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5 was too few, 10 left me in a dilemma as to who to put in the final slot. So I've narrowed down the seemingly infinite talent of Manchester's current musical crop to my 9 favourites. Give 'em a listen.
Anyone who knows me, knows I love a lot of local bands. If a friend's into a particular artist, I'll recommend them someone of similar ilk on their doorstep. And now I have a regular global platform to shout from, I’ll be looking to pass on my recommendations further afield. So, without further ado and in no particular order, here’s my favourite 9 Manchester bands of this exact moment in time…
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Beat The Radar – http://www.myspace.com/beattheradar
Of all the much-talked about Manchester bands, The Smiths are probably the ones that no one seems to be able to emulate. And whilst simultaneously sounding not all that similar to Morrissey & co, BTR are possibly the closest yet. Imagine the middle-ground between early 80s Mission Of Burma and the more delicate Pavement; hook-happy indie-rock with gentle vocals and choruses so catchy, you’re singing along after the third verse.
They seem unable to stop churning out 3-minute radio-friendly wonders – debut single ‘Telephone Conversation’ being a prime example – and having had a sneaky listen to the forthcoming album, I’m very excited for the doors that should open up for them upon its release.
FOR FANS OF : Pavement, Band Of Horses, Sonic Youth.
NEXT MANCHESTER GIGS : 29th August @ Café Saki / 4th September @ Ruby Lounge.
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The 255s – http://www.myspace.com/the255s
Now they’ve joined Myspace, I can listen to this band properly. Well, until an EP comes out (edit: just checked – album later this month apparently; super). The 255s play early 90s Americana. And that’s just not done much these days. Fitting comfortably in between rock n’ roll and acoustic storytelling, they’re like Bruce Springsteen with Weezer as his backing band playing an intimate campfire gig rather than a stadium concert. Daydreaming songs to get your toes tapping and more.
FOR FANS OF : The Weakerthans, Weezer, The Hold Steady.
NEXT MANCHESTER GIG : 27th August @ Moho Live (supporting Chuck Ragan)
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Delphic – http://www.myspace.com/delphic
Current single ‘This Momentary’ is simply the bee’s. Going down the New Order route of mixing dance electronica within a guitar-band, and doing it well. Formed from the ashes of short-lived but much-hyped Snowfight In The City Centre, Delphic are already standing out amidst the synth-led trend of the past few years. Even the musical elitists and the most narrow-minded will be hard-pressed to ignore the genius of ‘Counterpoint’. They have substance, great tunes and a free 3-track EP available for download from their website. Yes, I said free. What are you waiting for?
FOR FANS OF : New Order, The Longcut, White Lies.
NEXT MANCHESTER GIGS : 18th & 19th October @ Manchester Academy (supporting Orbital)
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Airship – http://www.myspace.com/airshiptheband
I still can’t get enough of Airship’s ‘Spirit Of The Beehive’ EP. Laden to the brim with sugar-sweet indie-pop songs, soaring melodies and hooks galore. Formerly known as Rowley, the four-piece have matured and created songs so polished, they’d make Chris Martin turn green with envy. Gaining radio time all over the show now, it’s only a matter of time before a label comes knocking.
FOR FANS OF : Modest Mouse, Pixies, The Thrills.
NEXT MANCHESTER GIG : 4th September @ Ruby Lounge
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Arficeden – http://www.myspace.com/arficeden
Post-rock isn’t for the impatient or the passive. Long songs, little or no vocals; it can be wasted on the wrong ears. But for those that are fans of the ever-widening genre, then Arficeden will be the audio equivalent of Christmas. Epic riffs and build-ups create walls of sound that just simply engulf you. Crescendos and breakdowns so great, you crumble and melt into the controlled chaos. If you’re this way inclined, you’ll thank me later. If you’re not, give it a listen anyway - you never know; you may even like it.
FOR FANS OF : 65daysofstatic, Explosions In The Sky, …post-rock in general.
NEXT MANCHESTER GIG : None lined up.
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With That Knife – http://www.myspace.com/withthatknife
Providing the intro theme for Second City’s vodcasts with the subliminally catchy ‘Pitchforks’, WTK are chock-full of great songs. Punk, post-punk, math-rock; call it what you like or dare to. It’s bouncing around those pigeon holes somewhere, but the five-piece seem less concerned with that and more bothered about writing head-nodding numbers with lovely beats and frantic, spiralling moments of madness. The range of vocalists, with 2 lead and 2 backing, adds to an already busy field of play. It all makes for some beautifully chaotic live performances where you’ll find yourself not knowing where to look. A rougher, tougher Foals that have grown up listening to hardcore-punk.
FOR FANS OF : Foals, Bloc Party, Battles.
NEXT MANCHESTER GIG : 10th September @ Ruby Lounge.
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Everything Everything – http://www.myspace.com/everythingeverythinguk
You’ve probably seen one of their music videos on the telly box or caught them on the radio in recent times. And on your first listen, I bet you were thinking ‘…well, this is different’. For the uninitiated, Everything Everything are a band that borrow from all genres (modern indie, funk-punk, r&b, even barbeshop acapella), and create their own kind of noise. Stunning songs smothered in wide-ranging vocals, delighting pop melodies and harmonics – whilst still being a band that know how to rock. New single ‘My Kz, Yr Bf’ is out soon, with a sublime b-side, and an album should follow in time for Chrimbo. Brilliant.
FOR FANS OF : The Beach Boys, The Futureheads, The Kinks.
NEXT MANCHESTER GIG : 24th September @ Star & Garter
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Air Cav – http://www.myspace.com/aircavmusic
Spine-chilling, challenging, hard-hitting and emotive. It’s an amalgamation of post-punk and new wave, with enchanting violin lines, thumping drums, PiL-esque basslines and soaring vocals. Air Cav are simply excellent, as Steve Lamacq also seems to think given his radio airplay of the quartet.
I really can’t wait for their debut album. Their sound is seductive and ensnaring in the small venues that they pack out now, but also gives the impression that they’re more than ready for the big stages. Hopefully that full length will give them the opportunity to prove me and everyone else who has fallen in love with their alt-lullabies right.
FOR FANS OF : Starsailor, Echo & The Bunnymen, Public Image Ltd.
NEXT MANCHESTER GIG : 22nd October @ Nexus Art Cafe
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Plank! – http://www.myspace.com/plankuk
A sort of local supergroup, featuring members of Autokat, Keith and the now-defunct Burnst; this trio are bloody ace. Describing their output as “dark rhythmic experimental instrumental sprawlings and motorik manifesto”, it’s krautrock done almost as if it’s a whole new way of life. Teasing basslines lead to ultimate riffs; whether it be in ‘1001 Nachts’ – a story of a love affair between a woman and a rollercoaster, or the ridiculously simple, yet impossible to forget ‘La Luna’, Plank! are a key example of how sometimes less is more. Presumably taking their name from Conny Plank and NEU!, pioneers of krautrock, they’re like Kraftwerk without the computers. A debut EP will be out soon on the excellent Akoustik Anarkhy. Joy!
FOR FANS OF : Conny Plank, NEU!, Kraftwerk.
NEXT MANCHESTER GIG : 11th September @ Deaf Institute.
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This ‘top 9’ will undoubtedly change within the week/day/hour. But what remains constant is the quality - three of this bunch have just been added to the Leeds Festival line-up, so if you’re heading to that, be sure to check them out.
This is just a small collection of some of the fine talent continuously perspiring from our city, and they’re there for the live viewing for the sake of a few pounds. Go and give this current crop the crowds they deserve.
Tags: music manchester daniel alston beat the radar the smiths morrissey mission of burma pavement band of horses sonic youth the 255s weezer bruce springsteen americana the weakerthans the hold steady delphic this momentary counterpoint new order white lies the longcut airship rowley spirit of the beehive modest mouse the thrills pixies arficeden explosions in the sky 65daysofstatic with that knife foals bloc party battles second city the beach boys futureheads the kinks everything everything air cav starsailor public image ltd echo & the bunnymen plank! autokat burnst keith krautrock kraftwerk conny plank neu! akoustik anarkhy
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