABC (both 1&2) to cosier types like Broadcast and Nice N Sleazy, via the Art School, the Garage, and the CCA. Essentially, Stag and Dagger is mapped out to facilitate maximum levels of pegging-it between shows – with a quick stop for a chippy. At time of writing, the line-up’s yet to be fully revealed but early front-runners include We Are Scientists, Slow Club and Band of Skulls, plus Deaf Havana, Emma Pollock, Milk Teeth and many more. Tickets from £20
THE SKINNY
Photo: Sol Nicol
23 APR
Photo: Sol Nicol
/ GREEN MAN
Photo: Caitlin Mogridge
18-21 JUN
KNOCKENGORROCH WORLD CEILIDH
10–11 JUN
NR GALLOWAY FOREST PARK: “Music to the hills! People to the land!” – Knockengorroch is a roots music festival that basks in world-class, continent spanning artistic diversity, pitched up in beautiful, super-rural surrounds. Hop on a bus from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Carlisle or Dumfries and soon you’ll find yourself at a festival free from fences or pretension. Their line-up boasts the best in Celtic and world music; a broad, broad summary of a billing which ranges from Black Uhuru (legendary Jamaican reggae band) to Niteworks (Gaelic electronica from Skye) and winds up with an evening well-spent in the hands of Optimo. Positive vibes all round – and there’s plenty more TBA. Tickets £99/£91 (kids go free, but ticketed)
/ FESTIVAL OF HOUSE
1–4 JUN
26-27 AUG
Sacred Paws
ANGUS, PANMURE ESTATE: Backed up by night-life institution Rhumba, Festival of House is a brand new festival set in a stunning old estate. A boutique version of a big-fest experience, this seriously impressive first-year line-up is expected to attract some 15,000 electronic musos. Leftfield, Underworld and Rudimental head up the main stage, with some of the biggest names in the business to back them up. Dixon, Eats Everything, Bicep and Finitribe – amongst many others – will keep revellers firmly on their feet, supported by your favou-rite DJs from Hector’s House, Trash Disco and Paradise Palms. What a debut. Tickets: day tickets from £52.50, full weekender + camping from £148.50
INVERNESS, BOGBAIN FARM: Brew at the Bog specialises in talent-spotting hotly tipped new artists just before they break out – you’ll be in on the action before bands like Pinact, WHITE, HQFU, Tijuana Bibles and KLOE hit the big time. Headlined by Mercury nominee C Duncan, the line-up also lists types like Outblinker, Colonel Mustard & The Dijon 5, and Blazin’ Fiddles for a full showcase of homegrown folk, electronica, indie and disco. Music aside, there’s plenty for the discerning drinker, too: if you’ve often thought that the great outdoors would be infinitely improved by a nice cold gin or a carefully crafted beer, then Brew at the Bog is the fest for you. Tickets £71.75 (inc booking fee)
/ KELBURN GARDEN PARTY
Underworld
Pinact
/ ELECTRIC FIELDS
Photo: Derek Robertson
GLASGOW: A festival for the East End, Restless Natives’ name is taken from the 1985 Ninian Dunnett movie, which celebrates ‘the spirit of the underdog’ – i.e., in this context, the spirit of anyone who’s tried to make self-funded art for a living. With nights curated by Fuzzkill Records, GFT, Nice N Sleazy, Song, by Toad and Struggletown Records, you’ve got seven days of independently spirited art and culture. A killer line-up of Ghostface Killah, Future of the Left, Rolo Tomassi, Tim Hecker and Blanck Mass tops off the music listings, but a whole schedule of showcases, discussions, documentaries, tasty food and films (short and feature-length) awaits you. Tickets from £5 prices vary
/ BREW AT THE BOG
Photo: Douglas Robertson
Photo: Ross Gilmore
Ghostface Killah
3-4 JUN
Photo: John Graham
26-29 MAY
/ RESTLESS NATIVES
9-15 MAY
NR LARGS, KELBURN CASTLE: Kelburn’s back, spanning myriad performance spaces with a barrow-load of added extra events, installations and pop-up surprises. As well as a cracking line-up of James Lavelle, Admiral Fallow and Hiatus Kaiyote, plus Souljazz Orchestra, Sacred Paws and Happy Meals among tons of others, you’ll be treated to takeovers by all your favourite party-starters. If you need some time out from your dancing shoes, try your hand at laser quest or ‘neverending’ art trails, or explore the mysterious Twin Peaks cabaret. Truly a roster for everyone, Kelburn remains as family-friendly as ever, provi-ding weird and wonderful antics for all interests and ages. Tickets £99
Primal Scream
Photo: Colin Macdonald
SCOTLAND
DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY, DRUMLANRIG CASTLE: Electric Fields expands to fill a full weekend. Headliners Primal Scream and the Charlatans lead a broad booking policy, with smaller stages curated by Sneaky Pete’s and Tim Peaks (Tim Burgess’s caffeine-fuelled festival experience). Everything Everything, Wild Beasts, Public Service Broadcasting and The Twilight Sad head for the main stages, with Erol Alkan, Joy Orbison and Factory Floor ready to handle the festival’s nightlife. C Duncan, Tuff Love, Bill Ryder-Jones, Admiral Fallow and Songhoy Blues are due to make appearances too, alongside rising Scots bands Neon Waltz, Model Aeroplanes and WHITE. Combined with tasty, proper food and an outlook of lush forestry, Electric Fields have cracked a simple, winning formula. Tickets £85 for the weekend
FURTHER FIELDS
5–7 AUG
/ OFF FESTIVAL
DENMARK, ROSKILDE: Free-spirited Roskilde is the largest music festival in Northern Europe, and resolutely channels its original punk ethos, remaining non-profit since 1972. Humanitarian to its core, your ticket price includes a donation to one of Roskilde’s chosen charities. There’s real variation in this year’s line-up, too – up top is LCD Soundsystem, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and New Order, alongside PJ Harvey, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tame Impala. You’ll also find Wiz Khalifa next to Tenacious D, At The Drive-In next to Foals, plus Mac DeMarco and the Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music, with Damon Albarn and other guests. Pack stamina, this fest lasts eight days. Eight days. Tickets £211.83
26-28 AUG
Sleaford Mods
POLAND, KATOWICE: POLAND, KATOWICE: Easily the best bargain The Skinny’s found all year, OFF festival is crammed with politically motivated, visionary music in a super cool setting – and, unlike tons of other festivals it won’t cost you a month’s worth of rent. At the business end of the line-up, Napalm Death, Sleaford Mods and Machinedrum do the honours, while GZA, ANOHNI, Beach Slang, The Kills, Mudhoney, Thundercat and Yung Lean reflect theimaginative, alternative booking policy at large. It’s conveniently located right by the airport, too… Shut up and take our money. Tickets from £51.38
April 2016
ICELAND, REYKJAVIK: Straight up, Secret Solstice has the most glamorous selling-points of all the festivals out there. This year, you can get down on a midnight sun boat party, in Iceland’s oldest geothermal lagoon, inside a glacier, or… inside a VOLCANO (it’s extinct, before you ask). We should point out that these are all ticketed extras, and a volcano pass will cost you a fiery £1470. But STILL. If you can somehow afford this after George Osborne’s latest budget, the fest also boasts Radiohead, Deftones and Die Antwoord, as well as Skream, Roisin Murphy, Afrika Bambaata and Action Bronson. What’s more, the sun will quite literally never set... Tickets £138.29 for a standard festival pass
/ ROCK EN SEINE
28 AUG–5 SEP
Foals
FRANCE, DOMAINE NATIONAL DE SAINT-CLOUD: If you're not sold on the idea of Coldplay domineering the Pyramid stage, Rock en Seine holds the solution to your summer. In a scenic, historical park just west of Paris, you'll find charismatic rock'n'roll types like Sunday headliners Foals, Iggy Pop and Eagles of Death Metal holding strong. Yer Last Shadow Puppets take the lead on Friday, with the inimitable Massive Attack heading up Saturday. Sigur Rós, Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley, Chvrches, Clutch and Anderson. Paak fill out the rest of the fest's strong first sweep of announcements. The ticket's a bargain, too, so you'll even have plenty of budget left over for brie. Tickets £90
MUSIC
Die Antwoord
Photo: Martin Sopinec
Roskilde Festival
/ SECRET SOLSTICE
/ BURNING MAN
Burning Man 2015
NEVADA, BLACK ROCK CITY: No festival guide is complete without half-marvelling at, and half-mocking, the legendary burn. But really, Burning Man is next level. A temporary, semi-circular city is erected by a weird and wonderful community in the middle of the Black Rock desert – a prehistoric lake bed – surrounding a gigantic statue just waiting to be torched. This year’s theme is Carnival of Mirrors, and will see some 70,000 burners descend upon the desert to uphold the founding principles of inclusion, self-reliance and leaving no trace. If you want to find out how you’d fare in a sand-blast, register on 27 July for last-opp tickets. What to pack? At least 12 gallons of water, so that you don’t die of heat exhaustion. Extreme. Tickets from £269.27
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Photo: Max Talbot-Minkin
CROATIA, TISNO: Easily one of Europe’s most prolific dance festivals, Love International traditionally claims the biggest names in the industry. Dixon, Horse Meat Disco, Gerd Janson, Jackmaster, Ben UFO and Joy Orbison meet the likes of Shanti Celeste, Hodge and Glasgow’s own Melting Pot. Set in a private bay with sickeningly beautiful waters, this is a legitimate chance to head to a fest without packing your wellies. Dance on the beach, in Barbarella’s Discotheque or on one of the many massive boat parties, but be aware that the afters (curated by Futureboogie and Resident Advisor) cost extra. Pack yer suncream, and you’ll be zipping about on a taxi-boat without a care in the world. Tickets from £120 for a full week pass
16-19 JUL
Photo: Jonathan Ellenor
Jackmaster
/ ROSKILDE
Photo: Jassy Earl
25 JUN-2 JUL
Photo: Vegard S. Kristiansen
/ LOVE INTERNATIONAL
Photo: Sam Huddleston
29 JUN–6 JUL
The Skinny_March 2016.qxp_Layout 1 23/03/2016 11:34 Page 1
NEW GIGS Liverpool Philharmonic TINDERSTICKS
Sunday 1 May 8pm – 25th Anniversary Tour
JOHN MCCUSKER Wednesday 4 May 8pm –
FAIRPORT CONVENTION Wednesday 11 May 8pm –
BEN FOLDS WITH YMUSIC Support from Lera Lynn Wednesday 15 June 7.30pm –
CHINA CRISIS
ATE AD UT DO SOL
XTR
Friday 17 June 8pm E Saturday 18 June 8pm –
GEORGE BENSON IN CONCERT Monday 20 June 7.30pm –
BURT BACHARACH
Wednesday 29 June 7.30pm –
ELVIS COSTELLO AND THE IMPOSTERS Monday 11 July 7.30pm –
MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER Wednesday 27 July 7.30pm
Box Office liverpoolphil.com 0151 709 3789 Image Elvis Costello
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THE SKINNY
Future Home of Stucco Monstrosity As Drive Like Jehu return to curate All Tomorrow’s Parties in Manchester this April, we catch up with John ‘Speedo’ Reis to get the lowdown on the line-up Interview: Will Fitzpatrick
“I
t got to the point that we couldn’t get paid,” says John Reis, “because noone was paying to get in. With so many people in the band we didn’t really earn much anyways, but it became difficult to tour, because… well, we need money for gas.” He’s explaining the curious circumstance of his band Rocket from the Crypt’s sudden success in the mid-90s, where an offhand promise made to a fanzine (that fans with a tattoo of the band’s logo would get into their shows for free) suddenly got out of hand. “It was good to have people saying, ‘I love your band so much that I’m gonna get a Rocket tattoo,’” continues Reis, “but there was a point where it seemed like, ‘do you even fucking know any of our songs?’ One time this guy pulled up his pants to reveal a tattoo of a carrot. I was like, ‘You know, that isn’t really the deal?’ He was dumbfounded; he didn’t comprehend why the carrot wasn’t good enough.” Quite simply, Rocket stole punk rock’s heart in the post-Nirvana era with their brand of brass-laden, high energy psychosis. Such was their underground popularity, it was inevitable that they’d sign to a major label – but curiously enough, it was largely down to Interscope’s fascination with another Reis project that it happened at all. Back in 1990, he and his buddy Rick Froberg had formed a much wilder and more complex outfit called Drive Like Jehu: a squalling explosion of sound that threw angular riffs and math-centric rhythms on top of each other to spectacular effect. Beloved of post-hardcore cognoscenti, and completed by bassist Mike Kennedy and drummer Mark Trombino, they created two magical albums (1991’s self-titled debut and 1994’s essential Yank Crime) before fizzling out. Reis and Froberg later joined forces again to form Hot Snakes, but despite their cult success, and as successful as Rocket became, they never left the same mark as Drive Like Jehu. Now, however, all three bands are back – reformed for shits and giggles, with DLJ curating the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in its new Victoria Warehouse home. “Oddly enough, we’re still getting better, so it’s getting more fun,” says Reis. “Drive Like Jehu would rarely play a song the same way twice, all of our music was a work in progress. Now, every time we play the songs a bit better, so for me it seems just as good if not better than it ever was.” Manchester being somewhat different to San Diego, he’s looking forward to checking out the festival location: “We’re there to fend for ourselves. It’s kind of like Survivor, except we have food and electricity and clothes. And beer.” So what should people expect? “A good time. We’ve organised non-musical things, with art and games and installations and whatnot. We have a lot of ideas, I just hope we can execute them all.” And, of course, the obvious question: will we get in free with a Rocket tattoo? The man they call Speedo laughs. “Probably not. But you can always try!”
April 2016
Who to see: Speedo’s guide to the ATP line-up The Flamin’ Groovies 1970s powerpoppers, reunited with original member Roy Loney “Flamin’ Groovies Now and Teenage Head are two of my favourite records of all time. [Hit single] Shake Some Action was an amazing song; it seems like the later Groovies were more popular – the powerpop version of the band without Roy Loney. As much as I’m cool with that, on those early records they were really channelling a lot of 1950s rock’n’roll… it wasn’t revisionist, it was something new. So having Roy play with the band, for me, is massive. That was the number one band on my list, to tell the truth.” The Gories Detroit garage legends featuring Mick Collins of The Dirtbombs “The Gories were a massive influence on Rocket from the Crypt, Drive Like Jehu… they were a massive influence on me. Their minimalism, and how kick-ass they were, was a revelation. Not only were their songs so great, but they also had exquisite taste and exposed me to so many great bands – their version of Ghost Rider [by Suicide] was the first version that I heard. Mick sang on a Rocket record too, on Scream, Dracula, Scream!, on Born In ’69. The ‘Woo! Yeah!’ – that’s Mick Collins.” Holly Golightly Long-term heroine of the UK underground, and former collaborator with Jack White “Holly is a great friend; I love her music so much. Rocket toured with her, we recorded with her! She was one of our first good friends in another band [in the UK] – we were spending so much time over there, and we met a lot of great people, but we were already massive fans of hers, just through Long Gone John of Sympathy for the Record Industry putting out her records with Thee Headcoatees, so when we finally met her, we were a bit awestruck. We’re just so happy she’ll be there.” The Blind Shake Abrasive surf-punks, fresh from a collaboration LP with Speedo himself “I happened to be in Minneapolis when they were playing, and they were supporting my favourite guitar player of all time, Michael Yonkers, acting as his back-up band. It was just so powerful, their sound is insane. It sounds like a metal trashcan, or maybe even a dumpster falling down a massive staircase. It just sounds like metal banging on the walls, and ultimately just collides with real force in the cement. It was a no-brainer – they had to be there.” King Khan Berlin-dwelling psych loon, performing with both BBQ and The Shrines “Every time I’ve seen King Khan and The Shrines play, it was the best show that I saw that year.
Khan is such a great frontman, and it’s just so fun. It’s everything I like about seeing live music. It’s loose, but it’s massive; it feels bigger than yourself, it’s something that you should make yourself do. You don’t watch from the sides, you just dive in and become a part of it. And then they really put on such a great show too – I’m so fuckin’ jealous.” Soulside Reformed denizens of Washington’s hardcore scene “When [Reis and Froberg’s 80s punk band] Pitchfork started, we were so blown away by Soulside’s record Hot Bodi-Gram. I bought it a day or two before we went in to record, and that completely changed the trajectory. It was way ahead of its time. It seemed spontaneous, made up on the fly – this piece of musical information that completely changed the record that we made, for the better. We were such massive fans. And friends as well, Rick especially because he played in Obits with the drummer [Alexis Fleisig].” Martin Rev Minimalist synth genius and one half of Suicide “I keep using the phrase ‘one of my favourite bands of all time,’ but I have so many favourite bands and they’re very important to me. It’s like, ‘Don’t talk shit about my favourite bands! Those are fighting words!’ Suicide was such a big influence on Hot Snakes, it was probably the main influence – that and the Wipers – so I really wanted to have them represented in some way. That was very important.” Mission of Burma Boston post-punk masters, reformed and reenergised since 2002 “If you were gonna nail down Drive Like Jehu
MUSIC
– bands that literally inspired us, where we took their music and made it our own – Mission of Burma would be on that list for sure. They had broken up when I was quite young – I think they stopped playing in 1980 or 81. When they reformed the first time to play a show in Boston, I bought a ticket ’cause I didn’t know if they were gonna come back west. They’re still a great band.” The Spits Raw Seattle punks, stripping the form back to basics in some style “I always refer to them as the last punk band. They’re just bad-ass – their sound is thick as a brick, it defines the word buzzsaw. People find it so hard to believe that it’s the same set of influences for Rocket as for Drive Like Jehu. It’s just the way they manifest and the people that I’m playing with, and the objective of what we’re trying to do. This is definitely a Drive Like Jehucurated ATP ’cause these are the bands that we like now, and that’s all there is to it.” The Monkeywrench Garage rock supergroup featuring members of Mudhoney and The Big Boys “We really love Mark [Arm], and we love Mudhoney. Rocket has toured with them, and we’ve become good friends with them, being on Sub Pop and whatnot. We really wanted Tim Kerr to be represented as well ’cause we’re both massive Big Boys fans – they were and continue to be an inspiration to the way I play guitar. So we just needed to have a way of getting all those guys together. The Monkeywrench is a killer band and I think people are in for quite a treat.” ATP 2.0 curated by Drive Like Jehu takes place on 22-24 Apr at Victoria Warehouse, Manchester. Please note new venue, original tickets still valid atpfestival.com/events
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The Art of Sounds For the last three years, Sounds from the Other City has appointed an art director to oversee the look and feel of the festival. This year’s artist, himHallows, gives us a taste of what to expect this May – from cardboard crustaceans to a masquerade ball
Interview: Ali Gunn
himHallows
G
reater Manchester isn’t short of festivals; you could fill your year with cultural happenings and stay well within the M postcode zone. Over the past 12 years Sounds from the Other City has become a stalwart on that calendar. Taking place in venues up and down Salford’s Chapel Street on May bank holiday Sunday, Sounds (as it is more fondly known) stands out as being something quite special in the line-up of great Mancunian festivals. The all-dayer, which each year seems to grow in ambition and scale, has since 2014 appointed art directors to produce a festivalwide creative commission. Describing the journey as “an organic experience,” festival directors Riv Burns and Mark Carlin explain that the decision to introduce the role has helped “tie together all the many and varied venues and break down quite a few barriers between artist and audience.” After the success of working with artist collective Volkov Commanders on two stages within Islington Mill for the 2012 festival, SFTOC asked them back for a trailblazer event, ORBIT, in late 2012. This event was the catalyst for the first official festival-wide creative commission, which saw Volkov Commanders direct the look and feel of the 2014 festival – and in Burns’ words, “run wild!” Then in 2015, Liverpool-based creative costumers Costumologists and performance artists Faux Queens took on the task of SFTOC’s art direction. By employing traditional party paraphernalia along with performance, microenvironments and sculpture, they “infected” the festival with “micro cosmic delirium and a epidemic of P-A-R-T-Y hysteria.”
As a spectator, one of the most enjoyable aspects of Sounds from the Other City has been to watch the commissions unfold as the day goes by. What begins as a group of performers and volunteers soon grows to include bands, revellers and even those who aren’t attending the festival – as happened to Costumologists and Faux Queens last year. “We accidentally interrupted a birthday party on the estate, and the reaction from the kids was pretty special,” they remember. “They had their very own gang of clowns for 15 minutes.”
“It’s unlike any festival I have ever been to” Paul Hallows
This year’s art direction will build on these successes, and those who are well attuned to Manchester’s music scene will no doubt have seen the new art director’s work gracing the promotional material of a gig or two. So it seems quite fitting that Paul Hallows – known as himHallows – has been appointed as art director for a festival that champions the local underground and DIY music scene. Having attended all but one SFTOC, himHallows took part in Volkov Commanders’ inaugural creative commission with his incredible Nebula Crab costume (watch out for it this year!), and produced the stage design for promoters Bad
Uncle’s venue in 2015. This, paired with his – dare we say it – occult-like ability to turn a cardboard box into out-of-this-world creations, made himHallows the natural choice for the festival’s 12th edition. Describing his experience of working with SFTOC as “really, really fun,” Hallows promises to add a creative garnish to what he confesses is his favourite day of the year, “even including Christmas.” His concept for the art direction of the 2016 festival is billed as “trawling the deep sea to bring the New Occult™ to Chapel Street.” Currently working as a one-man band, himHallows will soon be making a call-out for volunteers to assist him with the task of building cardboard creations that will transform a number of venues along the Chapel Street corridor, including props for Sounds’ first livebroadcasting ‘telly studio,’ SFTOC TV. His cardboard extravaganza, which so far consists of an impressive, many-faced headpiece, his Vitruvian Man, will culminate in the nucleolus of his commission, a masquerade ball, which will be held in The Burrow at Islington Mill when the afterparty kicks off. The 2016 commission looks set to continue Volkov Commanders’, Costumologists’ and Faux Queens’ legacy of unifying the festival, by giving those attending the opportunity to become a part of the art direction. Hoping that audience members will be ready to channel the mystical, himHallows encourages revellers to design and wear their own masks inspired by the deep waters at the New Occult™ masquerade ball. The best will be awarded a prize by the captain himself.
Speaking to the different directors, what is overridingly clear is how passionate they have all been about SFTOC. By adding their creative imprint, the art directors are able to create a harmony between all the elements that make up the festival – and it is this which makes Sounds one of the more unique festivals on Greater Manchester’s cultural calendar. Hallows explains how the opportunity to work on the commission has allowed him to “turn the ideas in my head into reality, providing a purpose to my drawings and costumes.” Similarly for Costumologists and Faux Queens, the role allowed them to work in collaboration, which fitted their combined ethos and aesthetic. By offering unrestricted creativity while simultaneously championing outrageous fun and a DIY spirit, Sounds from the Other City offers something quite unique. “The great thing about it is that, because it is such an unusual festival, it’s not a festival that is primarily about the music,” Hallows says. “Being part of the day involves hanging out with people, seeing the unusual things that go on, all kinds of crazy shit. It’s just really nice to be involved in it. It’s unlike any festival I have ever been to.” Sounds from the Other City takes place 1 May, Chapel Street, Salford soundsfromtheothercity.com The Skinny is running a competition at this year’s Sounds from the Other City to win prizes kindly donated by the festival’s promoters and friends. To enter, all you have to do is share your photos of the day on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #SFTOCSkinny Keep an eye on @TheSkinnyNW on Twitter and @theskinnymag on Instagram for more news as it happens...
Costumologists and Faux Queens - Micro Cosmic Delirium
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ART
THE SKINNY
Buy your £1 festival guide now www.lightnightliverpool.co.uk
Open your mind on a Friday night. 13 May 5pm — late LN2016_Skinny_v4.indd 1
April 2016
Liverpool’s late-night arts festival 21/03/2016 17:20
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Utility Sound Kowton spills the beans on his debut LP, landing this month on Livity Sound – and the musical journey that got him here Interview: Thomas Short
t’s certainly a bold move to title your debut LP of grime-tinged techno Utility, a word that inevitably calls to mind tersely worded press releases and moody black-and-white publicity shots taken under a concrete overpass. Thankfully, for all his success as one third of cult label and renowned trio Livity Sound, Joe Cowton (aka Kowton) is remarkably free of pretension: “It’s quite loaded, isn’t it!” he laughs. A glance at the producer’s Twitter reveals he is often the first to chuckle at the disparity between the air of haughty mystique surrounding techno and the stark, Ibis Hotel reality, but he is forthright and engaging when defining his sound. “I was having this discussion about ‘What do you want from music right now?’”, he explains. “I decided I want music you can play time and time again. You’ve got to have this idea of utility to it. It’s practical but it’s also relevant and interesting. All the classic records like Robert Hood’s Minimal Nation, Shed’s Shedding The Past... these are records that could work on the floor. “That’s what makes the music so vital. It’s not some bits thrown together for an album. You’re crossing between something you want people to listen to at home, and something you want people to listen to on the floor, but hopefully it gets close to both of those things.” A new approach Like that of many producers, Cowton’s sound developed and refined across a series of wideranging 12’’s and EPs. The task of translating that breadth to an album format and taking it further is never easy, though he says it was necessary. “As a producer you can only do so many singles until you start to repeat yourself. That’s when I started thinking about challenging myself to do a full LP. Where we’re at with Livity Sound, it makes sense for the label. We’re 18 or 19 records in, so it kind of felt like, what’s next?” Cowton’s close relationship with Tom Ford (Peverelist) has also proved useful: “Tom’s been quite mentor-esque in his patience, as have guys like Pariah and Ben [UFO] when playing it out and giving me feedback on what works and what doesn’t. That’s the most helpful feedback I could wish for. I’m lucky to have some mates [with] exceptional taste!” All that thinking and feedback from playing out has certainly paid off. Utility may be fashionably stripped-back for these austere times, but it already feels like it could happily sit in someone’s DJ bag for the next two decades. Built on Cowton’s classic spartan rhythms, it simultaneously ventures down more colourful, futuristic paths established on releases such as 2014’s Whities 002. This could feel simply like a nice summation of his broad career to date, but whereas those releases were all characterised by certain trademarks – machine engineered percussion, roughshod bursts of bass, and mixing-desk atmospherics – here, Cowton explores another kind of negative space through melody.
April 2016
Photo: James Clothier
I
“In fairness,” he says, “having done all these austere kind of tracks that were really just drums, I kind of felt like, first I’ve got to learn something. I need something melodic in there. I kind of tried to read up on theory and learn a few scales, tried to get my head around doing harmonies and stuff like that.” Fortunately, this didn’t lead to a tropical house interlude: “A lot of the things on the LP that sound remotely harmonic were embedded in a far richer harmonic structure and ended up being deleted. Some Cats, that little ARP was the backbone of a tune with a big piano riff and a big pad that got deleted. You forever hope for it to get resolved (in a classical sense) but it doesn’t and I find that quite interesting.” Working with Livity Sound Somewhat ironically, much of this dedication to subtraction was forged through collaboration, specifically the experience of working with Peverelist and Asusu for Livity Sound live performances. “In the live show you learn so much about repetition, the way you can sustain interest with very little for such a long time,” Cowton says. “You can see how much material you have, and you’re just going at the hardware... you’ve got one machine, one set of samples. That approach has transferred to the album insomuch as it’s very repetitive and it’s made with the same sounds over and over, but hopefully phrased in a way that sounds interesting. “I’m sure if I went to art school I could describe it a bit better but it’s essentially ploughing the same furrow. A lot of it is being limited to the same tools. I’ve got the one reverb, the one delay!” For all Livity Sound’s associations with Bristolian sound system culture, Cowton’s releases have been remarkably amorphous, moving
from the bleak dubstep missives of his early Narcossist moniker, through UK funky and house to the swinging rudeness of more recent material like Des Bisous. Perhaps this mercurial quality could be attributed to formative years spent in the Lake District and Manchester, far away from the birthplaces of UK bass.
“By going to Boomkat, Eastern Bloc and Piccadilly Records I had my preconceptions of music re-arranged” Joe Cowton
“It’s a classic tale,” he says. “We came into [it] from an older brother that was into good stuff. He used to give us tapes, and pass ’em down. And they were all like Jeff Mills, people like that. In fairness it was mixed in with Moving Shadows CDs and Wu-Tang albums and all of this late 90s shit that everyone had! We’d go to raves in quarries with bad UK hardcore and bad UK techno. I remember Greg Wilson played Kendal Town Hall and that’s where we all took our first pill.
CLUBS
“Then I moved to Manchester and was obviously a bit more informed by then. Just by going to Boomkat, Eastern Bloc and Piccadilly Records I had my preconceptions of music rearranged, and [was] taught quite unequivocally to listen to Basic Channel, listen to this, listen to that. That coincided with the beginnings of dubstep. That was very lucky really. I’ve got so many of those early grime tunes on white label just ’cause Boomkat was one of the few places that got them.” Roots in grime Cowton’s music is certainly miles away from those formative days spent listening to bad hardcore, but it’s interesting to note that his profile has rocketed just as UK dance culture has turned its gaze on grime again: “I think one of our main aspirations we’ve had with Livity stuff is to try and get close to that brutal energy that that stuff has… it’s music that’s moving you along,” he says. “That’s quite key.” Now living in south London, Cowton has continued to branch out, lending his pummelling percussion to Hyetal’s glowing synths and collaborating with Julio Bashmore for an unusual EP of hybrid house-techno on All Caps. “The record we did is one of the easiest records I’ve ever written,” he says. “It’s just a Jupiter, a TR-909, and a couple of other bits. We wrote it in a day, and I’m still quite happy with it. Compared to working with Pev, who’s such a perfectionist, it’s quite nice to bang something out in a day!” With Utility set to take his name even further, it will be interesting to see what Cowton does next. Don’t go expecting a Kygo remix any time soon, though. Utility is out 14 Apr on Livity Sound livitysound.com
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Do Gongs Make a Right? Are gong shows a positive or negative force in standup comedy? We asked Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Jon Whiteley to present their arguments
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he ‘gong show’ format has been a staple of television since long before the likes of Simon Cowell and his cohorts belittled the mentally fragile for financial gain. But it is in comedy rather than music that the gong show takes its most controversial form – people either can or can’t sing a song, but standup is much more subjective. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so placing a young hopeful in front of a crowd baying for fresh blood is a divisive spectacle for the comedy scene at large. We asked two comedians to give us their arguments for and against gong shows. It’s a debate that will no doubt run on for eternity, but feel free to chip in in the comments online.
side. King Gong (at The Comedy Store) prides itself on its combative air, but as a comedian you do have to learn how to master tricky rooms and there’s far less pressure when it comes to cracking them lower down your career. That’s not to say that all acts who do well at gong shows are good – often they’re total dogger with a meaty line in lowest-common-denominator, derivative bullshit. That’s why it’s so good when a unique act comes along and rips the gig a new one without pandering to the audience or appeasing them with trite observations on Tinder. Essentially, winning at a gong show doesn’t make you a good act, just as getting kicked off doesn’t make you a bad act.
FOR – Kiri Pritchard-McLean Standup and member of Gein’s Family Giftshop Kiri: Gong shows aren’t perfect, no gigs are. Each gig comes with its own trappings but I’m firmly of the school of thought that you can take something away from all gigs, particularly the tricky ones, and gong shows are nothing if not tricky. I appreciate that it may seem like a needlessly harsh environment for more esoteric acts but, typically, so is the world of standup comedy. The acts that have been more leftfield that I’ve seen persevere at gong shows have ultimately become stronger, more versatile comedians without compromising what it is that makes them special. When I started doing standup I got a lot of my stage time from gigs like Beat the Frog (at The Frog and Bucket). Standup can seem a dark art when you first begin but Beat the Frog was a great way to regularly perform to large receptive audiences, which aren’t typical when you start gigging. I’d much rather perform to 300 giddy students brilliantly compered by Dan Nightingale than a sparsely attended room above a pub where the audience have just come to have a quiet drink and a gig has started around them. Having said that, I’ve done both. Gong show formats can err on the brutal
“Most of the acts featured in these pages are bad gong acts, and they’re all the better for it”
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Jon Whiteley
When I hear criticisms of gong shows, and there are plenty of valid ones, I always smell a hint of hypocrisy. The acts who are against them rarely turn their analytical eye towards other nights that pride themselves on having a ‘nice audience’ but which in actuality tend to be filled with people who think they are better than comedy. Now that’s a tough crowd. To assume that an audience that has arrived at a gig hooked in by a format are incapable of appreciating any genre of comedy either shows a simmering contempt for audiences (not healthy) or worse, a secret contempt for your own work (even unhealthier).
Interview: John Stansfield Illustration: Jess Ebsworth
Maybe, if you’re an act having a tough time at gong shows, you’re looking at it in the wrong way. Don’t go into it thinking about winning. Look at it as an opportunity to work on getting a great five minutes that tells an audience what you’re about while being piss funny. There’s no point in your career where that skill set will cease to be useful. Gong shows don’t make a comedian; no one gig does. They don’t break the determined and talented ones, though; they add to the varied tapestry that’s required to make a competent, successful and interesting comic. So just use them for what they’re good for: stage time. AGAINST – Jon Whiteley Standup and member of Quippopotamus comedy Jon: It’s tough to write negatively about something you’re bad at: any body-blows made are liable to be drowned out by the deafening sound of you chewing on the sourest grapes imaginable. As a young performer, I did plenty of gong shows: Beat the Frog, Rawhide Raw, Funhouse Comedy and King Gong – I’ve died at them all. That said, I’m not one to let partisanship get in the way of a good hatchet job. Gong shows have been a staple of British live comedy since the boom of the early 2000s. New comics jester for the attentions of a surly crowd, the weaker comics are kicked off and the strong get a prize. Some are nicer than others and there’s a degree of variance in the boon: The Comedy Store, for example, gives its winners a cash prize as well as a spot on a professional bill. For better or worse, most new acts will find themselves at one of these nights at some point. Some say the hostile, competitive atmosphere is a great training ground for comics: an assault course for the surly, heckler-filled comedy scene. That said, I don’t think many new acts actually benefit from being thrown in at the deep end. Also, if you’ve ever doubted that fascism could happen in England, try watching the crowd reaction at King Gong when a transgender
COMEDY
woman gets on stage, and consider how terribly fucking wrong you were. Although, as explained earlier, there is usually a prize for the best, this rarely actually guides clubs’ booking policies. If you’re a seasoned booker, are you really going to start booking people you don’t rate for professional spots just because they won some dumb competition? Obviously you’re not – and rightly so – but the flipside of this is all those lucky winners left scratching their heads over when they’ll be allowed to perform at a club’s tent-pole weekend show. Most new comics carve out their work in half-empty back rooms, and one of a gong night’s unique selling points is that it offers stage time at a real, bustling comedy club. That said, the people who come along are not typical club crowds, and they’re not coming with the same expectations. On a Saturday there’s an expectation that the acts on stage will be really, properly funny, but at gongs there are no such guarantees and the reverse is likely to be true. Trying to be funny to someone who’s just been told that you’re probably not funny is akin to trying to cop off at an STI clinic. Most importantly, though, is the way gong shows dampen creativity. While interesting acts do often get through at these nights – the first time I saw Beat the Frog, Ed from the excellent Gein’s Family Giftshop won – you’re never seeing anyone at their best, you’re seeing them at their broadest. That STI clinic line would’ve killed at a gong. I’ll give credit to gongs that they promote an economy of language – and that they’ve stopped many a spotty young Stewart Lee tribute in their tracks – but most of the acts featured in these pages are bad gong acts, and they’re all the better for it. The best new act and new material nights encourage comics to push boundaries and really explore the funny. Gongs just tell you to toe the line. Also most importantly, I’m bad at them, so they suck. theskinny.co.uk/comedy
THE SKINNY
More than Fifty Shades Have you ever wondered what would happen if Tyrion Lannister crossed over into the world of The Lord of the Rings? Don’t worry; someone has already written it for you. We take a look at the growing – and sometimes bizarre – world of fan fiction
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he much-derided and enormously popular Fifty Shades of Grey has come to symbolise everything that critics hate about fan fiction. The deadly concoction of bad writing, bad sex and bad gender politics has, for its detractors, become synonymous with the literary subculture. The peculiarly conformist Grey stories, about a virginal female character being enticed by a hyper-masculine, rich, older man, started life on fan fiction websites as a homage to the Twilight series, and their immense popularity (Fifty Shades set the record for the fastest-selling paperback of all time in the UK) is illustrative of a shift for an increasing number of authors from the fan-culture corner of the web to the bestseller list. Fan fiction – broadly defined as a work of fiction that uses major elements like character or setting from another work of fiction – includes work as diverse as Jean Rhys’s brilliant novel about Jane Eyre’s ‘madwoman in the attic,’ Wide Sargasso Sea (1966); Seth Grahame-Smith’s parody Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2009); and Anna Todd’s attempt at One Direction erotica, After (2014). Its modern roots lie in Japanese manga and science fiction fanzines of the 1960s, although retelling, both directly and indirectly, is an age-old literary tradition: Daniel Defoe and Charles Dickens were famously concerned about writers ‘stealing’ and refashioning their plots and characters into new narratives. The combination of a modern, connected fandom and the growth of sites like Wattpad, FanFiction.net and Archive of Our Own have led to an explosion in the number and variety of fan takes on existing stories. The first thing that usually springs to mind when the term fan fiction comes up is a weird mental image of Harry, Ron and Hermione enjoying a threesome in the shadowy hallways of
April 2016
Hogwarts, or detailed passages about Sherlock handcuffing Watson to his bed. For the uninitiated, it may seem like fanfic is only interested in unlikely pairings entering into ever more complex sexual scenarios. However, the case for the literary-critic prosecution is somewhat overstated. Fan fiction is as interested in sex as any other cultural form and there is plenty of fanfic that doesn’t involve the unearthing of buried sexual fantasies.
“The first thing that usually springs to mind when ‘fan fiction’ comes up is a weird mental image of Harry, Ron and Hermione enjoying a threesome” Perhaps the most interesting element of the way fan fiction deals with sex scenes is that they only become a focal point of the plot when the original narrative is notably de-sexed. Stories written for teenagers, YA novels where
hand-holding or kissing is the only suggested sexualised experience, sci-fi narratives where glances across the starship floor are secondary to the fight against the invading army, and period dramas where social restraints at the time of publication prevented any explicit references to sex, are the most popular genres for sexscapade fanfic. A recurring theme is the need, on the part of writers, to fill in the gaps and oversights of established authors and also the wider literary canon; as any avid reader will know, airbrushed sexual encounters, characterised by awful clichéd language, are a common find across literature – just ask Morrissey. Fan fiction writers are attempting to rectify the erasure of the reality of sex in the books they read, even if that sometimes comes out as an off-kilter chapter about necrophilia. The urge to reflect experiences that are ignored or disregarded by literature is also echoed in the kind of characters that populate the fan fiction world. A popular subgenre is slash fiction, which portrays gay characters (who are often depicted as heterosexual in the original work) and their romantic entanglements. Writers of slash interpret the canon and retrospectively refit their narratives, so that they reflect the gay experience; searching fanfic archives, you will come across numerous Bingley/Darcy, Romeo/Mercutio, Bella/Rosalie, Daisy/Jordan stories. While “written like terrible fan fiction” appears to be the go-to slur spewed by unimpressed literary reviewers, these critics fail to recognise that fanfic is one of the few places where a raft of stories about experiences considered to be hidden, underground or nonmainstream can happily co-exist. Fan fiction sites are one of the few cultural spaces where stories about being into paganism, bisexual, or a
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Words: Holly Rimmer-Tagoe Illustration: Josie Sommer
goth are not only accepted, but abundant. Fan fiction has caused some ruffles among the literary community because it challenges the idea of the ‘original text.’ By taking apart the book, mashing up plots, altering endings and changing the relationships between characters, fans are dispelling the notion of the writer as a god-like genius whose work must be preserved and conserved. Author of Interview with the Vampire Anne Rice is one of the most obvious examples of a writer attempting to exert their authorial authority. Writing to her fans, she said: “I do not allow fan fiction… It upsets me terribly to even think about fan fiction with my characters.” Of course, her attempts proved futile and she was swiftly ignored by some fan fiction writers. Rice’s attempt to maintain control failed because such writers are the antithesis of the copyright, consumerist wet dream – they write for free, openly playing with the ideas of others, sharing their work widely. Fan fiction writers aren’t passive readers, waiting in an orderly queue for an autograph; instead, they are taking an active role in the books they’re reading, reshaping texts to suit their own interests and demands. This shifting power dynamic is threatening to some authors, who fear a return to the preprinting press Middle Ages with no authors and no copyright ownership, but it doesn’t need to be an either/or. Fans can prop up and add to the original work in exciting ways, imaginatively readjusting the holes in the narrative while further publicising and emphasising the interesting work of its author. Either way, the age of the fan shows little sign of abating. theskinny.co.uk/books
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Sister Pact
Look South
With films like I Wish and Nobody Knows, Japanese auteur Hirokazu Kore-eda has proven himself the modern master of quiet family dramas. His latest, Our Little Sister, is in a similar mode. He tells us why it’s more than just a film about siblings
¡Viva! returns to HOME this month as a cross-artform festival bringing the best of Spanish and Latin American theatre, film and visual art to Manchester. We focus in on the great cinema coming from South America in the programme
Interview: Josh Slater-Williams
Interview: Jamie Dunn
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hen we meet at the London Film Festival, Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda expresses an admiration for The Skinny’s iPhone case, which has a design based on the No-Face character from Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away. After this, though, he admits via an interpreter that he hasn’t actually seen that hugely successful animation, which is something of a surprise – not just because Spirited Away was such a massive hit in Japan, as well as around the world, but also because Kore-eda has in his own way been just as significant a force in Japanese film over the last few decades as Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, albeit in the realm of live-action and in a much quieter fashion. We’re meeting to discuss his latest feature, Our Little Sister, which begins with three adult sisters attending the funeral of their estranged father and meeting Suzu (Suzu Hirose), their teenage half-sister for the first time. On something of a whim, the eldest daughter of the trio, Sachi (Haruka Ayase), invites young Suzu to live with them in the ancestral home where they’ve fostered an atmosphere akin to a sorority house. Like Kore-eda’s last few features (Still Walking; I Wish; Like Father, Like Son), the new film is a slice-of-life family drama that never veers into especially grand melodramatics or seismic events. It’s just a beautiful story told in a gentle fashion. Where it stands apart in his filmography – which also includes such acclaimed films as Nobody Knows and After Life – is that it’s an adaptation of a manga. “It’s quite unusual,” Kore-eda explains, “as I don’t normally go for something that isn’t an original story, but I have been a fan of that
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manga and [author Akimi Yoshida] for years – just as a fan, not with the view to making it into films at all. But when I read this particular one, about abandoned children adopting another abandoned child, it somehow really, really appealed to me. I really felt very strongly that I wanted to do this.” Our Little Sister is one of the great films about sisterhood, but for Kore-eda the film goes beyond simply observing its central family unit: “The original story is about four sisters and the English title is Our Little Sister, but the original manga translates as Diary of a Seaside Town. I think of the story from the father’s point of view – the father who passed away. It’s not just about the sisters but how he regards them. That’s how I regard this film: the father who passed away looking on.” Did he imbue the film with any element of his own personal life? “Nothing personal like discovering a half-sibling, no. From my own personal life, I had a very negative memory of my own father. But since he’s passed away, and having become a father myself, there are elements where now I can see that maybe he was struggling like this in this situation; I can relate to him a little bit more. And so I have probably influenced Sachi, the eldest daughter, in how she changes her mind about her father. “This particular film,” he continues, “was about accepting, for me. Especially Sachi accepting her father that she didn’t like. That was the strongest feeling that I wanted to portray in the film.”
s it just us, or is South American film blowing up right now? We all remember the new wave of Mexican cinema in the mid-00s, the aftershock of which can clearly be seen with the country’s recent dominance at the Oscars: best director in 2014 was Alfonso Cuarón (for Gravity), Alejandro González Iñárritu picked up the same award the following two years (for Birdman and The Revenant), while their cinematographer, Emmanuel Lubezki, has bossed his category. Might Latin American filmmaking be going through a similar renaissance further south? For evidence, just take a look at the upcoming programme of films at HOME’s ¡Viva! Spanish and Latin American Festival, where South American cinema provides many of the highlights. There’s fat-free revenge movie To Kill a Man (19&22 Apr), from Chile, which picked up the grand jury prize at the 2014 Sundance; drumtight political thriller Magallanes (20&24 Apr), from Peru; visually astonishing ethnographic study The Embrace of the Serpent (10 Apr), from Colombia; and brutal true-life crime drama The Clan (13 Apr), from Argentina. The latter is directed by Pablo Trapero, who has two of his older films in the festival (Carancho, 18&21 Apr; White Elephant, 19&24 Apr) as part of a retrospective dedicated to Ricardo Darín, which also includes other recent Argentinian gems like XXY (14&17 Apr) and South America’s first foreignlanguage Oscar-winner, The Secret in Their Eyes (16&20 Apr). The Clan won the Silver Lion at last year’s Venice Film Festival. The film that pipped it to the Golden Lion also hails from a South American nation and is, for our money, the jewel in ¡Viva!’s film programme: Venezuelan knockout From Afar (11&20 Apr). “I knew we were going to have a prize because the reaction was very good: everybody was talking about it,” says From Afar’s director, Lorenzo Vigas. “But I never thought it would be the Golden Lion.” Vigas sees From Afar’s Venice award, the first time any Spanish-language film has won the festival’s top prize, as belonging to the whole of Latin American cinema. “From Afar’s editor is from Brazil, the cinematographer is from Chile, some producers are from Mexico, I am from Venezuela, so it’s a prize for everyone.” It’s particularly important for his home nation, however. “It was like winning the World Cup for Venezuela, really. It’s like the most important prize in Venezuelan history in film. So everyone is very excited about it, but it’s going to be very controversial.” This controversy stems from the film’s subject matter. It’s a gritty and cinematic study in desire and repression following Armando (Chilean star Alfredo Castro), a middle-aged loner haunted by childhood traumas who begins a love affair with Elder (played by charismatic newcomer Luis Silva), a young street tough he picks
Our Little Sister is released 15 Apr by Curzon/Artifical Eye
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up while cruising the mean streets of Caracas. It’s a relationship that proves problematic for many reasons, not least because of the attitude to homosexuality in the country. As Vigas explains, however, those who are uncomfortable with a drama about same-sex love are kind of missing the point. “The theme of the film isn’t sexuality. It’s more about emotional needs, being able or not to go on with life.” The relationship between Armando and Elder marks a first for both men: the first time someone has truly cared for each of them, male or female. “It’s about how you discover, how you open up when someone gives you things you have never had in life.” From Afar’s greatest strength is its ambiguity. Vigas earned his stripes in documentary but he’s a natural visual storyteller, always showing not telling, as the film elegantly spirals to a devastating finale. “It’s a film that leaves space for the audience to come to their own conclusions,” says Vigas. “There are two different ways you can perceive the film, and for this I love it because it opens it up. The film doesn’t belong to me any more, it belongs to the public.” We recommend you head along and debate your take in HOME’s bar after the screening. ¡Viva! Spanish and Latin American Festival is now a cross-platform festival, so here are three more reasons to make it along beyond the great film events:
Theatre
The bursting theatre programme features a focus on Cuba with celebrated Cuban playwright Abel González Melo, a timely take on Don Quijote (it’s the 400th anniversary of Cervantes’ death), and new work ALL IN from exciting Catalan theatre company ATRESBANDES. The festival opens in style with Derailed, which takes the form of a live recording of a concept album to explore politics and rock’n’roll. All performances are in English, and the most you’ll pay for a ticket is £12.
Party
Twelve months ago the curtain came down on Cornerhouse with a wild and wonderful ‘Storming’ of the building. Panama-born artist Humberto Vélez was behind that community extravaganza and ¡Viva! will come to a close on 23 April with The Storming Reunion, an informal reunion with Vélez’s team for a Latin beat-tinged party.
Eat
In a total building takeover, HOME’s menu will get in on the fun by adding a Latin American and Iberian flavour. Think montaditos and pinchos – and jugfuls of sangria! ¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival runs 7-24 Apr at HOME, Manchester. Go to homemcr.org
From Afar
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“The time spent with her grandfather’s elephant, Tongkum, had a huge effect on Lek’s life”
The Elephant in the Room While the elephant has special significance in Thailand, the creature is often subject to forced labour and cruel treatment. We hear the story of Sangduen ‘Lek’ Chailert’s sanctuary in Chiang Mai, and its work to protect elephant Jokia and other animals like her Words: Oliver Gaywood
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ike many Thai elephants, Jokia used to work in the logging industry. It’s not hard to see why the locals wanted her help: with heavy logs to move, elephants were often the easiest way of getting the valuable commodities to an area where they could be sold. Jokia, like many others, was not well-rewarded for her toil. Most were underfed while many were given drugs to keep them working round the clock. Jokia was forced to work through a pregnancy. As well as while she was expecting, Jokia was forced to keep going while she was in labour and in the important few hours after her baby’s birth. Unsurprisingly, not long after her child was born, he died. Grief-stricken as any mother would be, Jokia went on strike. To encourage her back into servitude, the loggers fired slingshots at her eyes. At first this had no effect, but one of the mahouts (elephant keepers) hit his target, causing Jokia to lose sight in that eye. Jokia lashed out at her tormentors. When an elephant attacks you, she doesn’t have many weak points to go for. Jokia’s mahout decided to defend himself by going for her remaining good eye. He stabbed and stabbed, finally hitting his target and subduing the angry animal. Having lost her first child and sight in both eyes, Jokia was hitched up to a tree and forced back to work. Around 95% of the Thai population is Buddhist, a religion that puts a large emphasis on the importance of life in all animals, in particular the elephant. This revered animal has spent time as an icon both on the national flag and the country’s coins, but is quickly losing its high status. Wild elephants in Thailand are protected by conservation law, although it may be too little
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too late. In the middle of the 19th century, it was believed there were around 100,000 elephants in Thailand. As of 2010, that number was down as low as 3000. The conservation law, however, only covers wild animals: any captive elephants are classed as livestock and their rights are almost non-existent. Because of their strength, many elephants have been employed in logging, but that activity became illegal in Thailand in 1989 when it was noticed that, without trees in place, flooding and mudslides during the annual monsoons claimed more and more lives. Some elephants were kept for the black market trade and some were sent to bordering countries where logging was still permitted. For others this change in law led to a career change. A lucky few were released into the wild but the majority were sold on to circuses, animal trainers or to mahouts who would force them to beg on busy city streets. This last practise is illegal in most of Thailand, although fines are small and rarely imposed. Most elephants in captivity are female. These are still magnificently strong, but they have less aggression than the bulls. Female Asian elephants, unlike their African counterparts, do not grow tusks, which gives them one fewer weapon to scare their captors. Regardless of being the fairer sex, female elephants can still easily overpower a human and could kill one with a well-aimed trunk swing. So how do mahouts convince elephants to work for them? The most common practise is a crush cage. This contraption looks like a prison cell and is generally only a little bigger than the elephant, preventing the subject from sitting, lying down or turning around. The elephant will be restricted with chains and ropes to keep her from moving. The chains also cause cuts and wounds. The purpose of the crush cage is to subdue
Sangduen Chailert, or Lek, as she’s nicknamed, came from a poor hill tribe in northern Thailand. Her grandfather was a healer and one grateful patient gave him an elephant, Tongkum, to thank him for his work. Lek’s grandfather loved his elephant and to Lek it was clear that the elephant loved him back. When the grandfather died there was a clear change in Tongkum’s behaviour and within a year the heartbroken elephant died too. The time spent with Tongkum had a huge effect on Lek’s life. After graduating from university, something practically unheard of for someone with her upbringing, she worked in the elephant tourism industry. Lek quickly realised that many of the working elephants didn’t get the same loving attention Tongkum had received. Lek began to campaign for elephant rights and better treatment of the majestic animal. Some of her work was not well received, and led to bricks being thrown through the window of her agency’s office. Realising that something major had to be done, she sold everything she owned to rent land from the government. Using this ground she was hoping to give a second chance to injured, abused and orphaned elephants. Unlike other elephant parks, Lek’s would focus on giving her animals as natural a setting as possible, even if that meant forgoing typical tourist attractions. Opposition to her work was everywhere. Some locals feared the elephants escaping. She was labelled a rebel for going against Thai traditions. In the early days, the government sent
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many inspectors to try to catch Lek breaching any of the myriad rules they’d set. Foreign visitors, though, are completely enamoured with Lek and her work. Thousands visit annually, as day-trippers and as volunteers. The locals have come around, too. The main reason the government isn’t enthused by Lek’s work is because animal tourism is a huge moneymaker. If you look at any travel guide for Thailand, you’ll see countless pages dedicated to monkey performances, tiger photos and elephant painting. Not many visitors look too closely behind the scenes: at the cramped living conditions, the de-clawings and druggings or why exactly the mahout stands next to his elephant where the crowd can’t see the weapon he’s concealing. Although only a tiny percentage of the country’s animal tourism, Lek’s Elephant Nature Park is changing the way visitors to Thailand interact with animals. Unlike similar establishments, this venture is a non-profit organisation that doesn’t put on shows, it doesn’t let visitors ride the elephants and all its training is done using positive reinforcement. Volunteers take part in all areas of the elephant’s day, from preparing meals to feeding them hand-to-trunk and bathing them in a river. They’re given opportunities to speak to mahouts, guides, vets and the park owners. For someone who wants to see an elephant up close and interact with one, without the chains and threats of violence, options such as these are a breath of fresh air. When Lek first saw Jokia, she was overwhelmed by her suffering. Lek spoke to Jokia’s owner about buying her but, despite her condition, was quoted an exorbitant price. Eventually the two came to an agreement and Lek had her first blind elephant to look after. Things didn’t begin smoothly; Jokia still had to be transported back to the park. After being severely mistreated by her previous owners, she didn’t know what was going on or if it was to her benefit. The journey to the park normally takes around four hours but ended up taking more than eight as all was done to soothe her. When Jokia arrived at Lek’s park she had no friends and no family. If this situation occurred in the wild, she would be left on her own to fend for herself. In the sanctuary, things work differently. Mae Perm, an elephant in her 90s, took a shine to Jokia and became her adoptive carer. The two spend their days together, with Mae Perm leading the new arrival round the park. Jokia celebrates her 15th year of retirement in 2016. She may have been robbed of her freedom, her eyesight and her chance to become a mother, but if you visit the park today, you’ll see she holds no ill feelings towards humans and will happily sniff them out, extending her trunk in a friendly greeting. elephantnaturepark.org
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the elephant and kill her spirit. Her sentence will be three or four days, during which time she’ll be starved. If the elephant tries to move into a more comfortable position, she will be struck or stabbed. If she reacts to this, she will be attacked again. At some point, the elephant’s designated mahout will climb on top of her so she gets used to carrying a person. From this vantage point, he will strike the elephant’s head. Similar techniques are used to teach and encourage an elephant to play football, paint a picture or perform countless other circus tricks.
The Problem with Fuckboys Perhaps the word ‘fuckboy’ isn’t quite as empowering as we’d like to think
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he English language is terrifically handy. After centuries of Romans and Vikings and Francophones passing through, leaving behind an alphabetti spaghetti of words, affixes and affectations, we’ve got a veritable buffet of linguistic knickknacks at our disposal. Also, nowadays the cementation of new words doesn’t require decades of usage or open-minded dictionary editors – the democratic nature of the internet means that pretty much any word will catch on if speakers have something to gain socially from its existence. Need a sassy li’l adjective for literally anything aboveaverage? ‘On fleek’ should do. Desperately want to belong but feel like ‘gang’ might be counterproductive? Go for ‘squad’ and you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people quicker than you can say ‘identity-crisis goals’! There’s also something seductive in hearing a word that takes a chunk of this vast, terrifying universe and neatly attaches a label bit. That’s probably why everyone’s constantly losing their shit over GIF-stuffed listicles about ‘wanderlust’ and untranslatable Japanese words. Speakers, the clever little vocabulary-curators we all are, are subconsciously aware that words are tools, and tools are useful as hell. Which brings us to ‘fuckboy’ (or ‘fuccboi’ if you want to get all internetty about it). I could try to define the phenomenon of the fuckboy, alluding to Calvin Klein waistbands and flecked grey loungewear; Ikea-lamp mood lighting and an unimaginative subscription to Spotify’s Bedroom Jams playlist; soulless 11pm Whatsapps and token Yankee candles; insensitive jokes-but-actuallynot-jokes about ‘Netflix and chill’ and canny avoidance of everything but one’s own sexual fulfilment. Yep, I could reduce fuckboys to their mythical penchants – perhaps you’ll smirk if it rings even
Words: Kate Pasola Illustration: Sofia Sita
slightly true. But we all know that’s simply fiction built on memes and tropes and Justin Bieber music videos. These tidily defined betamales don’t really exist, partially because it’s bafflingly more easy for men to opt out of generalisations than it is for slutty ho-bag women. What’s more, the word fuckboy doesn’t really serve to label anything specific at all – just general shittiness, egotism and entitlement.
“Until now not a single word has so bitingly critiqued masculine ‘promiscuity’” The word’s somewhat troubling history also fails to shed much light. Originally a homophobic prison slur for a man whose sexuality is seen to depend on the pricetag, ‘fuckboy’ found its way into the rap songs of Cam’ron et al in reference to those perceived as weak and lacking in conventionally masculine traits. Finally, it was yoinked into white Twitter and the neo-fuckboy was forever more bound to its status as a comic sans insult. Why has a word with such a vastly broadened and wholly unagreed-upon definition managed to permeate our conversations and captions? Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that until now not a single word has so bitingly critiqued masculine ‘promiscuity.’ Dudes
get ‘Casanova’ or ‘bad boy’ at best, ‘manwhore’ or ‘love rat’ at worst. These terms remain jovial and/ or strong, serving to sneakily reassert masculinity despite the mildly judgemental dig. But ‘fuckboy’ feels different. ‘Fuckboy’ is spiky and obscene, and perhaps ‘fuckboy’ makes women who’ve been called sluts since the age of 13 feel empowered. It did for me, albeit briefly. A man I dated for a couple of months read an article in which I’d casually dropped the term and asked me wide-eyed whether he fell into this category. Cue klaxons, jackpot SFX and tyrannical glee. Finally! Access to a slur which could make a man feel even a sliver
of what it is to have one’s sexual profile redefined, slandered, and arbitrarily linked to lifestyle and sartorial choices. It was maddeningly great, but it was also fleeting. After all, being a feminist who says ‘fuckboy’ feels a tiny bit hypocritical. How are we to expect a ceasefire of sex-negativity if we’re constantly adding fuel to the shagging-shame bonfire? The fuckboy linguistic trend has been a fun exercise in creating empathy, but perhaps that’s where the name-calling should end. Two wrongs don’t make a right; and a slut and a fuckboy don’t make for equality either.
Millennial Wankers Meet the mysterious world of people who get off on the sound of whispered sweet nothings from the lips of YouTubers they’ve never met...
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elcome to Millennial Wankers, a column in which I’ll give you the lowdown on the weird and the wonderful in the world of modern wanking. In the coming months we’ll be exploring everything from interactive masturbation tutorials to hands-free orgasms, binaural orgasmic soundtracks to online erotic literature, meditationmasturbation to futuristic sex toys. I won’t pretend to be an expert, but what I currently lack in knowledge and experience I hope to make up for in enthusiasm. This month I’ll be trying erotic ASMR. First, a little bit about ASMR or ‘Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response.’ Not an intrinsically sexual experience, it is categorised by a feeling of ‘low-grade euphoria’ as a result of relaxation, whereby specific acoustic and visual stimuli trigger bodily responses like tingly skin and shivers. Essentially, this boils down to watching someone pour and drink a glass of San Pellegrino
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on YouTube and hoping that the sound of carbonated liquid makes your skin tingle. As I watched this very video I pondered how on earth ASMR was meant to get me off – all I felt was a low-key urge to pee. Then I discovered where I was going wrong. The moment you type ‘erotic’ or ‘boyfriend’ alongside ‘ASMR,’ a whole new world of men and women purring at you opens up. It’s important to note here that some ASMR fans have a real problem with the erotic ASMR movement as they feel it corrupts an experience that was not intended to be about eroticism and sexuality, but rather about relaxation and intimacy. The tingles experienced are involuntary, starting in the scalp and moving down the spine, all because someone brushed their hair into an expensive microphone. In contrast, erotic ASMR invites you into specific roleplaying scenarios while maintaining that all-important sense of intimacy.
Words: Felicity Benefutuis
I learned a couple of things during my experimentation with ASMR. I learned that when a person makes kiss sounds into a microphone, the feeling of headphones buzzing in your ear is eerily similar to reality. I also learned that when you break down a kissing noise into its constituent parts without the actual sensation, it’s fucking disgusting. The fantasy element is the most interesting part of erotic ASMR; if you’re looking for a specific roleplay to get you off, you can probably find it, no matter how kinky or niche. ASMR aims for immersion, which is where it ultimately failed me. Perhaps if the videos had stuck to ear kissing, breathing and the oh-so-distinctive sounds of belts unbuckling and trousers hitting the ground, I might have been able to superimpose an image of my partner into the action. But unfortunately for me, the ASMR creators also talk at you. I was stuck inside weirdly specific scenarios, with videos called things like Your First
DEVIANCE
Time or Your First Night As My Babygirl (nauseating). What’s more, things often become interactive, with spaces left open in the monologue casting the listener in the starring role. Said monologues can get somewhat cloying, as the speaker relentlessly coos: “Let me kiss your cheek, it looks so good… wow, your other cheek looks so good. I’ll kiss that too. Your mouth looks so good!” and on, and on. If this happened to me in reality I would most definitely leave. While this particularly intimate porn wasn’t my cup of tea (hard-hearted creature that I am), judging by the comments section and the 42,000 views on a single recording, it certainly is for many. It covers kinks and niches that regular porn doesn’t access, and if you’re craving the romantic aspect of sex then perhaps erotic ASMR might be up your street.
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FRILL SEEKER: J.W. Anderson
KEEP IT ZIPPED: Marques Almeida
DUVET DAYS: Stella McCartney
THE ACCESSORIES: Vanessa Seward
Fashion Month 2016 Following another hectic Fashion Month, we look at the themes across Paris, New York, London and Milan, with 1970s and 80s influences featuring strongly
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he journey from New York to Paris is a long one, and not just in terms of air miles. By the time Paris Fashion Week rolls round, NY, London and Milan can feel like distant memories, the shows fading into a fog of fashion fatigue. While each week has its own nuances, the underlying trends come together as common threads that weave the whole unwieldy affair together into a more manageable package. With that in mind, let’s talk about some of the trends that dominated the AW16 landscape…
oversized eyewear, exaggerated shoulders and veil-front hats. Interpreting the decade in a more conspicuous way, Véronique Leroy, Mugler and Isabel Marant offered up super-wide belts, stirrup leggings, structured (but not quite Dallas-level) shoulders, door-knocker earrings and peg-leg trousers. Those who wore them the first time around no doubt dread their return, but there’s no denying that the era responsible for power dressing has the fashion world back under its spell.
Battle of the Decades
Frill Seeker
While the 1970s still reign supreme, the 80s are steadily elbowing their way in. Saint Laurent opened proceedings in LA with their pre-fall collection; an ode to the 70s rife with Bowieworthy tuxes, gleaming sequins, fluid lamé and deliciously jarring textures, all served up with an unmistakably glam rock vibe. Despite this celebration of 70s flamboyance, Slimane stepped straight into the next decade in the closing days of Paris; his 80s-infused couture collection dancing to the beat of after-hours excess with a definitive party-girl spirit. This dichotomy does well to set the tone for the interplay between the two decades, which became apparent over the course of Fashion Month. The likes of Chloé, Roberto Cavalli, Cynthia Rowley and Elie Saab stayed true to the 70s aesthetic with pussy bows, skinny scarves, bell sleeves, shearling, kaftans and flared trousers (to name just a few!), continuing the theme that has reached fever pitch on both the runway and the high street. Gucci’s offering was, of course, rooted in the 70s, but the 80s crept in through the boxy,
April 2016
The perfect antidote to the quiet refinement that has shaped our wardrobe in recent years, ‘volume’ is the word of the moment. In terms of volume, Rosie Assoulin, Ellery, Beaufille and Jacquemus know how to unapologetically demand space. But if we’re talking surface area, frills are the way to go for those looking to gain more than a little extra elbow room. Already a surefire hit on the street-style scene, frills and ruffles add a sense of frivolity and a touch of the theatrical to modern dressing. This season saw designers being commanded by the zeitgeist rather than pushing through it and, as such, softly ruffled blouses, which have already rolled out to every corner of the high street, were ten a penny. However, thanks to some deft reimagining, frills proved to be far from passé. From sweetly ruffled collars and cuffs at Roksanda to J.W. Anderson’s densely layered, architectural frills and Kenzo’s regal sleeves and shoulders, this burgeoning trend is taken to a newly decadent level.
Words: Sophie Benson
Keep It Zipped
Quietly bubbling under and yet overlooked in many reviews in favour of gaudier, more overt talking points, the high-neck zip-up top is sure to hit the high street ASAP, despite its subtlety. This athletic detail peppered the collections of 3.1 Phillip Lim, Paul & Joe, Marques Almeida and Christian Dior, often as a sporty counterpoint to sharp tailoring. It answers the question of how to cover our necks in a novel way (our current proclivity to do so demonstrated by the popularity of the ubiquitous turtle neck, the skinny scarf and – relative newcomer – the neckerchief). The trick to pulling off this trend is all in the contrast. Tuck it into patent leather trousers and you’re guaranteed to draw the lens of every awaiting street-style photographer. Providing a more clearly signposted sportswear narrative, Lacoste and Vetements took their cues from Chas Tenenbaum and sent full tracksuit looks down the runway, with heeled boots and formal coats providing the balance.
Duvet Days
Answering the prayers of everyone who is in a symbiotic relationship with their bed, Balenciaga, MSGM and Stella McCartney took puffer jackets and quilting to new, king-sized proportions. It’s the school coat 2.0; all the warmth and comfort without a hint of embarrassment. At McCartney, plissé flares in rich jewel tones proffered a fresh perspective and an interesting sense of polarity. While McCartney’s coats and gilets hung amorphously off the body, Demna Gvasalia chose the meeting point between structure and dishevelment as the talking point for his inaugural show at the helm of Balenciaga. Venturing away from the confines of outerwear, MSGM complemented
FASHION
their giant polka dot coats with quilted roll clutches and pillowy wrap skirts, the latter in particular showing an intuitive approach to tackling current silhouettes and injecting them with a dose of the avant-garde. The skirts will no doubt be seen on fashion editors at next season’s round of shows but the real-world incarnation of this trend will likely be in the form of sizable yet slightly less generously proportioned coats thrown nonchalantly over anything from sportswear to evening wear.
The Accessories
Accessories have a sense of offbeat luxury for AW16. Boxy, structured handbags were the style of choice for most designers but for those who prefer a hands-free approach, Proenza Schouler and Valentino showed bags nestled snugly under the armpit, while Off-White, Vanessa Seward and Vanessa Bruno’s models wore theirs belted at the waist. Fur stoles thrown loosely around the shoulders brought a sense of old-school glamour to proceedings at Dries Van Noten and Fendi. Real fur, unfortunately, remains popular but brands such as Shrimps are flying the flag for faux fur on a luxury level. Elsewhere, while shoulders are still very much the body part of the moment, waists got a look-in with bustiers and deconstructed corsetry at Prada and Loewe. Fashion Month got off to a slow start and a sense of fatigue plagued many of the shows, but the resulting trends, while not the most progressive we’ve ever seen, are plentiful and instantly covetable, playing right into the hands of our current see-it-now, want-it-now approach to consuming fashion. theskinny.co.uk/fashion
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Thom Isom T
hom Isom is a freelance graphic designer and artist. He works with artists, musicians and cultural organisations from around the UK. He’s been designing The Skinny Northwest since its inception in 2013; this is his last issue. Alongside his design practice Thom co-runs Deep Hedonia, a Liverpool-based arts and production group. Deep Hedonia have hosted events at FutureEverything, Sounds from the Other City, Sound City and FACT. Thom creates all visual output for the group, posters and video. “My ideas explore environment and space, urban and natural decay. Through deconstruction and distortion of video I explore the problematic nature of urban expansion. My print work often samples fragments and textures of this material.” Work includes: Your Clock is Always Present, video still British Council, Film + Music workshop, programme The Royal Standard, Playing by the Rules, poster Deep Hedonia, Samuel Kerridge, poster We Buy White Albums, video still with Rutherford Chang and In Atoms CAVE, catalogue Instagram and Twitter: @thomisom thomisom.com deephedonia.com
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April 2016
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Nice Package! Craft beer is riding a wave right now and, in an attempt to stand out, many breweries are commissioning creatives to dream up some of the most bold and exciting brand packaging out there. We meet some of the Northwest’s best
Port Street Beer House
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e all understand the appeal of good food packaging. There’s the primary-coloured red, blue and yellow of Bird’s Custard that evokes paint sets and winter nights warmed with pudding. Think of the grinning kid on the side of Kinder chocolate bars; a constant companion on family driving holidays ‘on the continent.’ Did you know that Salvador Dalí designed the Chupa Chups logo? Who can forget the strangely decomposing lion on the metallic tins of Lyle and Sons’ Golden Syrup? Any stubborn child who has thrown themselves onto supermarket floors in defiance of their parents’ no’s understands the siren-like allure of shiny, beckoning packaging. Iconic products aside, there’s still a fair amount of uninspiring design out there, so it’s refreshing when brands commission artists to create packaging that’s easy on the eye, and likely to wink enthusiastically from a shop shelf. In the Northwest, craft breweries and bars are collaborating with local artists to create unique packaging for their beer. It’s a given, really, with so many great artists working across our cities; especially when so many of them are subsidising creative careers with bar work. “I work for Port Street Beer House doing their social media, so I commissioned myself and nobody objected,” says Manchester-based illustrator David Bailey, who has designed the
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Interview: Stevie Mackenzie-Smith
SB Beer - Satsuma Bolenga
bar’s newly launched takeaway growler bottles. He’s also responsible for the round of beer-pump clips created for Port Street’s recent fifth-birthday celebrations, featuring beers from the likes of Arbor, Northern Monk, Cloudwater Brew Co, Squawk, Track and Runaway. “I’ve never designed pump clips before so I was excited to ask myself to do those, especially as they were for such good breweries,” he says. So what’s the appeal of designing the labels on the stuff we drink? “I’ve got an unhealthy interest in the unhealthy and banal. Fantasy banal.” Manchester-based visual artist Aliyah Hussain is the latest artist to team up with Cloudwater Brew Co, the brewery whose seasonally alternating labels have become a distinctive stalwart of specialty bottle shops and bars. Previous designs have come from DR.ME, Textbook Studio, Hali Santamas and Anna Beam. Hussain’s designs for the spring/summer 2016 range are playful abstracts stamped with wiggling lines, cut-outs and collage. They’re fresh, evoking vitamin D and the joys of drinking cold beers in the warmer months. “We try to match our seasonal brewing philosophy with the presentation philosophy,” says Paul Jones, co-founder of Cloudwater Brew Co. Each season the beer bottle labels change to reflect the new ingredients. “I pick an artist whose
Cloudwater
work I have a strong resonance with and the brief is ‘do whatever the hell you want.’ They’re often a bit shocked. I get something genuine and rich from that, undisturbed by narrow business or marketing ideas.”
“There’s something about a beer label: a simple canvas attached to a uniquely appealing product. Every designer wants to do one” SB Studio
Back in 2014 Liverpool-based design studio SB Studio ran the 100/100 Beer Project in aid of Art Fund. The Liverpool Craft Beer Co created a
FOOD AND DRINK
SB Beer - Super Cali
beer especially for the occasion, and 100 designers set to work creating 100 different beer bottle labels. A quote taken from the project’s website states: “There’s something about a beer label: a simple canvas attached to a uniquely appealing product. Every designer wants to do one.” So beyond our fair region, who else is creating exciting beer bottle designs? “I like Omnipollo and Mikkeller,” says Bailey. “Both pretty hard to beat.” Philadelphia-based Keith Shore is current label designer for Mikkeller, producing pleasingly juvenile cartoons, while Omnipollo, an awardwinning Stockholm brewery, works predominantly with artist Karl Grandin, whose bottles are gorgeous: sparse with minimal text and dozens of mouth-watering labels covering beers made in collaboration with brewers across the globe. It’s true: treating a beer label as a canvas feels like a treat; something that isn’t expected but a surprise. It calls to mind Art Everywhere – the innovative project that erupts across billboards and bus shelters every summer, taking famous and much-loved artworks out of the galleries and into the streets. It’s art for art’s sake, and why shouldn’t that same philosophy be extended to the beer labels we examine, peel and eagerly wrap our hands around when we’re at the pub? theskinny.co.uk/food
THE SKINNY
Food News April heralds the welcome return of Grub’s Spring Food Fair, bargain fine-dining at Quill, a fancy new Liverpool pizzeria and another addition to the Northwest’s burgeoning craft beer scene Words: Lauren Phillips Grub’s Spring Food Fair returns Grub has done wonders for Manchester’s street food scene, so news that its monthly food fair is back up and running is welcome indeed. They’re kicking things off with a spring-themed feast featuring the likes of Honest Crust, Steep Soda Co and Runaway Brewery, plus DJ sets from Piccadilly Records. The highlight? Gin tastings, from Zymurgorium Brewing Emporium. Sign us up! Sadler’s Yard, Manchester, 2 Apr, 12-8pm, free. @GRUBMCR Dead good beer from Dead Crafty Beer Company The founders of The Dead Crafty Beer Co have been toting their pop-up bar around Liverpool for a while now, but have finally put down roots in Dale Street. Punters can choose from a hearty selection of 20 taps from breweries like Bad Seed, Rogue Nation and Omnipollo, and enjoy them in a cosy, plywood-clad space that’s lowkey, but very cool indeed. Dale Street, Liverpool, open now. @DeadCraftyBeer
Open Doors As part of our ongoing ‘Pioneers’ series – looking to champion the do-ers, thinkers and makers behind the Northwest’s burgeoning food and drink scene – we talk to Carl Bell, general manager of Liverpool’s The Brink
iverpool’s bar scene is growing on a daily basis. You can’t turn left without seeing a new pub or bar boasting something ‘new.’ So what makes Parr Street’s The Brink any different? By taking alcohol, quite literally, out of the mix, The Brink has created an alternative café that the city can be proud of. The name, according to general manager Carl Bell, comes from “those who are on the brink of recovery.” Brink’s MO? Combining nonalcoholic drinks with freshly sourced produce. You can see familiar drinks like Long Island Iced Tea or a Cosmo swapped out with The Brink’s own Virgin Margarita – lime, orange and lemon, topped with lemonade (though still in a salt glass) – or a ‘Nojito,’ a rumless Mojito. “We are helping people to change, by providing a safe social space,” Bell says. “About 50% of our customers are in recovery, the other 50% are just here to enjoy the atmosphere.” The Brink doesn’t stop at drinks: it’s all about bargains, breakfasts and buffets. The extensive menu covers everything from a BLT to black treacle ham, egg and chips. Vegans and vegetarians alike are catered for, not to mention those on a raw-food diet. For the slightly more decadent among us, it also offers afternoon tea, where you can while away the hours with seasonal scones or house-blend coffee. Six days a week The Brink operates abstinence work, but also has everything from open mic nights to football screenings. Its biggest selling point isn’t the brightly coloured cocktails or goats’ cheese and fig samosas, it’s the effort
April 2016
that the staff and supporters go to to keep it operating. This isn’t just your standard ‘juice bar.’ Liverpool’s first – and only – dry bar has been open since September 2011, with Bell taking over in February 2013. The brainchild of Jacquie Johnston-Lynch, after she tragically lost her brother to a drunk driver, The Brink is a purely not-for-profit enterprise kept alive by the work of the Action on Addiction charity, as well as donations. Last month The Brink celebrated International Women’s Day with a women’s poetry night by Susan Fagan, and just the other week Hollyoaks and Brookside creator Phil Redmond popped in for some booze-free banter as one of its many guest speakers. “We are helping people in recovery integrate into mainstream society,” says Bell, “as much as we are helping mainstream society integrate with those in recovery.” The Brink shuns the stereotypes that some may associate with addiction. Not once in the manager’s tenure has there been a fight or any sign of trouble that you might associate with other, booze-laden city centre outlets: “Being alcohol-free is not only our unique selling point, it makes a big difference,” Bell says. “We don’t need doormen!” A few years ago Liverpool was noted as having one of the highest rates of alcohol-related deaths in the country, according to the Office of National Statistics. Of the top ten listed locations, four were in Merseyside. But the murky past associated with addiction seems to be passing, thanks in part to places like The Brink.
Bell operates his own venture called ‘Brinky Business’ where he meets with other proprietors of recovery cafes to discuss ideas and ways to move forward. The Brink continues to grow year on year, and with it the ability to pump more and more money back into helping those less fortunate. An increasing profit margin and a larger client base means that things are looking bright.
“We are helping people to change, by providing a safe social space” Carl Bell
While there are no plans to open a second brand, the model has caught on elsewhere: “There is one in Nottingham called Sobar,” Bell says. “They visited us several times before they opened to see how we work.” It’s easy to admire the hard work of those like Bell, The Brink and Action on Addiction for helping not only those immediately affected, but also the larger community through a dynamic food and drink space. Be sure to pop by The Brink for a sober Sunday session. thebrinkliverpool.com
FOOD AND DRINK
Illustration: Gravy crust
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Interview: Tom Chapman
20.16 continues at Quill Put down the Lidl beans; King Street fancery (our patent-pending term for fancy eatery) Quill is extending its ‘two courses for £20.16’ deal. Head down there for lunch or an early dinner, and you can enjoy two of its much-lauded dishes and a glass of bubbles for a snip. 20/22 King Street, Manchester, daily 12-2.30pm and Tue-Thu 5.307pm. @QuillMCR Happiness by the slice at Nightcrawler Pizza ‘You are what you eat, so I am pizza.’ Any place with that as a mantra has our attention. Pitched as ‘New York-style pizza by the slice’ Liverpool newcomer Nightcrawler Pizza is set to open this month. Created by the guys behind legendary music venue Chibuku, it’s promising 2500 free slices on opening day. Pitch your tents now, pizza palz. 38 Slater Street, Liverpool, opens 29 Apr. @nghtcrawlrpizza
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Kaleidoscopic creatives Animal Collective, raucous rockers Ought and sensitive souls Money are among our gig picks this month
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Festival Watch
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Gig Highlights
It’s all popping off this month, and will continue to do so throughout the summer and oh, forever probably. Festivals eh?
Words: Laura Swift
Words: Elle Rockwell
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65daysofstatic
tart as you mean to go on by top-and-tailing FutureEverything (Manchester, 30 Mar-2 Apr) and Threshold (Liverpool, 1-3 Apr); we’re sure you can manage it. Our highlights: at FutureEverything, a series of performances from Sara Lowes, Jon Hering of Ex-Easter Island Head, and Jo Dudderidge in response to a smoke-ring art installation at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation (see futureeverything.org). At Threshold: wacky trio Barberos and local newcomers OVVLS (thresholdfestival.co.uk). Stop off at Other Worlds (7-10 Apr) – a fantastic event bringing out-there music and sonic explorations to unusual spaces in Blackpool, curated by Must Die Records and featuring the disjointed, involving lyricism of Newcastle troubadour Richard Dawson, Paddy Steer’s playful textures, and a showcase curated by Middle Eastern collective Tse Tse Fly as well as absolutely loads of other stuff. And there’s a beach! Sold. (otherworldsfestival.co.uk) From 22-24 April, swerve by Victoria Warehouse for the recently relocated Drive Like Jehu-curated All Tomorrow’s Parties; while the venue change from Prestatyn might mean losing the unparalleled fun of chalet parties and postapocalyptic vibe of a semi-abandoned holiday camp, the lineup’s still pretty corkin’ like. Have a read of co-curator John Reis’s guide to who to see on page 21. (atpfestival.com)
Ought
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t’s a seemingly less busy month than usual – perhaps to do with an abundance of festivals hoovering up so many great acts (for details, see our Festival Watch column) and that bank holiday sandwich effect. But there’s still a few choice gigs to keep April ticking over nicely; and, of course, various events to mark Record Store Day on 16 April – more on that later. First on our radar are sonic adventurers Animal Collective. Instagram has been littered with photos and videos of the Baltimore crew’s psyche-tastic looking stage set these last few weeks, and we’re excited to get lost in the correspondingly prismatic dimensions of new album Painting With at Manchester’s O2 Ritz on 13 April. Where many thought their 2013 LP Centipede Hz failed to connect in the way Strawberry Jam and – especially – the technicolour Merriweather Post Pavilion had, it seems this tenth (tenth!) outing is going down a treat. Also joining us from across the pond this month are Future of the Left, who come to Liverpool Arts Club on 20 April and Manchester Night and Day on 13 May. Articulate and outspoken frontman Andy Falkous has earned the group a reputation for sharp humour and barb since their inception in 2005, though as evidenced in our interview on page 12, new record The Peace and Truce of Future of the Left sees them on somewhat more cautious form. They’ll probably still tear your head off live, mind. And while you’d be hard pushed to take things up a notch from a Future of the Left gig,
April 2016
the next night in Salford might just turn that knob to 11 as Canadian post-punks Ought hit Islington Mill on 21 April. Punchy, savvy and venomous live, they’re a perfect fit for the Mill’s atmospheric live space. Handily, you can recover the next day in a wash of textures from Money’s new album. The Manchester band’s long-awaited return to their home turf at the Ritz on 22 April should be a special show, and it’ll be interesting to hear how the intimacies of Suicide Songs translate to this somewhat cavernous venue (though those who’ve followed them since their early days and looked forward to them deservingly filling big stages can bask in the shared glory). Other local darlings on the rise are Bathymetry, the Manchester/Liverpoolstraddling band fresh off the back of some support slots for The Jesus and Mary Chain and taking centre stage at Liverpool Buyers Club on 16 April (and if you miss them, they’re there again on 7 May!). Do their sounds run as deep as the waters of their name? (Bathymetry is the study of the depth of lake or ocean floors.) You’ll have to head along to find out. And as if you hadn’t got the earplugs out enough this month, things reach a decidedly visceral pitch as 65daysofstatic step up to the plate. The storied Sheffield band’s mighty instrumental force found bracing new territory on 2015’s Wild Light, which bristled with – as our reviewer had it – “scattershot mathy energy” and “beatific noise.” Experience it live at Liverpool O2
Academy on 28 April. Finally, the night after that, you’ve something of a cult name: Chicago’s Russian Circles bring their post-rock, post-metal, post-everything ’scapes to Liverpool’s suitably industrial Constellations – head down on 29 April.
Do Not Miss Record Store Day Various venues, Liverpool and Manchester, 16 April
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s to those Record Store Day activities: we’re sure there’s more to be announced (it’s always the case), but for now our highlights in Manchester include another all-dayer of live music at Soup Kitchen, an after party at The Deaf Institute with sets from local bands Horsebeach, Blooms, Move and Sprinters and DJs from Piccadilly Records and Family Tree, and a R.A.D double screening of High Fidelity and Empire Records the day after at Gorilla. In Liverpool, Small Cinema will be hosting a RSD short film night celebrating the Liverpool music scene and beyond. To help make the most of the day, keep an eye out for a roundup of Record Store Day highlights on theskinny.co.uk/things-to-do. [Jess Hardiman]
MUSIC
Sounds from the Other City 2015
Celebrate May bank holiday in the best way we know how with Sounds from the Other City (1 May), Salford’s annual one-day extravaganza of new music, art and performance programmed by many of Greater Manchester’s best independent and DIY promoters (soundsfromtheothercity.com); or, if you’re across the Pennines, Live at Leeds (liveatleeds.com) offers the likes of Ghostpoet, Circa Waves and Jess Glynne for its tenth anniversary festival on 30 April. Or y’know, do both. And finally, we’re excited to reveal some of the highlights for this year’s LightNight: make sure to mark your calendar for 13 May, as Liverpool’s one-night arts festival sees many of the city’s galleries and events spaces throw open their doors ’til late. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Experiment’, and among a huge array of other things you can: experience the birth and death of stars at a late-night opening of FACT’s latest exhibition, unfold by Ryoichi Kurokawa; hear a new work by Bill Ryder-Jones, No Worst, There Is None; join in a mass vocal jam at the Town Hall; dance away at a silent disco in Liverpool Central Library, and enjoy the 80-strong Katumba drummers in a performance at Pier Head. The programme boasts more than 100 free events: check it out in full at lightnightliverpool.co.uk.
Review
37
Album of the Month Explosions in the Sky
The Wilderness [Bella Union, 1 Apr]
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As with any Explosions in the Sky record, it’s difficult to arrive at the right words. The adjective palette feels curiously lacking, similes are out of reach. Facts we can do – the band’s sixth (non-soundtrack) album, the nine tracks present are little in duration compared to what came before – yet beyond that, the post-rock descriptive framework sees the beatific auspices and sheer attention to detail behind The Wilderness undersold. What isn’t in doubt is that the Texan quartet’s latest feels very much attuned to textural evolution; of taking any dichotomy between light and shade, melody and discord, or quiet and loud, and applying
Autolux
it in novel configurations. The material also doesn’t want for flexibility; The Ecstatics balances upon a percussion-led midpoint, while Logic of a Dream turns its centrifugal force in on itself. Disintegration Anxiety even flirts with dub rhythms, without any whiff of a band trying too hard. That The Wilderness is informed by naturalism is perhaps an obvious statement to make, considering its title. Yet there’s nothing pastoral here; each layer of complexity arriving unforced, be it the lamenting timbres of Landing Cliffs, the spiky two-and-a-half minutes of Infinite Orbit, or the restrained muscularity of Colours in Space, perhaps the track most akin to the back catalogue. A beautiful record; you just wish the vocabulary existed to do it justice. [Duncan Harman] explosionsinthesky.com
Colin Stetson
Pussy’s Dead [30th Century Records, 1 Apr]
SORROW: A Reimagining Of Górecki’s 3rd Symphony [Kartel, 8 Apr]
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A few weeks before their third record, Pussy’s Dead, was due to hit the shelves, Autolux settled in for a Reddit AMA: “If NASA offered you the opportunity to go to space, would you do it?” Greg Edwards replies, “I think, for us, that would be redundant.” Pussy’s Dead sounds both alien and familiar. With sexy, creepy tracks about hip infections spiked with anthemic, breathy vocals celebrating how ‘it’s so so sad, to be happy all the time,’ Autolux waste no time in re-stamping their authority. You might have thought you enjoyed some other bands’ moody, rude, theatrical experiments in the six years since Autolux’s second record Transit Transit... but you were wrong. Edwards, Carla Azar and Eugene Goreshter have taken their sweet time, and Pussy’s Dead is satisfyingly, luxuriously self-indulgent as a result. Change My Head and Reappearing will ring familiar to long-serving fans, but on the whole Autolux are taking giant steps towards a brave, gross new world. [Katie Hawthorne]
Górecki’s Symphony No. 3 is a masterpiece of minimalism. It makes sense, then, that a fellow master of the minimal – avant-garde saxophonist Colin Stetson – should reappraise the Polish composer’s most famous work. Like Max Richter’s retooled Vivaldi LP, this is a fresh, inventive take on a classical standard. Even those who do not have an Ultimate Classical Chillout CD rattling around in a glovebox should be able to recognise the occasional leitmotif in its brooding new form: given a gurgling menace from Stetson’s bass saxophone here, a jangle of electric guitars there. Minimalist in style, if not scope, there’s lashings of Godspeed You! Black Emperor in its audacious bluster and experimental fervour. It is, almost by definition, not for everyone, and it is a stretch to say Stetson improves on the lush instrumentation of the original. But that isn’t the point. This is something at once new and familiar, and it demands your attention immediately. [John Nugent]
autolux.net
colinstetson.com
Deftones
Gore [Reprise, 8 Apr]
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The Sacramento survivors continue to evolve and compel in their 28th year. What keeps us leaning in is the visceral push and pull between frontman Chino Moreno and guitarist Stephen Carpenter; if Moreno’s stargazing lyricism and ambient adventures on guitar evoke the ‘dream’ then Carpenter’s doomy low-end frequencies certainly pepper it with the ‘metal’. Gore is unquestionably weighted towards the former. ‘The record’s ours to break / the more we build / the crowd goes wild,’ Moreno howls on Rubicon, acutely aware that it’s time to wrestle with the blueprint. What subsequently unfolds is easily their most stylistically varied record since 2006’s Saturday Night Wrist; relentless twists that turn into reasons to press play. Carpenter’s heavyweight licks are strategically placed, rendering the likes of Phantom Bride a delicate sway with a devastating finish in its dying seconds. His fleeting interplay with Jerry Cantrell’s sprawling guest solo reaches past minor curiosity to become an essential encounter on a record with countless unfurling highlights. [Dave Kerr] deftones.com
Kowton
Yeasayer
Gnod
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Utility [Livity Sound, 15 Apr]
Amen and Goodbye [Mute, 1 Apr]
Mirror [Rocket Recordings, 1 Apr]
Utility may be a debut, but it certainly shows no signs of inexperience. This assured first release from Bristolian native Kowton (who first popped up with a couple of singles as Narcossist, back in 2008-09) sees the artist and founding member of the Livity Sound label stump up a solid, nine-track-strong collection of grimy techno and club quality beats. Plenty of highlights for fans of minimalism can be found here – choose, for instance, from the frosty, shimmering synth and compelling tempo of Scido, or the deliciously dark, skittish Sleep Chamber. There’s a slight hiccup with Balance, which has a throwaway feel, and Some Cats is an unremarkable album midpoint, but Kowton’s maturity rears its reliable head again among Loops 1’s spare arrangement, and Shots Fired is a trancey album closer. On the strength of this generally durable debut, you’d best cross your fingers for an appearance at your local sweaty dancehall sometime soon. [Claire Francis]
If there’s a suspicion that Brooklyn’s Yeasayer try just a little too hard, it’s not a feeling that their fourth LP is going to disprove; Amen and Goodbye is that strange combination of quirky yet over-polished – pristine pop with all of the interesting spikiness filed down. A succession of musical concepts, interspersed with the occasional instrumental thrown in to warp the context, yet as lead track I Am Chemistry demonstrates, such ideas are scattered indiscriminately Much more successful – the slow-burn ballad of Prophecy Gun; the straight-ahead pop of Dead Sea Scrolls – is when the band stop telling us how clever they are, allowing melody and subtlety to take prominence. Yet even then we’re never far away from more gurning at the gallery – Child Prodigy even heads down a medieval pastiche route, for reasons never explained. Yeasayer constantly threaten to come out with a startling album; alas, Amen and Goodbye isn’t it. [Duncan Harman]
Nothing if not prolific, Salford’s favourite Krautrock connoisseurs (let’s ignore The Fall’s I Am Damo Suzuki for the moment) follow-up last year’s triple Infinity Machines LP with a release more relatively acquainted with brevity. Yet Mirror is no less arresting; three tracks of heavy, tangential, sprawling space-rock indebted to the raw synergies of recording in just three days, with minimal overdubs. The Mirror – at just under eight minutes, the briefest of tracks herein – perpetually builds on a lysergic blueprint, surrounded by its own sonic barbed wire. Learn to Forgive (8m18s) arrives like a concrete jackboot, sirens wailing, its central riff bludgeoning the listener into submission. And if that’s not enough to whet whistles, the 18-minute epic Sodom & Gomorrah is head music clad in pseudo Arabic influence, the desperate, Aldous Huxley vocal coalescing across discordance eerily reminiscent of a 7” single played at 33rpm. Gnod continue to take no prisoners; play loud. [Duncan Harman]
soundcloud.com/kowton
yeasayer.xyz
ingnodwetrust.tumblr.com
John Carpenter
Lost Themes II [Sacred Bones, 15 Apr]
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There’s always a strong sense of trepidation when it comes to approaching any sequel; difficult to surpress the scepticism that it’s not the usual indolent offering of dusted-down scraps from the cutting room floor, dredged up in the name of a quick and easy buck. Not so with Lost Themes II, the companion and in every way equal counterpart to horror legend John Carpenter’s surprise (and superb) release of last year. The unashamedly 80s aesthetic – which hallmarked the first Lost Themes – is pleasingly and emphatically recurrent on the second. From the minimalist noir of Dark Blues, to the glacial synth of Persia Rising, and the electric pulse of Virtual Survivor, it’s reassuring, irresistable sci-fi nostaglia. With two studio records, a remix album and a full tour unveiled in little over a year, it’s a buzz to see Carpenter finally embrace the alternate career path that was there from those foreboding first chimes of Halloween. [Claire Francis]
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If someone were to ask ‘what do you want from a new Frightened Rabbit album?’ it would probably sound a lot like Painting of a Panic Attack: an album comprising excellent songs, with a few truly great ones chucked in to raise the bar. The band’s progress these days is marked by minor tweaks rather than wholesale change. Their fifth LP is slightly less verbose than the gloriously loquacious Pedestrian Verse, but it’s poetic, it’s witty, it’s candid and it’s lovely. Scott Hutchison’s take on LA street scenes are gripping and his turn of phrase (“the tinnitus of silence” on opening track Death Dream) remains up there with the very best. Then there are the tunes: the celestial chorus lines of Woke Up Hurting and Little Drum are those moments of pure magic that an artist might hope to unearth once in a lifetime. [Finbarr Bermingham] frightenedrabbit.com
theofficialjohncarpenter.com
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Review
Tim Hecker
Painting of a Panic Attack [Atlantic Records, 8 Apr]
Love Streams [4AD, 8 Apr]
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Streams, as in flows forth. As in transmits online. As in whatever you want it to mean, really, because with explanations like “a riff on the ubiquity and nihilism of streaming of all forms of life,” Tim Hecker clearly isn’t too big on specifics. But then, should we expect any less? His music has always been opaque, whether comprising amorphous clouds of drone or fiercely juddering static. By the same token, Love Streams feels suggestive of a dichotomy between the emotionally pure and the technologically stark: Castrati Stack in particular expands on previous album Virgins in a manner both captivating and profound, while the sliced vocal of Music of the Air drips with desolate frustration atop mounting drones. Ultimately, it’s a triumph – a dense, paranoid and phenomenally pretty exploration of post-millennial wonder that’ll keep you coming back, even as it fills the pit of your stomach with dread. [Will Fitzpatrick] sunblind.net
RECORDS
THE SKINNY
September Girls
Future of the Left
Age of Indignation [Fortuna Pop!, 8 Apr]
The Field
The Peace and Truce of Future of the Left [Prescriptions, 8 Apr]
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The Follower [Kompakt, 1 Apr]
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2014’s Cursing the Sea did just enough to flag the potential of this Dublin five-piece: their shadowy debut was sharply styled but that winning aesthetic alone couldn’t quite sustain an album ultimately light of a few killer hooks. Age of Indignation is a convincing and credible advance, and September Girls return with their songcraft finely honed. The title track’s ferocious guitars; the feral, tempo-switching Catholic Guilt; opener Ghost with its blistering wig-out coda: this is high-stakes, dark pop. Lauren Kerchner’s swirling keys provide colour and drama and the shared vocals hit the mark every time. Tellingly, Age of Indignation is true to its name: September Girls’ lyrical concerns are informed by a clear-eyed social commentary. Of course, they’re far from alone in this particular sector but on this evidence they’re vying for pack leadership. [Gary Kaill]
“The proper music abounds,” sneers Andrew Falkous, taking potshots at the tedium of ‘authenticity’ while barrel-rolling between jagged slabs of math-centric post-hardcore and spacious Pixies surf. “Add another finger to your English breakfast / You army surplus motherfucker,” he spits on Eating For None – another takedown in a blur of painfully funny non-sequiturs and prescient satirical portraits. You’d swear the music was a sideshow to the laugh factor if the Shellac-taut likes of Miner’s Gruel weren’t so ear-bleedingly addictive. As ever, the potent gallows humour of The Peace And Truce... derives from direct experience: No Son Will Ease Their Solitude feels close to the bone in assessing the notion of parenthood as a suitable cure for careerist ennui. The conclusion? Everything’s fucked. Still, here’s the funny side. [Will Fitzpatrick]
Swedish producer Axel Willner’s 2011 album title, Looping State of Mind, perhaps sums up his music as The Field better than anything. Referencing his penchant for minimal samples on a tight replay as well as the hypnotic quality it often evokes, fifth album The Follower is very much in the same vein. Dare we say that Willner’s beats, moods and tempos are more consistent this time out, lending The Follower a much easier inroad on first listen. This is not to say that the record suffers for its immediacy or indeed that it’s without surprises. The stealthy gear change on Monte Verita is a downtempo delight while Reflecting Lights is a sombre, Kraftwerkian epic that’s in a state of constant flux yet somehow rigid and unmoving. As such, it’s difficult not to think of John Peel’s oftquoted summary of The Fall: “always different, always the same.” [Darren Carle]
septembergirls.tumblr.com
futureoftheleft.net
kompakt.fm/artists/the_field
Moderat
Knifeworld
Parquet Courts
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III [Monkeytown Records, 1 Apr] ‘Why must I hide / In the forests of my mind?’ asks Sascha Ring – aka Apparat – in the opening lines of Eating Hooks. It’s as clear a sign as any that III, the third album from Berlin-based super-trio Moderat, is far more insular than much of the collaborators’ previous imaginings. Modeselektor’s beats are oceanic, secret-keeping, while Apparat’s vocals have found a new, deeply personal clarity: anyone who’s turned up for another Rusty Knife or Bad Kingdom will need to take a moment, because III demands thorough concentration to feel fully immersed in the album’s glitchy, dreamy neuroses. It’s initially difficult to imagine this record fitting within Moderat’s well-honed festival presence; give it time, and understated, outspoken tracks like Finder and Running float to the surface. Elsewhere, there’s a space-age r’n’b influence that feels far more appropriate for savouring in solitude: III is a record for getting lost in your thoughts, rather than losing your mind on the floor. [Katie Hawthorne] moderat.fm
Bottled Out of Eden [InsideOut, 22 Apr] Knifeworld’s Kavus Torabi has never been afraid to use the crawlspace between prog, psychedelia and full-blown, overt pop, only to fill it with the expansive, the melodydriven and the just plain quirky. The band’s third LP is no exception – imagine XTC collaborating with Captain Beefheart whilst slurping on a mojito or two, and you might get some idea. Now an eight-piece, the band’s myriad instrumentation here is deliberately aligned to spontaneity; recorded in just nine days, there’s a fresh, snappy feel embedded across tracks such as High/Aflame and I Am Lost. Admirably, Knifeworld feel little compulsion to drown the audience under the weight of an octet’s musicianship. Neither is this all up-tempo hijinx; both Foul Temple and Lowered into Necromancy offer reflective moments amidst the complex time signatures and rhythm section playfulness. The overreaching effect is one of pleasantly drifting through vogue and template, the subtle application of guitar, sax and keys adding to the mood. [Duncan Harman]
After last year’s wilfully difficult Monastic Living EP, you’d be forgiven for expecting Parquet Courts’ latest full-length album to take a similarly off-the-wall approach to melody and structure. Hold those horses, because the NYC four-piece might have just made their most cut-and-dried record yet. It turns out – when you strip away the fuzzy, stoner-psych walls of the band circa 2012’s Light Up Gold, and put the hedonistic blather of their Sunbathing Animal incarnation on ice – you’re left with infectious, sparse and clarified rock songs. Desert-dry lyrics and dust-bowl guitar lines turn Human Performance into a character-study of washed-out, boozed-up self-awareness. “My eyes feel like / Cigarette burns / I’ll brush my teeth / That’s good for me,” deadpans frontman Andrew Savage on I Was Just Here. And there we have it; this summer’s anthem for every blinding festival comedown. Human Performance might have sacrificed the band’s rickety immediacy, but they compensate with wise, grass-stalkchewing authority and grubby, plentiful hooks. [Katie Hawthorne]
knifeworld.co.uk
parquetcourts.wordpress.com
PJ Harvey
The Hope Six Demolition Project [Island, 15 Apr]
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Cate Le Bon
Tacocat
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Crab Day [Turnstile, 15 Apr]
“I will not dignify this inane composition with a response,” was former Washington, D.C. mayor Vincent Gray’s (disingenuous) response to The Community of Hope, the lead track from The Hope Six Demolition Project. For the listener, though, the major failing of PJ Harvey’s ninth album is linked to its unique provenance, a social commentary that’s far too vague for its own good. There are moments, when you wish she’d colour her observations with a dusting of a poetry, skew the view, make us work, let us in. On A Line in the Sand, she sings, “How to stop the murdering? / Bad overwhelms the good.” In Medicinals, she eyes a shopping mall, imagining the ground as it was before, unspoilt by commercial encroachment. The arrangements are austere, the sound board elementary, the observations free of insight or fire. Expectations raised by the invention of her back catalogue, PJ Harvey’s least beautiful record falls uncomfortably short. [Gary Kaill]
“A coalition of inescapable feelings and fabricated nonsense,” reckons Cate Le Bon of her fourth album. Difficult to argue: Crab Day is a madcap wonder, and if its singular aesthetic is ultimately less an advancement of the vision and more a honing of the craft, its offbeat artistry is way beyond the everyday humdrum. Those doleful vocals are still Le Bon’s unmistakable trademark and, set against her teeter-totter arrangements (clipped, dry guitars; jerky rhythms; puckish horns), they support a rich and intrepid musicality. Crab Day, like its predecessor (the staggering Mug Museum), is underpinned by a bold stoicism far removed from calculable, sweetened melodics. Yet, when it really sparks, as on the mesmerising coda of eight-minute closer What’s Not Mine or We Might Revolve (a spare, insistent pummel that recalls the fidgety formalism of early Throwing Muses), it yields an emotional resonance that is difficult to deny and impossible to resist. [Gary Kaill]
pjharvey.net
catelebon.com
The Coathangers
Mogwai
Nosebleed Weekend [Suicide Squeeze, 15 Apr]
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Atomic [Rock Action, 1 Apr]
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We’ve somehow reached a decade since Atlanta noisemongers The Coathangers first appeared, emerging from scrappy beginnings to become firm favourites of garage rock sophisticates everywhere. Fifth album Nosebleed Weekend offers a few more tweaks and its many peaks are pretty damn impressive. They’re best at their noisiest (Down Down switches from bluesified twitches to a soaring chorus without batting an eyelid; Dumb Baby simply runs rampage across an angular, Bratmobile-esque seethe) but in all honesty there’s rarely any let-up. Nosebleed Weekend goes for the gut and mostly hits it dead-on. Occasionally their ideas get the better of them, e.g. the baffling Squeeki Tiki – there must be a reason its dizzy, cold sweat necessitates backing vocals from Harry Corbett’s puppet pal Sweep, but it’s not immeditely apparent. Still, it’s not much of a drawback, and their hit-rate is undeniably high. [Will Fitzpatrick]
Upon motive alone, this is a poignant release – a reworked version of the original soundtrack created for Belfast-born director Mark Cousins’ docufilm Atomic: Living in Dread and Promise. Released to mark the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, the movie makes for stunning, and certainly at times harrowing, viewing – and the group reflect the filmmaker’s vision with selfsame precision. Infusing the tracks, as Mogwai’s Barry Burns noted in a recent Q&A fundraiser, with “tonnes of vintage synth” was a creative lightbulb moment, or a stroke of pure happenstance – but in any case, it’s a decision which evokes precisely the right dose of reverie. From the buoyant heralding of Ether, to the majestic, ominous sway of Pripyat, and the chilling, hypnotic beat of synth-heavy U-235, Atomic picks up where the krauty electronic wash that coloured Rave Tapes left off, and sees the band brandishing some of their most compelling work to date. [Claire Francis]
thecoathangers.com
mogwai.co.uk
April 2016
Human Performance [Rough Trade, 8 Apr]
RECORDS
Lost Time [Hardly Art, 1 Apr] Seasons change, trends come and go, yet one thing is forever guaranteed: some joyless swine is itching to tell you that guitar pop is dead. Don’t plan any funerals just yet, though – Tacocat’s third album positively brims with the good stuff. The neon hooks of FYP make clear why they were recently chosen to reboot the Powerpuff Girls theme, and they’re smart and funny enough to namecheck R.E.M. in the lyrics to Night Swimming. Singer Emily Noaks’ subjects veer from the endearingly breezy I Love Seattle to the more pointed mainsplain diss Men Explain Things To Me. It’s all propped up by a suitably loose-hipped blend of surf, garage rock and pop-punk – its merits (pep, sass, tunes) come to the boil in the ludicrously catchy I Hate The Weekend, but Lost Time is such an enjoyable half-hour you’ll barely worry about favourites. Melody, thy name be Tacocat. [Will Fitzpatrick] twitter.com/TacocaTs
The Top Five 1
Explosions in the Sky The Wilderness 2 3
Mogwai Atomic
Tim Hecker
Love Stream
4
Gnod Mirror 5
Deftones
Gore
Review
39
Under Construction Quietly, steadily, Bossy Love have become the most talked-about band in Scotland. Where do they go from here?
A
nyone who follows emerging music hopes to stumble upon something in its infancy so great that one day they’ll be able to tell their grandchildren “I was there!” with a rueful smile and a honeyed glaze of the eye. We jest, of course, but stories like this pepper the history of music; from the “I’ve seen the history of rock and roll!” review of an early Springsteen gig to the Sex Pistols’ fabled ’76 show in Manchester which inspired the formation of Joy Division, The Smiths, The Fall and The Buzzcocks. We’ve no idea what Glasgow’s Bossy Love will go on to achieve but it’s true that the response to their live shows over the past few months has been nothing short of cultish. Delivering a hybrid of outlandish pop music there’s really no one else like them – in Scotland or beyond. Led by Amandah Wilkinson’s powerhouse performance (previously front-woman for mid-noughties starlets Operator Please) the duo is completed by John Baillie Jnr, who Scot-rock fans might well remember from the muchmissed Dananananaykroyd – adding his trademark frenetic drumming and production skills to the sublime mix. Long term – and initially long-distance – friends, Bossy Love took shape when Wilkinson sent some of her songs to Baillie for a little added spice. He did his thing, she loved it, and then she moved to London where the pair continued playing around with the handful of songs she had under her belt. “It felt like synergy, as soon as we started working together,” Wilkinson tells The Skinny, as we sit down with the duo fresh from the release of sparkling new single Want Some. “I would work all week in London then jump straight on a Megabus to Glasgow, spend the weekend working on songs, then jump back on the bus straight to work for the Monday morning. It was pretty crazy. Finally moving [to Glasgow] was a realisation that I could do whatever I want.” Buoyed by the move and a shared love for pop music’s more esoteric corners, the project advanced as they honed their craft as a songwriting pair. “I didn’t have any friends who were into that type of music,” says Baillie. “We both love Prince, but we love a certain side of him that others don’t… the super weird, horny B-sides!
40
Review
Interview: Tom Johnson Photography: Emily Wylde
But more than that, I think our skills are just so complementary,” he adds. “Amandah called it synergy and it’s absolutely that; we’re able to come up with stuff that neither of us could ever do without the other.” Something Wilkinson strongly agrees with: “A lot of my songwriting was very industrial and I always craved warmth; John’s production brought that straight away.”
“You release one track online, and then you play a show, and then you choose a label, and then you go ‘Fuck! How do we make an album?!’” John Baillie Jr
That live show, which is currently winning them such hearty praise, was a far more pared back affair in the beginning. “We still didn’t know what it was at that point,” Wilkinson admits. “We knew the songs felt good, and sounded great, but we just didn’t know. We got a residency in Edinburgh and John would DJ and drop some of our songs in to the set, or we would play bootlegs and I would sing over the top.” Baillie interjects: “There was a great reaction to it in the room, but we didn’t do anything outside of that. We didn’t push it at all.” Setting the tone for the understated way they’ve gathered pace since, the band also quietly put their debut ‘mixtape’ online with zero PR or fanfare. “The idea was always to go against this hype thing,” says Baillie, “where you
put everything you have in to releasing one track online, and then you play a show, and then you choose a label, and then you go ‘Fuck! How do we make an album?!’ – we just weren’t interested in that level of seduction...or dishonesty.” The band still talk staunchly about this kind of self-preservation and it’s plainly obvious that it’s a map they intend to follow precisely. “Obviously both of us have done the rounds,” jokes Wilkinson. “We believe that the best way to be transparent and honest is to just let songs go. I’m not scared about not being able to write more songs; it’s all channelled from somewhere else. So we just do what feels right and put it all out there.” Baillie summarises their simplistic goal as songwriters: “I think we both yearn for a level of honesty that isn’t always there. The way some people put themselves across is so full of layers and we just couldn’t do that without our insides curdling.” It’s refreshing to hear a band on the cusp of something special speak so candidly about not playing ‘the game’, but history tells us that such ideals become harder to adhere to the more popular an artist becomes. “I just really feel like it would be so much work to keep up some sort of imagery,” says Wilkinson. “It can’t work like that. We can’t do that. I would feel very uncomfortable being anyone else but me because this project, specifically, is all about connection – a real connection.” “We’ve built this thing so slowly that the people we’ve ended up with on our team are the people who get us,” adds Baillie. “You can tell from a mile away the difference between someone who gets it and someone who feels like they have to tell us what we’re doing wrong. And there have been many.” Bossy Love are remarkably astute at what they do. The relationship between Baillie, Wilkinson, and live compatriot Ollie Cox, is a joy to watch; vibrant instrumentals are the perfect backdrop for Wilkinson’s wonderfully brash lead performance. A genuine star, she sings, dances, and dictates, from start to exuberant, sweaty finish. “You definitely feel that energy, and it pours back into you,” Wilkinson says of the crowd reactions they’ve had thus far. “We had no idea it was going to be that way though, it was just like, ‘cool,
MUSIC
this works,’ but it’s been really amazing.” Perhaps the one hurdle they might have to confront is whether or how to inform their studio recordings with this developing instrumental live show. “We’ve had a talk about this,” explains Wilkinson. “I believe the two are different entities, I don’t think you have to be the same live as you are on record; they can definitely exist in their own worlds.” “They are two completely different processes,” agrees Baillie. “The live thing is us, as musicians, interpreting these recordings we’ve done, which themselves are these weird projects where we try and capture a specific mood. I wouldn’t say that we’re against shifting it, but we won’t try and shoehorn it in.” Theirs has been a very measured and considered journey thus far. Yet these past few months have shown a change of pace: more press, certainly, but also a couple of flashy single releases, bigger shows, and a handful of interviews. “We’ve just taken on management,” Baillie tells us, “so things should pick up again now that we have someone working that side of things for us. We seem to have lots of cool people that like us, and that’s really nice, but our goals are still to just make more songs and play more shows, it’s as simple and boring as that.” This reserved outlook doesn’t mean they’re against this whole thing taking off, however. “Oh of course, totally,” Wilkinson responds, when asked if they’re open to the idea of sustained success; a subject Baillie is quick to expand upon. “A lot of our decisions aren’t made to prevent success. We’re just trying to make sure everything is sustainable; to make sure we can afford to tour, record ourselves, and we think that will make whatever happens easier to deal with. It also makes this whole thing less of a gamble, and way more fun.” “Making music is a total outlet for me,” stresses Wilkinson in sum. “I don’t write with anything – or anyone – else in mind, it’s all just a totally therapeutic thing. In fact all I’ve ever wanted to do was make something that sounded like Missy Elliott!” facebook.com/bossylovemusic
THE SKINNY
Cosmosis Festival
Victoria Warehouse, 12 Mar
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Swinging Perspex doors invite the throngs inside (as well as flattening a few daydreaming faces) and around the corner to the cavernous main room – known for tonight as the Air Stage. It’s 6.30pm and Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats are showcasing the scuzzy, overdriven rock of their last full-length, The Night Creeper. A few technical hitches with the sound but overall a decent taste of what’s in store for the rest of the evening. As the crowd departs, there’s a prime chance to check out the other stages and their designated elements. Upscaling the event to such a vast arena was always going to be a huge challenge for the organisers, so maybe it’s a little harsh on them to nitpick any lack of visual detail. The point is that a one-day festival of
psychedelia on this scale is half-expected to make an impact on the eyeballs. There’s nothing ridiculously ‘out there’ about a series of brick walls, which is just a thought to build on for next year. Anyway, the lineup itself is a great equaliser. The Raveonettes more than make their mark on the main stage, and the latter half of their set in particular proves a joy to behold. The opening drum break to Aly, Walk With Me hits the crowd in the sternum, and the blue and green LCD sheets in the background form an intense moving silhouette – kind of like the old iPod adverts without the dangling white earphones. Over on the Earth Stage, of Montreal are busy kicking into various gears. Lead singer Kevin Barnes is on good form in his best red lace shirt/neckerchief combo. The rest of the band are really tight tonight too, which is made even more impressive when you consider how all over
The Brian Jonestown Massacre
the place their sound is. Barnes whinnies his way through a ream of choice tracks from various albums over the past ten years or so, particularly Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?. Triumph of Disintegration and Gronlandic Edit stand out, in addition to the rhythm guitarist’s white cowboy hat. One of the bigger draws on offer, The Brian Jonestown Massacre are up next. A few technical hiccups early on, but once the treble has been lowered and slight feedback allayed, it’s all gravy from there on out. Recent record Mini Album Thingy Wingy forms the basis of the opening, including the wonderful chiming tones of Pish. At some point, a female member of the posse is invited up to take the lead on singing Anemone, in honour of her birthday. The tambourine takes a well-timed battering over the course of their set and Anton Newcombe’s sideburns look in good health.
The Real Sound of Ibiza
Back to the Earth Stage, Sleaford Mods offer a stark contrast to the vibrant trip directed by of Montreal an hour earlier. That said, the aggressive slant of rabble-rousing frontman Jason Williamson whips up a frenzy that no other act on the bill can match. Half-spat social commentary is backed by sparse, hard-hitting drums, which injects a nice bit of urgency into the room as midnight slips by. Another hugely anticipated act follows, East Kilbride’s own The Jesus and Mary Chain. Darklands is a good place to start, and the relative uptempo nod of April Skies sets a brash tone immediately. The Reid bros lead the crowd across a handful of later albums, before reverting back to Psychocandy for the anthemic punch of Just Like Honey. Thirty years on and it still rattles your head. [Gary Kaill and Reiss Anderson] cosmosisfestival.com
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Ibiza Sep 3rd – Sep 7th
www.unityradio.fm April 2016
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Photo: Sam Huddleston
Photo: Sam Huddleston
Sleaford Mods
Clubbing Highlights Drip, drip, drop, little April showers. Best take a coat as you fall all around Words: E. Jon Lanside Illustration: Fran Caballero Manchester
The month starts strongly at Soup Kitchen on Thu 7 Apr, with Australian producer Harvey Sutherland checking into the basement for a live set (£7.50). Sutherland – real name Mike Katz – was good enough to contribute to our Guest Selector series this month to mark the occasion. Top lad. Also on 7 Apr, Project 13 fly Planet Mu’s JLIN into Manchester for the first time for a debut gig at Islington Mill (£9). Or, save yourself for the Friday at Hidden (8 Apr), when Rhythm Section and Ruf Kutz join forces to present the Glass City’s finest, Pender Street Steppers (£10). Big, big, big. Over at The Whiskey Jar on 9 Apr you’ve got a family affair with Rye Wax x Brooklyn & Beyond, which includes Medlar and a whole lot of guys named Tom (£4). There’s also a LIES and Opal Tapes collision at Soup Kitchen that night with Florian Kupfer and Huerco S on show for a tenner. Gritty. Still with 9 Apr, Maribou State have a DJ set at Antwerp Mansion, joined by Pedestrian (£8). Horsebeach plays Night & Day Cafe for fiver; or, if you’re looking to rekindle any dormant teenage angst, the Korn vs Slipknot special at Ruby Lounge sounds like just the ticket (£4). Flipping to 14 Apr, Monki and her mates take over Hidden (£8); the same night Roska is at Mint Lounge (£8). 15 Apr sees Shanti Celeste team up with Jon K under Moxie’s On Loop
banner (Soup Kitchen, £6). But it may be worth hanging fire until 16 Apr when Meat Free weigh in with a huge lineup in honour of Blueprint Records’ 20th birthday. James Ruskin, Luke Slater, Helena Hauff and Objekt all on show at the new Mantra Warehouse space (£20). F*** a duck. Things get dubby at Manchester Academy on 16 Apr, as Iration Steppas and Channel One promise two sounds and four stacks in one arena (£9). Oneman is also on hand to celebrate Mvson’s third birthday at Hidden (£10). Percolate mark their second big Thursday booking of the month on 21 Apr at Soup Kitchen, with a Lobster Theremin showcase (£7.50). For anybody unfortunate to have a job, Palms Trax also plays for Selective Hearing the day after on 22 Apr at The Dolphin Club (£10). Thris Tian, Cervo and JVC is a decent option the same day (£6). Sat 23 Apr sees Lefto and Boogizm link up for Inside Out at Soup Kitchen, bound to be a quality night delivered between one of Belgium’s best and local badboy Tom (£8). Interesting fare on offer at Band on the Wall on the same day, as DJ Spinna joins Irfan Rainy for a Stevie Wonder special (£10). Hidden ends the month with a big one on 29 Apr – DVS1 and Tama Sumo (£10). There’s also funk and soul on offer at Ruby Lounge with Sheffield legend Norman Jay getting down in the basement (£12). Also, there’s Andy Hart at
Soup Kitchen on Mayday (£8), and keep your eyes peeled for an extra ticket release for Legowelt and Mike Huckaby at Mantra Live, also on 1 May.
Liverpool
Nightmares on Wax plays 24 Kitchen St on 8 Apr (£12). There’s a Studio 54 retrospective at Camp and Furnace on the same night (starting at 5pm) with John Morales on hand to conduct proceedings (£6). The day after you’ve got Greg Wilson and Ralph Lawson at the Garage (£10). Fast forward to 15 Apr, there’s a fundraising get-together at Buyers Club as seven local clubnights unite in the name of Childreach
International – good fun for a good cause (£6). The week after sees Meine Nacht take an undisclosed location for their first birthday party, lineup TBA (£6 adv). Ending the month, Selective Hearing start their assault on the Merseyside scene with Randomer and Tessela coming in just for the occasion (£10). There’s also a real big deal at Camp and Furnace on 30 Apr, with disco magnate Francois K laying down the law for £15. Not every day he comes to town. A few decent options for the start of May as bank holiday season continues (oh yeah), so watch out and keep that nose to the grindstone.
Revealing the Blueprint James Ruskin guides us through the milestone releases and musical progression of his defining techno label, Blueprint Illustration: Amy Minto
Outline – First Contact [BP001, 1996] I guess we have to go back to the beginning. This is where it all started for Blueprint after myself and Richard Polson had released a couple of records, then decided to take control of what we were doing and start our own label. This EP was recorded in the second half of 1995 and its release really was the beginning of a monumental change in our lives. Oliver Ho – Cosmetics [BP006, 1997] Oliver came on board with us very early on, so early in fact that we hadn’t even released anything! I sold him a story of what we were planning after a chance meeting, and after that Oliver became an integral part of our development. This is his second EP for Blueprint and has this angular brutality to it that I love. James Ruskin – Transition [BP008, 1997] This was the first time I had put together a solo release. Richard had begun Surface Records and we had both been working on new material separately for the first time. It was always our plan to continue with the Outline project, but for various reasons we didn’t get it together. We were still sharing the same studio at the time so we really should have done.
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James Ruskin – Further Design [BPLP1, 1998] This was my first album and my first look into working beyond the constraints of a 12’’. It was recorded in the latter part of 1997 and when I think back to the equipment used it really brings home the notion that less is more. I had just purchased a Latronic Notron sequencer and it was one of the very first made. The guy that built it used to come over to explain how to use the thing as the initial manual was indecipherable. The whole album was put together with this... not a computer in sight! The 65D Mavericks – Defining the Symptom [BP022, 2002] This was a very significant release as it marked a return to Blueprint for Richard under his new guise with Nick Dunton. Double packs were far more prominent back then and I always liked the format, as it allowed you to keep the thread of a project that wasn’t intended to be an album. I think this is a record that has really stood the test of time. O/V/R – Interior [BP025, 2009] This record marked the next phase for Blueprint after a sabbatical for several years. Although myself and Karl [Regis] had been touring under the
O/V/R banner for quite a while this was the first time we had taken the project to the next logical step and got in the studio together. It wasn’t until this record was finished that it felt it was time to move into the next phase of Blueprint and continue what we had started. O/V/R – Post-Traumatic Son [BP030, 2010] This was a project that kept growing and growing until we ended up with a four-vinyl boxset. What I love about this release is the cohesion between music and the visual interpretation. The photography totally captured the claustrophobic nature of the music and that is something that can be very hard to achieve. When it was completed I
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hoped people saw the whole package rather than any snapshot. Lakker – Arc EP [BP034, 2012] This is probably the first time I had approached an artist out of my circle asking for a release. There is something about Ian and Dara’s music that I can’t put my finger on, but it always intrigues and excites me… always! The two 12”s they recorded for Blueprint are real highlights for me. Observing while being in some way involved in their journey has been great. James Ruskin joins a stellar lineup for Meat Free presents: 20 Years of Blueprint Records at Mantra Warehouse, Manchester on 16 Apr
THE SKINNY
Skinned #12: Solid Blake Apeiron Crew’s Emma ‘Solid’ Blake delivers our latest mix, a pulverising half-hour assault from Copenhagen, by way of Glasgow
Guest Selector: Harvey Sutherland
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Ahead of a live date at Soup Kitchen this month, one of Melbourne’s finest lines up six of his all-time fave LPs – rippers all round Arthur Verocai – Arthur Verocai [Continental, 1972] I can’t even begin to write about this record. It has a very specific energy, which I guess is why it’s so seminal. I love the imperfections, the string arrangements, the tiny electronic details. It’s alternate-universe pop music. Definitely my all-time favourite album, if I had to choose. Arthur Russell – World of Echo [Upside, 1986] One of so many incredible albums from Arthur Russell. The music is so fragile, it’s like the songs appear for a split second before they dissolve into noise again. Pure rhythm and sound. Who needs drum machines when you have a cello and a distortion pedal? The Necks – Sex [Spiral Scratch, 1989] The Necks are my favourite Australian act. They’re famously known to start from silence and improvise their entire show, starting with one idea and building it slowly over an hour or more. Sex is a hypnotic and beautiful trip, full of tiny incremental changes and piano motifs. Their 25-year catalogue is deep, weird and worthy of your undivided attention. Steely Dan – Aja [ABC, 1977] It was this or Minute by Minute, but I needed a classic West Coast chart-topper. I keep coming back to these records,
April 2016
partly out of childhood nostalgia, partly out of fascination with the mix and production techniques. My new tunes are very AOR-inspired. I’m trying to approximate the California FM bigbudget studio sound with cheap microphones and Ableton Live. And that bit of the Steely Dan ‘Classic Albums’ episode where Donald Fagan sings Lord Tariq is possibly the best ten seconds on the internet. El Michels Affair – Sounding Out the City [Truth and Soul, 2005] I was pretty obsessed with the Truth and Soul/Daptone production family for a while there. They are crazy tight musicians, and the attention to sonic detail was pitch-perfect. The first El Michels Affair record is a great example of their “cinematic soul” approach – strong instrumental ideas, carried with conviction. Prince – For You [Warner Bros, 1978] There’ll be plenty of hardcore Prince fans that will scoff at this choice, but I really love his first record. There are some classics – Soft and Wet is a certified banger – and all the playing is super raw and loose. It’s unapologetically funky and minimalist, a concept I definitely try to emulate with my own music. I don’t understand people who don’t understand Prince. Harvey Sutherland plays Percolate at Soup Kitchen on 7 Apr
ver the past couple of years, Glaswegian producer and DJ Emma Blake has quietly built a glowing reputation among the underground techno community in Copenhagen through her work with four-piece party collective Apeiron Crew, residents of the city’s celebrated Culture Box venue. Having adopted the moniker Solid Blake – a playful nod to the lead character Snake from video game classic Metal Gear Solid – the 25-year-old has branched out more on her own of late, mostly tending to dip into the grittier recesses of her techno and electro collections with healthy servings of acid on the side, and plans to release her own music later this year. The Skinny: You were a producer for Glasgow’s Subcity Radio but hadn’t taken up DJing at that point. What made you make that leap when you moved to Denmark? Emma Blake: That’s something I think about quite a lot. Even when I was at Subcity, people would tell me I should do a show but I was really embarrassed at the concept of it – even though I was making sure everyone else’s shows were running OK. When I got to Denmark, when I was just talking to people about tunes, they assumed that I was already DJing. People were asking me to play at parties and I had to tell them I couldn’t really do that. Then I started working in the record shop, Dorma, and as I had decks there, I thought, ‘I’ll start just playing around and mixing.’ But when we first talked about putting on parties, I wasn’t really sure that I was even going to play at them. Then we ended up getting booked to play at an afterparty somewhere. I had only started doing this a few months before so I was absolutely shitting myself, but it was fine. Maybe the pressure of just being dropped right into it helped. From there it just grew and I’ve been buying records ever since. How did Apeiron Crew come together? I met Simone [Øster] first, maybe a year into living in Denmark. We didn’t really talk that much and it wasn’t until a couple of years later, when we bumped into each other at Sonar Festival, that we decided to start hanging about together more. I was working in the record shop with Sara
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Interview: Ronan Martin Illustration: Thom Isom
[Svanholm aka Mama Snake] and then Najaaraq [Vestbirk aka Courtesy] was the last one I met from the whole scene. She came up to me one night at Culture Box and we realised we knew who each other were and decided we should start making tunes or something together. We decided to put on a club night and we got Sara and Simone involved in that. Basically, Najaaraq was the one who saw the idea of making something of it together. Inevitably, when you read about women in electronic music, the discussion often gravitates towards gender and how it plays a part, for better or worse. How do you feel about that aspect? It’s such a weird thing that the four of us have chosen to do this, even though we prefer not to be booked for all-female lineups. We don’t want to be invited for that reason. But, at the same time, the fact we got together as four women was clearly a deliberate choice in some way. But it feels more like there are three other girls that have a similar background to me – always maybe more boyish and never really had a group of girl pals. It’s a really tricky subject for us. Even though we’ve made the choice to be four girls in this crew, we don’t want that to be what it’s about, but we want to stay within our comfort zone: it’s so nice to have other girls around who share the same experiences. Skinned #12 tracklist: 1. LITÜUS – PRTN__002_.1 [Avian] 2. Privacy – Code [Lobster Theremin] 3. Etcher – Departure [Brokntoys] 4. Cousin – 4GOT [81] 5. AX&P AKA Adam X & Perc – Mutiny [Ampere&Ohm] 6. Powell – Club Music (Ancient Methods ‘Körpersäure91’ Mix) [Diagonal] 7. Snow Bone – Cult V [Lobster Theremin] 8. Drax – Low Machine [Perc Trax Limited] 9. Pearson Sound – Glass Eye [Hessle Audio] 10. Charles Manier – Sift Through Art Collecting People [Bopside] Hear Solid Blake’s Skinned mix – and read the full interview – at theskinny.co.uk/clubs
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Film Event Highlights ¡Viva! returns as a cross-arts festival, and you can celebrate Record Store Day with a great double bill of music-movie faves High Fidelity and Empire Records Words: Simon Bland
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t’s April, which in Manchester means only one thing: ¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival (7-24 Apr) at HOME, and this year it’s bigger than ever. Across 18 days the venue celebrates Spanish and Latin American culture through an impressive selection of film, theatre and art events. However, it’s the former that we’re interested in here and there’s loads on, including two unmissable documentaries and 18 feature films spanning four different languages. The highlights? Don’t miss the fest’s UK premieres: Mi Gran Noche (9 Apr), Amama (11 Apr), Juntos y revueltos (17 Apr), L’adopció (17 Apr); a Ricardo Darín retrospective, which includes a screening of his latest, Truman (23 Apr), and the Leonora Carrington tribute, complete with an introduced screening of 1973 horror The Mansion of Madness (15 Apr). Visit homemcr.org for full details and screening times. HOME also celebrates silent cinema with a live-scored airing of Anthony Asquith’s Underground (3 Apr), and reflects on the psychedelic art of David Vaughan with documentary David Vaughan: Black on Canvas, which is followed by a Q&A with director Dean Brocklehurst and Vaughan’s daughter Sadie Frost (28 Apr). Meanwhile, over at Gorilla, those RAD guys celebrate Record Store Day in style with a catchy double bill of music-movie faves High Fidelity and Empire Records (17 Apr), while Hold Fast Bar welcomes Certificate X for ItalianAmerican horror Tentacles (5 Apr). Also, the Anthony Burgess Foundation dusts off two films as part of its Playing God film series, including Stanley Kramer’s evolutionary tale Inherit the Wind (7 Apr) and Boris Sagal’s post-apocalyptic drama The Omega Man (21 Apr).
Richard III
At Liverpool’s FACT, you’ll find a selection of greats back on the big screen, including quintessential Spielberg flick ET the Extra-Terrestrial (2 Apr), suspenseful Hitchcock drama Vertigo (3 Apr), the playful Bugsy Malone (9 Apr) and Francois Truffaut’s seminal The 400 Blows (10 Apr). What’s more, the venue will also host a special screening of Richard Loncraine’s Richard III (28 Apr) to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death. Stick around afterwards for an exclusive live satellite Q&A with the film’s lead, Ian McKellen. Back in Manchester, Altrincham Little Theatre delves deep into the difficult life of a young nun in 1960s Poland with Oscar-winner Ida (2 Apr) and Manchester Central Library looks at our hard-nosed industrial past with Working Our Way Around the North West (26 Apr). Prefer your films in bite-size chunks? IndieFlix (6 Apr) at Manchester venue Texture will be hosting a night of shorts and inviting the audience to award their favourite. Film viewers these days, eh? Everyone’s a critic…
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Dheepan
Louder than Bombs
Couple in a Hole
Dheepan
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Director: Tom Geens Starring: Kate Dickie, Paul Higgins, Jérôme Kircher Released: 8 Apr Certificate: 15
Director: Jacques Audiard Starring: Antonythasan Jesuthasan, Kalieaswari Srinivasan Released: 8 Apr Certificate: 15
Taking its cue from its title – which manages to be both metaphorical and resolutely literal – Belgian writer-director Tom Geens’ latest feature follows married British couple John (Higgins) and Karen (Dickie) as they scratch out their meagre existence in a hole beneath a dead tree in the French countryside. As we learn that their self-imposed exile from civilisation is in response to the untimely death of their child, what unfolds is a strange and occasionally moving study of grief and the different forms it can take. That the film holds the attention in its methodically slow beginning is thanks largely to Sam Care’s beautiful photography of the French woodlands and Kate Dickie’s semi-feral performance as a grieving mother. Details and backstory are parcelled out just often enough to make the film feel like a mystery in its earlier stages, and despite an unconvincing finale the film stands as a memorable example of the devastating power of loss. [Michael Jaconelli]
Winner of last year’s Palme d’Or, Jacques Audiard ( A Prophet) delivers another gripping film with this timely immigration drama. Dheepan begins with a woman scouring a Sri Lankan refugee camp in search of an unclaimed child, grabbing any girl she finds unattended and demanding to know if her parents are alive. She needs the girl, we discover, to pose as her daughter so that she and a man, also a stranger to them both, can makes use of the IDs left behind by a man named Dheepan and his family, allowing them legal passage to Europe. Wherever we find ourselves, we do what we must to get by. When that place is horrific, our actions will likely be ugly. As they settle in to the Parisian project they now call home, each of the three has their own trials and indignities to overcome as they try to forge a real life as a pretend family. Powered by three strong, naturalistic performances, some of the best scenes are the quietest ones, in which a real connection is momentarily sparked between strangers borne together by sheer necessity. [Ross McIndoe]
I Am Belfast
Midnight Special
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Director: Mark Cousins Starring: Helena Bereen, Richard Buick, Shane McCaffrey Released: 8 Apr Certificate: 15
Director: Jeff Nichols Starring: Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst Released: 8 Apr Certificate: 12A
Mark Cousins is arguably one of the best film essayists of our time, and the kind of thoughtful, gentle and poetic auteur that a city as traumatised and as beautiful as Belfast deserves. Here he uses the imaginative conceit of Belfast as a blonde woman (Bereen) with a golden double-ended clip in her hair (shades of Kim Novak in Vertigo). I Am Belfast forms a kind of audiovisual reverie around Cousins as narrator conversing with Belfast, and listening to the stories of this interesting, elusive, 10,000-year-old woman. She explains her name means where “salt meets sweet,” and often returns to this image, conveying a city divided by bigotry, walls and colours, slowly healing into a whole of peacefully coinciding, complementary differences. Cousins walked every street of the city gathering footage and sound, and he has a knack for finding beauty and significance in the arbitrary and quotidian; the queer and comical in the tragic. [Rachel Bowles]
Sight unseen, a trip into sci-fi territory might not have been the first thing one would expect from Jeff Nichols following rural dramas Shotgun Stories, Take Shelter and Mud. But this is far from an outlier, and, for a filmmaker of obvious religious and spiritual concerns steeped in Americana and born in 1978, evoking the ‘powerful innocent on the run from nefarious government types’ movies of the 80s makes perfect sense: Nichols wants to believe in something, and he wants you to as well. But like Take Shelter, Nichols’ 95% magnificent sophomore effort, Midnight Special’s ending almost critically undermines what is, for the most part, an excellent and unsettling piece of genre cinema as Shannon, Edgerton and Dunst lam it with a child of extraordinary abilities (Jaeden Lieberher) who may or may not be the saviour of mankind. Nichols has a real flair for tension and lean visual storytelling, and it’s these elements (along with the performances) that stick in the memory; jettisoning them for a more than a touch overblown finale sticks in the craw. [Chris Fyvie]
Our Little Sister
Louder than Bombs
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Director: Hirokazu Kore-eda Starring: Haruka Ayase, Suzu Hirose, Masami Nagasawa, Kaho Released: 15 Apr Certificate: PG Based on manga Umimachi Diary, Our Little Sister sees three upwardly mobile adult sisters attend the funeral of the father who left their family years ago for another woman. At the ceremony they meet, for the first time, their teenage half-sister Suzu (Hirose), who’s unhappily living with her self-absorbed mother. On a whim, oldest sibling Sachi (Ayase), the de facto head of the family unit, invites the teen to come live with the trio in the ancestral home they inherited from their grandmother, in which they’ve fostered the cheerful atmosphere of a sorority house. For anyone familiar with the trajectory of Japanese director Hirokazu Kore-eda’s career, his latest film will feel right at home. Like I Wish and Still Walking, this is a slice-of-life drama about a fractured family that never explodes into big emotional scenes of wild gestures. Instead, there’s a leisurely focus on the little details of the in-between moments of life, no less powerful for a lack of showiness. Perfectly pitched and bolstered by four beautiful lead performances, Our Little Sister, with the gentlest of touches, both breaks one’s heart and makes it swoon. [Josh Slater-Williams]
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Director: Joachim Trier Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Gabriel Byrne, Isabelle Huppert Released: 22 Apr Certificate: 15 Memories can be distorted to reframe the past in a more favourable light, but what happens when the truth becomes unavoidable? Joachim Trier’s Louder than Bombs opens with the birth of Jonah’s son, but is far more concerned with death. Jonah (Eisenberg) is the son of famed war photographer Isabelle Reed (Huppert), who died two years ago in a car crash. His brother Conrad (Devin Druid), only 12 at the time, doesn’t know her death was a suicide. It’s a secret that threatens to rupture the family’s delicate dynamic once revealed in a forthcoming New York Times article. Perceiving memory as something malleable, Trier’s delicate use of flashbacks and sound allows the narrative to inch along like a cortège, beautifully conceptualising how the mind seeks to reorganise the entropy of memories into a satisfying narrative. As the membrane between reality and fabrication becomes perilously thin, Isabelle’s aura adopts greater significance for each family member, with Louder than Bombs effortlessly evolving into an abstract, yet emotionally intelligent ghost story. [Patrick Gamble]
THE SKINNY
Rocco and His Brothers
Director: Luchino Visconti Starring: Alain Delon, Renato Salvatori, Annie Girardot Released: Out now Certificate: 15
Extras: A variety of expansive extras including a 2003 French documentary about the film, an illuminating hour-long documentary about the life and work of Visconti, and interviews with Cardinale, Girardot and cinematographer Giuseppe Rotunno. [Michael Jaconelli]
Eureka
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Director: Nicolas Roeg Starring: Gene Hackman, Theresa Russell, Rutger Hauer, Mickey Rourke, Joe Pesci Released: Out now Certificate: 18
Director: Věra Chytilová Starring: Vladimir Bosak, Eva Bosáková, Jirí Kodet Released: Out now Certificate: PG
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Luchino Visconti is a contradiction. He was an Italian aristocrat and a communist, and a celebrated opera director who directed Italy’s first neo-realist film (Ossessione, 1943). His filmography is split between gritty neo-realism and lavish operatic excess – two aspects of his character he never quite managed to reconcile save in this brilliant 1960 working-class opera. The film tells the story of five brothers who – along with their mother – flee the desperate poverty of the rural Italian south towards the promise of a better life in industrial Milan in the north. Somewhat unconventionally broken into sections – one for each brother – the film gradually shows us the tragic and corruptive influence the city has on the family. Successfully combining the melodramatic with urban realism, Visconti manages to re-frame the socio-political aspects of his earlier work within the thematic and emotional outline of his subsequent period. That the film so successfully fuses these two forms is thanks to a uniformly strong cast – particularly Renato Salvatori, whose tortured intensity commands the screen – and the shimmering chiaroscuro cinematography, which visually sets the film apart from other neo-realist films and would later influence Scorsese’s Raging Bull. At just under three hours, Rocco and His Brothers is undoubtedly an epic: a swooning family tragedy about the corruptive and de-humanising effects of capitalism and the personal desolation it can result in. By finally joining the operatic with the neo-realist, Visconti made the quintessential Italian film.
Something Different & A Bagful of Fleas
Vêra Chytilová’s 1962 short A Bag of Fleas is an exuberant, experimental work notable for its feminist politics and tendency to blur the boundaries of artifice and documentary. The following year’s Something Different could rightfully be considered more of the same. Though her debut feature found Chytilová with nothing new to say, it nevertheless confirmed an intention to explore and push the limits of her form. The storytelling here is loose and gently abstract. Fleas was shot in a real factory dormitory, its non-actor residents turning in naturalistic performances and defying prevalent female stereotypes. Most of the action is shown from a single character’s firstperson perspective, while one scene abandons visuals entirely as the girls chat after lights out. The film culminates in a disciplinary hearing, but plot is secondary to playful innovation. A more sombre tone is sustained throughout Something Different, where two separate narratives are intercut to evoke women pushed to their limits. Tawdry and frustrating domestic scenes sit next to documentary-style footage of a real-life champion gymnast in training. Both protagonists are governed by men and social expectation, and it’s with varying shades of tragedy that each cling to their routine even when presented with the opportunity to serve themselves. There’s something unmistakably mercurial about these pieces. Both she and her casts worked faithfully in the moment to ensure an elusive honesty runs through every frame. Extras: Second Run have form for high-quality Chytilová DVD releases, and this disc is no exception. Both titles are sourced from immaculate prints. The sound is crisp and the subtitles read naturally, while an accompanying booklet offers an illuminating essay on the Czech New Wave. [Lewis Porteous]
Gene Hackman plays Jack McCann, a Yukon gold prospector turned tycoon who, holed up on Eureka, his private Caribbean ranch, has grown bored and drunk on his own power. McCann, whom Hackman imbues with an impressive sense of sweaty paranoia, refuses to concede anything to anybody (modern film fans will note the obvious influence on Daniel Day Lewis’s Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood) and thus finds himself lonely and abandoned. His stubbornness and misplaced pride prove his undoing as he refuses to make a deal with a shady business group and outright rejects his daughter Tracey’s (Theresa Russell) smarmy playboy suitor (Rutger Hauer). From its icy beginning, Nicolas Roeg laces his film with incestuous allusions and hints of the occult. Images, such as that of McCann’s daughter Tracey having sex wearing nothing but her father’s gold or of a late grisly murder, linger and resonate, heightened by the director’s trademark associative editing style. If the film never quite reaches the sublime heights of Roeg’s best work, that is not to say it isn’t to be recommended – after all, this is the director responsible for such jewels as The Man Who Fell to Earth, Walkabout and Don’t Look Now. Eureka maintains and showcases that classic Roegian mix of the languid and the manic, of slow and patient stretches that erupt into chaos and almost supernatural violence that will stick with you for days. Extras: Eureka’s release of Eureka (if ever a distribution company were destined to release a film…) is packed with extras, but the highlights are undoubtedly three new interviews, with producer Jeremy Thomas, writer Paul Mayersberg and editor Tony Lawson. Mayersberg is especially enlightening in his account of how the film morphed from a biopic of real-life prospector Sir Harry Oakes into something much more mythic. [Tom Grieve] For more DVD reviews, go to theskinny.co.uk/film/dvd-reviews
Spotlight: Top Joe We’re almost certain none of these answers are true Interview: John Stansfield
I
f you’ve ever been to a comedy gig in Liverpool then you might have already spotted Top Joe. Maybe not on stage, but around and about: his evergreen (well, everyellow) hi-vis coat, mad scientist thatch and matching wild-eyed stare are pretty hard to miss. But if you’ve happened along to any of Gav Cross’s Funny Looking gigs then you’ll know him all too well: there, Top has become somewhat of an unofficial mascot/ petty felon. In the handful of shows so far he has caused a fire evacuation of Funny Looking’s home at 81 Renshaw Street, created a piñata effigy of Cross at the recent Sam Fletcher gig and gotten kicked out for commandeering the kitchen when Arthur Smith appeared to cook some beans. Expect the unexpected from this strange and wonderful gentleman. And liar. First gig: “A private party for James Dyson, inventor of the vacuum cleaner. Technically it was an afterdinner speech but midway through I decided to recreate a Buddhist almsgiving ceremony using some Berocca. I can’t remember why.” Best gig: “Jimmy Wintle’s surprise birthday party down at the River Itchen seven years ago. I turned up far too late, at 3am, and missed the nucleus of the party. I was alone, but I took the time to
April 2016
reacquaint myself with nature and the periphery. I spent two hours listening to the water and trying to readjust my eyes. I spent the final three hours trying to encourage a vole to eat some buffalo mozzarella on sliced tomatoes with basil.” Worst gig: “A Vipassana meditation retreat in Castlehead. I had some trouble adjusting to the vow of silence and butted heads a few times with Zen master Suzuki Roshi. At one point I might have called him an imposter, as I’d gotten a bit freer with my mind by that point. The food was sub-standard for a retreat and I lived off Lotus Biscoff coffee biscuits for the remaining ten days.” Circuit favourites in the Northwest: “Jimmy Wintle, Ken Dodd, Christopher Maloney, Liam Pickford, Gav Cross, Sean Morley, Bill Stanner, Danny Finders Fee, Adam Young, Isham R Redford (barrister-at-law).” Favourite venue: “St James’ Cemetery, Liverpool. It is on the periphery of the city and also equidistant between Quick Chef and Kevin’s Fish and Chips in the Dingle. It’s quiet and gives you space to think, in tune with the nocturnal community.”
Best heckle: “I heard someone say that Gav Cross was fat, and I thought that was really clever. I think a heckle is an opportunity to open dialogue; last week I entered into a fascinating conversation with a man after trying to get his child to eat as many mint Matchmakers as he could in one minute.” If you could be haunted by anyone, who would it be and why? “Dave Lazenby. I would ask him why he sold me a slow cooker that didn’t work.” If you were on death row, what would your last meal be? And why are you on death row? “My last meal would be buffalo mozzarella and sliced tomatoes in olive oil with basil leaves in a Pyrex dish. I would be on death row for the accidental death of Gav Cross.”
DVD / COMEDY
What’s the largest animal you think you could beat in a fight? No weapons. “We should never be antagonistic in this life. Animals are our friends and compatriots. But it would be a sperm whale.” Question from past Spotlighters Foxdog Studios: What’s your favourite chore and how have you optimised its execution? “My favourite chore is burning things using flammables, accelerants and combustibles. It’s a chore that no one wants to do but I find it quite therapeutic once I get started.” Top Joe performs as part of Funny Looking Presents: Michael J Dolan, 81 Renshaw Street, Liverpool, 7 Apr @toptopjoe
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Book Highlights Kate Tempest returns to the Northwest this month with her first novel in hand, while crime fiction, Shakespeare and uncertainty are also up for discussion
Kate Tempest
Events in Manchester
As a teenager, Alexei Sayle, alienated by the comedy stylings of the working men’s clubs he patronised, set out to be a standup comic. In his memoir, Thatcher Sold My Trousers, he recounts his journey from young Marxist art student through various jobs (DHHS worker, school dinner chef and a failed illustrator), some kidnappings and other tales and events that are ‘barely
believable.’ See if it’s so, on 10 April, when he speaks with Dave Haslam at HOME. Also in conversation with Haslam at HOME this month is poet, rapper and author Kate Tempest. Tempest’s new novel, The Bricks that Built the Houses, begins with three disenfranchised young Londoners fleeing the city in a Ford Cortina, in possession of a suitcase full of cash. The rest of the novel backtracks, tracing the
Photo: Jo Metson Scott
Words: Abby Kearney events that led them to that Ford Cortina with that suitcase of cash. Tempest will be discussing her new novel, her poetry and activism, as well as reading aloud on 17 April. On 1 April, writers from numerous backgrounds in academia and research will take on the condition of uncertainty. Part of FutureEverything festival’s conference programme, Thriving in Uncertainty takes place at Manchester Town Hall and writers with work published in anthropology, financial systems, climate change and counter terrorism will argue for the positive reframing of the condition of ‘uncertainty,’ as a productive resource. Elsewhere, in honour of the 400 year anniversary of William’s Shakespeare’s death, the John Rylands Library will be running demonstrations of its historic printing press on various dates in April. Words, Words, Words will allow participants to observe and learn about the process of printing, which first brought the words of the Bard to the people of Manchester many years ago. Returning to The Castle Hotel on 18 April, First Draft, Manchester’s bi-monthly cabaret night, presents a feast of spoken word, standup and drama. This month, First Draft performers will be responding to pieces from the Greater Manchester Sound Archive: birdsong, church bells and the sound of traffic. Each performer has selected a clip and constructed a narrative around it to be performed live and then entered into the city’s Sound Archive.
Events in Liverpool
A day-long discussion on the enduring appeal of crime fiction, Crime Fiction, comes to The Bluecoat on 16 April. Various questions about suspense building and character formation will be mused over by those well-acquainted with the genre. The event will include debate, talk of current trends and changes in crime writing, and, to conclude, a reading by award-winning crime writer John Connolly. Finally, at the Everyman Playhouse on 22 April, comedian and satirist writer Mark Thomas presents Trespass, a show mixing spoken word, activism and journalism. Apparently, ‘no one knows where this show will end up,’ though it begins with Thomas considering what the ramblers of the 1930s would do to transform the contemporary, corporate city into a playground. Swings at the ready. Alexei Sayle, HOME, Manchester, 10 Apr, 7.30pm, £10, homemcr.org Kate Tempest, HOME, Manchester, 17 Apr, 6.30pm, returns only, homemcr.org Thriving in Uncertainty, Manchester Town Hall, 1 Apr, 10am, futureeverything.org Words, Words, Words, John Rylands Library, Manchester, 5, 8, 12 & 15 Apr, 11.30am & 2.30pm, free (no booking required), library.manchester.ac.uk/rylands First Draft, The Castle Hotel, Manchester, 18 Apr, 7.30pm, free, firstdraftmcr.wordpress.com Crime Fiction, The Bluecoat, Liverpool, 16 Apr, 1pm, £7-8, thebluecoat.org.uk Trespass, Everyman Playhouse, Liverpool, 22 Apr, 8pm, £14-19, everymanplayhouse.com
Art Highlights Fancy a gallery day? Here’s our Art editor’s pick of exhibitions in Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds over the coming weeks – from top bantz to skoob towers... Words: Sacha Waldron Gemma Marmalade, Seed Series (Green Fingered) (2015)
H
ave you noticed it’s been a little bit warmer recently? I actually left the house this week wearing just a cardigan, no coat – no joke. According to NASA and the Guardian and some guy from Germany, February was the warmest month in the history of Februarys and now we are in a ‘climate emergency’. Fun when you get some end-of-the-world stuff in the morning; makes a change from Brexit, which should be a brand of biscuit but seems to be more serious. You might think this is unrelated to the occupation of art but it does mean the climate allows for escaping questionable performances (girls making drawings about the Japanese tsunami in squid ink-soaked noodles?) by chatting/ smoking outside. Just saying. Anyway. Spring is a busy time in Northwest art and a good time to get around some pre-festival-crazed exhibitions. So let’s have a look at what’s happening across the region shall we? Good.
New exhibitions in Manchester
A highlight coming up at the end of April will be Katie Paterson’s new solo exhibition at The Lowry (29 Apr-17 Jul). Entitled Syzygy, an astronomic term which apparently ‘describes an alignment of celestial bodies, specifically a
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Review
straight-line configuration of the sun, earth and moon which is believed to cause moonquakes and more powerful ocean tides,’ the show will include all manner of nature, ecology, geology and cosmology, and an overuse of the word ‘major’. Getting a bit more domestic, Joe Fletcher Orr’s new solo exhibition is at The International 3 until 29 April. Called Mummy’s Boy, the show is kind of about Orr’s relationship with his parents and includes some plant pots he has been making at a pottery class with his mum. Pizza place/gallery PLY have been raising money and awareness for young person’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent with an interactive photography exhibition and a series of fashionled events throughout March. Punters have been playing with cameras placed around the venue, the results of which form an exhibition, opening on 31 March. Grab a pig’s cheek and artichoke pizza (really, really good), take some snaps and show support. Over in Levenshulme, Bankley Gallery have opened their newly refurbished gallery space with an immersive installation by Holly Rowan Hesson. She has just completed a residency with &Model gallery in Leeds which resulted in a solo exhibition of new work, and this new installation is an extension of that – abstract colour,
light nodding to architecture and photographic processes – as well as a good opportunity to explore the new Bankley space. The exhibition is only open Saturdays – you’ve got one last chance to catch it on 2 April, 12-4pm.
New exhibitions in Liverpool
The Royal Standard invites you to laugh with, at and in their group exhibition TOP BANTZ, which includes Kim Laughton, Susannah Hewlett, Lewk Wilmshurst, Milly Peck, Jack Fisher and Jack Strange. The artists will be exploring the relationships between the artist, the comedian, the stand-up and the game show host. Shows focusing on humour rarely result in many LOLs but the artist selection is super so this should be a good one to check out. TOP BANTZ will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 April to 1 May (12pm-5pm). The private view is on 1 April (6-9pm), April Fools’ Day, of course. More humour can be found at the Bluecoat’s new exhibition Double Act: Art and Comedy, which is held jointly at the Bluecoat and at The MAC, Belfast and opens on 9 April. The show has invited 16 international artists and explores their approaches to comedy ‘ranging from the bodily humour of slapstick to more
BOOKS / ART
conceptual articulations of wit.’ One of the artists is called Gemma Marmalade, which is funny in itself (sorry Gemma).
New exhibitions in Leeds
A series of events inspired by and riffing off conceptual artist John Latham’s work will be taking place at the Henry Moore Institute in April. The first ‘event sculpture’, Skoob Tower (20 April, 5.30pm), will see artist Neil White recreate Latham’s skoob towers – reference books set alight in a tower/chimney formation – and lead a gallery discussion. These events run alongside an exhibition of Latham’s work in the Henry Moore galleries and come at a timely moment as Flat Time House, Latham’s house/ museum/archive (what Latham called a “living sculpture”) in London, is due to close its doors for good this year. The Henry Moore exhibition will be an opportunity to reflect on Latham’s legacy and influence. No doubt we will be seeing the impact of this exhibition in the degree shows coming up around the region soon. Find more previews and exhibition reviews at theskinny.co.uk/art
THE SKINNY
Win a stay at Adagio Aparthotel for Liverpool LightNight 2016!
Liverpool's one-night arts festival LightNight returns for 2016 on Friday 13 May. This year’s theme is ‘Experiment’, and will offer audiences of all ages a unique opportunity to see a side of the city they may not have experienced before. The programme includes interactive light projections, enthralling street performances, science demonstrations, live music, hands-on art workshops and much more as museums, galleries and arts spaces across the city centre stay open late to showcase their amazing arts and cultural offerings. We're giving you the chance to experience LightNight in style with an overnight stay at Aparthotel Adagio Liverpool in a one bedroom apartment for two adults and two children (includes breakfast) on Friday 13 May 2016. Situated on a bustling street in the heart of the city centre, the sophisticated and upbeat Aparthotel is the perfect base for a memorable LightNight experience.
Win a country break at a luxury hot tub lodge!
Hunters Quay Holiday Village is tucked away in an elevated position within the countryside, offering spectacular panoramic views across the Holy Loch and the Argyllshire Mountains. To be in with a chance of winning, simply head to theskinny.co.uk/competitions and correctly answer this question: What is Scouse? a) A type of dog b) Liverpool's best-known dish c) The mascot of Liverpool FC Competition closes midnight Sun 1 May. Winners will be notified via email within two working days of closing and will be required to respond within 48 hours or the prize will be offered to another entrant. Our Ts&Cs can be found at theskinny.co.uk/about/terms lightnightliverpool.co.uk | twitter.com/lightnightlpool | facebook.com/lightnightliverpool adagio-city.com
Win a pair of tickets to see Andrew Bird live!
Released 1 April, Andrew Bird’s new opus, Are You Serious, sees him in reflective mood after becoming a husband. Matrimony has influenced his writing style and Are You Serious is a step away from last year’s more experimental record, Echolocations: Canyon. Do not miss this rare opportunity to see Andrew perform in the wonderful setting of Manchester Cathedral on Tuesday 3 May. To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to this Manchester gig and a copy of Are You Serious on vinyl, simply head to theskinny. co.uk/competitions and correctly answer this question:
April 2016
The award winning Argyll Holidays park is perfect for an escape from the city, surrounded by an enticing array of walks and wildlife, with local towns Inveraray, Dunoon and Rothesay on its doorstep. The park offers a huge range of activities including archery, fencing, climbing and swimming. And guests are invited to take advantage of the all-weather leisure complex with two heated pools, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi, fitness centre and dance studio. Argyll Holidays runs eight luxury holiday parks across the west coast of Scotland. For more information on Argyll Holidays’ luxury hot tubs breaks visit argyllholidays.com or follow them on Facebook or Twitter.
Argyll Holidays are offering one lucky reader the chance to win an action-packed three-night country break for up to eight people at a luxury hot tub lodge at Hunters Quay Holiday Village. Prize includes activities at the park. To be in with a chance of winning, simply head to theskinny.co.uk/competitions and correctly answer this question: Which James Bond movie filmed action scenes in the Arrochar Alps? a) From Russia with Love b) Goldfinger c) You Only Live Twice Competition closes midnight Sun 1 May. Competition is only open to residents of the UK. Winners will be notified via email within two working days of closing and will be required to respond within 48 hours or the prize will be offered to another entrant. Our Ts&Cs can be found at theskinny.co.uk/about/terms @ArgyllHolidays | facebook.com/HolidaysArgyll
Win a pair of VIP weekend tickets to Field Day!
Which of these artists features on the new Andrew Bird record? a) Joanna Newsom b) Fiona Apple c) Natasha Khan Competition closes 4pm Fri 22 Apr. You need to be 14 or over to enter. Winners will be notified via email within two working days of closing and will be required to respond within 48 hours or the prize will be offered to another entrant. Collect your prize of Are You Serious on vinyl in person at the show. Our Ts&Cs can be found at theskinny. co.uk/about/terms More information: facebook.com/AndrewBirdMusic
Field Day is turning ten. Rather than asking for cake, it's going to celebrate by giving away two VIP tickets to this year's festival on 11 and 12 June in London's sunny Victoria Park. Acts this year include James Blake, Air, Four Tet, John Grant and many more across the weekend. Tickets and the full lineup can be found at fielddayfestivals.com. To be in with a chance of winning, simply head to theskinny.co.uk/competitions and correctly answer this question:
COMPETITIONS
Which of these artists playing at Field Day this year also played at the very first Field Day ten years ago? a) Mystery Jets b) PJ Harvey c) Skepta Competition closes midnight Sun 1 May. You need to be 18 or over to enter. Winners will be notified via email within two working days of closing and will be required to respond within 48 hours or the prize will be offered to another entrant. Our Ts&Cs can be found at theskinny.co.uk/about/ terms
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Manchester Music Tue 29 Mar
SMOKE SIGNALS SESSIONS (JON HERING)
GULLIVERS, 19:30–23:00, £7
INTERNATIONAL ANTHONY BURGESS FOUNDATION, 18:00–19:30, FREE
BIG UPS
Brooklyn boys Big Ups bring some fat bass and punk beats to Broadcast. NAI HARVEST
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:00–22:30, £7
Sheffield-based emo lot, perhaps best known for being nominated as Brit 2012’s most handsome band. FYI, they lost. CAPE CUB
THE CASTLE HOTEL, 19:30–22:30, £6
Emotive songwriter from the North East, whose real name is the frat bro-ready Chad Male. CATHOLIC ACTION
FALLOW CAFE, 20:00–23:00, £5
After releasing their first ever single L.U.V on Luv Luv Luv records, Catholic Action do some jubilating at Nice ‘N’ Sleazy with a little help from their pals.
In celebration of the world premiere of Ed Carter and David Cranmer’s new work, Smoke Signals, FutureEverything invites musicians to create one-off performances in response to the sonic and visual installation.
AMELIA COBURN AND OLD RED EYES
THE KING’S ARMS, 19:30–22:30, £5
Teesside’s Amelia Coburn makes her way to the King’s Arms, armed with her ukulele, for her first healine spot at the venue. RICK ASTLEY
THE LOWRY: LYRIC THEATRE, 19:00–22:00, £19.50 - £29.50
Wed 30 Mar JESS GLYNNE
Multi-million-selling singer, who once promised never to give you up (or let you down, run around and desert you, make you cry, say good bye or tell a lie and hurt you, while we’re on the subject), out touring his new album.
O2 APOLLO MANCHESTER, FROM 19:00, £18.50
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 18:30–22:30, £10
The wild-haired British singer/ songwriter heads out on tour, following a chart-topping 2015. NEWTON FAULKNER
ALBERT HALL, FROM 19:00, £21.50
BLACK PEAKS
The Brighton-based tech-rockers take a trip up North ahead of releasing their debut album, Statues. TELLISON
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–22:00, £7
London-based singer/songwriter known for his guitar playing, which involves rhythmically tapping and hitting his guitar’s body.
The infamous indie four piece hit the road following the release of their third album last summer.
GULLIVERS, 19:00–23:30, £6
Sat 02 Apr
VASA + BODY HOUND
Melodic and progressive instrumental tunes from Glasgow and Sheffield as part of a co-headline tour. KIRAN LEONARD
SOUP KITCHEN, 19:30–22:30, £10
A mercurially talented nineteen year old musician from Oldham, Greater Manchester who’s won widespread acclaim over the last year or so.
Thu 31 Mar SIGMA
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, FROM 19:00, £16
British d’n’b duo who topped the UK singles charts recently, apparently. RUSTY SHACKLE
GULLIVERS, 19:30–23:00, £8
Monmouthshire-based rootsy folk rock.
PETER BROTZMANN AND HEATHER LEIGH
ISLINGTON MILL, 19:30–23:30, £12
Major names of the free jazz and alt-rock circuits play as a duo, as part of this year’s FutureEverything festival. PURSON (CROSA ROSA)
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 20:00–23:00, £7
Psych-rock outfit fronted by songstress and guitarist Rosalie Cunningham.
UNPLUGGED FOR AUTISM (JAKE MORLEY + GUIDION CONN + KIMMY BEATBOX + ED GOODALE + SAM COOPER + LAURA TAPP)
MANCHESTER CLUB ACADEMY, 19:30–22:30, £13
Laid-back, acoustic rock and indie vibes raising money for the work of The National Autistic Society. SOFT MACHINE
BAND ON THE WALL, 19:30–23:00, £16
One of the pioneering British psychedelic groups, instrumental in the birth of both progressive rock and jazz rock.
SMOKE SIGNALS SESSIONS (JO DUDDERIDGE + HARRY FAUSING SMITH)
INTERNATIONAL ANTHONY BURGESS FOUNDATION, 18:00–19:30, FREE
In celebration of the world premiere of Ed Carter and David Cranmer’s new work, Smoke Signals, FutureEverything invites musicians to create one-off performances in response to the sonic and visual installation.
Fri 01 Apr FRANCIS LUNG
EAGLE INN, 19:30–22:30, £9
Former Wu Lyf clan member turned alluring solo performer returns with new EP, Faeher’s Son Vol I. SOLANA
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:30–01:00, £5
Seven-piece band drawing on influences from gypsy, folk, Balkan, world music, Latin and afro grooves.
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Listings
YEARS & YEARS
O2 APOLLO MANCHESTER, FROM 19:00, £25
Electro-pop trio from London, fronted by Olly Alexander, who’s also known to dabble in the acting circuit. PRIMAL SCREAM
ALBERT HALL, 19:00–22:00, £27.50
The Glasgow-hailing alternative rock lot, made up up Bobby Gillespie et al, perform in support of 11th studio album, Chaosmosis. FRANCIS LUNG
EAGLE INN, 19:30–22:30, £9
Former Wu Lyf clan member turned alluring solo performer returns with new EP, Faeher’s Son Vol I. NU POPES
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:30–01:00, £5
Seven-piece funk and groove collective fronted by singer Ross Taylor. MARK MORRISS (DAVE FIDLER)
FRED’S ALE HOUSE, 20:00–23:00, £8
Intimate acoustic show from The Bluetones frontman, who returns following a sell-out show in November.
CONGELTON AND SALFORD CHORAL SOCIETIES
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 19:30–22:30, £17
Singing Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius.
SMOKE SIGNALS SESSIONS (SARA LOWES)
INTERNATIONAL ANTHONY BURGESS FOUNDATION, 18:00–19:30, FREE
PABLO WILBRAHAM SAINT NINIAN’S UNITED REFORMED CHURCH, 20:00–23:00, £8
The longstanding musical partnership between Manchester-based Simon Borkin and Hannah Newcomb, Pablo launch their debut album Take Flight, with support from Americana folk singersongwriter Jo Rose. DJ YODA (GARETH BROOKS + JUICY DJS)
OLD GRANADA STUDIOS, FROM 22:00, £10 - £15
The sampler extraordinaire performs a full AV show.
THE PHARCYDE (CHILDREN OF ZEUS)
MANTRA WAREHOUSE, 19:00–23:00, £15
The Montreal indie outift unleashes new album, A Coliseum Complex Museum, which was preceded by EP Golden Lion late last year. PINES
GULLIVERS, 19:30–22:30, £4 - £5
Sunny Manchester presents PINES, a pscyh-pop and electronic outfit formed back in 2014, who now release their Technicolor Rendered cassette. They’ll be joined by fellow Manchester-based band BÊTE, whose sound fuses indie, electronica and other influences.
American indie duo hailing from Brooklyn, whose celebrated DIY approach has helped them rise through the ranks since the mid 2000s. KREPT AND KONAN
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 19:00–22:30, £17
London rappers, aka Casyo Johnson and Karl Wilson, whose debut album entered the UK charts at number two last year. RATIONALE
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:00–23:00, £7
London-based singer and producer, celebrated for his emotive Tracey Chapman-esque vocals. KNUCKLE PUCK
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–22:30, £9
BRIAN FALLON AND THE CROWES
Electro-pop trio fronted by keyboard player Olly Alexander, who released their debut album last summer and have since been chart climbing and award winning. ROMEO’S DAUGHTER
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 3, 19:30–23:00, £12
Late-80s AOR fronted by Leigh Matty. THE HUNNA
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–22:00, £5
The Hertfordshire indie rock quartet return to stages, following their triumphant 13-date tour with Coasts last month. IST IST (PLASTIC HOUSE + THE MAITLANDS + ALL HAIL HYENA)
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 19:30–22:30, £7
Melancholic Manc post-punk.
Sun 03 Apr WEEZER
MANCHESTER ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £35
Cult all-American alt-rock group, who string out their 90s/early 00s heyday with a new album out this year. THE NATIONAL YOUTH WIND ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 14:30–17:00, £15
THE SHEEPDOGS
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 20:00–23:00, £8.50
Canadian rock’n’roll sextet who formed in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 2006.
Tue 05 Apr
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 19:00–22:30, £SOLD OUT
The Gaslight Anthem frontman shows us his new solo stuff. ZIBRA
SOUND CONTROL, 18:30–22:00, £7
London-based indie/electro-pop trio fronted by Sam Battle. DAVID BROAD TRIO
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:00–00:00, FREE
Traditional American music spanning swing, blues, gospel, ragtime and sometimes country. TELEMAN
GORILLA, 19:00–23:00, £12
London-based indie three-piece – formed from breakaway members of Pete and the Pirates – making nerdy chic indie music, not completely unlike Alt-J.
EAGLE INN, 19:30–22:30, £5
GULLIVERS, 19:30–22:30, £TBC
Young rockabilly quartet fronted by 19-year-old Sharna Mae Brown. PANIC ROOM
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–22:00, £16
Alternative rock of the awardwinning variety, served up with a distinctly sultry edge. BETTER THAN NEVER + COAST TO COAST (ALL THESE YEARS + NOT TODAY + JOE WYNN)
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 20:00–23:00, £5
The Oxford pop-punk outfit head to Manchester fresh from releasing their debut EP, co-headlining alongside Birmingham’s Coast to Coast.
Thu 07 Apr GYPFUNK
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:00–00:00, FREE
Devonshire quartet, whose tunes nod across the Channel with French chanson, swing-shuffle and other Gallic bohemian beats. RICHARD LOMAX
MONO, 19:30–22:30, TBC
Manchester-based omnichord player and songwriter, whose music occupies the folk-psych realm. DAN OWEN (CHLOE FOY)
FALLOW CAFE, 20:00–23:00, £7
After Dan Owen’s dreams of becoming a guitar maker were tragically interrupted due to an accident in his workshop he became a singer-songwriter and prolific performer. Catch his melodic, bluesy and lyrically insightful music this April. U.S. GIRLS
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:00–23:00, £8
American-born, Meg Remy’s musical moniker. THE HALLÉ
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 19:30–22:30, £5 - £41
Another great concert with Manchester’s inimitable symphony orchestra, The Hallé. ETCHES + MARSICANS + STALAGMITES + RANDOM WHITE
THE CASTLE HOTEL, 19:30–22:30, £6
An evening of live music from Liverpool’s Etches, Leeds’ Marsicans and other nearby names.
THE RUBY LOUNGE, 19:00–23:00, £12
God Mod founder Jasyn Bangert brings his childhood dreams to life as frightening musical nightmares. THE BIG EASY
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:30–00:30, £5
Swing group playing all the classics from Louis Prima to Nina Simone, while also marking the release of new album, This is Hip. AN EVENING WITH KIERNO (PAUL GLEAVE + COPPERSTEP SNAPE + COACH JEETS + ASH SHERLOCK + PHIL KNOX + CHARLIE COLE)
THE DANCEHOUSE THEATRE, 19:00–22:00, £10
Kierno launches the biggest acoustic night in Manchester. MOTHERTONGUE
THE CASTLE HOTEL, 19:30–22:30, £3
Album launch for new release, Unsongs, from the Mancunian progressive pop six-piece.
THE MARIVAUX (THE CLAP IT OFFS + IN QUARANTINE WE TRUST + TOM BUCKLEY) GULLIVERS, 19:30–22:30, £TBC
Four Manc twenty-somethings playing alt-rock. KARL WALSH AND THE HAPPY FUTURE EAGLE INN, 19:30–22:30, £5
The local singer songwriter celebrates the launch of his new single, Wonderful. NATASHA WATTS
BAND ON THE WALL, 19:00–22:00, £15
PVRIS
MANCHESTER ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £12
American rock group from Massachusetts whose debut album is out now. LUCIUS
GORILLA, FROM 19:00, £12
An evocative mix of torchy, steelinfused Americana and urban indie pop from duo of Berklee College of Music graduates Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig. STUART MCCALLUM RESIDENCY
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:00–00:00, FREE
Monthly experimental improv compositions from The Cinematic Orchestra’s Stuart McCallum. ALDOUS HARDING
THE CASTLE HOTEL, 19:30–22:30, £7
Hey! Manchester brings the New Zealander to The Castle Hotel for an evening of gothic folk. CAMBIO SUN
GULLIVERS, 19:30–22:30, £7
Australia-via-London duo led by Marourba’s Charlie Tait. FEAR OF MEN
AATMA, 19:30–22:30, £6
The Brighton-based band return with new material.
SPECTACULAR CLASSICS
BRIDGEWATER HALL, FROM 19:30, £29.50 - £42.50
The Manchester Concert Orchestra play the classics, from the William Tell Overture by Rossini to Mussorhsky’s Great Gate of Kiev. DANA ALI BAND
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:30–00:30, £5
Neo-soul band based in Honley, formed by hubbie and wife Dave Hewitt and Dana Ali.
NATIONAL CONCERT BAND FESTIVAL
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 09:00–00:00, £7.50
The UK’s largest wind band and big band festival. YAMAHA GALA CONCERT
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 19:00–22:00, £6
Symphonic wind band concert featuring the Bands of the Grenadier and Coldstream Guards. FAMILY TREE PRESENTS… (DIGNAN PORCH + CHARLES HOWL + ELLE MARY AND THE BAD MEN)
THE CASTLE HOTEL, 20:00–23:00, £6
Family Tree presents Captured Tracks’ cult indie star Dignan Porch, returning to Manchester with support from Charles Howl (PNKSLM) and Elle Mary and The Bad Men. THE BREW (BLACKBAILED)
Alt rock group from Manchester, who return to Manchester Academy for their first headline slot there. CAST (GLASS CAVES + WILLOW ROBINSON)
Money, O2 Ritz Manchester, Fri 22 Apr, 7pm, £11
Five-piece band born in Exeter back in 2012, who describe their style as ‘Electronic pop music with guitars.’
BANDA BLACK RIO (DJ IRFAN RAINY)
BAND ON THE WALL, 19:30–22:30, £15
Where r’n’b serves as the vehicle for danceable variations incorporating the gafieira style, samba, and jazz. AUSTINN
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–22:00, £8
Indie-pop sounds all the way from Luxembourg.
Fri 08 Apr
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 18:00–22:00, £SOLD OUT
The Welsh emo stalwarts take to the road for a final time. MUSE
MANCHESTER ARENA, FROM 18:00, £65
The Matt Bellamy-fronted trio return with their seventh album, Drones, reverting to their harder rock sound to comment on drone warfare.
THE DUNWELLS
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–22:30, £8
Folk rock bunch hailing from Leeds, made up of brothers Joseph and David Dunwell and cousins Robert Clayton and Jonny Lamb.
Tue 12 Apr
MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS
MANCHESTER ARENA, 18:00–22:00, £29.50 - £35
Return of the Mack. Just kidding, it’s Macklemore (of ‘walk in to the club I’m like what up, I’ve got a big cock’ fame) and his bestie Ryan Lewis.
THE BODY (FULL OF HELL + CAINA)
THE RUBY LOUNGE, 19:30–23:00, FREE
Chip King and Lee Buford tour new album, No One Deserves Happiness, delivering themes of despair and isolation through the unlikely pairing of the Body’s signature heaviness and 80s dance tracks.
Big-beat bar band returning to Manchester following a sold-out reunion show at Factory.
Sun 10 Apr JEFF LYNNE’S ELO
THE ATTIC DOCTORS
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 19:00–00:00, £8 - £10
MANCHESTER CLUB ACADEMY, 19:30–22:30, £7
Bolton rockers made up of Dean Peatfield, Joe Cubbin, Matty Dagger and Jack Smith. GLASVILLE
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–22:00, £10
Glaswegian outfit playing the music of US TV series, Nashville.
FIELD STUDIES (AKRANES + DANXIA + THE VANITY PROJECT) NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 20:00–23:00, £6
Young quartet channelling sounds perfect for fans of WU LYF.
Sat 09 Apr
FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 18:00–22:00, £SOLD OUT
The Welsh emo stalwarts take to the road for a final time. MUSE
MANCHESTER ARENA, FROM 18:00, £65
The Matt Bellamy-fronted trio return with their seventh album, Drones, reverting to their harder rock sound to comment on drone warfare. JACK GARRATT
ALBERT HALL, 19:00–22:00, £15
London-based singer/songwriter starting to rise up the ladder towards a meagre amount of fame.
FARAO
Alternative indie-pop Norwegian singer, songwriter and multiinstrumentalist; aka Kari Jahnsen. FRIGHTENED RABBIT
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 2, FROM 19:30, £15
BAND ON THE WALL, 19:30–22:30, £10
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 3, 19:30–22:30, £15
Slovakian nu-metal founded in 1996.
Local sax-led trio who play original material in a chordless setting.
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 3, 19:30–22:30, £8
A reincarnation of Electric Light Orchestra play through their classics and songs from new album Alone in the Universe.
DESMOD (DJ FISH)
WOUND
After postponing their gig earlier this month, Britpoppers Cast play a new date at the O2.
MANCHESTER ARENA, FROM 19:30, £50 - £110
AATMA, 19:00–00:00, £7
After their Californian inception in 2009, Plague Vendor refined their raucous and frenetic sound before releasing their debut Free To Eat in 2014.
The mighty F’Rabbit take some time out from conquering the US-of-A – where they’ve spent the past two months – to play a series of UK dates, a selection of new tunes quite rightly in tow.
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 2, 19:30–22:30, £20
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–22:00, £10
STELLA MARTYR (CAROUSEL CLOUDS + HER + THE BRAKES)
PLAGUE VENDOR (LOVE BUZZARD)
THE CASTLE HOTEL, 19:30–22:30, £7
THE CASTLE HOTEL, 19:30–22:30, FREE WHEN YOU LIKE THE BETA FACEBOOK PAGE, £5 OTHERWISE
DUST JUNKYS
Berlin-born, London-raised singer, songwriter and guitarist peddling a folky take on riot grrrl styles.
Mon 11 Apr
MANCHESTER CLUB ACADEMY, 19:30–22:30, £7
AWKWARD AGENDA (PAINTBOX FIRES + HUNTED + THE KOHBAHS)
Scruff of the Neck Records present local indie band Lunar.
ROXANNE DE BASTION
The Swedish rock band who formed in 1988 treat us to a gig after the release of A Greater Call earlier this year.
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 2, 19:30–22:30, £28
BRAINSTORM
BAND ON THE WALL, 18:00–22:00, £10
LUNAR (LYON ROAD + GLUE + TOURIST ATTRACTIONS)
GULLIVERS, 19:30–22:30, £8
CULT OF LUNA
SOUND CONTROL, 18:30–22:00, £16
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:00–00:00, FREE
bit.ly/moneymcr
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 19:00–22:30, £25
Singer/songwriter from Preston, often drawing comparisons to Jason Mraz and James Morrison, quite possibly for his sins.
NADA SURF
GORILLA, FROM 18:30, £13
SOUP KITCHEN, 19:30–22:15, £8
Experimental electronica and shoegazey minimalism straight from the Berlin based bedrooms of KVB’s Nicholas Wood and Kat Day.
Brit rock trio with a rare father/ son line-up that seems to work for ‘em.
Buy your tickets here:
THE CAT EMPIRE
MIKE DIGNAM
Hard rock and big hair from Sydney.
THE KVB (THROWN DOWN BONES + WEDDING)
The soul singer returns off the back of a hugely successful first album, working alongside Rob Hardt from Cool Million and Richard Earnshaw to release its follow up.
Latvian indie-pop quartet.
Wed 06 Apr
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:00–23:00, £10
SHARNA MAE AND THE MAYHEMS (JESSIE AND THE VAQUEROS)
SOUND CONTROL, 18:00–22:00, £18
Thrash metal New Jersey unit who’ve grown accustomed to selling out their gigs. Get tickets for Overkill’s ‘Killfest’ while they’re still up for grabs.
AKUA NARU (SNO)
MARTIN HARRIS CENTRE FOR MUSIC AND DRAMA, 15:00–17:00, £7 - £15
Irish singer-songwriter and – god forbid – YouTuber, whose debut album is released this year.
Brooklyn trio big on the melody, with Matthew Caws’ vocals soaring over gentle backing, with strings and the harmonic attributes of both bassist, Daniel Lorca, and drummer, Ira Elliot.
BAND ON THE WALL, 19:30–22:30, £12
London-based composers Tom Kingston and Joe Wilson, who release their self-titled debut LP this spring.
BRY
GOD MODULE
THE CASTLE HOTEL, 19:30–22:30, £10
The genre-busting Australian ensemble embark on their biggest world tour to date, blurring the line between hip-hop, jazz and reggae as only they know how.
NORTHERN CHAMBER ORCHESTRA CONCERT FOR PARKINSON’S
OVERKILL
Grammy award-winning singer absolutely owning the jazz-soul crossover zone.
SIV JAKOBSEN + JO ROSE (CAOIFHIONN ROSE)
Hip-hop, spoken word and soul powerhouse Akua Naru stops by this spring.
SOLOMON GREY
RAMSBOTTOM CIVIC, 20:00–23:00, £16
A Cambridge singer with a unique percussive style of guitar playing, Will’s been getting regular play from Fearne Cotton, and will appeal greatly to those lucky people who caught Ben Howard’s show at Sneaky Pete’s.
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 19:30–22:30, £22.50
Lebanese composer, singer and oud maestro, who began a career by performing protest songs.
WOLFMOTHER MANCHESTER ACADEMY, FROM 19:00, £19.50
WILL ROBERT
Co-headline show from Norway’s Jakobsen and local Americana/folk singer-songwriter Rose.
MARCEL KHALIFÉ
GREGORY PORTER BRIDGEWATER HALL, FROM 19:30, £30 - £42.50
GULLIVERS, 19:30–22:30, £6
Great Britain’s National Youth Wind Orchestra perform music from around the world alongside renowned flute soloist Paul Edmund-Davies.
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:00–23:00, £10
THE BESNARD LAKES
Folk rock couple (featuring Seth’s bro), nominated for Best Duo at the 2016 BBC Folk Awards.
O2 APOLLO MANCHESTER, 19:00–22:00, £35 - £122
YEARS AND YEARS
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 18:00–23:00, FREE
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:00–22:15, £10
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 3, FROM 19:30, £13.50
Pop-punk from Chicago’s southern suburbs.
Conductor Stephen Barlow leads the NCO in this afternoon of pieces related to neurodegenerative disease, including works by John Adams, Mendelssohn, Strauss and others.
Manchester’s DIY indie and punk promoters play records in the main bar of The Deaf Institute from 6pm.
KATHRYN ROBERTS AND SETH LAKEMAN
MATT & KIM
20th anniversary concert of The Pharcyde’s seminal second album, Labcabincalifornia, which helped establish their position at the forefront of hip hop’s Golden Era also thanks to production credits from Jay Dee and Diamond D.
In celebration of the world premiere of Ed Carter and David Cranmer’s new work, Smoke Signals, FutureEverything invites musicians to create one-off performances in response to the sonic and visual installation. FAMILY AFFAIR
Mon 04 Apr
CHERIE BABE’S BURLESQUE REVUE
Live cabaret entertainment, music and burlesque featuring performers from across the North West.
NATIONAL CONCERT BAND FESTIVAL
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 09:00–00:00, £7.50
The UK’s largest wind band and big band festival. GILL LANDRY
GULLIVERS, 19:30–22:30, £7
Louisiana singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, formerly of Old Crow Medicine Show. WITH THE DEAD
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:00–23:00, £12.50
UK doom metal group, composed of former Cathedral alumni and pals, who released their debut album last year. NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 15:30–17:30, £7 - £15
A bunch of teens not content with just sitting in a park downing White Lightning. Fair play. DAVID B AND NI-COLA
BAND ON THE WALL, 19:00–22:00, £15
Experience MOBO-nominated artists DavidB & Ni-Cola live, backed by some of the finest musicians and some very special guests.
BANDA MAGDA
Founded by Greek-born singer and composer Magda Giannikou, Banda Magda moves from samba to French chanson, from Greek folk tunes to Colombian cumbia and Afro-Peruvian lando.
Wed 13 Apr ANIMAL COLLECTIVE
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 19:00–22:30, £16
More cerebral electronic pop par excellence, as the Baltimore experimentalists bring their latest album, Painting With, to a live setting. BOUCHE
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:00–00:00, FREE
The project of songwriter, double bass player and singer Rebekah Bouche, with Joe Sharp on trumpet, flugelhorn and cornet and Greg Sanders on electric guitar. THE HALLÉ
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 14:15–16:15, £5 - £40
Another great concert with Manchester’s inimitable symphony orchestra, The Hallé. UDO DIRKSCHNEIDER (ANVIL)
MANCHESTER CLUB ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £20
German heavy metal singer kinda resembling a hard-boiled egg. THE BELLRAYS (BONES SHAKE + GUTS)
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–23:00, £10
Infusing rock with garage sounds and soul vocals.
Thu 14 Apr BASIA BULAT
SOUP KITCHEN, FROM 19:00, £10
Autoharp-wielding Canadian folkstress, whose latest album, Good Advice, is out now. SHONEN KNIFE (BRUJA)
THE RUBY LOUNGE, 19:30–23:00, £12.50
A fully female, fuzzy pop-punk rock band hailing from Osaka, with support from Bruja and Teen Canteen.
THE SKINNY
ALEX DEE QUARTET
SUN RA ARKESTRA
PATENT PENDING (BOY JUMPS SHIP)
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:00–00:00, FREE
BAND ON THE WALL, 19:30–22:30, £20
MANCHESTER CLUB ACADEMY, 19:30–22:30, £12
Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from the Wirral, whose repertoire spans James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Sting, John Martyn, Donny Hathaway and original material. NERINA PALLOT
GORILLA, 19:00–23:00, £18.50
Reluctant to accept the label of the ‘singer-songwriter’ after a distinct departure from her earlier style, Nerina Pallot insists that her most recent release is her ‘mid life crisis’ album. Catch it live this April. NOTHING BUT THIEVES
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 19:00–22:30, £12
The Southend on Sea ensemble take their eponymous debut album out on the road. VAULTS
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:00–23:00, £8
A trio who describe themselves as an introspective electronica, whose single One Last Night hit the big time after featuring on the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack. THE HALLÉ
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 19:30–22:30, £5 - £40
Another great concert with Manchester’s inimitable symphony orchestra, The Hallé. TIPPETT QUARTET
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 13:10–14:00, £7 - £11.50
A midday concert featuring what Beethoven regarded as his finest string quartet. DAVE GRANEY AND THE MISTLY (FRANCO BANDINI + POPPYCOCK) EAGLE INN, 19:30–22:30, £6
Melbourne-based Dave Graney heads to British shores alongside his current live band. DEREK RYAN
WATERSIDE ARTS CENTRE, 19:30–22:30, £21.50 - £23.50
Derek’s ‘One Good Night’ concert tour includes a mix of old favourites, classic country and Derek’s own original material. KENNY GARRETT QUINTET
BAND ON THE WALL, 19:30–22:30, £25
The revered Arkestra return with their 60th anniversary tour, celebrating six decades of unsurpassed avant-garde jazz. HIGH WOLF (DON’T DJ + CHUGGY)
SOUP KITCHEN, 19:00–22:30, £5
Mancunian five-piece formed at Glastonbury in 2007, crafting indie electro as they go.
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–22:00, £8
TWIN PEAKS
MORPHEUS RISING (BLACK ROSE)
Thrashy, gothy prog-rock from a five-piece, twin guitar metal band.
Sat 16 Apr ADAM LAMBERT
MANCHESTER ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £23.50
American Idol alumnus, who’s actually done alright for himself (collaborating with Queen and the like) even if he’s not your bag. THE VAMPS
MANCHESTER ARENA, 18:00–22:00, £47.50
Acoustic-driven British pop unit led by singer Brad Simpson. WILKO JOHNSON
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 18:30–22:30, £SOLD OUT
The inimitable guitarist and founding member of Dr. Feelgood returns to the live circuit with a UK headline tour, following his (not actually) farewell tour after his diagnosis with terminal cancer. THE HIPSHAKES (THE MOURNING AFTER + THE TRANSMITTERS)
THE RUBY LOUNGE, 19:00–23:00, £8
Essential Manchester garage-punk outfit, celebrating the release of You Think You Know / I Think I Knew on Manchester’s own Crocodile Records. THE TOM SEALS BAND
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:30–01:00, £5
Award-winning, Blues chart selling artist returns to his favourite Manchester venue, joined by his band to play through everything from Ray Charles to Bruno Mars. DAMIEN JURADO
American folk-rocker, whose most recent album, Visions of Us on the Land, is out this spring.
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 20:00–23:00, £8
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 20:00–23:00, £9
London-based folk-rock fivepiece, who tour in support of new album, Palomino.
Fri 15 Apr BEN HAENOW
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 2, FROM 19:00, £23.50
Another from the X Factor stable, who was recently dropped from Simon Cowell’s label less than two years after being signed. BAJM
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 18:30–22:30, £33
Polish pop-meets-rock collective who, in their lengthy career, have released some 13 albums and played over 5000 gigs.
ST PHILIP’S CHURCH, 19:00–22:00, £16.50
LAZY HABITS
Brass infused hip-hop troupe touring in support of second album The Atrocity Exhibition. MUMS BRASS BAND
MARTIN HARRIS CENTRE FOR MUSIC AND DRAMA, 19:30–21:30, £3 - £10.50
Manchester University Music Society take you through brass music from across the decades. DRUMROOTS 10TH BIRTHDAY (TANANTE + JUBA DO LEÃO + JALLY SUNTOU SUSSO + KALAKUTA) ISLINGTON MILL, 20:00–23:30, £TBC
Drumroots presents a spectacular showcase of live world music and drumming from diverse musical traditions to celebrate 10 years of Drumroots history.
THE RUBY LOUNGE, 19:30–23:00, £15
RECORD STORE DAY AFTER PARTY (HORSEBEACH + BLOOMS + MOVE + SPRINTERS)
SWINGLOGY
Trof, Family Tree and Piccadilly Records team up for a RSD after party featuring established and rising good’uns of the local music scene including Horsebeach, Blooms, Move and Sprinters, plus DJs.
THE HEADS (DEAD SEA APES)
Psychedelic rock outfit from Bristol, with 16 years, around 20 full-length albums and three Peel Sessions to their name. MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:30–01:00, £5
Liverpool-formed five-piece, performing the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephen Grappelli.
NORTHERN SOUL LIVE (THE EDWIN STARR BAND + LORRAINE SILVER + THE TEAM FT. ANGELO STARR)
THE PLAZA STOCKPORT, 19:30–22:30, £15
An evening of Northern Soul and Motown hits ELIZA AND THE BEAR
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 3, 19:30–22:30, £12
Five piece euphoric indie pop/ rock lot hailing from London and featuring neither Eliza, nor indeed a bear. LIIMA
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:00–22:15, £12.50
Under the moniker of the Finnish for ‘glue’, Mads Brauer, Casper Clausen, Rasmus Stolberg and percussionist Tatu Rönkkö unite to administer you with a dose of synthy goodness. RUSSELL WATSON
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 19:30–22:30, £34.50 - £47
The popular classical crossover artist does his thing.
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 18:00–03:00, £4 - £5
DANCES FROM WEST SIDE STORY (BBC PHILHARMONIC)
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 19:30–22:30, £5 - £38
Performing music by Leonard Bernstein, including his energetic Chichester Psalms. WHEN IN MANCHESTER (CUPIDS + NO HOT ASHES + TRAMPOLENE + GIRL FRIEND + HELLO OPERATOR + LOUIE LOUIE + MORE)
VARIOUS VENUES, 14:30–00:00, £14
Brand new festival taking over Gullivers and The Castle, with hotly-tipped Cupids and No Hot Ashes headlining. ETHAN AND THE REFORMATION (MAYBEELLEN + CRIMSONS) EAGLE INN, 19:30–22:30, £7
60s-style psychedelia fronted by rhythm guitarist Ethan Dundavan. THE FUNKY KNUCKLES (MARK LETTIERI TRIO)
BAND ON THE WALL, 19:00–22:00, £14
Dallas-based jazz-funk fusion band.
RECORD STORE DAY LIVE (HOT VESTRY + GHOST OUTFIT + MOTHER + MUMS + BLACK LUNG + WERK) SOUP KITCHEN, 16:00–22:15, £3
Soup Kitchen’s RSD all-dayer.
April 2016
TIGERSIDE (IN PIXELS + THE BLINDERS)
French artist High Wolf is joined by Berlin’s Florian Meyer under his Don’t DJ alias, plus Emotional Recordings’ Stuart Leath under his Chuggy one.
Grammy award-winning saxophonist, who’s recorded and worked with jazz legends including Miles Davis, Pat Metheny, Freddie Hubbard and McCoy Tyner. TREETOP FLYERS
Post punk purveyors Patent Pending stop by as part of their mammoth UK tour. SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–22:00, £7
Sun 17 Apr THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:30–22:30, £8
Ragtag band of playful garage rockers hailing from Chicago Twin Peaks take to the road ahead of their May release Down In Heaven. ALBERTO GINASTERA CENTENARY CONCERT
INTERNATIONAL ANTHONY BURGESS FOUNDATION, 16:00–18:00, £5 - £8
A special concert marking what would have been the 100th birthday of one of the 20th century’s most important classical composers. DERBYSHIRE YOUTH WIND BAND AND RNCM COLLABORATIVE CONCERT
MARTIN HARRIS CENTRE FOR MUSIC AND DRAMA, 18:00–20:00, £4 - £6
GREATER MANCHESTER JAZZ ORCHESTRA AND SALFORD MAPAS BIG BAND BAND ON THE WALL, 19:30–22:30, £6
The best in youth jazz education in the region. MARLON WILLIAMS
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 20:00–23:00, £8
The former Lyttelton choirboy does his angelic-voiced thing.
Wed 20 Apr
THE HANSON AND SMITH DUO
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:00–00:30, FREE
Mancunian twosome comprising Ben Smith on piano and vocals and Craig Hanson on drums and percussion. KATHRYN TICKELL AND THE SIDE
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 19:30–22:30, £15
Folk quartet fronted by Northumbrian Kathryn Tickell.
KATIE LOWE AND ROBIN HUMPHRIES
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 19:30–22:30, £10
An RNCM International Artist Diploma recital featuring works by Wagner, Puccini and Sibelius. AUGUSTINES
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 2, 19:30–22:30, £19
The Derbyshire City and County Youth Wind Band team up with the Royal Northern College of Music to perform the result of this term’s work.
NYC trio who do a rather fine line in anthemic indie-rock (formerly playing as We Are Augustines), due in no small part to frontman Billy McCarthy’s measured and majestic vocals.
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 19:30–22:30, £5 - £40
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 20:00–23:00, £11
THE HALLÉ
KIMYA DAWSON
Another great concert with Manchester’s inimitable symphony orchestra, The Hallé.
Punky folk from one half of The Moldy Peaches.
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 13:00–14:00, £12 - £14
Jamie Campbell Bower-fronted punk outfit.
STEPHANIE BOSCH
Milapfest’s Women in Indian Music season continues with Bansuri flute-player Stephanie Bosch.
HOLY MOLY AND THE CRACKERS (THE BUFFALO SKINNERS)
THE CASTLE HOTEL, 19:30–22:30, £8
Young Newcastle-based folk-indie outfit, drawing their influences from such luminaries as Woody Guthrie and Joni Mitchell.
COUNTERFEIT
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:30–23:00, £10
RICHARD WALTERS AND ADAM BARNES
THE CASTLE HOTEL, 19:30–22:30, £6
Co-headline gig from two British alt-folk singer-songwriters KING NO-ONE
GULLIVERS, 19:30–22:30, £6
Yorkshire indie rock quartet. MOOSE BLOOD
SOUND CONTROL, 18:30–22:00, £SOLD OUT
WHITECLIFF (ROYALS + PLAYING HOUSE)
Canterbury-based emo lads out on No Sleep Records.
SOUND CONTROL, 19:30–22:30, £5
Thu 21 Apr
Four-piece based in Liverpool come hither, featuring deliriously pretty vocals stretched over clever rhythms, eclectic and creative guitar parts and decent enough lyrics. THE VELCRO TEDDY BEARS
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 19:00–22:00, £3
NAO
GORILLA, FROM 19:00, £9
The fledgling London-based singer heads our way. KYGO
MANCHESTER ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £SOLD OUT
Mon 18 Apr
Young producer from Norway gradually nudging his way into the mainstream.
O2 APOLLO MANCHESTER, FROM 19:00, £25 - £59
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:00–00:30, FREE
Sheffield-based rock ‘n’ rollers. MICHAEL BOLTON
The pop-rock balladmonger performs his greatest hits and a selection of songs from his new album, which celebrates music from the movies. TROYE SIVAN
MANCHESTER ACADEMY, 19:30–22:30, £15
South African-born Aussie, who’s a singer-songwriter and, yep, a ‘YouTube personality’. HIGH TYDE (CLAY)
SOUND CONTROL, 19:30–22:30, £6
Brighton indie teens on the rise. THE KING KHAN AND BBQ SHOW
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 20:00–23:00, £12
Confusingly, these guys are in fact a two piece, made up of Arish ‘King’ Khan (self described as the one with snottier vocals and lead guitar parts) and Mark ‘BBQ’ Sultan who drums, plays non-lead guitar and identifies as a somewhat less ‘snotty’ singer.
Tue 19 Apr THE LUMINEERS
ALBERT HALL, 19:00–22:00, £SOLD OUT
The Lumineers return with a jazzy tinge to their folk-rock timbre, touring the world with their new album Cleopatra. MARLON WILLIAMS
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, FROM 20:00, £8
The former Lyttelton choirboy does his angelic-voiced thing. THE FALL
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 19:00–22:30, £25
Seminal 70s post-punk outfit from Manchester – led by the inimitable Mark E Smith with an otherwise interchangeable line-up. COLIN BLUNSTONE
WATERSIDE ARTS CENTRE, 19:30–22:30, £20 - £22
Acclaimed solo performer and original lead singer of The Zombies.
JAMIE BROWNFIELD QUARTET
Jazz four-piece headed by British Jazz Awards rising star, Jamie Brownfield. BRAND NEW ORCHESTRA
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 19:30–22:30, FREE
RNCM composers perform their latest work. THE FUREYS
THE PLAZA STOCKPORT, 19:30–22:30, £19 - £20
The longstanding folk-based outfit play a selection of classics spanning their 35+ year career.
KORPIKLAANI + MOONSORROW MANCHESTER CLUB ACADEMY, 19:30–22:30, £17
Double headliner gig featuring prog folk-rock from Korpiklaani and pagan metal from Helsinki band Moonsorrow. LETLIVE
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–22:30, £SOLD OUT
American post-hardcore group from LA.
Fri 22 Apr
5 SECONDS OF SUMMER MANCHESTER ARENA, 18:30–22:00, £25 - £35
Aussie youngsters, who started out as YouTube c’lebs. Just don’t go there. HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD
MANCHESTER ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £17.50
LA group fusing rap with metal, with each member donning a mask and pseudonym. MONEY
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 19:00–22:30, £11
The Manchester outfit, signed to Bella Union, take to the road for a UK and European tour in support of second LP Suicide Songs. THE SPITFIRES
THE RUBY LOUNGE, 19:00–23:00, £10
The Walford-based trio do their fiery and anthemic thing. ALLIGATOR GUMBO
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:30–01:00, £5
Leeds-based jazz musicians playing a mix of styles inspired by early jazz/swing music in New Orleans – which has surprisingly little to do with large reptilian-based stew. EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY
ALBERT HALL, 19:00–22:00, £SOLD OUT
Post-rock vets, whose repertoire of largely instrumental material grows this April with the release of seventh studio album, The Wilderness.
THE BRASS ENSEMBLE: FROM NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO GENRE CREATION ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 15:00–17:30, FREE
John Miller and John Wallace are joined by The Wallace Collection and others, playing a repertoire from the mid-19th century onwards. THE WALLACE COLLECTION
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 18:30–21:30, £10
Brass ensemble led by John Wallace.
MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY WIND ORCHESTRA AND STRING ORCHESTRA
MARTIN HARRIS CENTRE FOR MUSIC AND DRAMA, 19:30–21:30, £3 - £10.50
Mon 25 Apr
Thu 28 Apr
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 19:00–22:00, £25
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:00–00:00, FREE
GINGER BAKER’S AIRFORCE 3
Jazz-rock fusion group led by Cream drummer Ginger Baker. SHAKEY GRAVES
GORILLA, 19:30–23:00, £10
Texan singer-songwriter Alejandro Rose-Garcia strums up some folky galore. LAURA GIBSON
SOUP KITCHEN, 19:30–22:30, £8
Hey! Manchester presents Laura Gibson, the multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter hailing from Coquille, Oregon. RECREATIONS
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 20:00–23:00, £10
Manchester University’s wind and string orchestras play a concert of Western string music and an Americana-themed wind half.
Out of the ashes of Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Recreations rises.
FALLOW CAFE, 20:00–23:30, £4
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 2, 19:30–22:30, £15
PINACT (HEN PARTY + MORE)
Imagine the fruits of The Vaselines listening to Lightning Bolt and you’re halfway there. An intensely chaotic sound that wraps sheer pop song writing in Melvins-esque fuzz; a kiss and a punch. UNQUIET EARTH: WORDS & MUSIC ABOUT THE LIFE & WORK OF EMILY BRONTË
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 15:00–16:00, £8
A performance of work by Tormorden-based composer Robin Walker, who has set four of Emily Bronte’s poems. SHAKESPEARE 400 (BBC PHILHARMONIC)
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 19:30–22:30, £5 - £38
The BBC Philharmonic mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death with excerpts from Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and BBC commissions. ALTAN
Tue 26 Apr KIP MOORE
Nashville singer-songwriter (specialising in country music as you’d expect), who released his second album last year. VANT
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:00–22:15, £6.50
London-based indie-rock quartet fronted by Mattie Vant, now signed to Parlophone. HENRY BOTHAM’S MARDI GRAS TRIO
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:00–00:00, FREE
The sounds of Mardi Gras right here in Manchester from the trio fronted by pianist Henry Botham, playing a mix of New Orleans classics, old time blues, traditional spirituals and original music. AQUILO
THE RUBY LOUNGE, FROM 19:30, £8.50
Electronic duo, dreamily atmospheric and addicted to melancholy.
MANCHESTER ACADEMY, 22:00–04:00, £17.50
BAND ON THE WALL, 19:30–22:30, £15
ALL TOMORROW’S PARTIES 2.0 (FLAMIN GROOVIES + ROY LONEY + OMAR SOULEYMAN + METZ + EL VEZ + THE MONKEYWRENCH + DIAMANDA GALAS)
VICTORIA WAREHOUSE, 17:00–00:00, UNTIL SUN 24 APR, £35 - £100
The underground grime brand, originally started by Wiley, makes its first trip to Manchester. MANCHESTER PUNK FESTIVAL
SOUND CONTROL, 12:30–22:30, £21
Returning to Sound Control followinga near-sell-out last year.
THE SHADY 80S (G.R.I.M + GAVNER + NATHAN JOSEPH + BEATS.ALL.DAY)
The festival graduates from Pontins in Prestatyn to Manchester’s Victoria Warehouse, with a line-up curated by Drive Like Jehu.
An evening of live hip hop, funk and rock.
RAMSBOTTOM CIVIC, 20:00–23:00, £16
ARKENSEMBLE
JOHN MCCUSKER
Multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer peddling boundarycrossing folk, who celebrates his 25th year as a professional musician with a tour this April. BC CAMPLIGHT (PEACE AND LOVE BARBERSHOP MUHAMMAD ALI + INLAND TAIPAN)
BAND ON THE WALL, 19:30–22:30, £10
The Bella Union-signed songwriter completes his ascension from being down and out in Philadelphia to riding critical acclaim, for the skewed pop of latest album How to Die In The North.
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 20:00–23:00, £4
Sun 24 Apr ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 14:30–17:30, £10
Senior students and staff from the RNCM, playing music from Mozart, Mahler, Moondog and others. JOE LONGTHORNE
THE PLAZA STOCKPORT, 19:30–22:30, £21
The singer, impressionist and regular Royal Variety performer returns to the stage. REDMAN AND METHOD MAN
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 19:00–22:30, £28 - £36
The Wu Tang and Def Squad hip hop heads show us how it’s done with a live show together.
CRIOLO (DJ IRFAN RAINY)
Brazilian singer/songwriter and MC mixing hip-hop with samba, Afrobeat, soul and reggae, overlaid with poetic critiques of modern Brazil. ASHESTOANGELS
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–22:00, £8
Bristol-based synthy goth-punk lot, with all four members vocals’ playing an integral part of their sound.
Wed 27 Apr
UB40 FEATURING ALI CAMPBELL, ASTRO AND MICKEY
O2 APOLLO MANCHESTER, FROM 19:00, £35
Three original UB40 members reunite in a splinter group, despite the rest of the band remaining under the UB40 moniker - and a few messy fallings out along the way. Awkwaaard. CHRIS CORNELL
BRIDGEWATER HALL, FROM 19:00, £25 - £45
Formerly known for Soundgarden, solo stuff and Audioslave. Now back in solo territory. HIATUS KAIYOTE
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 19:00–22:00, £18
The future soul quartet from Melbourne, made up of Nai, Perrin, Paul and Simon, tour their latest album Choose Your Weapon.
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:30–23:00, £10
Sat 23 Apr
OUGHT
Contemporary country musician and regular fixture on the Billboard country singles chart.
Young musicians from the Stockport-based group perform folk music and clog dances from the Peak and Pennines regions.
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 18:30–22:30, £14
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 16:15–17:00, FREE
The daughter of blues singer Victor Brox, with several albums to her name.
THE MANCHESTER RAMBLER
GULLIVERS, 19:30–22:30, £8
THREE TRAPPED TIGERS
Brian Eno-endorsed instrumental noise rockers return with new stuff. ISLINGTON MILL, 20:00–23:00, £14 - £16
Think The Fall, but with more Canadian accents and less band member-replacing. Ought are captivating and ridiculous and life-affirming and tiring as hell. Do. Not. Miss. This. Show. THE HALLÉ
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 19:30–22:30, £5 - £41
Another great concert with Manchester’s inimitable symphony orchestra, The Hallé. AFRIKAN BOY
BAND ON THE WALL, 19:30–22:30, £10
It’s not often that you’d expect to find the bass-heavy sounds of urban London and the rhythmic beats of Nigeria sitting together on a track, but if there is one MC who’s not shying away from doing exactly that, then look no further than Afrikan Boy. FUMAÇA PRETA (PURPLE HEART PARADE)
SOUP KITCHEN, 19:30–22:30, £9
A heady mix of tropicalia, psychedelics, fuzz funk and more.
DIERKS BENTLEY
O2 APOLLO MANCHESTER, FROM 19:00, £35
LOGIC
The Maryland rapper, who also goes by the name Sir Robert Bryson Hall II (strange, we can’t recall his name in the New Year’s honours list.)
FOSBROOKS
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 15:15–16:00, FREE
LAKELAND FIDDLERS
Enthusiastic community band led by Carolyn Francis. BRIDGEWATER HALL, 17:15–18:00, FREE
Sensual four-piece audio and visual experience, hailing from Holland, Poland, Ireland and England.
Bill Lloyd leads a session of community singing, with a rendition of Ewan MacColl’s famous anthem inspired by the mass tresspass on Kinder Scout.
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:30–01:00, £5
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 2, 19:00–22:30, £16.50
COURTESANS
THE RUBY LOUNGE, 19:00–23:00, £7
CHARLIE COOPER AND THE CCS
STEVE MASON
Vintage soul headed up the deep, husky tones of Charlie Cooper, who’s joined by a band that channels their inner Booker T and the MGs.
The Beta Band frontman plays a solo set, still riding high on his early 2013 LP, Monkey Minds in the Devil’s Time – a catalytic call-toarms with a mantric message sure to get the blood a-pumping.
FRED’S ALE HOUSE, 20:00–23:00, £5
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–23:00, £8
THE HANGING STARS (OH MAN, THE MOUNTAIN)
The London-based psych-folk outfit (featuring Levenshulme pedal-steel player, Horse) play their first ever Manchester show.
DAN SARTAIN
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 20:00–23:00, £10
Experimental rockabilly musician from Alabama, touring in support of this year’s new album, Century Plaza. YOLANDA BROWN (LEMAR + LEVI ROOTS + MATT CARDLE)
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 20:00–23:00, £25 - £35
The double MOBO award-winning saxophonist leads an evening of reggae love songs.
BLOOD CEREMONY (BEASTMAKER)
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:30–23:00, £10
Canadian doom metal band from Toronto, now on their fourth album. WUSSY
THE CASTLE HOTEL, 19:30–22:30, £7
The Cincinnati psychedelia outfit unveils sixth full-length album, Forever Sounds. BALKAN BEAT BOX
BAND ON THE WALL, 19:30–22:30, £16.50
Blending Balkan brass, earthshattering bass, hip hop and dub electronics. JAKE SIMS
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 3, 19:00–22:30, £14
Stereo Kicks prettyboy, who you may recognise after the band was knocked out of X Factor before even really being in it.
MANCHESTER CLUB ACADEMY, 19:30–22:30, £12
ESKIMO DANCE
HANNAH LOU CLARK
English songwriter celebrated for her gorgeous, moody pop songs.
RNCM School of Keyboard Studies students perform piano pieces to compete for the prize.
Energetic Brighton-based indie-pop.
GULLIVERS, 19:30–22:30, £TBC
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:30–22:30, £17
EAGLE INN, 19:30–22:30, £7
PIANO RECITAL PRIZE
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 19:00–22:00, £7
GORDON RAPHAEL PROJECT (MYSTIFIED)
Art rock musician with former credits as The Strokes’ producer and keyboard player in cult band Sky Cries Mary.
Portland-based alt-country quartet allegedly named after an altruistic burned-out hippy.
Acoustic instrumental music led by classical guitar alongside cahon and double bass.
WATERSIDE ARTS CENTRE, 20:00–23:00, £7.50 - £15
With traditional ballads, deeply moving airs, toe-tapping jigs and fiery reels, this is Irish music from the very top drawer.
RICHMOND FONTAINE
SKUTCH MANOS
DEAD HARTS (CANVAS + WARS)
Founded back in 2009, Dead Harts extract inspiration from the likes of The Chariot, Norma Jean and Gwen Stacy.
KYLA BROX
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:00–00:00, FREE
BROKEN HANDS
Impressively skuzzy garagey-blues sounds with a nod to psychedelic rock, courtesy of a just-aboutold-enough-to-vote quartet from Kent. HAYES CARLL
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:30–23:00, £15
Wildly literate, impossibly romantic and slave to the music, 35 year old Texan musician comes to Glasgow’s CCA. BRUJA + DARMA + LONG BODY + JELLYFISH
AATMA, 19:45–23:00, £5
An evening of live music from South Yorkshire grunge trio Bruja and others.
THE MAGIC GANG (VITAMIN)
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–22:30, £6
Fri 29 Apr RALEIGH RITCHIE
The Plan B-collaborating Columbia artist hits the road. MAC MILLER
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 18:30–22:30, £17.50
The young Pittsburgh rapper and self-taught musician, aka Malcolm McCormick, tours his latest (admittedly poorly-titled) LP, Watching Movies With The Sound Off. NEW YORK BRASS BAND
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:30–01:00, £5
North Yorkshire’s only contemporary New Orleans-inspired brass band, featuring an eight-strong line-up of percussion, sax, trumpets, trombones and sousaphone. RNCM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 19:30–22:30, £14
The resident Symphony Orchestra return for the spring. MATTHEW AND THE ATLAS
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:00–22:00, £7.50
British singer-songwriter Matthew Hagerty tours his latest album, Temple. SHOSTAKOVICH’S FIFTH SYMPHONY (BBC PHILHARMONIC) BRIDGEWATER HALL, 19:30–22:30, £12 - £38
Brace yourself for Shostakovich’s heartfelt fifth symphony, with Lancashire soloist Kathryn Scott leading the way. BOURBON STREET BEAT (BLACK TOOTH + SCOTT LLOYD + SAUCE + BSB) GULLIVERS, 19:30–22:30, £5
Bourbon Street Beat mark the end of their journey with a final gig taking you through their greatest hits.
WE’VE GOT A FUZZBOX AND WE’RE GONNA USE IT (QUEEN BEE AND THE DRONES + SITTIN’ PRETTY)
THE RUBY LOUNGE, 19:00–22:00, £13
Alt rock formed back in mid-80s Birmingham. DREADZONE
BAND ON THE WALL, 19:00–22:00, £15
Greg Dread, original bassmaster Leo Williams, the unmistakable MC Spee, reggae vocalist Earl 16 alongside Chris Compton on guitar and Bazil on technology make up the current Dreadzone live line up.
FOXING (TTNG)
SOUND CONTROL, 19:00–22:00, £12
A bunch of St Louis musicians peddling post-rock sounds.
Listings
49
Manchester Music DEMONS OF RUBY MAE (LYON APPRENTICE + BROTHERS WATER + CALAN MAI) SOUP KITCHEN, 19:00–22:15, £5 - £8
The alternative folk duo hit the road again. THE RAINBAND (CRUDE OIL INC)
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 2, 19:30–22:30, £10
The Mancunian four-piece piece, founded in 2009 by lead singer Martin Finnigan and guitarist Phil Rainey, tour their latest release, Sirens. JESS KEMP (AEIM + THE ROASTS+ CARNATION + THE CLAREMONTS)
MANCHESTER ACADEMY 3, 19:30–22:30, £7
Acoustic singer-songwriter hailing from Manchester.
Sat 30 Apr YES
O2 APOLLO MANCHESTER, FROM 18:30, £39
The longstanding prog-rockers perform two iconic albums in their entirety: Fragile and, for the first time ever, Drama.
WEISSLICH 7: MANCHESTER (MICHAEL BALDWIN + G. DOUGLAS BARRETT + STEPHEN CHASE + CAROLYN CHEN + ELEANOR CULLY + LOUIS D’HEUDIERES + SOLOMIYA MOROZ + DAVID POCKNEE) NEXUS ART CAFÉ, 20:00–23:00, £0 - £5
London-based experimental music and performance art night WEISSLICH brings favourite past acts to Manchester. Expect slow motion facial expressions, voyeuristic listening, confusions of instrumental action and a man waving a bow around. MAYFLOWER + KISDSMOKE + THE HUBBARDS
SOUP KITCHEN, 18:30–22:00, £7
Scruff of the Neck presents the Manchester four-piece indie group and others.
Sun 01 May THE MOVIELIFE
GORILLA, FROM 18:00, £17.50
The influential Long Islanders get back on the reunion trail some 12 years after splitting.
MATT AND PHRED’S BANK HOLIDAY SPECIAL
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 20:00–00:00, FREE
SHALAMAR
Dave Luvin takes to the stage with his band, featuring singers Sarah Grace and Lucy Lockwood, playing originals and songs from the Great American Song Book.
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 18:00–22:30, £25 - £32
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:30–23:00, £13
DIXIE CHICKS
MANCHESTER ARENA, 18:00–22:00, £48.50
The country trio perform their hits.
70s and 80s-hailing disco-driven American ensemble, out riding the wave of their twilight years. THE BLUESWATER
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:30–01:00, £5
Award-winning group from Edinburgh, playing hard-hitting Chicago blues. FUTURE TALENT FUNDRAISING GALA
ROYAL NORTHERN COLLEGE OF MUSIC RNCM, 19:30–22:30, £12
Featuring works by Wagner, Prokofiev, Verdi and more. MOLOTOV JUKEBOX
GORILLA, 19:00–22:00, £14
In-yer-face London six-piece with a totally original, wonderfully colourful sound and style. They’ve spent a year touring the UK and Europe following the release of debut album Carnival Flower, so see them on the central belt while you can. GRANT-LEE PHILLIPS
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:00–22:00, £15
The angsty country chap plays a set of his twisted Americana soundscapes.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER CHORUS AND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
MARTIN HARRIS CENTRE FOR MUSIC AND DRAMA, 19:30–21:30, £3 - £13
Performing Part Adam’s Lamend and Mozart’s Mass in C Minor. SIR THOMAS ALLEN
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 19:30–22:30, £7 - £27
The much-admired baritone performs Vaughan Williams’ sublime account of outdoor life, Songs of Travel, and others. LEANNE CODY
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 13:10–14:00, £7 - £11.50
A Manchester Mid-day Concert with former Chetham’s student, pianist Leanne Cody.
THE HALLÉ: FIRST LADIES OF SONG (CLARE TEAL ) BRIDGEWATER HALL, 19:30–22:30, £20 - £42
Concert marking the launch of famed jazz singer Clare Teal’s new album, Twelve O’ Clock Tales.
ROBBIE CAVANAGH (MAYBE FRANK + DOM MAJOR + KIEREN KING) THE CASTLE HOTEL, 19:30–22:30, £5
Debut showcase for Run & Hide Records headlined by guitarwielding Manc Robbie Cavanagh. KASHMERE
AATMA, 19:00–04:00, £3
Headline show from Stockport’s hairy indie rockers, followed by an after party running through ‘til 4am.
THE BOXER REBELLION
The Boxer Rebellion are back, bringing atmospheric, energetic and driven rock to Glasgow’s Stereo after the March release of their single Big Ideas. DJ FORMAT AND THE BUFFALO BROTHERS
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 23:00–03:00, £6.50 - £8.50
One of the world’s most skilled crate diggers returns to The Deaf Institute for a DJ set, following a blowout reunion tour with old mate Abdominal. This time he’s joined by Mancunion funk and soul collective, Buffalo Brothers. GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 15:00–17:00, £16.50 - £32.50
A nostalgic conert of 40s tunes and classic wartime charttoppers, with bandleader Ray McVay.
SOUNDS FROM THE OTHER CITY 2016 VARIOUS VENUES, FROM 15:00, £20
Everyone’s favourite grassroots festival returns for another year, with Laura Cannell, Irma Vep, Charles Hayward and Ex-Easter Island Head among the highlights.
Liverpool Music Tue 29 Mar
ROGUE GALLERY LIVE (THE DEAD CASSETTES + BAD MOLLY + DEL FLORIDA + MAD ALICE + FUSS)
THE ZANZIBAR CLUB, 19:30–02:00, £5
A monthly live music showcase held by Rogue Gallery Promotions.
Wed 30 Mar
RIGGOTS (HOLLYWOODFUN DOWNSTAIRS + SHAMAN YEW + SEX DREAM)
MAGUIRE’S PIZZA BAR, 19:00–23:00, £4
Antipop Records and Bitchicism present a night of music headlined by punk duo, Riggots. MIA AND THE MOON
LEAF, 20:00–23:00, FREE
Live acoustic set from the Leicester-based sisters.
Thu 31 Mar VIENNESE MASTERS
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 19:30–22:30, £14 - £40
Turkist pianist Fazil Say joins conductor Vasily Petrenko to play works by Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms. PENETRATION
THE MAGNET , 19:30–23:30, £10
Punk rock lot hailing from Country Durham, reformed back in 2001 with Pauline Murray still leading proceedings.
Fri 01 Apr TELEMAN
BUYERS CLUB, 19:30–23:00, £12
London-based indie three-piece – formed from breakaway members of Pete and the Pirates – making nerdy chic indie music, not completely unlike Alt-J. THRESHOLD FESTIVAL
VARIOUS VENUES, TIMES VARY, £5-£20
Multi-arts, multi-venue grassroots festival returning to The Baltic Triangle with noiserockers Barberos, singer-songwriter Natalie McCool and much more across its three-day run. VIENNESE MASTERS
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 19:30–22:30, £14 - £40
Turkist pianist Fazil Say joins conductor Vasily Petrenko to play works by Haydn, Beethoven and Brahms. FAZIL SAY
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC MUSIC ROOM, 22:00–23:30, £10
GULLIVERS, 19:30–22:30, £8 - £11
A special late night concert from Turkist pianist Fazil Say, who plays Mozart’s Turkish March alongside some of his own compositions.
MAY DAY MANIA
SOUTHPORT THEATRE, 19:30–22:30, £27.90 - £34.90
SAM DICKINSON (WORDS AND NOISES)
Soul singer from the North East, who embarks on an acoustic tour. THE RUBY LOUNGE, 15:00–03:00, £2 - £3
Eight live acts and two club nights come together for a Thrash Metal Mayhem vs Nu Metal Meldown May Day special.
Mon 02 May BLUES JAM
MATT AND PHRED’S JAZZ CLUB, 21:00–00:30, FREE
Monthly night of blues, led by Franny Eubanks with Matt and Phred’s resident band. TINDERSTICKS
BRIDGEWATER HALL, 20:00–23:00, £20
Tindersticks tour in support of 10th studio album, The Waiting Room, where each song has a specially commissioned film to accompany it.
IMPERICON FESTIVAL 2016 (HATEBREED + NORTHLANE + EMMURE + BLESSTHEFALL + CHELSEA GRIN + HUNDREDTH)
MANCHESTER ACADEMY, 13:00–23:00, £23
All day heavy metal festival, with organisers Impericon building on their succession of sold out German dates and expanding to four more cities throughout Europe.
THE HOLLIES
The Manchester-formed rockers celebrate some 50+ years on the circuit, tight pop harmonies as present as ever. GREG RUSSELL AND CIARAN ALGAR (LUKE WATSON)
THE ATKINSON, 19:30–22:30, £12 - £14
Two-time BBC Folk Award winning duo.
Sat 02 Apr EDDI READER
THE ATKINSON, 20:00–23:00, £22.50
Reader weaves her velvety vocal palette around a selection of traditional and contemporary songs. THRESHOLD FESTIVAL
VARIOUS VENUES, TIMES VARY, £5-£20
Multi-arts, multi-venue grassroots festival returning to The Baltic Triangle with noiserockers Barberos, singer-songwriter Natalie McCool and much more across its three-day run.
Sun 03 Apr MIKE DIGNAM
ARTS CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £10
Singer/songwriter from Preston, often drawing comparisons to Jason Mraz and James Morrison, quite possibly for his sins. THRESHOLD FESTIVAL
VARIOUS VENUES, TIMES VARY, £5-£20
Multi-arts, multi-venue grassroots festival returning to The Baltic Triangle with noiserockers Barberos, singer-songwriter Natalie McCool and much more across its three-day run.
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Listings
Mon 04 Apr
Mon 11 Apr
THE ATKINSON, 13:00–14:00, £11
ST GEORGE’S HALL, 19:30–22:30, £25
THE RUSSIAN CONNECTION
The ‘Lark’ quartet by Haydn and the music of Shostakovish is performed by The Ensemble of St Luke’s, a string quartet of members from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, as part of The Atkinson’s Cake and Classical series.
THE THREE DEGREES
The longest-running female group of all time, formed in Philadelphia in 1963 to spawn hits like When will I See you Again. FEAST OF FIDDLES
THE ATKINSON, 19:30–22:30, £19.50
Sat 16 Apr SHAKATAK
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC MUSIC ROOM, 20:00–23:00, £22.50
ST GEORGE’S HALL, 19:30–22:30, £16.50
The piano duo perform music from the last and current century, including Stravinsky’s neoclassical Concerto for Two Pianos.
BATHYMETRY + JAZZHANDS + GAME_PROGRAM _ ECATE
Sisters Rowan and Anna explore traditional and contemporary folk from across Scandinavia, Britainand America, focusing on the use of their two fiddles and two voices.
British jazz-funk band formed back in the 80s. AN EVENING WITH WINGATES BAND
One of the oldest and most famous brass bands, formed back in 1873 - though the lineup’s changed a bit since those days, obvs.
Tue 05 Apr
A bunch of fiddlers and other musicians play their way through a range of genres.
ECHO ARENA, FROM 19:30, £50 - £110
Tue 12 Apr
Indie trio Bathymetry are joined by loud Liverpudlians JazzHands and others.
ECHO ARENA, 18:30–22:30, £47.50
Sun 17 Apr
YUNDI
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 19:30–22:30, £30 - £47.50
JEFF LYNNE’S ELO
A reincarnation of Electric Light Orchestra play through their classics and songs from new album Alone in the Universe.
Wed 06 Apr BRONWYNNE BRENT
THE ATKINSON, 19:30–22:30, £9 - £11
Mississippi-born roots songwriter channelling the Southern sunshine withnew album, Stardust.
Thu 07 Apr LEON BRIDGES
O2 ACADEMY, FROM 19:00, £15
Soulful sounds from the Fort Worth singer, whose critically acclaimed 2015 album, Coming Home, established him as one of modern music’s most compelling acts. NORTHERN DREAMS
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 19:30–22:30, £14 - £40
Conductor Vasily Petrenko, joined by Tai Murray on violin, takes us along a great river flowing to the sea with Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2.
Fri 08 Apr
KRIS DREVER (SIOBHAN WILSON)
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC MUSIC ROOM, 20:00–23:00, £14
Solo artist, collaborator and member of folk group Lau, who has played alongside the likes of Tinariwen, Joan as Police Woman, Kate Rusby and others.
JOHN LAW’S NEW CONGREGATION
THE CAPSTONE, 19:30–22:30, £11.50
One of the country’s best jazz pianists and composers heads to The Capstone to promote his new double album, These Skies in Which We Rust, alongside his latest project, New Congregation. KNUCKLE PUCK (SEAWAY + BOSTON MANOR)
THE VAMPS
Acoustic-driven British pop unit led by singer Brad Simpson. LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 19:30–22:30, £25
The young Chinese pianist plays an all-Chopin programme.
Wed 13 Apr BRY
ARTS CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £10
Irish singer-songwriter and – god forbid – YouTuber, whose debut album is released this year.
Thu 14 Apr LITTLE MIX
ECHO ARENA, FROM 19:30, £25 - £35
X-Factor 2011 winners, known for having the lowest-selling winner’s single since 2004. That said, Wings is an absolute banger. If you manage to resolve your conflicted opinions, here’s (yet) another chance to see them in Glasgow’s SSE Hydro. ROSENBLUME AND ROB VINCENT
EPSTEIN THEATRE, 19:30–22:30, £14.50
The Liverpudlian troubadours perform an evening of original Americana music, incorporating a mix of folk, rock, country and blues to create their unique sound. SHOW OF HANDS
THE ATKINSON, 19:30–22:30, £19
Devonshire folk and roots duo Steve Knightley and Phil Beer tour new album, Long Way Home.
GANG STARR FOUNDATION (JERU THE DAMAJA + BIG SHUG + AFU-RA)
CONSTELLATIONS, 19:30–01:00, £15
Triple Bam and Team Madnice get together for an evening featuring three icons of East Coast hip hop, all longstanding members of Guru and DJ Premier’s extended crew The Gang Starr Foundation.
DISTRICT, 20:00–23:00, £9
WOJCZECH AND KRUPSKAYA (GOREHEAD + PIVORAPIST + GODHAND)
THE MID-SPRING MEAT HARVEST (EDDIE FLUX + THE GARRISON + LOW WINTER SUN + MICHAEL BENNETT + SHARDS)
MAGUIRE’S PIZZA BAR, 19:00–23:15, £5
Pop-punk from Chicago’s southern suburbs.
MAGUIRE’S PIZZA BAR, 19:00–22:00, FREE
An evening of indie and alt rock. PATENT PENDING
O2 ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £12
Post punk purveyors Patent Pending stop by as part of their mammoth UK tour.
Sat 09 Apr JACK AND JACK
O2 ACADEMY, FROM 19:00, £16
Young pop-rap duo, known as breakouts of the Vine generation - and for saying things like ‘Everybody hanging like a string from a Tampax.’
NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF GREAT BRITAIN
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 19:30–22:30, £5 - £20
A bunch of teens not content with just sitting in a park downing White Lightning. Fair play.
Sun 10 Apr
BRUCH’S VIOLIN CONCERTO
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 14:30–17:30, £14 - £40
Featuring violinist Tai Murray.
BOLSHY (ELMO AND THE STYX + FAIR DOS + ONE EYED GOD )
MAGUIRE’S PIZZA BAR, 19:30–22:30, £5
Riotous Liverpudlian ska/punk outfit, also injecting a little Klezmer, afrobeat, dub, funk and Calypso.
Grind/noise core from Stoke and Germany.
Fri 15 Apr RICK ASTLEY
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, FROM 19:00, £19.50 - £39.50
Multi-million-selling singer, who once promised never to give you up (or let you down, run around and desert you, make you cry, say good bye or tell a lie and hurt you, while we’re on the subject), out touring his new album.
BUYERS CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £3 - £5
Grammy award-winning singer absolutely owning the jazz-soul crossover zone.
ANT LAW
THE CAPSTONE, 19:30–22:30, £11.50
The London-based jazz guitarist performs as part of a strippeddown trio, alongside Connor Chaplin on bass and Asaf Sirkis on drums, for the first time. DISCHARGE
THE MAGNET , 19:30–11:30, £10
Broken Bow brings hardcore punk veterans Discharge to The Magnet - for their first Liverpool gig in six years, no less. TREETOP FLYERS
LEAF, 20:00–23:00, £8
London-based folk-rock fivepiece, who tour in support of new album, Palomino.
Sun 24 Apr BEN HAENOW
O2 ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £23.50
Another from the X Factor stable, who was recently dropped from Simon Cowell’s label less than two years after being signed.
Buy your tickets here: bit.ly/acaster
The violinist and joint leader of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra joins pianist Ian Buckle.
Tue 19 Apr VANBRUGH QUARTET
ST GEORGE’S HALL, 19:30–22:30, £25
Winners of the 1988 London International String Quartet Competition.
James Acaster: Reset Epstein Theatre, Liverpool, Thu 20 Oct, 8pm, £15.50
BELLOWHEAD
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 19:30–22:30, £23 - £31
Beast of a contemporary English folk ensemble (there’s 11 of ‘em) fusing folk, funk, rock, world, jazz, music hall and classical music into their mix, hitting stages with their farewell tour.
ALXNDR (VYNCE + POLAR STATES + CABEZUDOS) O2 ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £6
Alt pop from Newcastle, playing headline dates across the UK in the wake of debut EP, RWND.
Wed 20 Apr
FRIENDS OF ST GEORGE’S HALL TEA DANCE
ST GEORGE’S HALL, 13:30–16:00, £6
Join Liverpool’s retired community and waltz your Wednesday afternoon away with live music from The Elderberries. Or get a damn job. THREE TRAPPED TIGERS
BUYERS CLUB, 19:30–23:30, £10
Brian Eno-endorsed instrumental noise rockers return with new stuff. NICK ELLIS
LEAF, 20:00–23:00, £5
The local singer-songwriter launches his debut EP, Grace and Danger. FUTURE OF THE LEFT (ST PIERRE SNAKE INVASION + RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND)
ARTS CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £11
The Welsh alternative rockers tour their new album. NECK DEEP
O2 ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £13.50
Wrexham pop punks hitting the road for their biggest UK headline tour to date.
ECHO ARENA, FROM 18:30, £25 - £35
The prolific songwriter and powerfully-lunged singer heads out on tour.
More rolling drums, big guitars and massive effing finales from the WWPJ gang.
MOOSE BLOOD ARTS CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £10
Canterbury-based emo lads out on No Sleep Records.
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC MUSIC ROOM, 20:00–23:00, £15
Thu 21 Apr
EPSTEIN THEATRE, 19:00–23:00, £20
WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS
ARTS CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £10.50
ARTS CLUB, 18:30–22:00, £8
Communion bring you the names on their collective lips for next year.
THELMA HANDY AND IAN BUCKLE
EDWARD II
RUBY TURNER
THE RHEINGANS SISTERS
THE ATKINSON, 19:30–22:30, £12
NEW FACES TOUR (ADAM FRENCH + THE BEACH + RUKHSANA MERRISE + MATT WOODS)
GREGORY PORTER
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC MUSIC ROOM, 20:00–23:00, £15
Upbeat tunes blending the rhythms of the Caribbean with traditional songs from the British Isles.
MUSIC FOR TWO PIANOS (IAN BUCKLE + RICHARD CASEY) LIVERPOOL HOPE UNIVERSITY, 19:30–22:30, £11.50
LITTLE MIX
X-Factor 2011 winners, known for having the lowest-selling winner’s single since 2004. That said, Wings is an absolute banger. If you manage to resolve your conflicted opinions, here’s (yet) another chance to see them in Glasgow’s SSE Hydro. EMPEROR
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 19:30–22:30, £14 - £40
Guest conductor Darrell Ang explores four different shades of romance, including Beethoven’s Emperor concerto and others. ALTAN
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC MUSIC ROOM, 20:00–23:00, £16
With traditional ballads, deeply moving airs, toe-tapping jigs and fiery reels, this is Irish music from the very top drawer. THE BLOW MONKEYS
ST GEORGE’S HALL, 19:30–22:30, £22.50
Known for 80s hits including Digging Your Scene and It Doesn’t Have to be This Way, with frontman Dr Robert.
THE VIEW O2 ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £14
The Dundee indie-pop scamps do their thing, if anyone’s still bothered?
Fri 22 Apr EMPEROR
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 19:30–22:30, £14 - £40
Guest conductor Darrell Ang explores four different shades of romance, including Beethoven’s Emperor concerto and others. THE BREATH
THE CAPSTONE, 19:30–22:30, £11.50
Composed of guitarist Stuart McCallum, his fellow Cinematic Orchestra alumni, John Ellis and Luke Flowers, and Honeyfeet’s Ríoghnach Connolly. THE BLOCKHEADS
PALM HOUSE, 19:00–23:30, £18.50
The punk generation legends take to the stage to share their genre defying jazz, rock’n’roll, funk, and reggae sound. LIVERPOOL ROCKS
O2 ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £10
The final round of the local music competition.
Sat 23 Apr
YEAH BUDDY!’S BLUES-ROCK VARIETY SHOW (GOLD JACKS + GOLD PHOENIX + ARMCHAIR COMMITTEE + CHUPA CABRA) MAGUIRE’S PIZZA BAR, 20:00–23:15, £5
A night celebrating the UK’s finest up and coming blues-rock bands. KATHRYN ROBERTS AND SEAN LAKEMAN
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC MUSIC ROOM, 20:00–23:00, £14
Folk duo comprising Seth Lakeman’s guitar-wielding bro and Kathryn Roberts on vocals, piano and woodwind. WESTROCK
THE BRINDLEY, 19:30–22:30, FREE
Bringing you the music of hot balmy nights from 70s, 80s and 90s AOR America.
DAVID MIGDEN AND THE TWISTED ROOTS
THE ATKINSON, 20:00–23:00, £12
Arkansas-raised David Migden and his band (formerly under the moniker of The Dirty Words) return to The Atkinson after a successful show at 2015’s Big Blues Festival. UNITED VIBRATIONS (SPACEHEADS + PADDY STEER + RADIO EXOTICA) 24 KITCHEN STREET, 20:00–08:00, £3 - £7
Rebel Soul presents the Liverpool launch party for the Gilles Peterson-verified new album by Brixton’s United Vibrations, The Myth of the Golden Ratio.
THE JAMES HUNTER SIX O2 ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £16
R’n’b troubadour James Hunter returns with latest album, Hold On!
Mon 25 Apr
NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS
ECHO ARENA, FROM 19:30, £47.50
Noel Gallagher and his new band of warriors hit the road, following the release of their latest LP, Chasing Yesterday, last year.
Tue 26 Apr
RHAPSODY REHEARSAL VISIT
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC MUSIC ROOM, 12:45–13:45, £10 - £15
Playing the music of Szymanowski, Rachmaninov and Brahms. ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
THE BRINDLEY, 19:00–21:00, FREE
One of the biggest shows of its kind in the UK, taking the audience on a musical journey through the 50s, 60s and 70s. MATTHEW AND THE ATLAS
THE SHIPPING FORECAST, 19:00–22:00, £7.50
British singer-songwriter Matthew Hagerty tours his latest album, Temple.
Wed 27 Apr
THE SOLID SILVER 60S SHOW
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 19:30–22:30, £26.50 - £33.50
The UK’s first show of its kind, still going 30 years strong as a tribute night crammed full of 60s hits. ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
THE BRINDLEY, 14:00–16:00, FREE
One of the biggest shows of its kind in the UK, taking the audience on a musical journey through the 50s, 60s and 70s. THE BLUETONES
ARTS CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £21
The English indie-rock Brit Pop troupe return to the live stage.
Thu 28 Apr RHAPSODY
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 19:30–22:30, £14 - £40
Playing the music of Szymanowski, Rachmaninov and Brahms. 65DAYSOFSTATIC
O2 ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £13
Quietly established as one of Britain’s finest ever instrumental bands, Sheffield’s finest take their rock-cum-glitch techno crossover on the road.
THE SKINNY
EARL SLICK AND BERNARD FOWLER (STEVE NORMAN + LISA RONSON + LOVER) O2 ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £20
The guitarist and singer perform David Bowie’s Station to Station in full.
Fri 29 Apr SHALAMAR
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 20:00–23:00, £25 - £50
70s and 80s-hailing disco-driven American ensemble, out riding the wave of their twilight years. THE YOUNG’UNS
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC MUSIC ROOM, 20:00–23:00, £14
Teesside folk trio specialising in a cappella harmonies. SUBMOTION ORCHESTRA
24 KITCHEN STREET, 19:30–23:00, £14.50
Formed after the Arts Council commissioned Dom Howard, aka Ruckspin, and Ranking Records to write and perform a live dubstep piece in Yorkminster – now out and touring their new album, Colour Theory. PHRONESIS
THE CAPSTONE, 19:30–22:30, £11.50
Scandi-British jazz trio featuring musicians from Denmark, the UK and Sweden/Norway. RUSSIAN CIRCLES
CONSTELLATIONS, 19:30–23:30, £12.50
Sargent House stalwarts Russian Circles make their Liverpool debut. HACKNEY COLLIERY BAND
LEAF, 19:30–22:30, £8
East London brass band taking on rock, hip hop, Balkan, afrobeat, jazz and more for a fresh, contemporary sound. FILTHY FUNK
THE MAGNET , 18:00–03:00, £7
Uk hip hop duo Filthy Funk headline an evening of live hip hop acts presented by HushushMedia. DAEZ
O2 ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £7
Liverpool indie-pop group.
Sat 30 Apr MICHAEL BOLTON
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, FROM 19:00, £25 - £59
The pop-rock balladmonger performs his greatest hits and a selection of songs from his new album, which celebrates music from the movies.
SMITHDOWN ROAD FESTIVAL (DAVE MCCABE AND THE RAMIFICATIONS + SUNDOWNERS + BEANS ON TOAST + MORE) VARIOUS VENUES, 15:00–00:00, FREE
A free weekend of art, music, food and culture spanning Liverpool’s Smithdown Road area. GALA CONCERT (CHESHIRE CHORD COMPANY + DYLAN CERNYW + MERSEYSIDE POLICE BAND + ANDY EASTWOOD)
ST GEORGE’S HALL, 19:30–22:30, £15
An evening of entertainment compered by Radio Merseyside’s Simon Hoban. LIVERPOOL MOD WEEKENDER (THE PROFILE + THE OUTRIDERS + DOGTOOTH BAND + THE FLIKS + MORE)
THE CAVERN LIVE LOUNGE, 13:00–00:00, £10 - £17
Annual mod weekender raising money for charity. STEPHANIE BOSCH
THE CAPSTONE, 13:00–14:00, FREE
Milapfest’s Women in Indian Music season continues with Bansuri flute-player Stephanie Bosch. THROWBACK THURSDAY (MOSLEY BAR + WIFE + THE UNDECIDED)
O2 ACADEMY, 19:00–22:00, £TBC
Manchester Clubs Tue 29 Mar GOLD TEETH
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 22:00–03:00, £4.50 - £5
Legendary weekly mixed-bag night, often invites use of the term ‘carnage’.
Thu 31 Mar STUART RICHARDS
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
High Jinx resident Stuart Richards brings his trademark style to the bar, offering a night of disco, funk and house. JACOB COID
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Everything from Dylan to Dre, the Strokes to Snoop, Bowie to the Beastie Boys - and everything in between.
Fri 01 Apr YOU DIG?
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 23:00–03:00, £4
Funky music for funky people. DEADBOLT
SOUND CONTROL, 23:00–04:00, £4 - £5
A whole night of alternative revelry with a soundtrack of hardcore, pop punk and metal. TOP OF THE POPS
MINT LOUNGE, 22:30–04:00, £3 - £4
Get your weekend off to a great start with this healthy mix of dancefloor fillers and guilty pleasures served up by residents and guest DJs. THE DOG HOUSE
THE RUBY LOUNGE, 23:00–04:00, £2 - £4
Alternative rock and metal night. A QUEER REVUE!
BAND ON THE WALL, 23:00–03:00, £6
A Trans Takeover special of the film, dance and drag night, which gathers together some of Manchester’s most outrageous and talent.
FUTUREEVERYTHING PARTY (FIKTION + ANNEX + PROJECT 13 AND HIGH BANK: ERRORSMITH + NIDIA MINAJ + NKISI WITH CRONO HOTMAS + ACRE + CROWW) ISLINGTON MILL, 21:00–06:00, £10 - £12
FutureEverything sees Friday out with a bloc of Manchester’s leading promoters and DJs. FIZZ FACE FRIDAY (DJ CLINT BOON)
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 17:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Black Dog’s new weekly club night, which sees the end-of week thirst of Manchester’s 9-5ers quenched by £12 bottles/£3 glasses of Prosecco. FIZZ FACE FRIDAY
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 17:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Black Dog’s new weekly club night, which sees the end-of week thirst of Manchester’s 9-5ers quenched by £12 bottles/£3 glasses of Prosecco. SAN PROPER (SWOOSE + BURTON JOYCE)
SOUP KITCHEN, 23:00–04:00, £8 - £12.50
Zutekh presents Rush Hour Records’ and Dekmantel’s San Proper. STATIC PRESENTS BLOC 2 BLOC
ANTWERP MANSION, 23:00–03:00, £5 - £7
Static return to the Mansion for more grime, garage, bass and dubstep. THE BEAT CHICS
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 23:00–03:00, £3
Local pop-rock and funk trio.
Spinning the best records of the 60s.
Sun 01 May
SANKEYS, 22:00–05:00, £15 - £20
TINDERSTICKS
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 20:00–23:00, £20 - £26
Tindersticks tour in support of 10th studio album, The Waiting Room, where each song has a specially commissioned film to accompany it.
Mon 02 May YES
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, 19:30–22:30, £39 - £44
The longstanding prog-rockers perform two iconic albums in their entirety: Fragile and, for the first time ever, Drama. BOY JUMPS SHIP
ARTS CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £6.50
Newcastle punk-rock quartet big on the thundering choruses.
BOSH!
Eddie Halliwell hits up Manchester as part of his Bosh! UK tour.
Sat 02 Apr GIRLS ON FILM
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 22:00–03:00, £0 - £6
Pink lady cocktails, disco balls, glitz and glamour – a club night where you’re free to let your inner 80s child loose. FUNKADEMIA
MINT LOUNGE, 22:30–04:00, £5 - £6
Mancunian nightclub institution – delivering a chronological history of soul on a weekly basis, courtesy of their DJ collective. MR SCRUFF KEEP IT UNREAL
BAND ON THE WALL, 22:00–03:00, £12
Keep it Unreal with Mr Scruff at the controls all night long.
STUART RICHARDS BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
High Jinx resident Stuart Richards brings his trademark style to the bar, offering a night of disco, funk and house.
SANKEYS SATURDAYS (GUTI + LIVIO AND ROBY + JAVIER CARBAL)
SANKEYS, 23:00–05:00, £5 - £10
Saturdays at Sankeys always means some of the biggest DJs around dropping to the longrunning club for a spin.
KALUKI (ROUTE 94 + WAFF + PIRATE COPY + PETE ZORBA + SOLORADO)
GORILLA, 23:00–04:00, £15 - £20
Manchester’s Kaluki Musik returns to Gorilla with bass-heavy Route 94 and Waff. TIM WRIGHT
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Feel-good music via the avenues of house, garage, hip-hop, R ‘n’ B, funk, disco, soul and pop. NORTHERN ELECTRONICS SHOWCASE (ABDULLA RASHIM + VARG) SOUP KITCHEN, 22:00–04:00, £10
meandyou join FutureEverything for their festival closing party, bringing in some Swedish big guns with techno DJs and producers, Abdulla Rashim and Varg. ENZO SIRAGUSA (ELI VERVEINE)
HIDDEN, 23:00–04:00, £8 - £12.50
London clubbing mainstay Enzo Siragusa makes his way to Hidden. MASTERS OF DRUM AND BASS (ANNIX + VOLTAGE + HEDEX + ROWNEY AND PROPZ)
SOUND CONTROL, 23:00–04:00, £12.50
Two floors of heavyweight drum ‘n’ bass and jungle.
Tue 05 Apr GOLD TEETH
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 22:00–03:00, £4.50 - £5
FIZZ FACE FRIDAY (DJ CLINT BOON) BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 17:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
STUART RICHARDS
Black Dog’s new weekly club night, which sees the end-of week thirst of Manchester’s 9-5ers quenched by £12 bottles/£3 glasses of Prosecco. KONOBA DUB PRESENTS 10 YEARS OF GET DARKER (VIVEK + DISTANCE + KARMA + DARKSIDE + MORE) ANTWERP MANSION, 21:00–03:00, £10 - £16
Hosted by MCs Crazy D and Dego Ranking. IT’S GRIME UP NORTH
SOUND CONTROL, 23:00–04:00, £5
New grime night featuring an appearance from rising Manchester act #Burstgang and others. ADANA TWINS
SANKEYS, 23:00–06:00, FREE
Adana Twins return to Sankeys for a thee-hour set.
Sat 09 Apr GIRLS ON FILM
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 22:00–03:00, £0 - £6
Pink lady cocktails, disco balls, glitz and glamour – a club night where you’re free to let your inner 80s child loose. FUNKADEMIA
MINT LOUNGE, 22:30–04:00, £5 - £6
Mancunian nightclub institution – delivering a chronological history of soul on a weekly basis, courtesy of their DJ collective. TOTALLY LOST IT (DARREN STYLES + MC STATIC + GAMMER + MC WHIZZKID + SCORPIO + MORE) SOUND CONTROL, 23:00–04:00, £17
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 19:00–23:00, £11
STUART RICHARDS
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
High Jinx resident Stuart Richards brings his trademark style to the bar, offering a night of disco, funk and house. JACOB COID
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Everything from Dylan to Dre, the Strokes to Snoop, Bowie to the Beastie Boys - and everything in between. JLIN (SEAN CANTY + CROWW)
ISLINGTON MILL, 21:00–02:00, £9 - £11
Project 13 presents one 2015’s most critically acclaimed artists in the world of electronica, as Jlin Narlei touches down in Manchester for the first time in the anomalous surroundings of Islington Mill. PERCOLATE: HARVEY SUTHERLAND (KRYWALD AND FARRER) SOUP KITCHEN, 22:00–03:00, £5 - £12.50
Aussie Harvey Sutherland hits up the Soup Kitchen basement as part of his European tour.
Fri 08 Apr
CHOW DOWN (RIZ LA TEEF + FALLOW + GRIZZLE + CRAIG AD)
SOUP KITCHEN, 23:00–04:00, £4 - £5
Chow Down party into spring with dubplate king Riz La Teef, who makes his Manchester debut. TOP OF THE POPS
MINT LOUNGE, 22:30–04:00, £3 - £4
Get your weekend off to a great start with this healthy mix of dancefloor fillers and guilty pleasures served up by residents and guest DJs.
FORMLESS (NUCLEUS + THRESHOLD + THEORY + THE UNTOUCHABLES + ANTAGONIST + FORTUNE + MC LOGIC) 1 PRIMROSE STREET, 22:00–04:00, £5 - £8
Formless returns for a second installment of deep and dark drum ‘n’ bass and jungle.
C.U NEXT TUESDAY
THE LIAR’S CLUB, 22:00–04:00, FREE
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 17:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
FIZZ FACE FRIDAY
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Thu 07 Apr
Sankeys’ Student Sessions return with some of the biggest names from the UK and beyond. Weekly party of 80s anthems, 80s prices, lycra and disco drinks, with drinks deals for anyone in era-appropriate garms.
Hardcore night celebrating its 12th birthday.
Producer, songwriter and multiinstrumentalist from Guernsey, known IRL as Alex Crossan.
SANKEYS, 23:00–05:00, £3 - £8
Black Dog’s new weekly club night, which sees the end-of week thirst of Manchester’s 9-5ers quenched by £12 bottles/£3 glasses of Prosecco.
Legendary weekly mixed-bag night, often invites use of the term ‘carnage’. MURA MASA
DOUBLE DROP (OXIDE AND NEUTRINO + PIED PIPER + SHOLA AMA)
STUART RICHARDS
High Jinx resident Stuart Richards brings his trademark style to the bar, offering a night of disco, funk and house. BREAK STUFF
THE RUBY LOUNGE, 23:00–03:00, £3
Playing exactly the sort of music you’d expect from a night named after a Limp Bizkit song. TIM WRIGHT
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Feel-good music via the avenues of house, garage, hip-hop, R ‘n’ B, funk, disco, soul and pop. OSSIA X LOOSE LIPS (TIN MAN )
TEXTURE, 23:00–05:00, £5 - £9
A live AV set from Tin Man, aka California-born acid maestro Johannes Auvinen.
NO HASSLE (ALEXIS RAPHAEL + SEFF)
GORILLA, 23:00–04:00, £6 - £12
No Hassle head back to Gorilla with Hot Creations and Viva Music regulars. NORTHERN LIGHTS
TEXTURE, 23:00–05:00, £5 - £9
A new collaboration between Texture’s Test Card and Ossia, who team up with London-based Loose Lips to bring Californian acid maestro Tin Man over for a live, immersive audio-visual set. OH BACCHANAL! (J RUS + JAMIE BARRETT + FARO)
BAND ON THE WALL, 23:00–03:00, £6
Vibes-heavy carnival spanning bashment, Trinidad carnival anthems and such. HUERCO S. + FLORIAN KUPFER
Thu 14 Apr BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
High Jinx resident Stuart Richards brings his trademark style to the bar, offering a night of disco, funk and house. P.A.R.T.Y
SANKEYS, 22:00–04:00, £4
Funky house, grime, R’n’B, UK Garage and more at the veteran club. JACOB COID
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Everything from Dylan to Dre, the Strokes to Snoop, Bowie to the Beastie Boys - and everything in between.
MONKI AND FRIENDS (BODHI + MELE + WOOKIE + BELOW THE SURFACE) HIDDEN, 22:00–04:00, £8
Red Bull Studios bring underground tastemaker Monki to Hidden. WHITIES (AVALON EMERSON + RECKONWRONG + TASKER)
SOUP KITCHEN, 22:00–03:00, £5 - £7
London-based record label Whities throw their second party of the year at Soup.
Fri 15 Apr ULTIMATE POWER
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 22:30–03:30, £8
Club night sweeping the nation, offering up nothing but power ballads. It’s like one big communal karaoke night. GOO
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 22:00–03:00, £4.50 - £5
TOP OF THE POPS
MINT LOUNGE, 22:30–04:00, £3 - £4
Get your weekend off to a great start with this healthy mix of dancefloor fillers and guilty pleasures served up by residents and guest DJs. ELECTRIC JUG
NIGHT AND DAY CAFE, 23:00–03:00, £3
Serving up the best of the 60s, ranging from psych and rock ‘n’ roll to britpop and soul. RUBIX CUBE
ANTWERP MANSION, 22:00–03:00, £1 - £5
A night of 80s and 90s nostalgia with an inflatable disco dome, pole dancing, space hoppers and other such retro-ness. FIZZ FACE FRIDAY (DJ CLINT BOON)
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 17:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Black Dog’s new weekly club night, which sees the end-of week thirst of Manchester’s 9-5ers quenched by £12 bottles/£3 glasses of Prosecco. FIZZ FACE FRIDAY
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 17:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Black Dog’s new weekly club night, which sees the end-of week thirst of Manchester’s 9-5ers quenched by £12 bottles/£3 glasses of Prosecco. FOURTHIRTYTWO
HIDDEN, 23:00–04:00, £10 - £15
DISCO ILLUSIONS
THE RUBY LOUNGE, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5
Sankeys welcomes Parisian stalwarts Bass Culture.
ON LOOP (MOXIE + SHANTI CELESTE + JON K)
Tue 12 Apr
Good friend o’ Sneaky’s Moxie hosts her own night in the sensational sweat-pit, along with NTS pal Shanti Celeste and Edinburgh’s own good-placer Telfort.
Legendary weekly mixed-bag night, often invites use of the term ‘carnage’.
FUNKADEMIA
MINT LOUNGE, 22:30–04:00, £5 - £6
Mancunian nightclub institution – delivering a chronological history of soul on a weekly basis, courtesy of their DJ collective. HOWLING RHYTHM
THE RUBY LOUNGE, 23:00–03:00, £5
The 60s soul and Motown-centric night returns for another outing, serving up even more Northern soul and funk courtesy of the Howling Rhythm residents. STUART RICHARDS
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
High Jinx resident Stuart Richards brings his trademark style to the bar, offering a night of disco, funk and house. TIM WRIGHT
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Feel-good music via the avenues of house, garage, hip-hop, R ‘n’ B, funk, disco, soul and pop.
FULL CYCLE 2016 TOUR (RONI SIZE + KRUST + DYNAMITE MC + NORTH BASE) BAND ON THE WALL, 23:00–03:00, £20
Roni Size and Krust present the tour for Full Cycle Recordings, jumping back behind the decks for a b2b set spanning old classics, unreleased studio cuts and re-mastered originals for a lesson in the roots of jungle and drum ‘n’ bass. CLASSIX (BABY D + MARK XTC + ROB TISSERA + ROB THURSTON + SI FRATER + CON MARTIN)
SOUND CONTROL, 23:00–04:00, £8
Get transported back to the so-called golden era of clubbing and those halcyon days of house, hardcore and jungle. EJECA + CITIZENN + LEFTWING + KODY JACKY
Sun 17 Apr
Celebrating all things naughty from the noughties, with a music policy that spans 2000s pop and houseparty anthems.
The best future funk, soul and disco, this time with added fairy lights.
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 22:00–03:00, £4.50 - £5
Pink lady cocktails, disco balls, glitz and glamour – a club night where you’re free to let your inner 80s child loose.
SOUND CONTROL, 23:00–04:00, £4 - £5
CHERRY
BASS CULTURE (OCTAVE ONE + D’JULZ + DJEBALI)
GOLD TEETH
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 22:00–03:00, £0 - £6
Belfast’s Ejeca joins other big names.
Richy Ahmed plays all night long.
SANKEYS, 23:00–05:00, £5 - £10
GIRLS ON FILM
Monthly club night tribute to 90s indie – expect Pulp, Nirvana, Suede, Smashing Pumpkins, Pixies and more.
SOUP KITCHEN, 23:00–04:00, £10 - £15
Huerco S. joins one of L.I.E.S’ biggest breakout house artists.
Sat 16 Apr
SOUP KITCHEN, 23:00–04:00, £6 - £10
STUDENT SESSIONS (GHETTS + GENERAL LEVY + DJ Q + TEDDY MUSIC)
SANKEYS, 23:00–05:00, £3 - £8
SANKEYS, 23:00–05:00, £3 - £8
DADA 100
SOUP KITCHEN, 17:00–03:00, £TBC
Past residents of Haxa provide a modern dadaist soundtrack to dance to.
Tue 19 Apr GOLD TEETH
TOP OF THE POPS MINT LOUNGE, 22:30–04:00, £3 - £4
Get your weekend off to a great start with this healthy mix of dancefloor fillers and guilty pleasures served up by residents and guest DJs. JAMES ZABIELA (DOORLY + TEN STORY + FINN LURCOTT)
SANKEYS, 23:00–05:00, £3 - £8
The Old Tribal Sessions boy makes a long-awaited return to Sankeys. GIRL GROUP DISCO
THE STAR AND GARTER, 21:00–02:00, £3 - £4
Ladyfest MCR presents Girl Group Disco, an all-female celebration of 60s soul, 90s r’n’b, riot grrl, indie, post-punk and pop - from The Velvetters and Sister Sledge to All Saints and Le Tigre. FIZZ FACE FRIDAY (DJ CLINT BOON)
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 17:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Black Dog’s new weekly club night, which sees the end-of week thirst of Manchester’s 9-5ers quenched by £12 bottles/£3 glasses of Prosecco. FIZZ FACE FRIDAY
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 17:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Black Dog’s new weekly club night, which sees the end-of week thirst of Manchester’s 9-5ers quenched by £12 bottles/£3 glasses of Prosecco. SUBLOW (JFO + KONG)
AATMA, 23:00–04:00, £5
Manchester’s grime, dubstep and bass night returns.
GLOBAL ROOTS SOUNSYSTEM (THRIS TIAN + CERVO + JVC)
SOUP KITCHEN, 23:00–04:00, £3 - £7
Dark & Lovely Global Roots and Banana Hill join forces once again for their quarterly residency with Boiler Room founder Thris Tian and Banana Hill DJs, now flying under the name of Global Roots Soundsystem.
Sat 23 Apr GIRLS ON FILM
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 22:00–03:00, £0 - £6
Pink lady cocktails, disco balls, glitz and glamour – a club night where you’re free to let your inner 80s child loose. FUNKADEMIA
MINT LOUNGE, 22:30–04:00, £5 - £6
Mancunian nightclub institution – delivering a chronological history of soul on a weekly basis, courtesy of their DJ collective. STUART RICHARDS
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Wed 27 Apr EATS BEATS
SOUND CONTROL, 23:00–03:00, £3
Launch party for a new monthly midweek party rattling through house, techno, future bass, chillwave, dancehall, bassline, breakbeat, hip hop, funk, grime, neo soul and future garage.
Thu 28 Apr STUART RICHARDS
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
High Jinx resident Stuart Richards brings his trademark style to the bar, offering a night of disco, funk and house. JACOB COID
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Everything from Dylan to Dre, the Strokes to Snoop, Bowie to the Beastie Boys - and everything in between. BRAZIL 2 BOLLYWOOD (KENS AND DOBSON)
SOUP KITCHEN, 23:00–03:00, £3 - £5
Celebrate a bevvy of different cultures and rhythms, with Kens and Dobson spinning music of the Americas, Africa and Asia.
WE WANT (SERIAL KILLAZ + JMAN + PETE CANNON + VOLTAGE)
ANTWERP MANSION, 23:00–03:00, £5 - £10
We Want heads to Manchester following successful parties in Bristol and Oxford.
Fri 29 Apr CHERRY
SOUND CONTROL, 23:00–04:00, £4 - £5
Celebrating all things naughty from the noughties, with a music policy that spans 2000s pop and houseparty anthems. TOP OF THE POPS
MINT LOUNGE, 22:30–04:00, £3 - £4
Get your weekend off to a great start with this healthy mix of dancefloor fillers and guilty pleasures served up by residents and guest DJs.
TRIBAL SESSIONS (HECTOR COUTO + CUARTERO + ANEK + MANU GONZALEZ + LEE WALKER + HIVE) SANKEYS, 23:00–05:00, £3 - £8
A night a rolling tech house.
HIDDENEVENTS X LO-FI (DVS1 + TAMA SUMO + ANTON FITZ)
HIDDEN, 22:00–04:00, £8 - £15
With American DJ and techno producer DVS1 and Berlin’s inimitable Tama Sumo. GHETTO CHILD (NORMAN JAY (MBE) + DARRYL MARSDEN)
THE RUBY LOUNGE, 23:00–03:30, FREE
A celebration of all that’s good about disco, funk, soul and soulful house music, with a huge nod to the golden era of the 70s and 80s.
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 22:00–03:00, £4.50 - £5
High Jinx resident Stuart Richards brings his trademark style to the bar, offering a night of disco, funk and house.
DOUBLE DROP (JAZZY JEFF)
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
DEEPERFECT (STEFANO NOFERINI + DENNIS CRUZ + DILLA + JOSEPH EDMUND)
INSIDE OUT PRESENTS LEFTO AND BOOGIZM
Live Wire return to Gorilla for an evening of unadulterated techno with the Deeperfect boss and others.
Legendary weekly mixed-bag night, often invites use of the term ‘carnage’. SANKEYS, 23:00–05:00, £3 - £8
Sankeys’ Student Sessions return with some of the biggest names from the UK and beyond.
Wed 20 Apr FLAVA D
SOUP KITCHEN, 22:00–03:00, £8
Flava D and a secret guest take control.
Thu 21 Apr STUART RICHARDS
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
High Jinx resident Stuart Richards brings his trademark style to the bar, offering a night of disco, funk and house. JACOB COID
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Everything from Dylan to Dre, the Strokes to Snoop, Bowie to the Beastie Boys - and everything in between. PERCOLATE: LOBSTER THEREMIN SHOWCASE (ROUTE 8 + ASQUITH + HEDGE MAZE)
SOUP KITCHEN, 22:00–03:00, £5 - £12.50
Percolate launch the fourth leg of their Manchester series, this time enlisting the sounds of anarchistic London-based label Lobster Theremin.
Fri 22 Apr CHERRY
SOUND CONTROL, 23:00–04:00, £4 - £5
Celebrating all things naughty from the noughties, with a music policy that spans 2000s pop and houseparty anthems.
TIM WRIGHT
Feel-good music via the avenues of house, garage, hip-hop, R ‘n’ B, funk, disco, soul and pop. SOUP KITCHEN, 23:00–04:00, £8
Expect an eclectic set peppered with classic and globe-trotting sounds from jazz and world music by Brussels-based Lefto, alongside local heroes Boogizm Soundsystem. HIEROGLYPHIC BEING (CONOR THOMAS + VENDEL)
THE WHITE HOTEL, 22:00–08:00, £7
W.O.M and Faktion bring Chicago’s experimental sound artist Heiroglyphic Being (aka Jamal Ross) to The White Hotel.
CURFEW AND SUBPLOT (ALBERTO RUIZ + PAUL JAMEZ + CROSSFIELD)
HIDDEN, 22:00–04:00, £8
The Curfew and Subplot teams join forces for a night of house and techno.
GORILLA, 23:00–04:00, £10 - £15
DANCEHALL VS SOCA
O2 RITZ MANCHESTER, 23:00–22:30, £15
Vibrant night of Caribbean vibes and basslines.
FIZZ FACE FRIDAY (DJ CLINT BOON)
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 17:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Black Dog’s new weekly club night, which sees the end-of week thirst of Manchester’s 9-5ers quenched by £12 bottles/£3 glasses of Prosecco. FIZZ FACE FRIDAY
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 17:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Black Dog’s new weekly club night, which sees the end-of week thirst of Manchester’s 9-5ers quenched by £12 bottles/£3 glasses of Prosecco.
BAND ON THE WALL, 21:00–03:00, £12
PLAYGROUND PRESENTS DETROIT TECHNO MILITIA (DETROIT TECHNO MILITIA + BINNY + DOUBLEFFE)
LOLA ED TAKEOVER
Lola Ed presents Dyed Soundorom, Seuil, John Dimas and Electronique.
Vinyl-only show with the headline slot filled by the Manchester debut of Detroit Techno Militia, who’ll use two mixers and four turntables to take you on a bouncy ride through the history of techno.
Tue 26 Apr
ANTWERP MANSION, 22:00–03:00, £8
WONDER-FULL (DJ SPINNA)
Community presents the world’s greatest Stevie Wonder tribute party, to celebrate its eighth birthday party. SANKEYS, 22:00–05:00, £3 - £8
GOLD TEETH
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 22:00–03:00, £4.50 - £5
Legendary weekly mixed-bag night, often invites use of the term ‘carnage’.
JOSHUA BROOKS, 22:00–04:00, £10 - £13
SHAK OUT
The Shak Out crew roll into Manchester for a showcase spanning reggae, dub, jungle, garage and grime.
Sankeys’ Student Sessions return.
April 2016
Listings
51
Manchester Liverpool Clubs Clubs Sat 30 Apr GIRLS ON FILM
THE DEAF INSTITUTE, 22:00–03:00, £0 - £6
Pink lady cocktails, disco balls, glitz and glamour – a club night where you’re free to let your inner 80s child loose. FUNKADEMIA
MINT LOUNGE, 22:30–04:00, £5 - £6
Mancunian nightclub institution – delivering a chronological history of soul on a weekly basis, courtesy of their DJ collective. CRAIG CHARLES FUNK AND SOUL CLUB (NEW STREET ADVENTURE)
BAND ON THE WALL, 21:00–03:00, £16
DJ and actor Craig Charles will be manning the decks until 3am, playing his picks of funk and soul, with an array of guest spinners and live acts joining him. STUART RICHARDS
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NWS, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
High Jinx resident Stuart Richards brings his trademark style to the bar, offering a night of disco, funk and house. TIM WRIGHT
BLACK DOG BALLROOM NQ, 22:00–04:00, FREE BEFORE 11PM
Feel-good music via the avenues of house, garage, hip-hop, R ‘n’ B, funk, disco, soul and pop. THE REDLIGHT (FRANKY RIZARDO)
SANKEYS, 23:00–05:00, £3 - £8
The Redlight bring Defected boss Franky Rizardo to Sankeys. HIDDENEVENTS X TRÄUME (AXEL BOMAN + NICK HOPPNER )
HIDDEN, 22:00–04:00, £8 - £13.50
With Swedish house DJ and producer Axel Boman and Berlin’s house and techno aficionado Nick Hoppner. BANK HOLIDAY SHOW (KAHN AND NEEK + MURLO + TMAN)
ANTWERP MANSION, 22:00–03:00, £4 - £7
Fresh Creative and Different Gravy present a bank holiday party at Antwerp Mansion.
Sun 01 May THE HIDDEN FOREST
HIDDEN, 16:00–04:00, £SOLD OUT
12-hour opening party for The Hidden Forest, following successful parties last year with the likes of Tama Sumo and Enzo Siragusa.
BENTON BEATS PRESENTS… (BENTON + LOEFAH + FABIO + BENNY ILL) SANKEYS, 23:00–05:00, £3 - £8
Swamp 81’s Benton heas to Sankeys along with guest DJs.
Liverpool Clubs Sat 02 Apr
PULL UP TO THE BUMPER
BUMPER, 23:00–05:00, £TBC
Weekly Saturday party packed with pop and synth classics. SO FLUTE LIVERPOOL
THE SHIPPING FORECAST, 22:00–03:00, £6
Purveyors of soulful sounds from across the globe, Manchester club night So Flute takes on Liverpool’s Shipping Forecast, launching in April with a full residents session from Werkha, Bolts, Danuka, Yadava and Baloo. BACKROOM EVENTS
DISTRICT, 22:30–04:00, £15
New EDM night introducing some of the genre’s best upcoming Liverpool-based DJs.
Thu 07 Apr ALIUM
24 KITCHEN STREET, 22:00–04:00, £4 - £5
Underground house and techno hosted by Origins DJs. TRIBE: THE NEXT GATHERING
BUYERS CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £4 - £5
A gathering of tribal, house and techno sounds and a visual show inspired by the raves of Carl Cox, Robert Hood, Seth Troxler and co.
Fri 08 Apr
NIGHTMARES ON WAX
24 KITCHEN STREET, 22:00–03:00, £12
The Leeds DJ and producer, known for pioneering a fusion of electronica, hip hop, funk and downtempo, stops off in Liverpool for a DJ set, following a capacity show last April.
Sat 09 Apr
PULL UP TO THE BUMPER
BUMPER, 23:00–05:00, £TBC
Weekly Saturday party packed with pop and synth classics.
RAVESTOCK (THE NATIVES + THOMAS WOLF + JIMMY ALLEN + CAMM B2B EDEN + BOB GUEST)
DISTRICT, 22:00–04:00, £10
60s-themed flower-power party from the people behind Spaced Out, Summer Haze and Raveolution.
GREG WILSON AND RALPH LAWSON (DEREK KAYE) THE GARAGE, 22:00–04:00, £11 - £15
Two Northern clubbing icons team up for a night at The Garage.
Tue 12 Apr DIRTY ANTICS
BUMPER, 22:00–04:00, £0 - £3
Messy Tuesday-nighter, bring your dirty shoes.
Worried About Henry presents Liverpool’s official launch party for Outlook Festival, where Londonbased Icicle is joined by Randall, who’ll be playing an 92-95 old school set, plus WAH residents.
THE FRAT PARTY
ARTS CLUB, 22:00–04:00, £5 - £6
American-themed house party vibes with classic games like Flip Cup. LET’S GROOVE
24 KITCHEN STREET, 22:00–04:00, £1 - £5
Disco party with all profits going to North West Cancer Research.
Thu 14 Apr REMEDY
BUYERS CLUB, 23:00–03:00, £2 - £3
New Monday night party spanning disco, funk, soul and everything in between.
Fri 15 Apr RAW (DJ Q)
WILLIAMSON TUNNELS, 22:00–04:00, SOLD OUT
DJ Q stops by for a two-hour set, joined by RAW residents.
DISJOINTED REALITY RECORDINGS LABEL LAUNCH (CONSTRUCT + JAY DENHAM + P-BEN + THOMAS WOLF + TOM PAGE) 24 KITCHEN STREET, 20:00–04:00, £8 - £10
Disjointed Reality Recordings celebrate the Record Store Day release of their first EP. THE GREAT FRATSBY
THE BALTIC SOCIAL, 21:00–00:30, £6
Frat party and Great Gatsby mashup, where 1920s speakeasy glamour meets beer pong and red party cups, which, as bizarre as it may sound, redeems itself by raising money for The Scleroderma Society U.K. BEGINNINGS THREE
CAMP AND FURNACE, 22:00–04:00, £7.50 - £14
Abandon Silence return with their third Beginnings installation this year, following up the previous two with another sturdy bill. KOKIRI PRESENTS?
BUYERS CLUB, 22:00–04:00, £8
New club night curated by local Kokiri, showcasing the UK’s emerging house DJs.
MOTION / MASQ / MODULAR / HUSTLE / RUBIX / PEACH / LUNA (JAMES DAILY + LEE CHARNOK B2B CHRIS MCGEE + PRUDENCE B2B GED LEVER B2B ADELE MOSS + SAM POWER B2B JIMMY ALLEN + KEV OGDER B2B PHIL OGDER) BUYERS CLUB, 23:00–04:00, £5
Seven of Liverpool’s events team up to bring you a night with DJs spinning tunes in aid of Childreach International.
Sat 16 Apr
PULL UP TO THE BUMPER
Contact Theatre
Islington Mill BABBLE
UNTIL 2 APR, 3:00PM – 1:00AM, FREE
Hustle presents Detroit techno legend Juan Atkins for a night of disco, deep house and techno.
Garrick Theatre Stockport
Manchester Art Gallery
Wed 20 Apr
UNTIL 30 APR, 7:30PM – 9:30PM, £9.50
UNTIL 31 MAR, 7:30PM – 8:30PM, £SOLD OUT (MORE TICKETS MAY BE ISSUED; SIGN UP TO THE FUTUREEVERYTHING NEWSLETTER TO FIND OUT FIRST)
CAMP AND FURNACE, 22:00–06:00, £10 - £15
FLAVA D
24 KITCHEN STREET, 22:00–03:00, £8
Flava D and a secret guest take control.
Fri 22 Apr
VIPER LIVE (MATRIX AND FUTUREBOUND + DJ HAZARD + NORTH BASE)
THE GARAGE, 22:00–05:00, £10 - £15
New drum and bass night featuring a two-hour set from Matrix and Futurebound.
Sat 23 Apr
PULL UP TO THE BUMPER
BUMPER, 23:00–05:00, £TBC
Weekly Saturday party packed with pop and synth classics.
Fri 29 Apr
UK techno dons Randomer and Tessela play back to back for four hours, with support from Selective Hearing DJs.
The night returns for another bash, following a spate of sell-out events.
Manchester
Two-day micro-festival of new Northern dance, typically featuring around 15 short pieces of work over the two evenings.
JUAN ATKINS (JAMES MORGAN + JIMMY ALLEN + JAEGEROSSA)
THE SHIPPING FORECAST, 23:00–03:00, £5 - £10
MELÉ’S MANOR (KLOSE ONE)
Theatre
An experimental event series as part of FutureEverything, with an inter-disciplinary performance and afterparty (7pm-1am) examining transformation and change, preceded by a three-hour workshop (3pm).
Wed 13 Apr
BUMPER, 23:00–05:00, £TBC
Listings
24 KITCHEN STREET, 22:00–04:00, £6 - £12
SELECTIVE HEARING (RANDOMER + TESSELA)
Weekly Saturday party packed with pop and synth classics.
52
OUTLOOK FESTIVAL LIVERPOOL LAUNCH PARTY (ICICLE + RANDALL + MC FLUX + LONG-E + STATURE X KAST)
BUYERS CLUB, 22:00–04:00, £8 - £12
4MATION (D-NEW + LUUKA SYENCE + THE KAT) THE ATTIC, 22:00–03:00, FREE
4Mation returns with a free night of underground house and tech house. HOTLINE RECORDINGS VS. LESS EFFECT
24 KITCHEN STREET, 23:00–04:00, £3
Less Effect bring Liverpool a takeover from one of their favourite labels.
HOTLINE RECORDINGS VS LESS EFFECT (KAHN AND NEEK + COMMODO + LURKA + BATU)
24 KITCHEN STREET, 23:00–04:00, £3 - £10
Less Effect welcome one of their favourite labels for a takeover.
Sat 30 Apr
MELODIC DISTRACTION
CONSTELLATIONS, 22:00–04:00, £6 - £10
Jazzy house and sultry grooves, with live performances across Constellations. Headline act TBC. PULL UP TO THE BUMPER
BUMPER, 23:00–05:00, £TBC
Weekly Saturday party packed with pop and synth classics.
LIVERPOOL DISCO FESTIVAL LAUNCH PARTY (FRANCOIS K)
CAMP AND FURNACE, 18:00–03:00, £10 - £15
Celebrate the forthcoming Liverpool Disco Festival with a launch do at Camp and Furnace, featuring a special extended disco set from headliner Francois K.
MARTIN SOLVEIG PRESENTS MY HOUSE (BLONDE + MICHAEL CALFAN + PEP & RASH) LIVERPOOL GUILD OF STUDENTS, 22:00–04:00, £17.50 - £22.25
The electronic music maestro takes to the Liverpool Guild of Students.
GECKO PRESENTS? (KREATURE + TERREUX + LKY + RUGG)
TURN 2016
UNTIL 23 APR, 7:30PM – 11:00PM, £5 - £9
LOST MONSTERS
Savage humour, touching humanity and magic combine as a car accident leaves three runaways stranded.
Gullivers PEN:CHANT
UNTIL 14 APR, 8:00PM – 11:00PM, £5 - £7
Manchester cabaret night Pen:Chant, which specialises in comedy, music, spoken word and live literature, hosts an evening headlined by the debut show from stand-up poet and musician Jonny Fluffypunk, with support from UK singer-songwriter Kirsty McGee.
HOME
SMOKE AND MIRRORS
UNTIL 2 APR, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, £10 - £18
High-flying (and at times in the nuddy) acrobatics from American contemporary circus company The Ricochet Project, who will have you signing back up to that yoga class you could never be arsed to go to within minutes. THE BEANFIELD
UNTIL 2 APR, 8:00PM – 10:30PM, £12
A multimedia show about state violence and national heritage, fusing new writing with documentary footage to re-visit 1985’s the Battle of Beanfield, a brutal police crackdown on the annual Stonehenge Free Festival. Matinee performances also available. INTO THE HOODS: REMIXED
UNTIL 9 APR, 7:30PM – 9:30PM, £10 - £22.50
Newly revamped version of awardwinning West End production set in the Ruff Endz Estate. DERAILED
UNTIL 9 APR, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, £12
Live recording of a concept album about social change by Little Soldier Productions incorporating physical theatre, storytelling and live music. Part of ¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival. ALL IN
UNTIL 16 APR, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, £12
Young Spanish theatre company ARTRESBANDES perform a world premiere as part of ¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival. CHAMACO (KIDDO)
UNTIL 23 APR, TIMES VARY, £10
Scratch performance of Abel González Melo’s play about dog-eat-dog life in contemporary Cuba. Part of ¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival. CARESSES
UNTIL 23 APR, TIMES VARY, £6 - £10
Sergei Belbel’s play encapsulating a range of carefully interwoven encounters between various complex personalities. Matinee performance available. Part of ¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival. WEATHERED
UNTIL 23 APR, 11:30AM – 12:30PM, £3
Sun 01 May
Cuban playwright develops new work as part of his residency at HOME, which will be presented as a reading for ¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival.
WILLIAMSON TUNNELS, 20:00–03:00, £10 - £15
Hope Mill Theatre
THE GARAGE, 22:00–04:00, £5
A night of underground techno with DJs from across the Northwest. KEVIN SAUNDERSON (GED LEVER + DEREK KAYE)
Detroit techno innovator Kevin Saunderston flies in from the States. LOW STEPPA
THE GARAGE, 22:00–06:00, £10 - £15
Exit gear up for their biggest event yet, bringing Birmingham’s Low Steppa to Liverpool to play alongside their residents. NANCY NOISE (ANDY CARROLL + DREAMGIRL + BILLY COX + PLUTO)
VARIOUS VENUES, 12:00–03:00, £15
Sol Rio presents superclub regular Nancy Noise, who’ll be stopping by for a boat party with Balearic beats and the underground sounds of the acid/ChicagoDetroit scenes.
BORDERLINE ELECTRA
UNTIL 21 APR, TIMES VARY, £10
New play by writer and director Stevie Helps, in which a family is torn apart by violence, lies, incest and revenge. THE HAUNTING OF BLAINE MANOR
UNTIL 10 APR, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, £8 - £10
Joe O’Byrne’s latest play is a period piece paying homage to ghost story writer MR James and the classic Hollywood film era.
GAZELLE TWIN
British industrial-pop auteur Gazelle Twin presents audio-visual performance Kingdom Come, which makes its debut as part of FutureEverything 2016 as a commission by the festival. Expect electronics, film, a brand new soundtrack… and treadmills.
Northenden Methodist Church Hall MURDER ON THE NILE
UNTIL 9 APR, TIMES VARY, £8
Agatha Christie’s classic thriller set aboard a luxury Nile cruise ship comes to life, courtesy of the Northenden Players Theatre Club.
Octagon Theatre MARTHA, JOSIE AND THE CHINESE ELVIS
UNTIL 2 APR, 7:30PM – 10:00PM, £10.50 - £27
Join a forty-year-old dominatrix called Josie, her daughter BrendaMarie, her devout Irish cleaner, her most loyal client and Elvis impersonator Timothy Wong, as a landmark birthday is upstaged by a very unexpected guest. Matinee performances available. LOOK BACK IN ANGER
HEARTBEAT UNTIL 30 APR, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, £16.90 - £41.40
ITV’s well-loved 1960s police drama comes to stage for the first time ever, featuring members of the cast from the TV series and many of the show’s popular characters including David Stockwell, Gina Ward and PC Geoff Younger. Matinees available.
Palace Theatre Manchester BEYOND THE BARRICADE
UNTIL 20 APR, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, £24.15
A selection of West End/Broadway tunes, brought to the stage in a variety-style performance. JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT
UNTIL 2 APR, 7:30PM – 10:00PM, £14 - £38
One of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s more garish gifts (which is saying something), with Joe McElderry leading the way as Joseph in this biblical retelling of a man, his showboat of a coat and his eleven green-eyed bros. Matinee performances available. AMERICAN IDIOT
UNTIL 9 APR, TIMES VARY, £17.90 - £42.90
Green Day’s award-winning Broadway musical, now touring across the UK with X Factor finalist Amelia Lily, who reprises her role Whatsername. Earlier performances available. TELL ME ON A SUNDAY
UNTIL 25 APR, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, PRICES VARY
Jodie Prenger stars in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s classic musical, charting the romantic misadventures of an English girl in 1980s NYC.
Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) VERDI’S OTELLO
UNTIL 8 APR, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, £19
Opera Seria celebrates 400 years since the death of Shakespeare with Verdi’s great tragedy of deception, love, and jealousy. BUTTERFLY IN BLOOD
UNTIL 30 APR, 8:00PM – 11:00PM, £17
Avant-garde chamber opera based on Fania Fenelon’s book, Women’s Orchestra of Aushwitz.
The Dancehouse Theatre NEW DAWN FADES
UNTIL 16 APR, TIMES VARY, PRICES VARY
A new play about Joy Division and Manchester, chronicling the rise and fall of the famed local group in a classic tale of four ordinary lads from Manchester, Salford and Macclesfield who became one of the most famous bands of all time. THE WALL STREET MASH
UNTIL 30 APR, 8:30PM – 2:00AM, £8 - £10
An evening of electro-swing live performances and DJ sets.
The Edge Theatre & Arts Centre LETTING GO
UNTIL 2 APR, TIMES VARY, £3
Performed by participants from The Edge’s Acting Up and The Sing classes. WITH A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK
UNTIL 15 APR, 7:30PM – 9:00PM, £10 - £12
Award-winning writer Sabrina Mahfouz explores the legacy of a defining cultural movement, underscored by a live mix of old school UK garage.
Find Manchester events & buy tickets on our site:
bit.ly/skinnymcr
CARE TAKERS
WED 13 APR, 7PM-10PM, £4-£5
A new teacher believes a pupil is being bullied because he is gay, while the Deputy Head assumes it will sort itself out, as youthful potential struggles to thrive in a system that chokes it.
Oldham Library THE ODDITY
UNTIL 29 APR, 7:00PM – 9:00PM, £4 - £5
Homer’s classic Greek myth is turned on its head, telling the tale from a contemporary female perspective via central character Tilly, a girl lost between ancient fiction and modern reality. Earlier performances also available.
Opera House CHICAGO
UNTIL 2 APR, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, £15 - £47.50
Award-winning musical set in the 1920s, based around the tale of a nightclub singer, a double-murderess and a smooth-talking lawyer. Matinee performances also available.
Ground-breaking absurdist play, which sees audio description cleverly incorporated into the live performance. BONNIE AND CLYDE
UNTIL 30 APR, 7:15PM – 9:30PM, £15 - £17
Retelling of the tale of America’s most notorious lovers and bank robbers. Saturday matinee performance available. THE HERBAL BED
UNTIL 30 MAR, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, £16 - £20
Peter Whelan’s emotional thriller evoking life in Shakespeare’s England, focusing on conlict between public and private morality. Matinee performances also available. BAD JEWS
UNTIL 9 APR, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, £24.50 - £29.50
A Manhattan apartment sets the scene for a hilarious brawl over family, faith and legacy on the night after a funeral in Joshua Harman’s critically-acclaimed play. Matinee performances available.
A brand new take on the classic Newcastle-noir thriller about Jack Carter and his deadly game of cat and mouse.
The Plaza Stockport Easter panto gets the Bobby Davro treatment, with added Tracy Beaker actress Dani Harmer. Stop it, you’re spoiling us. Matinee performances also available. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S MURDER
UNTIL 29 APR, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, £32.50
Touching and amusing play by the brilliant Bryony Lavery, following an ordinary girl and an ordinary boy as everything chances when it snows. Saturday matinee also available.
Oldham Coliseum
THE CHAIRS
UNTIL 16 APR, TIMES VARY, £8
THE WIZARD OF OZ
UNTIL 16 APR, 7:30PM – 8:30PM, £3 - £6
A quartet of work (where each stands along or can be seen as a day-long marathon) about our relationship with time, made with ‘real’ people in place of actors. Coproduction between Quarantine, HOME and Contact.
The Lowry: Quays Theatre
UNTIL 12 APR, 5:30PM – 7:30PM, £17 - £19
IT SNOWS
UNTIL 3 APR, 2:00PM – 12:00AM, £15 - £25
Promenade performance and visual poem, featuring a cast of dancers and musicians set to an original score performed live by strings, percussion and bagpipes.
GET CARTER
Mark 60s years since John Osborne’s seminal drama was first staged at the Royal Court Theatre in the 50s, exploring the disillusionment of an entire generation of British working class men following World War II with the ‘angry young man’ character.
QUARANTINE: SUMMER. AUTUMN. WINTER. SPRING
AN ANATOMIE IN FOUR QUARTERS
UNTIL 30 APR, TIMES VARY, £15
UNTIL 23 APR, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, £18 - £24
UNTIL 30 APR, 7:30PM – 10:00PM, £10.50 - £27
Old Granada Studios
THE JAMES PLAYS UNTIL 24 APR, 11:00AM – 10:00PM, £21 - £79
Rona Munro’s James I, James II and James III and performed backto-back across a day, with tickets available for each play or for the whole trilogy.
TheSkinnyMag
Royal Exchange Studio AM I DEAD YET?
UNTIL 23 APR, 7:00PM – 8:00PM, £10 - £12
Unlimited founding members Jon Spooner and Chris Thorpe star as two friends talking and singing their way through the important milestone that no one talks about: what happens when we die. NOTHING
UNTIL 17 APR, TIMES VARY, £6 - £10
World premiere of the adaptation of Janne Teller’s controversial 2000 novel, which sees the friends of teenager Pierre Anthon try and prove him wrong about nothing in life having meaning, spiralling out of control to terrifying effect. Matinees available.
TONIGHT I’M GONNA BE THE NEW ME
UNTIL 30 APR, 7:00PM – 9:00PM, £10 - £12
Made in China’s dark new show exposing how we perform our relationships amidst a reality that won’t ever live up to those of the movies.
Royal Exchange Theatre KING LEAR
UNTIL 7 MAY, 7:00PM – 10:00PM, £8.50 - £16
For theatre company Talawa’s 30th anniversary year, director Michael Buffong returns to the Royal Exchange with Don Warrington, who stars in Shakespeare’s brutal portrait of power struggles, family feuding and, above all else, sanity unravelling.
A Shakespearean murder mystery led by After Dark Theatre Company, complete with bubbly and a three course meal.
The King’s Arms
Three Minute Theatre
UNTIL 11 APR, 7:30PM – 9:30PM, £5
UNTIL 24 APR, 7:00PM – 11:00PM, £6 - £8
LAST ORDERS
A manager of a pub - and amateur counsellor to its regulars - tries to unearth the secrets of both her newest barmaid and a mysterious stranger. VIRTUAL REALITY
UNTIL 14 APR, 7:30PM – 9:30PM, £10
Maria de la Roche’s debut play looking at the virtual world of internet sex, female impowerment and our own blindness towards the hypocrite that can dwell within.
The Lowry Studio ORIGINS
UNTIL 29 APR, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, £10 - £12
Psychological thriller using movement, sound and rhythm to journey into the landscapes of both dream and reality, while also confronting life’s primeval questions of faith, death and immortality. CARE TAKERS
FRI 22-SAT 23 APR, 8PM-10PM, £10-£12
A new teacher believes a pupil is being bullied because he is gay, while the Deputy Head assumes it will sort itself out, as youthful potential struggles to thrive in a system that chokes it.
The Lowry: Lyric Theatre BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S
UNTIL 16 APR, 7:30PM – 10:00PM, £27 - £37.50
Pixie Lott stars in this adaptation of Capote’s much-loved novel and its subsequent film, which saw Audrey Hepburn puffing away from Holly Golightly’s iconic cigarette holder. Matinee performances available.
WILL AND ANNE
A Manchester Shakespeare Company production, where actor, poet, playwright and TV drama writer Bill Shakespeare meets up with his estranged wife Anne for an afternoon discovering truths about their lives, their love, their children and more.
Victoria Baths FOOL
1 APR, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, £8 - £10
Short&Sweet present an evening featuring of three-minute quickfire acts from 25 local emerging and established performers, spanning choirs, circus acts, DJs, comedians and contemporary dancers.
Waterside Arts Centre A DUET WITHOUT YOU
UNTIL 7 APR, 8:00PM – 11:00PM, £8 - £10
Beyond distance and despite absence, Chloé and her friends try to experience what drives us apart and what brings us together.
Z Arts
STILL WE RISE
UNTIL 13 APR, 8:00PM – 11:00PM, £TBC
A roadshow of drama, dance and song devised and performed by Women Asylum Seekers Together, including the Liberty Award-winning choir, the WAST Nightingales. Taking place at STUN at Z Arts.
THE SKINNY
Liverpool Theatre 81 Renshaw Street POP UP GRIN
UNTIL 31 MAR, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, £5.50
An exciting new concept for Liverpool, providing short, sharp bursts of queer theatre - this time in the form of three new plays from writer Wes Williams, who explores issues surrounding HIV/AIDS.
Liverpool Small Cinema
The Lantern Theatre
WED 13 APR, 1.30PM, £7
UNTIL 31 MAR, 7:45PM – 10:30PM, £7 - £12
WELCOME TO PARADISE ROAD
Written by Brian Coyle and directed by Emma Bird examining how it's not just the State that contributes to today's surveillance society, being performed as part of Page to Stage Festival.
Royal Court Theatre DOWN THE DOCK ROAD
UNTIL 9 APR, 8:00PM – 10:30PM, £13
UNTIL 16 APR, TIMES VARY, PRICES VARY
Alan Bleasdale’s classic play set in the 1970s, looking back on the characters of the Liverpool dockyards. Matinee performances also available.
SNOW WHITE
Heartwarming new comedy by Dave Simpson (The Naked Truth, Raving Beauties) about music, romance and aging rock and rollers, packed with 50s and 60s tunes. Matinee performances also available.
Epstein Theatre NEW DAWN FADES
A new play about Joy Division and Manchester, chronicling the rise and fall of the famed local group in a classic tale of four ordinary lads from Manchester, Salford and Macclesfield who became one of the most famous bands of all time. UNTIL 6 APR, TIMES VARY, £15 - £17
Classic panto fodder with the Wicked Witch et al - with The Apprentice and Celebrity Big Brother star James Hill, no less... Matinee performances also available. A BOOK OF TALES
UNTIL 16 APR, 7:30PM – 10:00PM, £10
MD Productions present a magical and mysterious adventure about a little girl with a vivid imagination, who embarks on a journey to keep her family memories alive.
Everyman Theatre
A GIRL IS A HALF-FORMED THING
UNTIL 9 APR, 7:30PM – 10:00PM, £12 - £20
The multi award-winning stage adaptation of Eimear McBride’s acclaimed novel, following the inner narrative of a girl from the womb to 20 years old. Matinee performances also available. IPHIGENIA IN SPLOTT
UNTIL 16 APR, 7:30PM – 10:00PM, £12 - £20
Written by Gary Owen and directed by Rachel O’Riordan, this powerful new adaptation of the Greek myth drives home the high price people pay for society’s shortcomings.
Gladstone Theatre WE’LL MEET AGAIN
UNTIL 30 MAR, 2:30PM – 5:00PM, £14.50
A celebration of wartime entertainment starring comedy entertainer Steve Barclay, singer Lucia Matisse performing the songs of Vera Lynn and Gracie Fields and others. BEST OF BRITISH
UNTIL 9 APR, TIMES VARY, £8 - £10
An evening of song, dance, comedy and drama from the West Wirral Scouts and Guides. D’aaaw.
Liverpool Empire Theatre THE MOUSETRAP
UNTIL 23 APR, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, £10 - £56.40
Agatha Christie murder mystery, famous for being the longestrunning show of any kind in the history of British theatre.r. Matinee performances also available. THRILLER LIVE
UNTIL 23 APR, TIMES VARY, PRICES VARY
Touring concert celebrating the career of the undisputed King of Pop, paying homage to Jacko’s legendary OTT live stage performances. THE BODYGUARD
UNTIL 7 MAY, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, £10 - £64.50
Musical based on the blockbuster film of the same name, with X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke taking on warbling Whitney duties. Matinee performances also available.
Liverpool Playhouse THE 39 STEPS
UNTIL 23 APR, TIMES VARY, PRICES VARY
Alfred Hitchcock’s spy thriller hit; recreated for the stage.
April 2016
THE GOLDEN OLDIES
UNTIL 14 MAY, 8:00PM, £13 - £26
Southport Theatre
TELL ME ON A SUNDAY
UNTIL 25 APR, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, PRICES VARY
Jodie Prenger stars in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Don Black’s classic musical, charting the romantic misadventures of an English girl in 1980s NYC.
St George’s Hall MACBETH
UNTIL 28 APR, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, £14
The first of St George’s ‘Where There’s a Will’ Shakespeare season, which will feature four of the Bard’s classics. Matinee performances also available.
St Helens Theatre Royal PETER PAN
UNTIL 17 APR, 5:00PM – 8:00PM, £11.50 - £12.50
Easter panto based on JM Barrie’s perennial classic set in the magical Neverland. With added Ray Quinn, of X Factor and Dancing on Ice fame. Matinee performances also available.
The Atkinson
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
UNTIL 9 APR, 7:30PM – 9:30PM, £10
Musical adaptation of Jules Verne’s adventure, following the intrepid Phileas Fogg and pals as they circumnavigate the globe. STIG OF THE DUMP
UNTIL 3 APR, 2:30PM – 5:00PM, £6 - £8
The classic children’s tale of a boy who befriends a caveman in an old chalk pit.
The Brindley BOUNCERS
UNTIL 13 APR, 7:30PM – 9:00PM, FREE
VML Youth Drama Group proudly bring John Godber’s stand out drama to the Brindley, featuring a cast of future stars. CHESS
UNTIL 9 APR, 7:30PM – 10:30PM, FREE
Award winning Phoenix Theatre UK present their unique interpretation of this legendary musical featuring music by ABBA’s Benny and Bjorn, detailing Cold War rivalries on and off the chessboard. THE WIZARD OF OZ FT. STEVEN ARNOLD
UNTIL 12 APR, TIMES VARY, £0 - £12
Join Dorothy Gale as she teams up with a brainless Scarecrow, a loveable Tin Man and the cowardly Lion to thwart the evil powers of the Wicked Witch of the West. With Ashley Peacock off Corrie ‘n’ all! Matinee performances available.
The Casa THE ODYSSEY
TUE 12-SAT 15 APR, £5-£7
Homer's magical epic is brought to life in a new production presented by Burjesta Theatre.
DON GIOVANNI
Opera Seria present Mozart’s tale about the notorious serial seducer, Don Giovanni. OUR KYLIE’S HAVIN’ A BAB
UNTIL 19 APR, 7:45PM – 9:45PM, £8 - £10
Comedic insight to everything from the night of conception and scan appointments to expensive gadgets and buggies that never work properly. TWISTED
UNTIL 15 APR, 7:45PM – 9:45PM, £6 - £8
A play exploring bullying, peer pressure, family dynamics and self-worth, unfurling the mysteries of a girl in a coma, how she got there and who the real victim is… KENNY’S CARPET
UNTIL 23 APR, 7:45PM – 9:45PM, £8 - £10
Astroturf, football, drugs, sex violence, revenge and betrayal combine in this play following a gangster called Kenny in 1980s Liverpool, written by Ian MacDonald as his debut play and directed by Scott Murphy. CARE TAKERS
29 APR, TIMES VARY, PRICES VARY
A new teacher believes a pupil is being bullied because he is gay, while the Deputy Head assumes it will sort itself out, as youthful potential struggles to thrive in a system that chokes it.
The World Museum
WELCOME TO PARADISE ROAD
SAT 9 APR, 3.30PM, £7
Written by Brian Coyle and directed by Emma Bird examining how it's not just the State that contributes to today's surveillance society, being performed as part of Page to Stage Festival.
The Zanzibar Club
WELCOME TO PARADISE ROAD
TUE 5 APR, 9PM, £7
Written by Brian Coyle and directed by Emma Bird examining how it's not just the State that contributes to today's surveillance society, being performed as part of Page to Stage Festival.
Unity Theatre DIRTY PAKISTANI LAUNDRY
UNTIL 1 APR, 8:00PM – 10:30PM, £12 - £14
An award-winning production set in post-9/11 America, interweaving the stories of six Pakistani women to shatter preconceptions about culture, sex and politics. THE ODYSSEY
TUE 12-SAT 15 APR, 7.30PM-10PM, £10-£12
Homer's magical epic is brought to life in a new production presented by Burjesta Theatre. TINNED GOODS
UNTIL 2 APR, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, £8 - £10
A play by Fiona Whitelaw about UK women in the miners’ strikes of the 1980s. LIVERPOOL LAMBS
UNTIL 31 MAR, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, £5
Centenary production telling the untold story of the men and women from the Liverpool Volunteers who took part in the Easter Rising of 1916. BRAKIN’ PAD
UNTIL 9 APR, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, £10 - £12
Comedy show detailing the tribulations of Brakin’ Pad motors, including gangsters, guns and a new dodgy business partner. NAUGHTY CORNER PRODUCTIONS DOUBLE BILL
UNTIL 19 APR, 8:00PM – 11:00PM, £11 - £13
Time for a BOGOF bargain with award-winning apocalyptic black comedy The Bastard Queen! and Scouse crime caper Not the Horse. DIRTY GLITTER
UNTIL 20 APR, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, £11 - £13
The third show from the awardwinning Naughty Corner Productions, this one’s a ‘neon-noir’ following two private investigators hired to find a missing girl at the height of disco in 1979.
THE LAMELLAR PROJECT UNTIL 23 APR, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, £10 - £12
Two scientists uncover terrifying truths about a future world crisis in this new transatlantic thriller. GOING VIRAL
UNTIL 30 APR, 8:00PM – 10:00PM, £6 - £14
Dan Bye (The Price of Everything) presents a tale told from the front line of an epidemic, blending the epic, hilarious and tragic through storytelling, comedy and performance lecture.
Manchester Comedy Tue 29 Mar
XS MALARKEY (FOXDOG STUDIOS LTD + DANIELLE WARD + MATTHEW BONNANO)
PUB/ZOO, 19:00–22:00, £3 - £5
The rather ace comedy night continues with the usual Tuesday night shenanigans.
XS MALARKEY (PHIL NICHOL + ROB CARTER + GLENN MOORE + JONATHAN COLLINS + MONKEY POET)
PUB/ZOO, 19:00–22:00, £3 - £5
The rather ace comedy night continues with the usual Tuesday night shenanigans.
Thu 31 Mar
STAND UP THURSDAY (CHARLIE BAKER + THE BOY WITH TAPE ON HIS FACE + MC RICH WILSON)
THE COMEDY STORE, 20:00–22:00, £6 - £12
Cheat life and get that Friday feeling one day early with a night of comedic delight from some circuit funny folk.
THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE (KATIE MULGREW + GEOFF NORCOTT + LEWIS DUNN AS STANLEY BROOKES + IAN LANE + JO CAULFIELD) THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £7 - £13
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks. ED ACZEL
THE LOWRY STUDIO, 20:00–22:00, £12
Mr Aczel exposes the audience to a series of ill-thought through approaches to comedy in the search of an idea which will improve human existence. Y’know, as you do.
Fri 01 Apr
THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC RICH WILSON + CHARLIE BAKER + THE BOY WITH TAPE ON HIS FACE + DAVID LONGLEY + JOHN FOTHERGILL) THE COMEDY STORE, 20:00–22:00, £12 - £18
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians.
BARREL OF LAUGHS (KATIE MULGREW + GEOFF NORCOTT + SEYMOUR MACE + JO CAULFIELD)
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £13 - £19
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks, followed by Frog and Bucket’s classic cheesy disco until late. DEAD CAT COMEDY PRESENTS…
THE DANCEHOUSE THEATRE, 20:00–23:00, £10
Three hours of wall-to-wall silliness from a handful of the UK’s freshest and funniest physical comedians. MUM’S THE WORD COMEDY CLUB (KATIE MULGREW) THE EDGE THEATRE & ARTS CENTRE, 13:00–14:00, £6 - £8
A relaxed comedy gig designed for people with babies under 18 months, specialising in adult content that parents and carers will appreciate… and babies won’t understand.
Sat 02 Apr
THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC RICH WILSON + CHARLIE BAKER + THE BOY WITH TAPE ON HIS FACE + DAVID LONGLEY + JOHN FOTHERGILL) THE COMEDY STORE, 19:00–21:30, £16 - £22
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians.
Comedy Manchester THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC RICH WILSON + CHARLIE BAKER + THE BOY WITH TAPE ON HIS FACE + DAVID LONGLEY + JOHN FOTHERGILL) THE COMEDY STORE, 21:30–23:30, £16 - £22
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians.
BARREL OF LAUGHS (KATIE MULGREW + GEOFF NORCOTT + SEYMOUR MACE + JO CAULFIELD)
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £15 - £22
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks, followed by Frog and Bucket’s classic cheesy disco until late. LET’S SEE WHAT HAPPENS
THE KING’S ARMS, 19:30–22:30, £3
Improv from the members of CszUK – using audience suggestions a comedian will tell a story based on this, followed by improvised sketches from a troupe of actors. BEST OF BUZZ COMEDY (PHIL WALKER + HAYLEY ELLIS + PHIL REID)
WATERSIDE ARTS CENTRE, 20:00–23:00, £10 - £12
The Waterside’s regular comedy night, featuring one of the UK comedy circuit’s up and coming stars. GROUP THERAPY COMEDY CLUB (ADAM BLOOM + THE BOY WITH TAPE ON HIS FACE) GORILLA, 19:00–22:00, £8 - £10
Group Therapy returns to Gorilla armed with Perrier Award nominee and Polygram Award winner for best stand-up at the Edinburgh Festival, Adam Bloom.
Sun 03 Apr KING GONG
THE COMEDY STORE, 19:30–23:00, £4 - £6
A night of stand-up from some fresh-faced comics trying to break on to the circuit – be nice. LAFF TIL YA FART
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 18:45–23:00, £7
SHAM BODIE (SAM & TOM + PETER FLEMING + ALISTAIR CLARK + HEY BULLDOG + BEN TONGUE) SOUP KITCHEN, 19:30–22:15, £5
The Sham Bodie crew return for your next fix of A-grade gags, bound together by music from Manchester psych outfit Hey Bulldog. And half-time hot dogs, obvs. LEVENSHULME COMEDY CLUB (STEVE ROYLE + JOSH PUGH + FREDDY QUINNE)
FRED’S ALE HOUSE, 19:30–22:30, £5
Actor, writer, comedian, presenter and juggler Steve Royle, who’s previously featured on Sunday Night at the Palladium and Phoenix Nights, headlines this month’s Levy Comedy Club.
Fri 08 Apr
THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC IMRAN YUSUF + STEVE ROYLE + DAMIAN CLARK + ROGER MONKHOUSE + DANNY MCLOUGHLIN)
THE COMEDY STORE, 20:00–22:00, £12 - £18
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians. BARREL OF LAUGHS (JESSICA FOSTEKEW + ERICH MCELROY + HAYLEY ELLIS + CHRIS MCCAUSLAND)
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £13 - £19
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks, followed by Frog and Bucket’s classic cheesy disco until late. BRENDAN GRACE
THE PLAZA STOCKPORT, 19:30–22:30, £17.50 - £18.50
Irish comedian and singer known for his schoolboy character called Bottler.
Sat 09 Apr
THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC IMRAN YUSUF + STEVE ROYLE + DAMIAN CLARK + ROGER MONKHOUSE + ANDY WATSON)
THE COMEDY STORE, 19:00–21:30, £16 - £22
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians.
Trevor Lynch presents the latest in a series of comedy nights, aptly titled Laff ‘til Ya Fart.
THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC IMRAN YUSUF + STEVE ROYLE + DAMIAN CLARK + ROGER MONKHOUSE + ANDY WATSON)
THE LOWRY STUDIO, 20:00–23:00, £10 - £12
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians.
DEBORAH FRANCES WHITE
The star of BBC 4’s Rolls the Dice tours her show of the same name, following a critically-acclaimed Edinburgh run.
Mon 04 Apr BEAT THE FROG
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £0 - £3
A ten-act long heckle-fest inviting a handful of amateurs to take to the stage and try to Beat the Frog, and the audience decides who stays – brutal!
Tue 05 Apr
THE WORST COMEDY NIGHT IN SALFORD
THE KING’S ARMS, 20:00–23:00, FREE
Keeping expectations low with this night of open mic stand up, opening up the stage to anyone willing to give it go.
Thu 07 Apr
STAND UP THURSDAY (MC IMRAN YUSUF + STEVE ROYLE + MICK FERRY.)
THE COMEDY STORE, 20:00–23:00, £8 - £12
Cheat life and get that Friday feeling one day early with a night of comedic delight from some circuit funny folk.
THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE (JESSICA FOSTEKEW + ERICH MCELROY + STEPHANIE LAING + WENDY WASON + CHRIS MCCAUSLAND) THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £7 - £10
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks.
THE COMEDY STORE, 21:30–23:30, £16 - £22
BARREL OF LAUGHS (JESSICA FOSTEKEW + ERICH MCELROY + HAYLEY ELLIS + CHRIS MCCAUSLAND)
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £15 - £22
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks, followed by Frog and Bucket’s classic cheesy disco until late. THE TWO MIKES
THE DANCEHOUSE THEATRE, 19:15–22:15, £20 - £22.50
Mike Graham and Mike Parry leave the TalkSport studio for an evening of manly lols and beer-bellied banter.
Sun 10 Apr NEW STUFF
THE COMEDY STORE, 19:30–23:00, £4
Stand-up from fresh-faced comics trying to break on to the circuit – play nice. DANE BAPTISTE
THE LOWRY STUDIO, 20:00–21:30, £12
Following the success of his debut show, which saw award noms flood in at the Edinburgh Fringe and at the Chortle Awards, Dane Baptiste returns with a new tour, Reasonable Doubts.
Mon 11 Apr BEAT THE FROG
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £0 - £3
A ten-act long heckle-fest inviting a handful of amateurs to take to the stage and try to Beat the Frog, and the audience decides who stays – brutal!
JOHN ROBINS GORILLA, 19:00–22:00, £SOLD OUT
Group Therapy bring the comedian and sometime DJ to Manchester, as he tours his Speakeasy show.
BARREL OF LAUGHS (TOBY HADOKE + CAIMH MCDONNELL + QUINCY + TONY BURGESS) THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £15 - £22
One of the North’s favourite comedy clubs returns.
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks, followed by Frog and Bucket’s classic cheesy disco until late.
Tue 12 Apr
Sun 17 Apr
PUB/ZOO, 19:00–22:00, £3 - £5
Regular night of stand up with five world-class comedians.
TRAPDOOR COMEDY CLUB (RAY PEACOCK + LEWIS CHARLESWORTH + TONY BASNETT) THE RAILWAY INN, 19:30–22:30, £5
XS MALARKEY (PAUL PIRIE + SEAN PATRICK + NICK CRANSTON + ANDY HOLLOWAY + LAURA LEXX)
The rather ace comedy night continues with the usual Tuesday night shenanigans. TRAPDOOR COMEDY CLUB (RAY PEACOCK + JASON COOK + TONY BASNETT)
SOLOMONS, 19:30–22:30, £5
One of the North’s favourite comedy clubs returns.
TRAPDOOR COMEDY CLUB (RAY PEACOCK + JASON COOK)
THE SPINNING TOP, 19:30–22:30, £5
One of the North’s favourite comedy clubs returns.
Wed 13 Apr GUINEA PIGS
SANDBAR, 20:00–23:00, £PAY WHAT YOU WANT
The latest venture from the Dead Cat Comedy Cub stable, which sees host Red Redmond at the helm alongside UK circuit regulars and some of Manchester’s rising stars. TRAPDOOR COMEDY CLUB (RAY PEACOCK + DAVID STANIER)
THE OLD MONKEY, 19:30–22:30, £5
One of the North’s favourite comedy clubs returns.
Thu 14 Apr
STAND UP THURSDAY (MC MICK FERRY + ALISTAIR BARRIE + BEN NORRIS)
THE COMEDY STORE, 20:00–23:00, £8 - £12
Cheat life and get that Friday feeling one day early with a night of comedic delight from some circuit funny folk. THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE (TOBY HADOKE + CAIMH MCDONNELL + DOTTY WINTERS + RAHUL KOHLI + TONY BURGESS)
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £7 - £10
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks.
Fri 15 Apr
THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC MICK FERRY + ALISTAIR BARRIE + BEN NORRIS + MARK NELSON + PAUL MCCAFFREY )
THE COMEDY STORE, 20:00–22:00, £12 - £18
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians.
BARREL OF LAUGHS (TOBY HADOKE + CAIMH MCDONNELL + QUINCY + TONY BURGESS) THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £13 - £19
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks, followed by Frog and Bucket’s classic cheesy disco until late. Q’S COMEDY CLUB (JONATHAN MAYOR + VINCE ATTA + JAY HAMPSON)
Q’S SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT BAR, 20:00–23:00, £7
Billed as the ‘Friendliest Comedy Club in the North’, join host Red Redmond for an evening of laughs courtesy of Dead Cat Comedy Club.
Sat 16 Apr
THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC MICK FERRY + ALISTAIR BARRIE + BEN NORRIS + MARK NELSON + PAUL MCCAFFREY)
THE COMEDY STORE, 19:00–21:30, £16 - £22
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians.
THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC MICK FERRY + ALISTAIR BARRIE + BEN NORRIS + MARK NELSON + PAUL MCCAFFREY)
THE COMEDY STORE, 21:30–23:30, £16 - £22
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians.
NEW COMEDIANS
THE COMEDY STORE, 19:30–23:00, £4
ANTWERP MANSION COMEDY NIGHT (ROB ROUSE + LEWIS BIG LOU JONES + TONY VINO) ANTWERP MANSION, 19:30–22:30, FREE
Another evening of fine free comedy at the Mansion. ROMESH RANGANATHAN
THE LOWRY: QUAYS THEATRE, 20:00–23:00, £19.50
The maths-teacher-turned-comedian (and 2013 Edinburgh Festival Best Newcomer) tours his new show, Irrational, which explores the rationality of his world view. Or perhaps lack thereof… RORY MCGRATH: REMEMBERS (OR IS IT FORGETS?)
THE LOWRY STUDIO, 20:00–23:00, £14
Television presenter and seasoned comedy writer Rory McGrath embarks on his debut stand-up tour. Go giggle.
Mon 18 Apr BEAT THE FROG
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £0 - £3
A ten-act long heckle-fest inviting a handful of amateurs to take to the stage and try to Beat the Frog, and the audience decides who stays – brutal! MACE
KOSMONAUT, 20:00–23:00, £5
Dead Cat Comedy returns to Kosmonaut with Manchester’s Alternative Comedy Emporium, its anarchic evening of alternative entertainment from some of the UK’s best comedians. ADAM BUXTON
ALBERT HALL, 19:00–23:00, £TBC
Albert Hall hosts its first comedy gig, enlisting cult geek and awardwinning TV and radio host Adam Buxton to help them branch out with a bang. He’ll be presenting a special David Bowie instalment of BUG, with proceeds from the show going to charity.
Tue 19 Apr
THE WORST COMEDY NIGHT IN SALFORD
THE KING’S ARMS, 20:00–23:00, FREE
Keeping expectations low with this night of open mic stand up, opening up the stage to anyone willing to give it go. XS MALARKEY (NAZ OSMANOGLU + ELEANOR TIERNAN + GRAHAM MILTON + PHIL COOPER + YOLAV AND GRAHAM) PUB/ZOO, 19:00–22:00, £3 - £5
The rather ace comedy night continues with the usual Tuesday night shenanigans.
THE DELIGHTFUL SAUSAGE (SUNIL PATEL + BEN CLOVER + AMY GLEDHILL + NICOLA REDMAN + JACK EVANS)
THE CASTLE HOTEL, 19:30–22:30, £3
A surreal evening of free biscuits, alternative comedy, musical interludes, adventure, illustration and meat raffles at The Castle. You had us at free biscuits, let’s face it.
Thu 21 Apr
STAND UP THURSDAY (MC IAN COPPINGER + PAUL TONKINSON + CHRISTIAN REILLY)
THE COMEDY STORE, 20:00–23:00, £8 - £12
Cheat life and get that Friday feeling one day early with a night of comedic delight from some circuit funny folk.
THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE (PHIL ELLIS + IAN SMITH + AMY HOWERSKA + JOE SUTHERLAND + STEVE HARRIS)
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £7 - £10
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks.
Listings
53
Manchester Comedy Fri 22 Apr
THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC IAN COPPINGER + PAUL TONKINSON + CHRISTIAN REILLY + JOE ROWNTREE + MARLON DAVIS) THE COMEDY STORE, 20:00–22:00, £12 - £18
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians.
BARREL OF LAUGHS (PHIL ELLIS + IAN SMITH + GARRETT MILLERICK + STEVE HARRIS)
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £13 - £19
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks, followed by Frog and Bucket’s classic cheesy disco until late. ANGLICHANKA
HOPE MILL THEATRE, 20:00–22:00, £8 - £9
Comedian Abi Roberts returns to preview her new show ahead of Edinburgh Fringe.
Sat 23 Apr
THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC IAN COPPINGER + PAUL TONKINSON + CHRISTIAN REILLY + JOE ROWNTREE + MARLON DAVIS) THE COMEDY STORE, 19:00–21:30, £16 - £22
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians.
LAUGHING COWS (MC KERRY LEIGH + SUZI RUFFELL + SARAH KEYWORTH)
BARREL OF LAUGHS (DAVID LONGLEY + PHIL WALKER + TEZ ILYASM + JOHN HASTINGS)
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £7 - £10
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £13 - £19
All-female line-up of comics from the Laughing Cow bunch; a group that has helped the likes of Sarah Milllican and Jo Brand launch their careers. DAVID MORGAN
THE LOWRY STUDIO, 20:00–23:00, £10 - £12
A face from TV’s Virtually Famous, Sweat the Small Stuff and Big Brother’s Bit on the Side, David Morgan tells you about all the stuff he loves: boys, television and lists of three things.
Mon 25 Apr BEAT THE FROG
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £0 - £3
A ten-act long heckle-fest inviting a handful of amateurs to take to the stage and try to Beat the Frog, and the audience decides who stays – brutal! SIDEKICK COMEDY
VIA, 19:30–22:30, £0 - £2
Your friendly, monthly, neighbourhood comedy gig. All comedians are hero-approved.
Tue 26 Apr
XS MALARKEY (ADAM HESS + BUCKET + GABRIEL EBULUE + JED SALISBURY)
PUB/ZOO, 19:00–22:00, £3 - £5
The rather ace comedy night continues with the usual Tuesday night shenanigans.
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks, followed by Frog and Bucket’s classic cheesy disco until late.
Sat 30 Apr
THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC DAVE WILLIAMS + GEOFF NORCOTT + STEVE SHANYASKI + JONNY AWSUM + GLENN WOOL) THE COMEDY STORE, 19:00–21:30, £16 - £22
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians.
THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC DAVE WILLIAMS + GEOFF NORCOTT + STEVE SHANYASKI + JONNY AWSUM + GLENN WOOL) THE COMEDY STORE, 21:30–23:30, £16 - £22
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians.
BARREL OF LAUGHS (DAVID LONGLEY + PHIL WALKER + TEZ ILYAS + JOHN HASTINGS)
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £15 - £22
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks, followed by Frog and Bucket’s classic cheesy disco until late. KEN DODD
THE PLAZA STOCKPORT, 19:00–22:00, £23.10
The venerable comic goes back on tour again.
Buy your tickets here: bit.ly/katherine-ryan-liv
D.A.F.T (RANDOLPH TEMPEST + LEE FENWICK + KEITH CARTER + RED REDMOND)
THE DANCEHOUSE THEATRE, 19:30–23:00, £8 - £10
Comedy’s strangest and strongest acts come together for an evening of silliness hosted by Randolph Tempest (Phoenix Nights, Ideal, The Detectorists).
Sun 01 May
Katherine Ryan: Kathbum Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, Sat 16 Apr, 8pm, £18.50
THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC IAN COPPINGER + PAUL TONKINSON + CHRISTIAN REILLY + JOE ROWNTREE + MARLON DAVIS) THE COMEDY STORE, 21:30–23:30, £16 - £22
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians.
BARREL OF LAUGHS (PHIL ELLIS + IAN SMITH + GARRETT MILLERICK + STEVE HARRIS)
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £15 - £22
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks, followed by Frog and Bucket’s classic cheesy disco until late. SHAKESPEARE’S FUNERAL
THE DANCEHOUSE THEATRE, 19:45–22:45, £10
A lewd night of comedy, music, verb and verse in celebration of the 450th anniversary of the Bard popping his clogs. LIVE FROM THE AIRING CUPBOARD: SHAKESPEARE’S FUNERAL THE DANCEHOUSE THEATRE, 19:45–23:00, £10
A Shakespeare Snuff Special of Live From the Airing Cupboard, which sees comedy, music, verb and verse combine to mark 450 years since ol’ Will’s passing.
Sun 24 Apr NEW STUFF
THE COMEDY STORE, 19:30–23:00, £4
Stand-up from fresh-faced comics trying to break on to the circuit – play nice.
LIP SYNCIN’ BATTLE THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 18:45–23:00, £3 - £6
Comics, guest celebrities and the general public all battle to become the best Lip Sync in the City.
Thu 28 Apr
STAND UP THURSDAY (MC DAVE WILLIAMS + GEOFF NORCOTT + STEVE SHANYASKI)
THE COMEDY STORE, 20:00–23:00, £8 - £12
Cheat life and get that Friday feeling one day early with a night of comedic delight from some circuit funny folk. TONY JAMESON: FOOTBALL MANAGER RUINED MY LIFE
WATERSIDE ARTS CENTRE, 19:30–22:30, £12
Join one of the Northeast’s hottest talents for silly stories and references to players you may or may not remember
THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE (DAVID LONGLEY + PHIL WALKER + RICHARD MASSARA + RYAN CULL + JOHN HASTINGS)
THE FROG AND BUCKET COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–23:00, £7 - £10
Watch four top class comics, sat comfortably at a table while enjoying your comedy with food and drinks.
Fri 29 Apr
THE BEST IN STAND UP (MC DAVE WILLIAMS + GEOFF NORCOTT + JONNY AWSUM + GLENN WOOL + PAUL THORNE)
THE COMEDY STORE, 20:00–22:00, £12 - £18
Regular night of stand up with a line-up of five top circuit comedians.
KING GONG
THE COMEDY STORE, 19:30–23:00, £4 - £6
A night of stand-up from some fresh-faced comics trying to break on to the circuit – be nice.
Liverpool Comedy Wed 30 Mar
NEW MATERIAL (PETER OTWAY + SEAN TURNER + MERYL O’ROURKE) THE JACARANDA, 19:00–22:00, FREE
Comedians test new stuff out in the Jacaranda basement, from anything that’s crossed their mind that day to the new shows they’ll be showcasing at Edinburgh. Free, too.
Thu 31 Mar
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (MILO MCCABE + MIKE NEWALL + ADAM RUSHTON + MC PETER OTWAY) COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £15
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone.
Fri 01 Apr
BOILING POINT (MC PAUL SMITH + JAMES ALDERSON + PHIL BUTLER)
HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £10 - £15
New and established comics take to the stage, for an evening of chuckles with their resident compere leading the way. LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC CHRIS CAIRNS + DALISO CHAPONDA + MIKE WILMOT + JONNY AWSUM)
THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE, 20:00–22:00, £10 - £15
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk. LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC PHIL CHAPMAN + JONNY AWSUM + MIKE WILMOT + DALISO CHAPONDA) MATHEW STREET, 20:30–22:30, £10 - £15
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
54
Listings
Liverpool Comedy
Fri 08 Apr
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (MC PETER OTWAY + MILO MCCABE + MIKE NEWALL + PAUL F. TAYLOR)
New and established comics take to the stage, for an evening of chuckles with their resident compere leading the way.
COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £15
BOILING POINT (MC PAUL SMITH + CARLY SMALLMAN + ADAM ROWE)
HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £10 - £15
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone.
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC NEIL FITZMAURICE + BARRY DODDS + MICK FERRY + KEITH CARTER AS NIGE)
GLADSTONE THEATRE, 19:30–22:30, £10
THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE, 20:00–22:00, £10 - £15
MARTIN DANIELS
A night of laughs from the comedian, entertainer, magician and entertainer.
Sat 02 Apr
BOILING POINT (MC PAUL SMITH + JAMES COOK + PHIL BUTLER)
HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £10 - £15
New and established comics take to the stage, for an evening of chuckles with their resident compere leading the way.
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CELLAR (MC BRENDAN RILEY + SOL BERNSTEIN + STE PORTER)
COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £18
The Liverpool Comedy Cellar features the cream of the International Comedy Circuit “up close and personal” every Saturday and this week is no different. LAUGH OUT LOUD COMEDY CLUB (MIKE WILMOT + SOL BERNSTEIN + CHRIS WASHINGTON)
THE ATKINSON, 20:00–23:00, £15 - £17.50
A triple-header of comedy descends on the Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club.
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC CHRIS CAIRNS + MIKE WILMOT + JONNY AWSUM + DALISO CHAPONDA) THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE, 20:00–22:00, £17.50
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC PHIL CHAPMAN + DALISO CHAPONDA + MIKE WILMOT + JONNY AWSUM)
MATHEW STREET, 20:30–22:30, £17.50
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (MC PETER OTWAY + MILO MCCABE + MIKE NEWALL + PAUL F. TAYLOR)
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CELLAR, 18:00–22:00, £18
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone.
Sun 03 Apr
TESTING THE WATER (MC PAUL SMITH + NIG LOVELL + JORDAN PARKE + DEAN MAVROS)
HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £1.50 - £3
Showcase night for up-andcomers and undiscovered stars, offering a great value night out if you don’t mind being a comedy guinea pig.
Wed 06 Apr
THE LAUGHTER FACTOR (MC PHIL CHAPMAN)
THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE, 20:00–22:00, £3 - £5
A monthly event giving comics the chance to try out new material before the weekend shows – it helps if you think of yourself as a comedic guinea pig. NEW MATERIAL (GEORGE RIGDEN)
THE JACARANDA, 19:00–22:00, FREE
Comedians test new stuff out in the Jacaranda basement, from anything that’s crossed their mind that day to the new shows they’ll be showcasing at Edinburgh. Free, too. OH GOODY! (TIM BROOKE-TAYLOR + CHRIS SERLE )
ST GEORGE’S HALL, 19:30–22:30, £19
Comedy performer Tim Brooke-Tayler spins yarns from a lifetime on the circuit for a captive audience and in the company of broadcaster Chris Serle.
Thu 07 Apr
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (MC JONATHON MAYOR + EDDY BRIMSON + STEVE DAY + CHRIS BOOKER) COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £15
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone.
NEW MATERIAL (STEVE GRIBBIN) THE JACARANDA, 19:00–22:00, FREE
Comedians test new stuff out in the Jacaranda basement, from anything that’s crossed their mind that day to the new shows they’ll be showcasing at Edinburgh. Free, too.
COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £15
Wed 20 Apr
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (MC DANNY MCLOUGHLIN + BOBBY MAIR + NICK PAGE + JAMIE HUTCHINSON)
MATHEW STREET, 20:30–22:30, £10 - £15
Jason Manford has carefully selected some of his favourite comedians to give you the best night out you’ve had for a long time
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (MC JONATHON MAYOR + EDDY BRIMSON + STEVE DAY + JOHN LYNN) COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £15
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone.
Sat 09 Apr
BOILING POINT (MC PAUL SMITH + CARLY SMALLMAN + ADAM ROWE)
HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £10 - £15
New and established comics take to the stage, for an evening of chuckles with their resident compere leading the way.
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CELLAR (MC BRENDAN RILEY + GARY DELANEY + CHRIS MCCAUSLAND)
COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £18
The Liverpool Comedy Cellar features the cream of the International Comedy Circuit “up close and personal” every Saturday and this week is no different.
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC NEIL FITZMAURICE I+ MICK FERRY + KEITH CARTER AS NIGE + BARRY DODDS)
THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE, 20:00–22:00, £17.50
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC CHRIS CAIRNS + KEITH CARTER AS NIGE + MICK FERRY + JIM SMALLMAN) MATHEW STREET, 20:30–22:30, £17.50
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (JONATHON MAYOR + EDDY BRIMSON + STEVE DAY + JOHN LYNN) LIVERPOOL COMEDY CELLAR, 18:00–22:00, £18
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone.
Sun 10 Apr
TESTING THE WATER (MC PAUL SMITH + ADAM ROWE + ROB THOMAS + DAVEY ASH + LEWIS CALVERT + TONY CARROLL + ADAM STAUNTON + ANDREW CAIRNEY) HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £1.50 - £3
Showcase night for up-andcomers and undiscovered stars, offering a great value night out if you don’t mind being a comedy guinea pig.
Tue 12 Apr STEPHANIE LAING
UNITY THEATRE, 19:00–22:00, £5
Filthy comedian Stephanie Laing tours her Nincompoop show. CHRIS STOKES
UNITY THEATRE, 20:45–23:00, £8
Comedian Chris Stokes tours his third solo show, Altruism in Birds, dismantling social misconceptions on stage via gag-packed personal anecdotes.
Wed 13 Apr
RESURRECTION HALF PRICE
UNITY THEATRE, 20:00–22:00, £10 - £12
A surreal comedy transporting the audience to a world that explores what would happen if Mary and Jesus were born again today, and they had lost themselves in consumerism.
HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £1.50 - £3
Showcase night for up-andcomers and undiscovered stars, offering a great value night out if you don’t mind being a comedy guinea pig.
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
TESTING THE WATER (MC PAUL SMITH + ADAM ROWE + TOM SULLIVAN + DANNY HUNTLEY + STU WOODINGS)
Thu 14 Apr
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone.
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC CHRIS CAIRNS + JIM SMALLMAN + MICK FERRY + KEITH CARTER AS NIGE)
Sun 17 Apr
MANFORD’S COMEDY CLUB
THE BRINDLEY, 20:00–22:00, FREE
Fri 15 Apr ROB BECKETT
ST GEORGE’S HALL, 19:00–22:00, £14
The multi-award-winning comedian tours his latest show. BOILING POINT (MC PAUL SMITH + STEVE GRIBBIN + DANNY PENSIVE IAN COGNITO)
HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £10 - £15
New and established comics take to the stage, for an evening of chuckles with their resident compere leading the way.
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC CHRIS CAIRNS + JUNIOR SIMPSON + SAM AVERY + MATT REED)
NEW MATERIAL (STEVE BUGEJA)
THE JACARANDA, 19:00–22:00, FREE
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CELLAR (MC BRENDAN RILEY + JO CAULFIELD + SCOTT BENNETT) COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £18
The Liverpool Comedy Cellar features the cream of the International Comedy Circuit “up close and personal” every Saturday and this week is no different. LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC NEIL FITZMAURICE + STEVE SHANYASKI + PAUL TONKINSON + KEVIN DEWSBURY) THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE, 20:00–22:00, £17.50
Comedians test new stuff out in the Jacaranda basement, from anything that’s crossed their mind that day to the new shows they’ll be showcasing at Edinburgh. Free, too.
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
Thu 21 Apr
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
ALUN COCHRANE
THE BRINDLEY, 20:00–22:00, FREE
BBC Radio 4’s presenter-turned comedian Alun Cochrane muses over feminism and fundamentalism, snoods and perfume, manliness and womanliness. LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (MC ALAN ANDERSON + CAREY MARX + ADAM STAUNTON + DANNY SUTCLIFFE) COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £15
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone. CHRIS RAMSEY
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC CHRIS CAIRNS + PAUL TONKINSON + STEVE SHANYASKI + KEVIN DEWSBURY) MATHEW STREET, 20:30–22:30, £17.50
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (MC ALAN ANDERSON + CAREY MARX + ADAM STAUNTON + MARK SMITH)
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CELLAR, 18:00–22:00, £18
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone.
Sun 24 Apr
TESTING THE WATER (MC PAUL SMITH + KATIE MULGREW + DONAL VAUGHAN + LUKE WRIGHT + CLARENCE FRANK)
HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £1.50 - £3
THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE, 20:00–22:00, £10 - £15
The stand-up comedian, Celebrity Juice regular and the man who once got pizza delivered to a moving train returns with a new solo show.
EPSTEIN THEATRE, 20:00–23:00, £18
Showcase night for up-andcomers and undiscovered stars, offering a great value night out if you don’t mind being a comedy guinea pig.
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC DAVE TWENTYMAN + MATT REED + SAM AVERY + JUNIOR SIMPSON)
Fri 22 Apr
Wed 27 Apr
THE ATKINSON, 20:00–23:00, £19
UNITY THEATRE, 19:30–22:30, £17
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
MATHEW STREET, 20:30–22:30, £10 - £15
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (DANNY MCLOUGHLIN + BOBBY MAIR + NICK PAGE + JACK CAMPBELL) COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £15
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone.
Sat 16 Apr
BOILING POINT (MC PAUL SMITH + STEVE GRIBBIN + DANNY PENSIVE + IAN COGNITO)
HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £10 - £15
New and established comics take to the stage, for an evening of chuckles with their resident compere leading the way. LIVERPOOL COMEDY CELLAR (MC BRENDAN RILEY + JAMIE SUTHERLAND + GEOFF NORCOTT) COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £18
The Liverpool Comedy Cellar features the cream of the International Comedy Circuit “up close and personal” every Saturday and this week is no different.
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC CHRIS CAIRNS + SAM AVERY + MATT REED + JUNIOR SIMPSON) THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE, 20:00–22:00, £17.50
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC DAVE TWENTYMAN + JUNIOR SIMPSON + SAM AVERY + MATT REED)
MATHEW STREET, 20:30–22:30, £17.50
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (MC DANNY MCLOUGHLIN + BOBBY MAIR + NICK PAGE + JACK CAMPBELL) LIVERPOOL COMEDY CELLAR, 18:00–22:00, £18
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone. KATHERINE RYAN
LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL, FROM 20:00, £18.50
The UK-based Canadian comedian tours her Kathbum tour.
ED BYRNE
The self-confessed miserable git takes his mid-life crisis of sorts on the road as he embraces middle age with open arms.
BOILING POINT (MC PAUL SMITH + DAN NIGHTINGALE + PETER MCCOLE)
HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £10 - £15
New and established comics take to the stage, for an evening of chuckles with their resident compere leading the way. MARK THOMAS: TRESPASS
LIVERPOOL PLAYHOUSE, 20:00–23:00, £14 - £19
Trespass carries on from where Mark’s previous show 100 Acts of Minor Dissent left off. It is his usual odd mix of theatre, stand up, activism, a dash of journalism and dollop of mayhem. LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC NEIL FITZMAURICE + PAUL TONKINSON + STEVE SHANYASKI + KEVIN DEWSBURY) THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE, 20:00–22:00, £10 - £15
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC CHRIS CAIRNS + KEVIN DEWSBURY + STEVE SHANYASKI + PAUL TONKINSON) MATHEW STREET, 20:30–22:30, £10 - £15
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (ALAN ANDERSON + CAREY MARX + ADAM STAUNTON + MARK SMITH) COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £15
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone. ARABS ARE NOT FUNNY! (MAROUEN MRAIHI + OMAR HAMDI + NABIL ABDULRASHID)
THE BLUECOAT, 19:30–22:30, £5 - £6
A new wave of comedians representing the Arab world head to the Bluecoat as a prelude to this year’s Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, with headliners Welsh-Egyptian comedian Omar Hamdi and BritishNigerian stand-up and actor Nabil Abdulrashid.
Sat 23 Apr
BOILING POINT (MC PAUL SMITH + JO CAULFIELD + PETER MCCOLE)
HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £10 - £15
New and established comics take to the stage, for an evening of chuckles with their resident compere leading the way.
MARK WATSON: I’M NOT HERE
The star of Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You returns with a follow-up show to successful and celebrated predecessor Flaws. NEW MATERIAL (GEORGE ZACH + ANDY WATSON)
THE JACARANDA, 19:00–22:00, FREE
Comedians test new stuff out in the Jacaranda basement, from anything that’s crossed their mind that day to the new shows they’ll be showcasing at Edinburgh. Free, too.
Thu 28 Apr DAVE SPIKEY
THE ATKINSON, 19:30–22:30, £16
Multi award-winning comic and 8 out of 10 Cats team captain serves up a night of observational comedy. LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (MC JESS FOSTEKEW + SEAN MEO + ROB ROUSE + PAUL MCMULLAN)
COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £15
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone. MARK WATSON: I’M NOT HERE
UNITY THEATRE, 19:30–22:30, £17
The star of Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You returns with a follow-up show to successful and celebrated predecessor Flaws.
Fri 29 Apr
BOILING POINT (MC PAUL SMITH + JOHN HASTINGS + TOM LUCY + ANDREW STANLEY) HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £10 - £15
New and established comics take to the stage, for an evening of chuckles with their resident compere leading the way.
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC CHRIS CAIRNS + VINCE ATTA + GAVIN WEBSTER + CHRIS MCCAUSLAND) THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE, 20:00–22:00, £10 - £15
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC JONATHAN MAYOR + CHRIS MCCAUSLAND + VINCE ATTA + GAVIN WEBSTER)
MATHEW STREET, 20:30–22:30, £10 - £15
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk.
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (JESS FOSTEKEW + SEAN MEO + ROB ROUSE + ALFIE BROWN)
COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £15
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone.
THE SKINNY
Sat 30 Apr
BOILING POINT (MC PAUL SMITH + JOHN HASTINGS + TOM LUCY + ANDREW STANLEY) HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £10 - £15
New and established comics take to the stage, for an evening of chuckles with their resident compere leading the way.
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CELLAR (MC BRENDAN RILEY + DAVE HADINGHAM + MIKE NEWALL) COMEDY CENTRAL AT BABY BLUE, 18:00–22:00, £18
The Liverpool Comedy Cellar features the cream of the International Comedy Circuit “up close and personal” every Saturday and this week is no different.
LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC CHRIS CAIRNS + VINCE ATTA + GAVIN WEBSTER + CHRIS MCCAUSLAND)
THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE, 20:00–22:00, £17.50
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk. LAUGHTERHOUSE (MC JONATHAN MAYOR + GAVIN WEBSTER + VINCE ATTA + CHRIS MCCAUSLAND)
MATHEW STREET, 20:30–22:30, £17.50
Triple headline show with a delightfully hilarious line-up of circuit funny-folk. LIVERPOOL COMEDY CENTRAL (MC JESS FOSTEKEW + SEAN MEO + ROB ROUSE + ALFIE BROWN)
LIVERPOOL COMEDY CELLAR, 18:00–22:00, £18
Regular triple headline show, with three comics lined up to tickle your funny bone.
Sun 01 May
TESTING THE WATER (MC PAUL SMITH + NOEL CURRY + TOMMY TAYLOR + RICK S CARE + COLIN HAVEY + JON CAPEWELL + GED JARAS) HOT WATER COMEDY CLUB, 19:00–22:00, £1.50 - £3
Showcase night for up-and-comers and undiscovered stars, offering a great value night out if you don’t mind being a comedy guinea pig.
Manchester Art Bankley Studios & Gallery ASSEMBLY
UNTIL 2 APR, 12:00PM – 4:00PM, FREE
A new exhibition by Holly Rowan Hesson (the result of her winning the 2014 Bankley Gallery Open Call), featuring abstract works derived from the photographic capture of colour, surface, shadow and light in specific architectural and man-made locations.
Castlefield Gallery INSIDE OUT
UNTIL 24 APR, 1:00PM – 6:00PM, FREE
A group show by artists from the UK, South Africa, France, Iran and the USA, who are either thought to be ‘outsider’ artists or are seen to share methods of approaching their subject matter with this part of artistic study.
Centre for Chinese Contemporary Art 30 YEARS OF CFCCA: TSANG KIN-WAH
UNTIL 24 APR, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
The next exhibition celebrating CFCCA’s 30th year comes from Tsang Kin-Wah, who held his first solo exhibition at the centre back in 2008 and has now built a rep for mixing language with floral patterns - installed either as wallpaper or installations. 30 YEARS OF CFCCA: GORDON CHEUNG
UNTIL 19 JUN, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
Gordon Cheung takes over the CFCCA’s Gallery 2 to help them celebrate their 30th anniversary, returning to the centre over a decade since he took part in their artist-in-residence programme Breathe in 2004, along with a 2008 exhibition.
April 2016
Art
Manchester Contact Theatre
QUEER CONTACT FESTIVAL: #MANCHESTERQUEENS UNTIL 16 APR, TIMES VARY, FREE
A selection of portraits and posters from artist Glenn Jones (aka the Wretched Ginger Boy), inspired by the creativity and imagination of Manchester’s eclectic drag community. QUEER CONTACT FESTIVAL: I AM FOR YOU CAN ENJOY
UNTIL 16 APR, TIMES VARY, FREE
Using the outlets of photography, testimony and video, this exhibition is an exploration into the backgrounds, perspectives and experiences of queer black male sex workers and their clients by Khalil West and Ajamu.
QUEER CONTACT FESTIVAL: GEORGE TURNS 30
UNTIL 16 APR, TIMES VARY, FREE
An exhibition of works by Manchester photographer Lee Baxter, who uses stunning imagery to tell and honour the story of HIV charity, George House Trust, now three decades into its life.
HOME
AL AND AL: INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL IN THE MULTIVERSE
UNTIL 10 APR, TIMES VARY, FREE
An exhibition from British artists and filmmakers AL and AL, investigating a new era of scientific exploration through CGI film commissions, drawing and illustrations.
THE IMITATION GAME UNTIL 5 JUN, TIMES VARY, FREE
Eight international artists come together to explore machines and the imitation of life, inspired by Alan Turing’s Turing Test (refer to the Cumberbatch film for an easy way in), devised to test a computer’s ability to imitate human thought. TO BE HUMAN
UNTIL 26 JUN, TIMES VARY, FREE
A selection of mid-20th-century portraits from Manchester Art Gallery’s permanent collection, exploring what it is to be human.
Manchester Craft and Design Centre BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
UNTIL 28 MAY, 10:00AM – 5:30PM, FREE
An exhibition of ceramics by Verity Howard, whose slab-built ceramic forms are inspired by everyday life and feature monoprinted or stamped glimpses through a window.
National Football Museum
PITCH TO PIXEL: THE WORLD OF FOOTBALL GAMING
UNTIL 5 JUN, TIMES VARY, FREE
What happens when computer games, meet the beautiful game. KICKER CONSPIRACY
UNTIL 4 MAY, TIMES VARY, FREE
A series of photographic works by photographer John Early, who explores the experiences of LGBT footballers to bring to the fore the issues of homophobia and transphobia in sport.
Paper Gallery
The Lowry
UNTIL 2 APR, 11:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
UNTIL 17 JUL, TIMES VARY, FREE
LORDS OF THE FOREST
Bringing together two artists, Madrid’s José Luis Serzo and Liverpool-based Richard Meaghan, whose work creates surrealist dystopian fantasties through beautifully rendered paintings and drawings.
Young artist Katie Paterson unveils her largest solo exhibition to date, featuring new commissions alongside some of her well-known pieces to explore our place in the universe and Earth’s relationship with other celestial bodies.
UNTIL 14 MAY, 11:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
The Penthouse
SOUND AND VISION
Group exhibition inspired by the the processes behind, David Bowie’s album Low, spanning painting, drawing, collage, sound, music and performance by Anthony Donovan, Sarah Evans, John Hyatt, Hayley Lock, James Moore, Corrado Morgana David Moss, Ruby Tingle, Neil Webb and Simon Woolham.
People’s History Museum GRAFTERS: INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY IN IMAGE AND WORD
UNTIL 14 AUG, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
Photography exhibition curated by leading documentary photographer, Ian Beesley, delving into how the working classes became heroic symbols of industry, before also being able to photograph themselves.
Salford Museum and Art Gallery SALFORD ART CLUB ANNUAL EXHIBITION
UNTIL 17 APR, TIMES VARY, FREE
An annual exhibition presenting work by the Salford Art Club, spanning a variety of media.
DESIGNS FOR LIVING
UNTIL 12 JUN, TIMES VARY, FREE
Claire Dorsett and Cherry Tenneson team up for an exhibition of new commissions, which poke at the structures, designs and information that we’re used to navigating daily.
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IMITATION OF LIFE
UNTIL 3 JUL, TIMES VARY, FREE
A new exhibition shining a light on racial politics in an evolving world, inspired by the 1959 film of the same name and told through oral histories and verbatim storytelling drawn from theatre and cinema, painting and sculpture.
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Instituto Cervantes
TheSkinnyMag
CLIMATE, STATE OF EMERGENCY
UNTIL 28 APR, 9:30AM – 5:30PM, FREE
A selection of pieces from the winning amateur photographers of Alliance Française Foundation’s photography contest, which was on the theme of climate change.
Kosmonaut BEARDED BRUTES
UNTIL 10 APR, TIMES VARY, FREE
An exhibition by photographer and filmmaker Mark Leeming, fusing masculinity with flamboyance to blur the binaries of femme vs masc, via the avenues of digitally enhanced imagery, colour, sparkle and all-out kitsch.
Manchester Art Gallery THE SEA FULL STOP
UNTIL 25 SEP, TIMES VARY, FREE
Hondartza Fraga’s imaginary seascapes explore our understanding of the sea, and give the focus of a seascape back to the sea. HALF-LIFE OF A MIRACLE
UNTIL 17 APR, TIMES VARY, FREE
Half-life of a Miracle presents a decade of photography and film by British contemporary artist Pat Flynn from 2005 to 2015 for the most comprehensive survey of his art to date. SCHIAPARELLI AND THIRTIES FASHION
UNTIL 9 OCT, TIMES VARY, FREE
One of the most celebrated fashion designers of the middle twentieth century. MODERN JAPANESE DESIGN
UNTIL 15 JAN 17, TIMES VARY, FREE
Thirty two designers display over one hundred pieces in a dynamic display conveying the essence of the unique Japanese design ethos.
Nexus Art Café IDNA
UNTIL 22 MAY, TIMES VARY, FREE
The third exhibition from the Northern Women’s Art Collective, formed back in 2014 to bring together female artists living and working in the North, which sees its ten members showcase artwork exploring the concept of identity.
SYZYGY
TURN SIDEWAYS IN THE WIND UNTIL 24 APR, TIMES VARY, FREE
An exhibiton by documentary photographer Ciara Leeming, exploring the stories of young Roma adults who have made their lives in Salford and Manchester. HEART & SOLD
TOO MUCH
UNTIL 8 MAY, TIMES VARY, FREE
Open studio and research project by artist Rosanne Robertson, focusing on mental health and the modern condition of anxiety, and resulting in the development of newly exhibited assemblage, sculpture, performance and sound art work. Open Fridays 6-9pm with scheduled performance at 7.30pm, and also open Saturday & Sunday 12-6pm.
The Portico Library
MANCHESTER ACADEMY OF FINE ART SPRING EXHIBITION 2016
UNTIL 30 APR, TIMES VARY, FREE
Manchester Academy of Fine Arts’ 2016 Spring Exhibition, featuring works in a range of media by MAFA members and invited winners of the MAFA Graduate Awards from the MMU School of Art.
Various venues THE CORRIDOR
UNTIL 2 APR, 9:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
Series of audio works by Andrew Hodson, relating to site-specific areas around Oxford Road, with the central information point based at the Central Library.
Waterside Arts Centre WATERSIDE OPEN
UNTIL 2 JUL, TIMES VARY, FREE
Showcasing a range of high quality and contemporary art, craft and design from established and emerging artists, designers and makers from the North West and nationwide.
Whitworth Art Gallery TIBOR REICH
UNTIL 1 AUG, TIMES VARY, FREE
Retrospective celebrating the centenary of Tibor Reich, a pioneering post-war textile designer, who brought modernity into British textiles in the early-to-mid 20th century. THE TWO EYES ARE NOT BROTHERS
UNTIL 22 MAY, TIMES VARY, FREE
Ben Rivers unveils his most ambitious work to date, merging the stories of Paul Bowles and Mohammad Mrabet through film and video works. NICO VASCELLARI
The Font UNTIL 31 MAY, TIMES VARY, FREE
UNTIL 3 JUN, TIMES VARY, FREE
THE KÁRMÁN LINE
UNTIL 28 MAY, 12:00PM – 6:00PM, FREE
The Kármán Line presents new and recent works by Matthew Denniss, Tom Ireland, and Michael Mulvihill.
PS Mirabel PAINTINGS AS OBJECTS
UNTIL 7 MAY, TIMES VARY, FREE
Manchester-based Lisa Denyer presents an exhibition of abstract paintings, taking inspiration from modernity and escapism to reflect her interests in materiality and the transportive potential of the medium
VIV
The International 3 MUMMY’S BOY
UNTIL 29 APR, 12:00PM – 5:00PM, FREE
Joe Fletcher Orr’s second solo exhibition with The International 3. MUMMY’S BOY
UNTIL 29 APR, 12:00PM – 5:00PM, FREE
Joe Fletcher Orr’s second solo exhibition, exploring collaboration and artwork/non-artwork through asking what it means to be a ‘Mummy’s boy’ - and fruit bowls from the family home.
FRUITS OF THE LÛM
UNTIL 9 APR, 12:00PM – 4:00PM, FREE
First exhibition by Tžužjj looking at ideas of commerciality within contemporary art and how it might necessitate changes to an artist’s process, accompanied by a series of public-realm commissions in the form of custom light boxes around the city.
dot-art Gallery DEAR LIVERPOOL
UNTIL 23 APR, 10:00AM – 6:00PM, FREE
Liverpool’s newest gallery takes flight with a group exhibition from 18 local artists, each exploring how the city’s architecture, culture and people affect its creativity and vibrancy.
FACT UNFOLD
UNTIL 12 JUN, TIMES VARY, FREE
A stunning sensory exhibition by acclaimed Japanese artist Ryoichi Kurokawa, taking visitors on a journey through space using visual and sonic environments to showcase the birth of stars. TRACE ELEMENTS
UNTIL 3 APR, TIMES VARY, FREE
Delve into the world of 3D projection mapping through the work of artist and tech expert Simon McKeown, in this exhibition documenting the creative processes behind his recent work for Cork Ignite, which used six of Europe’s largest outdoor projectors. NETWORKED NARRATIVE: NORTHERN POWERHOUSE 2065
UNTIL 2 APR, TIMES VARY, FREE
The result of artist and musician Chris Butler and photographer Will Grundy’s four years spent flitting between Berlin and the UK, this exhibition uses musical and visualbased means to reflect on their experiences in the the vibrant German city.
REVOLUTIONARY TEXTILES 1910-1939
UNTIL 29 JAN 17, TIMES VARY, FREE
Exploring the outburst of creativity that took place against the backdrop of political tumult in the early decades of the 20th century, when textile design took off in new directions. HUG
UNTIL 7 APR, 6:00PM – 9:00PM, £DONATIONS
Performance art by singer Verity Standen, as part of Word of Warning’s spring/summer performance programme, which sees the audience members blindfolded and hugged to experience the sound, breath and vibrations of the body,
Kirkby Gallery NEW WORLDS
Exhibition bringing together a wide range of material including archive photographs, architectural plans as well as costume and film, to explore the heritage of the water features, gardens, glass-topped verandas and architectural buildings.
Lady Lever Art Gallery
UNTIL 22 MAY, TIMES VARY, FREE
REFLECTIONS
UNTIL 5 JUN, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
A community exhibition featuring painting, prints, ceramics and textiles, showcasing work created by people of all ages from across the Wirral.
Liverpool Hope University FRAGMENTS
UNTIL 30 APR, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
Kaleidoscope Art Collective presents Fragments, an exhibition of work by 20 emerging artists at Liverpool Hope University’s Cornerstone building, exploring the idea of artists being fragmented and their connection to the studio space.
Merseyside Maritime Museum ON THE WATERFRONT
UNTIL 19 JUN, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
Exhibition exploring the rich history of the Albert Dock and the changing fortunes of the waterfront, the city and port of Liverpool.
Museum of Liverpool
POPPIES: WOMEN AND WAR
UNTIL 5 JUN, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
Exhibition featuring striking portraits of women whose lives have been affected by conflict, from the First World War to present day. GROWING UP IN THE CITY
Huyton Central Library FACES AND PLACES
UNTIL 14 MAY, TIMES VARY, FREE
A solo exhibition of work by local, self-taught artist Leslie Briggs, who has lived in Kirkby for all of his life, and whose paintings feature a range of the faces and places that are around him.
International Slavery Museum BROKEN LIVES
UNTIL 24 APR, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
Photographs depicting the slavery that continues to exist in modern day India.
THE LANDING: DEREK CULLEY PAINTINGS
UNTIL 15 MAY, TIMES VARY, FREE
The Atkinson christens its new commercial gallery with a vibrant exhibition by Dublin-born, Birkdale-based Derek Culley.
The Bluecoat
DOUBLE ACT: ART AND COMEDY
UNTIL 19 JUN, TIMES VARY, FREE
Curators David Campbell and Mark Durden bring together artists from diverse cultural and political contexts to explore how comedy helps us shape meaning and negotiate life’s complexities.
The Brindley PEOPLE OF THE PRIORY
UNTIL 16 APR, TIMES VARY, FREE
Tales of Runcorn’s historical characters from the last 900 years - from servants and canons to knights and ladies - sit alongside 20th century memories, ahead of Norton Priory opening a new museum in the summer. COMMON GROUND
UNTIL 11 JUN, TIMES VARY, FREE
An exhibition of works by Greg Fuller, Jason Hicklin and Tracy Hill, who re-interpret spaces along the Mersey Estuary to explore journeys and experiences of travelling on foot.
UNTIL 1 JAN 17, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
UNTIL 1 MAY, 12:00PM – 5:00PM, FREE
REEL STORIES
Open Eye Gallery
UNTIL 1 MAY, TIMES VARY, FREE
Exhibition from co-editor of frieze magazine, Jennifer Higgie, whose personal view of radical change in art looks at the everyday theatricality of the body, and includes a selection of paintings by the likes of Walter Sickert, David Hockney and others.
The Royal Standard
UNTIL 3 APR, TIMES VARY, FREE
An exhibition displaying work by Simon McKeown exploring 3D projection mapping and shadow puppetry, while also urging visitors to engage with art that considers disability through collaboration.
ONE DAY, SOMETHING HAPPENS: PAINTINGS OF PEOPLE
Photographs of Liverpool childhood over time.
UNTIL 25 SEP, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
As the UK’s most-filmed city outside of London, this exhibition shines the light on Liverpool’s cinematic history through around 40 original film posters from the 1950s and beyond.
TRACE ELEMENTS
LORD STREET: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE UNTIL 31 JUL, TIMES VARY, FREE
UNTIL 7 MAY, TIMES VARY, FREE
A collection of works made during the 60s and 70s, drawing on the era in which Kirkby as a new town was built. Featuring pieces by Frank Auerbach, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, David Hockney, Mary Martin, Peter Blake, Gillian Ayres and others.
A touring exhibition, in which a future alternative reality is explored through real world ‘artefakes’, bringing the online world into the physical via items that have been carefully selected by curators from the future.
BERLIN
UNTIL 2 APR, 12:00PM – 6:00PM, FREE
New hand-screenprinted work by Jermyn (Moderate Realism) inspired by the world’s favourite punk fashion pioneer, Vivienne Westwood,
CBS Gallery, Liverpool
A pop-up exhibition by Liverpudlian father and son artist duo, Paul and Daniel Brown, telling the story of their roots in the city and Liverpool’s influence on digital creativity, as well as exploring perspectives on disability and empowerment.
OBJECT / A Here and Now introduces a new work by Deb Covell, which is the culmination of a process in which she arrives at the most complete physical structure - a black square - exploring paint’s sculptural potential and its material and conceptual proeperties.
THE TIDES OF CHANGE
UNTIL 17 APR, 11:00AM – 4:00PM, FREE
An art exhibition by Jan Sear, who uses oils and mixed media to explore the concept of change in its many guises, such as the face of the Liverpool seafront and in theatrical production.
UNTIL 18 SEP, TIMES VARY, FREE
Touring visual arts exhibition from established and developing artists with Down syndrome, featuring everything from painting to photography to line drawing.
PRESENT
Arts Hub 47
SCOUSE ROOTS: ART THAT MAKES ITSELF
An exhibition by Italian artist Nico Vascellari, who takes over the Whitworth’s Landscape Gallery with haunting installations, Bus de la Lum (hole of light) and Darvaza (door to hell), which interconnecto through light, shadow and soundtrack.
UNTIL 5 JUN, TIMES VARY, FREE
Liverpool Art
FLAT DEATH
UNTIL 3 APR, 10:30AM – 5:30PM, FREE
Edgar Martins presents an entirely new body of work, which presents a challenging and difficult survey into photography, records and suicide. Produced through investigation with the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences in Portugal. OPEN 2: PIECES OF YOU
UNTIL 5 JUN, 10:30AM – 5:30PM, FREE
The second in the Open series, featuring six rising artists: photographers Sam Hutchinson (Leeds), Peter Watkins (London) and Phoebe Kiely (Manchester), along with a collaboration by photographer Stephen Iles and sculptor Nicola Dale (Manchester).
Tate Liverpool ART GYM
UNTIL 31 MAR, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
A free three-week programme of drop-in classes, lectures and workshops embracing the worlds of art, design, music and film, so that you can master everything from traditional bookmaking to digital art production.
TOP BANTZ
A group exhibition from Jack Strange, Lewk Wilmshurst, Kim Laughton, Milly Peck, Jack Fisher and Susannah Hewlett exploring the paradoxes that humour and art present. In short, is it possible to have a critical discourse when there’s top bantz?
Victoria Gallery and Museum EMMA GREGORY
UNTIL 2 APR, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
The former Sir John Cass, Central School of Art and UCLan presents work from her wider collection. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
UNTIL 18 JUN, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, FREE
Exhibition containing works from the Liverpool Medical Library and the Liverpool Athenaeum.
Walker Art Gallery
PRE-RAPHAELITES: BEAUTY AND REBELLION
UNTIL 5 JUN, 10:00AM – 5:00PM, £5 - £7
A collection of over 120 paintings highlight Liverpool’s huge role in the Pre-Raphaelite movement, which helped establish the city’s reputation as Victorian art capital of the North. Expect works from Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Ford Madox Brown and more.
The Atkinson VICTORIAN DREAMERS
UNTIL 13 NOV, TIMES VARY, FREE
Drawn from The Atkinson’s own collection of Victorian art, this exhibition looks at the themes of travel, storytelling, the antique past and nature.
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