Ok, so we touched briefly on the fact that festival season is fast approaching last week. And as far as Manchester festivals go, arguably one of the best and most consistent actually lies within neighbouring Salford. Sounds From The Other City (yes, Salford is a separate city), will be 5 years old when Chapel Street is filled with eclectic acts and music-lovers alike. 12-hours of the newest acts around (previous bands of note include The Ting Tings and Marina & The Diamonds), hosted by Manchester promoters such as Lamb & Wolf, WotGodForgot, Mind On Fire, etc. Covering new venues such as Islington Mill and St. Philip’s Church, this year is set to be bigger than ever, with a 3am license being applied for to ensure the party doesn’t stop until it really has to. Wristband tickets enabling full access are available now at £15, and will almost certainly sell out before the event. We’ll do a proper preview when full details start getting announced, but head to the official site for more info. http://www.soundsfromtheothercity.com

Across to the other end of Manchester now, as we enter Fallowfield and, more specifically, Platt Fields Park. One of the region’s largest outdoor event areas, the park will be the site of a two-day mini festival this summer after inital details were revealed this week. Tickets have already gone on sale for June 11th, when Ian Brown will headline the 100th anniversary celebrations of the venue. Support comes from The Whip, Bad Lieutenant, A Certain Ratio and DJ sets from Unkle, Mike Pickering and Peter Hook (whose book you can buy with a complimentary piece of old Hacienda bar for the small fee of £600 – what recession?!). Further details TBA, including announcements of a second day of festivities. http://thewarehouseproject.com/ianbrown

The NME Radar Tour has always been a bit hit and miss in our opinion. The ‘hottest new bands’, maybe. But generally only one each year goes on to hit the heights expected. This year, however, sees two of Manchester’s most talked about acts in recent times. The silent coolness of Hurts, who only performed their first ever gig little over a week ago, and pitch-shifting genre-dodgers Everything Everything go on the road with kooky-but-catchy Darwin Deez. Be at Manchester Academy 3 on the 28th – tickets on sale at 9am Friday! Buy here.

Bright young Manchester label, Love & Disaster, have just announced details of their next release. Following hot on the tail of their Volume 1 compilation, they’ll be putting out a new EP from Airship on limited 10″ vinyl, CD and digital. May 10th is the date for your diaries, but you can catch them live this month on tour with Frightened Rabbit and The Joy Formidable. http://www.loveanddisaster.co.uk/

And speaking of Love & Disaster, they’re responsible for this brand new video for May68’s ‘My Ways’ single out on March 15th via Hit Club.

MAY68 – ‘My Ways’

WTK have been one of our favourite local bands for some time now. The Salford-formed quintet have been making noises on the underground for a few years, but it is with the installment of their third bassist that things seem to be gathering pace at long last. The first evidence of such is this two-pronged downloadable single.

Their songs are as busy as the cluttered floor artwork above would suggest. From the jarring stutter that opens ‘This Place, A Thousand Times’, you’re in for a ride of twists and turns. Slowly and delicately the song creeps into life with Minus The Bear-esque probing, before lead singer Owen Barratt’s vocals whip up some tempo. With southern clarity and confidence, its hard, if not a tad lazy, for a Northerner like myself to not draw comparisons to Kele Bloc Party.

Add to the party strings of notes as delicate and enchanting as current Kitsuné heroes Two Door Cinema Club, layered with all the math-rock indulgences of Foals. Then, there’s just the fact that these guys clearly like things as loud as they like them busy. So turn up the volume, add stronger bass and harder drums in the interludes, and synth fusion and a scratch pad creating all manners of fuckery. Forget the old addage, ‘less is more’; here’s a fat dose of everything-at-once.

As the song asks ‘Where did you go?’, you’re sent spiralling upwards before the band let loose with an instumental wandering so freely, only to realise you’re lost mid-air when ‘normality’ resumes with the second verse. Well, I say ‘verse’, but as with last year’s EP, the song structure textbook has been flung out of the window without so much as a page being turned. And in this 3-minute plus number, it’s a case of action, not words regardless.

B-side ‘Excuse? Me!’ commences with a dwindling angular riff shortly followed by pounding drums and a rush of cymbals. A more upbeat start but again the vocals signal frequent changes of pace. It’s not so much stop-start, more like a distance runner with intermittent sugar rushes. With much more talking on show here, it’s definitely an offering of the band’s angry punk side. “Well I guess it’s all about magazines and haircuts” – a tirade against fashion and culture dictation, perhaps?

The ending evokes the visceral post-hardcore of At The Drive-In. Energy and chaos going hand-in-hand as the guitars smash, the electronics swerve and the song ultimately ends nothing akin to how it started. Clocking in at just over 2 and a half minutes, the B-side cuts short and leaves you wanting more; surely the desired effect of this single.

So, difficult to pigeon-hole? Sure. But equally hard to dislike. Whether you’re of the angular persuasion, like music to be loud and frantic or are generally a sucker for something catchy and dancable; there’s something within this that you can enjoy.

FOR FANS OF : Foals, Two Door Cinema Club, At The Drive-In.

Go here to download ‘This Place, A Thousand Times’ and B-side ‘Excuse? Me!’ for a grand total of £1! And while you’re there, help yourself to last year’s 3-track EP for free! 100 pennies for 5 tracks then; not too shabby.

http://www.myspace.com/withthatknife

NEXT GIGS : 20th March @ Mad Ferret, Preston // 1st April @ The Canteen, Barrow-In-Furness

MONDAY 1ST MARCH

DD/MM/YYYY @ RUBY LOUNGE

It’s a busy time for WotGodForgot right now. The one-man alternative/experimental gig promoter has certainly upped the stakes this past year, with some massive Manchester gigs for ATP favourites, rare shows from trans-Atlantic bands and lots of weird and wonderful acts rolling through town.  One night after hosting a hometown show for Kong, we’re set to be treated to Canadian art-punks DD/MM/YYYY (optionally pronounced ‘Day, Month, Year’). Expect obscure time signatures galore. Another ace thing about WGF gigs is the attitude shown towards local bands; giving those with a non-mainstream sound the opportunities to support equally oddball acts. Tonight is no exception, with local kraut-rock supergroup Plank! and math-punk noiseniks With That Knife. Tour support comes from Hereford 2-piece Mice. £5 advance tickets still available, and doors are at 7.30pm. Facebook event here.

TUESDAY 2ND MARCH

JAMES MCCARTNEY @ RUBY LOUNGE

March seriously is a solid month of live music at The Ruby Lounge. Hell, we could probably just have their listings as our picks of this week. That’d be a tad unfair though, and we’d probably end up fighting over one of them leather chairs if we all spend the whole week there. Nevertheless, Tuesday is another big coup for the venue. For y’see, James McCartney is in fact the son of Paul. Yeah, join the dots. But we’ve all seen offspring fall short of their predecessor’s footprints – Callum Best anyone? And with the Beatles idol casting a very daunting shadow, it’s only fair to give poor James an air of unexpectance. So when his low-key performances under a secret moniker were exposed last year to rapturous acclaim, everyone was a little taken aback. And progressing from his initial set of readymade rock n’ roll anthems and acoustic swansongs, he’s out and about on a fortnight-long UK tour. Expect him to sign with a major soon thereafter. Support tonight comes from Manchester’s solo soul Thom Stone. Advance tickets are available at £7, and things kick off at 7.30pm. Facebook event here.

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH

THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND @ DEAF INSTITUTE

Following on from WotGodForgot, another Manchester promoting machine continuing to rise is Now Wave. If you’ve not seen their name gracing gig posters or witnessed their DJing antics somewhere, then quite frankly, you need to get out from under your rock. Seemingly putting on all that is good about new new music, their Wednesday gigs at the marvellous Deaf Institute have made midweek partying not just socially acceptable, but downright mandatory and ‘where it’s at’. This particular Wednesday sees The Phenomenal Handclap Band set up camp for the evening. Groovey, dancable pop marinated in NYC cool. Aye, we’ll have some of that. Support comes from cheery popsters Sophie’s Pigeons, who have a lovely new 7″ out now on Red Deer Club. Tickets are £8 advance and doors are at 7.30pm. Stick around for Now Wave’s free club night, playing ’sounds of the near future’ until 2am. Facebook event here.

THURSDAY 4TH MARCH

MANOX EXHIBITION @ COMMON

Time to give the eardrums a rest and the eyes a silent treat. Thursday sees the unveiling of ‘Musik’, an exhibition from German photographer Sebastian Matthes. A familiar face on the live music and underground nightlife scenes, Matthes has operated under the name Manox for the past few years and worked with the likes of up the racket and Warehouse Project. Capturing many a moment of a band being in their element or the energy of a sweaty club night, Manchester’s current music climate may not be able to be summed up in words, but Matthes’ photographs probably make for a fairer representation. ‘Musik’ graces the Kestral Suite of Northern Quarter’s hip Common bar until May 13th, with the unveiling event itself starting at 6pm. Facebook event here.

FRIDAY 5TH MARCH

LOST & FOUND @ RUBY LOUNGE

So 2010 is destined to be another year for the female solo artist, and also the return of faith in Manchester music? Well, the national press may be right, but at the turn of the year when all those lists were being compiled, they forgot about one lone lady that slotted kindly in the middle. Yes, LoneLady - or Julia Campbell on her birth certificate – has had bits and bobs of notable press attention over her cumulative years, but with last week’s release of debut album ‘Nerve Up’ (on Warp Records no less), subsequent hype had gathered more pace than any athlete at the Winter Olympics could hope for. Now with everyone enamoured with her one-woman dark guitar-pop, here’s a fabulous chance to catch her before she’s in the larger venues for twice the price. Support comes from hotly-tipped neighbours The Switch, Hereford 5-piece Apples and local newbies Books, followed by Now Wave DJs. £4 entry before 9pm / £5 after, 8pm-3am. Facebook event here.

SATURDAY 6TH MARCH

YOU! ME! DANCING! @ NIGHT & DAY

Night & Day has a new events booker, and although the high calibre of bands passing through the door shows no sign of faltering, the start of a new chapter heralds such beginnings as this; the first night of You! Me! Dancing! Taking their name from the Los Campesinos! song, Y!M!D! aims to waltz between pretension and cheese – their mission statement detailing that they ‘just want to play great pop songs so that you can have a good old dance on a Saturday night‘. Awesome. So what ‘great pop songs’ can we expect? Well, a quick look at the sample playlist throws us the likes of British Sea Power, The Divine Comedy, Blur and The Lightning Seeds, as well as newfound dancefloor cherubs such as Deerhunter and Dutch Uncles. Spinning such delights will be the Asparagus Next Left and Pull Yourself Together DJs. So you’re all set for a modern alt-disco, right? 11pm-2am, £2 entry. Facebook event here.

SUNDAY 7TH MARCH

COMEDY CENTRO @ CENTRO

Alrighty then. You’re still in a good mood from a fun-filled weekend, but the prospect of Monday morning looms and threatens to put a dampener on proceedings. Well, get yourself to the warm surroundings of Bar Centro on Tib Street and keep that good mood going with the help of Happy Hour. Oh, and some comedians. From what we can deduce, Comedy Centro is but a few months old; bringing the freshest and most talented jokers on the circuit every first Sunday of the month. Hosted by resident MC Bethany Black (“if having a unique selling point is the secret of success, then Bethany Black should prepare for world domination.” BRUCE DESSAU, British Comedy Awards), she’s got an eclectic line-up for all us gag-lovers in the form of Andy White, Doc Brown, Helen Arney and Michael Kossew. Throw in a competition with prizes, trophies and limited edition art from each month’s hosted artist to be won, and you’ve got yourself a cheerful evening of laughter. 8pm onwards, £5/6. Facebook event here.

News has snowballed as this week has gone on, so here’s a slightly belated round-up…

Representing Rusholme for live music, Cafe Saki has recently had its license revoked. However, word has reached us from promoters Underachievers Please Try Harder that this is being appealed and everything for the time being, remains as it were. Having tackled many of the causes of the noise complaints that forced the situation, they are confident in the decision being overturned. Regardless, all events already booked in will run as normal until at least July. As a starting base for several of our city’s great promoters, and offering free hire on a weekday, Saki remains a great venue for emerging nights and DIY gigs. Contact via: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000661680887

The Answering Machine’s Academy gig on January 29th that was cancelled due to a family bereavement has been rearranged and will now take place on Thursday March 18th at Jabez Clegg. Original tickets remain valid, but more are now available at £7. Ages 14+ welcome, and now with two rooms of DJs and live music, including fellow bands The Mandigans, Der Die Das and Slow Readers Club. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=310119440632

Disco-popsters May68 release their single ‘My Ways’ via Hit Club on March 15th, and details have just been announced of their launch party. Hosted by the 5 years-not-out Up The Racket, the band will perform a set at midnight of one of their chaotic indie/electro jamborees at Retro Bar on Saturday March 27th. Advance tickets are available now priced at £4. http://www.seetickets.com/see/price.asp?code=458537

It’s still the bitter cold winter season sadly, but we’re warmed at the mere thought of all those summer festivals. And last year saw Manchester itself hold quite a few separate affairs. One of the newcomers was Hungry Pigeon. Featuring 150 bands, live art, poetry, short films, exhibitions and busking across 20 Northern Quarter venues, it was the only Manchester representative at the UK Festival Awards. So of course it was always going to return in 2010 (28th-30th May to be exact). Early bird tickets are on sale now, and if you want to get involved as either an artist, band, a NQ business or someone after work experience, they’d like to hear from you. http://www.hungrypigeon.com/

Genre-terrorists Sonic Boom Six return home on April 18th as part of their latest UK tour. Coinciding with the release of compilation ‘Rude Awakening’, the hip-hop punks will play at Club Academy with their new line-up following the departure of guitarist Ben Childs. Tour support comes from Knock Out (USA). Tickets on sale now priced £8. http://www.manchesteracademy.net/

Modern ska-fuelled MC troop Kid British have just announced they’ll be playing at Fac251 (The Factory) on Friday 23rd April. In addition, the full version of their debut album has been confirmed to hit shelves in August (first half is out now), and they’ll be releasing a double A-side single for the World Cup in June. ‘Winner/Let’s Have A Party’ will also feature as lead tracks on EA Sport’s latest football game, FIFA World Cup 2010.

And finally, another date just confirmed – Delphic have announced 5 new UK gigs with support from fellow Mancs, Everything Everything. Before you ask: May 21st at The Ritz. Tickets on sale tomorrow at 9am.

That’ll do, pig. That’ll do…

The Answering Machine – ‘Obviously Cold’

MONDAY 1ST MARCH

•    BAND ON THE WALL – KATHRYN WILLIAMS / ASTRYD WILLIAMSON. 7.30pm, £14.50 advance.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – DD/MM/YYYY / MICE / WITH THAT KNIFE / PLANK! 7.30pm, £5 advance.
•    SATAN’S HOLLOW – INSISION / DAWN OF CHAOS. 7pm, £tbc.

TUESDAY 2ND MARCH

•    ACADEMY 1 – NOISETTES / TIFFANY PAGE. 7.30pm, £14 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – BABY DEE & THE CAIRO GANG. 7.30pm, £12.50 advance.
•    DEAF INSTITUTE – GIRLS / SPECTRALS. 7.30pm, £7.50 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – THE SUBLIMINAL MOVEMENT / PEARL DIVERS / DANIEL J NIXON. 8pm, £5.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – JAMES MCCARTNEY / THOM STONE. 7.30pm, £7 advance.
•    SOUND CONTROL – THE REAL DOLLS / FROM THE KITES OF SAN QUENTIN / THE BROKEN DOOR. 7.30pm, £5.

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH

•    ACADEMY 1 – ANGIE STONE / DWELE. 7.30pm, £23.50 advance.
•    DEAF INSTITUTE – THE PHENOMENAL HANDCLAP BAND. 7.30pm, £8 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – FREEDOM OF THE CITY / BRIGHT YOUNG PEOPLE / NAYMEDICI / MARCO GALEA. 8pm, £5.
•    ROADHOUSE – ABYSS / STATES OF EMOTION / BEARFOOT BEWARE. 8pm, £4.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – CURTIS ELLER’S AMERICAN CIRCUS / AL BAKER & THE DOLE QUEUE / DEAD CITIES / THE SCROTES. 7.30pm, £6 advance.

THURSDAY 4TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 1 - MUMFORD & SONS. 7.30pm, £12 advance.
•    ACADEMY 2 – BRENDAN BENSON. 7.30pm, £12.50 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – DAVE O’HIGGINS & ERIC ALEXANDER QUARTET. 7.30pm, £14 advance.
•    CLUB ACADEMY – LOCAL NATIVES. 7.30pm, £9 advance.
•    DEAF INSTITUTE – THE VIEW. 7.30pm, £14 advance.
•    FAC251 – HANS ISLAND / NORTHERN QUARTER. 8pm, £3 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – NICK HARPER. 7.30pm, £10 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – THE RAN TAN WALTZ / THE USUAL PLEASURES / GUY TAUNTON. 8pm, £5.
•    ROADHOUSE – THE WITCH & THE ROBOT / ARTHUR RIGBY & THE BASKERVILLES / THE KID JONES. 8pm, £4.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – THE HEARTBREAKS / MABEL LOVE / THE COLD ONE HUNDRED / THE MOTHER BLACK CAPS. 8pm, £5 advance.

FRIDAY 5TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 1 – PASSION PIT / ELLIE GOULDING. 7.30pm, £11 advance.
•    ACADEMY 3 – THE STOCKS / SYSTEM FAULT / THE ARTICLES / IDOL MINDS. 7.30pm, £6 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – MEGAFAUN. 7pm, £10 advance.
•    CLUB ACADEMY – FRIGHTENED RABBIT. 7.30pm, £10 advance.
•    DEAF INSTITUTE – PLUGS / EGYPTIAN HIP HOP / HEY ZEUS. 8pm, £6 advance.
•    FAC251 – AUDIT CONTROL / THE 66. 8pm, £3 advance.
•    ISLINGTON MILL – THE HORNBLOWER BROTHERS. 9.30pm, £4 advance.
•    MEN ARENA – LILY ALLEN / DIZZEE RASCAL. 7.30pm, £28 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – ANNA LENA & THE ORCHIDS / THE VIOLET / SIREN CITY / TWILIGHT ELEVATORS / RICHIE SYRETTS. 8pm, £6.
•    ROADHOUSE – SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR SUMMER / PAGE 44 / MY FIRST HELLO / URBAN KEY. 6pm, £6 advance.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – LONELADY / BOOKS / APPLES / THE SWITCH. 8pm, £5.
•   SOUND CONTROL – CYRIL SNEAR / GALLOPS / VORTE THE BEAR. 8pm, £6.

SATURDAY 6TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 1 – FUN LOVIN’ CRIMINALS. 7.30pm, £20 advance.
•    ACADEMY 2 – THE XX. 7.30pm, £11 advance.
•    ACADEMY 3 – IT BITES / AYNSLEY LISTER. 7.30pm, £17.50 advance.
•    DEAF INSTITUTE – THE WOODENTOPS. 7.30pm, £14 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – FORGE / LOST SOULS / DIRTY FAKIRS / NOCEBO. 8pm, £6.
•    RETRO BAR – THE LOCK & KEYS / ABOVE THEM. 9pm, £4.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – GREG GRIFFIN / THE PAPER SPACEMAN / HUMANIZER / SUPEREVOLVER / THE CAUSEWAY / VESPA. 8pm, £6 advance.
•    SATAN’S HOLLOW – FRENZY / THE GO-KATZ / COWBOY & THE CORPSE. 9pm, £tbc.
•    SOUND CONTROL – GIFT OF GAB / THE MOUSE OUTFIT.7.30pm, £10 advance.

SUNDAY 7TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 3 – KAKI KING. 7.30pm, £10 advance.
•    DEAF INSTITUTE – THE MISERABLE RICH / YUCATAN / JAMIE HARRISON. 7.30pm, £8 advance.
•    MEN ARENA – STEREOPHONICS. 7.30pm, £30 advance.
•    RETRO BAR – STAND OUT RIOT / BEAT THE RED LIGHT / RISING STRIKE / THE HOSTILES / SENSE OF URGENCY / JOEY TERRIFYING. 6pm, £4.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – WHITE HILLS / PONTIAK / MUGSTAR. 7.30pm, £6 advance.

MONDAY 8TH MARCH

•   APOLLO – LYNYRD SKYNYRD. 7.30pm, £38.50 advance.
•    DEAF INSTITUTE – CATE LE BON / LAWRENCE ARABIA. 7.30pm, £7 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – JOEY CAPE / TONY SLY / JON SNODGRASS. 7pm, £8 advance.
•    SATAN’S HOLLOW – CORPSES / THIS IS TURIN / COLONEL BLAST / THE COLOUR PINK IS GAY / HEIR TO THE THRONE. 7pm, £tbc.
•    SOUND CONTROL – GENERAL FIASCO / THE BLACK BOX REVELATION / PEGASUS BRIDGE / THE MANDIGANS. 7.30pm, £6 advance.
•   STAR & GARTER – WISDOM IN CHAINS / DEAL WITH IT / HORRORSTRUCK / BROKEN TEETH. 7.30pm, £7 advance.

TUESDAY 9TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 3 – KATATONIA. 7.30pm, £10 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – NICK BARTSCH’S RONIN. 7.30pm, £15 advance.
•    DRY BAR – EASTSTRIKEWEST / THE AFTERSHOCK / THE LUCKY PENNIES / SANDER KOMMANDER. 7.30pm, £5 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – HED(PE) / THREAT SIGNALS / ATILLA. 7pm, £10 advance.
•    RETRO BAR – TALL TREES / THEY SINK SHIPS / THE GREAT STATE RACE / CALL IT A DAY / SOUNDTRACK TO YOUR SUMMER. 7.30pm, £5.
•    ROADHOUSE – ANDY GALLAGHER & OVERHAUL. 8pm, £4.
•    SOUND CONTROL – THE BLACK KNIGHTS / NO TOKYO. 7.30pm, £5.

WEDNESDAY 10TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 3 – 69 EYES. 7.30pm, £11 advance.
•    DEAF INSTITUTE – ERRORS / MAY68. 7.30pm, £7 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – SHAI HULUD / TO KILL / ENDWELL. 7pm, £8 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – LISA MITCHELL. 8pm, £6.50 advance.

THURSDAY 11TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 1 – A DAY TO REMEMBER / ARCHITECTS / YOUR DEMISE. 7.30pm, £12 advance.
•    ACADEMY 3 – EMILIE AUTUMN. 7.30pm, £12.50 advance.
•    APOLLO – PETER ANDRE. 7.30pm, £24 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – STEVE HOWE TRIO. 7.30pm, £17.50 advance.
•    CLUB ACADEMY – FOUR TET. 7.30pm, £11 advance.
•    DEAF INSTITUTE – THE INVISIBLE / MEMORY TAPES. 7.30pm, £8 advance.
•    DRY BAR – SUMMERLIN / ONE LAST AMBITION / SASKIA MAY. 7.30pm, £6 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – AUDIO BULLYS. 7.30pm, £10 advance.
•    RETRO BAR – TROJAN HORSE / HOX DECORUS / ENDEAVOURS. 9pm, £3.
•    ROADHOUSE – KARNIVOOL. 7.30pm, £8 advance.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – RETRIBUTION GOSPEL CHOIR / KING TREE & THE ROOTS. 7.30pm, £8 advance.
•    SOUND CONTROL – TEENAGERS IN TOKYO / DIETER & THE GADABOUTS / RUN TOTO RUN. 7.30pm, £6 advance.

FRIDAY 12TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 2 – UNDEROATH. 7.30pm, £13 advance.
•    ACADEMY 3 – IAN SIEGAL / OIL BROWN / THE HARPBREAKERS. 7pm, £12.50 advance.
•    APOLLO – YOU ME AT SIX. 7pm, £15 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – DENNIS BOVELL DUB BAND. 9pm, £14.50 advance.
•    FAC251 – DISCO NASTIES / SEEING HESTER. 8pm, £3 advance.
•    MEN ARENA – KATHERINE JENKINS / ESCALA. 7.30pm, £25 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – THE BRUTE CHORUS / SUGAR JESUS / THE SHALLOW / LOEBEAT / OUR EMPIRE. 8pm, £5 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – ALBERTA CROSS. 8pm, £7 advance.
•    RETRO BAR – KHUDA / HUMANFLY / MOUNTAINS BECAME MACHINES / SATELLITES. 7.30pm, £5.
•    ROADHOUSE – IMPERIAL LEISURE. 6pm, £7 advance.

SATURDAY 13TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 1 - TRIVIUM / CIMAIRA / WHITECHAPEL. 6.30pm, £16.50 advance.
•    ACADEMY 2 – STIFF LITTLE FINGERS. 7.30pm, £17.50 advance.
•    ACADEMY 3 – LIVEWIRE AC/DC TRIBUTE BAND. 7.30pm, £12 advance.
•    APOLLO – RONAN KEATING. 7.30pm, £30 advance.
•   BAND ON THE WALL – SKIP ‘LITTLE AXE’ MCDONALD. 7pm, £12.50 advance.
•    CLUB ACADEMY – TURIN BRAKES / PETER LAWRIE. 7.30pm, £16.50 advance.
•    MEN ARENA – THE X-FACTOR LIVE. 2.30pm & 7.30pm, £28.50 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – LITTLE FISH / AFTER THE UGLY FACE / AUDIT CONTROL / ANNA LOUISA. 8pm, £6 advance.
•    RETRO BAR – MR. INTERNATIONAL / HOTPANTS ROMANCE / BAD GUYS / BARBARIANS. 9.30pm, £5.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – GABRIELLE’S WISH / DIRTY AVENUES / BUTCHER & BOLT / COSMIC DAISY. 7pm, £6.
•    SATAN’S HOLLOW – THE FRACTIONS / CATCH-IT KEBABS / THE JOHN PLAYER SPECIALS. 7pm, £5.

SUNDAY 14TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 1 – HIM / DOMMIN. 7pm, £20 advance.
•    APOLLO – RONAN KEATING. 7.30pm, £30 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – PORTICO QUARTET. 7.30pm, £10 advance.
•    MEN ARENA – THE X-FACTOR LIVE. 2.30pm & 7.30pm, £28.50 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – SPECTRUM. 7pm, £8 advance.
•    RETRO BAR – DOWNFALL OF GAIA / TREE OF SORES / INTOBLACKMIRROR / PINE BARRONS. Details TBA.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – THE JOY FORMIDABLE / BADDIES / THE STEALS. 7.30pm, £7 advance.

MONDAY 15TH MARCH

•    APOLLO – NEWTON FAULKNER. 7pm, £17.50 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – TRIO OF OZ. 7.30pm, £15 advance.
•    THE CORNER, F’FIELD – THE BLACK KNIGHTS / ALCHEMY / TROJAN HORSE. 8pm, £free.
•    RETRO BAR – LOST FOR WORDS / ALL OR NOTHING / LYU / WE SAY SUMMER / MAKE ME KING. 7pm, £6.50 advance.

TUESDAY 16TH MARCH

•    APOLLO – THE EDITORS. 7pm, £20 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – ELIZA CARTHY. 7.30pm, £14.50 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – LUCY & THE CATERPILLAR. 7pm, £5 advance.
•    SOUND CONTROL - THE VELVETINES / PSEUDO STEREO. 7.30pm, £5.

WEDNESDAY 17TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 1 – FRANK TURNER / CHUCK RAGAN / CRAZY ARM. 7.30pm, £12 advance.
•    ACADEMY 3 – INCASSUM / SEVERED FATE / NINE TILL DAWN / EXTREME OD. 7.30pm, £6 advance.
•    CLUB ACADEMY – EDGUY / WHITE WIZZARD / WITH ONE LAST BREATH. 7.30pm, £15 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – FOR THE FALLEN DREAMS / CONFESSION / AZRIEL. 7pm, £8 advance.
•    ROADHOUSE – HOI POLLOI / NEIL WARD / KAT VIPERS. 8pm, £4.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – SOUND OF GUNS / SHANTY TOWN / RED OR BLACK. 7.30pm, £5 advance.
•    SOUND CONTROL – TIMES NEW VIKING / YOUNG BRITISH ARTISTS. 7.30pm, £7 advance.

THURSDAY 18TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 3 – URBAN KEY / GIDEON CONN / THE OXYGEN INDEX / COUNTERPOINT. 7.30pm, £6 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – JOSE JONES. 7.30pm, £12.50 advance.
•    DRY BAR – HIGHWIRE / GOLDSOUL / FRANK IS DEAD. 7.30pm, £4.
•    NIGHT & DAY – THE KABEEDIES / VAGABOND TRILLS / ONIONS / STEPHAN METCALFE. 8pm, £5.
•    ROADHOUSE – DEVIANT UK / SKINJOB / FLESH EATING FOUNDATION. 7pm, £6 advance.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – THE INDELICATES / DIRTY NORTH / TAYLOR & THE MASON / PHIL DAVIES. 7.30pm, £5 advance.
•    STAR & GARTER – THE SKINTS / HARIJAN / ANTI VIGILANTE / CHINA SHOP BULL. 7.30pm, £5 advance.

FRIDAY 19TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 1 – PALOMA FAITH / LA SHARK. 7.30pm, £12 advance.
•    ACADEMY 3 – THE AUTOMATIC. 7.30pm, £9 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – JOSCHO STEPHAN. 7pm, £12.50 advance.
•    DEAF INSTITUTE –WHY?. 7.30pm, £12 advance.
•    ISLINGTON MILL – THE SCROTES / DARREN POYZER / KINO FILM / DOMINIC BERRY. 7.30pm, £5 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – DETROIT SOCIAL CLUB. 8pm, £7 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – NINE BLACK ALPS / THE WITCHES / FORMER BULLIES. 8pm, £5.
•    ROADHOUSE – THE 13TH / EMBELLE. 8pm, £5.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – TIDY HOOKER / SHMOO / W8TY / MR BIFTER. 7pm, £5 advance.
•    SOUND CONTROL – THE JESSIE ROSE TRIP. 7.30pm, £4.

SATURDAY 20TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 1 – THE STRANGLERS. 7.30pm, £23.50 advance.
•    ACADEMY 2 – WILD BEASTS / ERLAND & THE CARNIVAL / LONE WOLF. 7.30pm, £9.50 advance.
•    ACADEMY 3 – THE TIDES / KING VULTURE / THE MAGPIE PROJECT / GYPSY LIPS. 7.30pm, £6 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – MARLENA SHAW. 8pm, £20 advance.
•    CLUB ACADEMY – DADDY’S MILK / SKINNY WHITE & THE GOODS / CHRIS MAC / AFTER HOURS. 7.30pm, £6 advance.
•    DEAF INSTITUTE – TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB. 7.30pm, £7 advance.
•    ISLINGTON MILL – MOUNT KIMBIE / DENIS JONES / XXXY / BORLAND. 8pm, £4 advance.
•    JOSHUA BROOKS – THE CHASE / SCREAMING CITIZENS / DIRTY FAKIRS / RACHAEL WRIGHT & THE GOOD SONS / PISTOLA KICKS / FIRELIGHTS. 7.30pm, £3.
•    MOHO LIVE – NEW YOUNG PONY CLUB. 6pm, £11.50 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – OF THE TRUE CLASS. 8pm, £tbc.
•    RETRO BAR – THE HYPERJAX / VINCENT & THE ONEPOTTS / THE NOVA FIVES. 9pm, £5.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – THE 66 / STORMY CORNER / EXILE PARADE / DIRTY SPACE DISCO / DEAD CELEBS. 8pm, £5 advance.

SUNDAY 21ST MARCH

•    ACADEMY 3 – A SILVER MOUNT ZION. 7.30pm, £12.50 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – CIMARRON. 7.30pm, £12.50 advance.
•    MEN ARENA – THE FOUR TOPS / TEMPTATIONS / THE DRIFTERS / THE THREE DEGREES. 7.30pm, £38 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – EL DA SENSEI. 7pm, £10 advance.
•    RETRO BAR – THE AMBUSHED / SICK LILLYS / MAJOR MAJOR / PICK UP THE GUN. 7pm, £2 advance.
•    ROADHOUSE – THE COMPUTERS / OUTCRY COLLECTIVE. 7pm, £7 advance.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – BABYBIRD / SPARROW & THE WORKSHOP. 7.30pm, £9 advance.

MONDAY 22ND MARCH

•    ACADEMY 2 – DAN LE SAC VS SCROOBIUS PIP. 7.30pm, £12 advance.
•    ACADEMY 3 – EMMA POLLACK / JOSH PYKE. 7.30pm, £10 advance.
•    STAR & GARTER – BORN FROM PAIN / THE CASINO BRAWL / HEART OF A COWARD / EMPIRES FADE. 7.30pm, £6.

TUESDAY 23RD MARCH

•    APOLLO – JETHRO TULL. 7.30pm, £24.50 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – TUNNG. 7.30pm, £12.50 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – NACHTMYSTIUM / THE PSYKE PROJECT. 7pm, £8 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – BEAT THE RADAR / CLAYTON STRANGE. 8pm, £5.

WEDNESDAY 24TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 3 – WINGER. 7.30pm, £16.50 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – KARIMA FRANCIS / I AM BLACKBIRD. 7.30pm, £8 advance.
•    DRY BAR – LIAM LEVER / DAYSTAR / CONVERSATION. 7.30pm, £5 advance.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – NORTH ATLANTIC OSCILLATION / WHISKEY COVE. 7.30pm, £5 advance.

THURSDAY 25TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 2 – JOSH ROUSE. 7.30pm, £18 advance.
•    ACADEMY 3 – SON OF DAVE. 7.30pm, £10 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – DON BERGLUND’S TONBRUKET. 7.30pm, £15 advance.
•    DRY BAR – THE VALVETRONICS / JOSEPHINE ONIYAMA / OLD TAPE GHOST. 7.30pm, £4 advance.
•    MEN ARENA – 50 CENT. 7.30pm, £32.50 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – EXIT CALM / LOWLINE. 8pm, £7 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – THE SCREENING / THE DIMESHOW / THE ESCOBARS. 8pm, £5.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – THE TWILIGHT SAD / TAKE A WORM FOR A WALK WEEK / THE HIDDEN REVOLUTION. 7.30pm, £7 advance.
•    SATAN’S HOLLOW – THE RABBLE / THE AUTONOMADS / FLAT BACK FOUR. 8pm, £tbc.

FRIDAY 26TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 2 – TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT. 7.30pm, £35 advance.
•    ACADEMY 3 – ZEBRAHEAD / MC LARS / ORANGE. 7.30pm, £11 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – SIERRA MAESTRA. 7pm, £14.50 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – PETE & THE PIRATES. 7pm, £5 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – MEURSALT / TIME FOR CHINA / ALFA BINDING THEORY / META MUSIC / KATE MANNING. 8pm, £5.
•    ROADHOUSE – EMERY. 6pm, £10 advance.
•    SOUND CONTROL – THE JIM JONES REVUE / EUCHRID EUCROW. 7.30pm, £8 advance.

SATURDAY 27TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 2 – MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK. 7.30pm, £12 advance.
•    ACADEMY 3 – LETZ ZEP. 7.30pm, £12 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – INTRODUCING. 9pm, £10 advance.
•    CLUB ACADEMY – WHERE’S STRUTTER / CATFISH & THE BOTTLEMEN. 7.30pm, £5 advance.
•    FAC251 – CRAFTY SIMIAN. 8pm, £3 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – DICKENSIAN DISCO / BLUE VEILS / TORNADO FIRES. 8pm, £5.
•    RETRO BAR – MAY68. 10pm, £4 advance.
•    ROADHOUSE – DAVID R BLACK / ONLY THIS REMAINS / FORT WORTH. 7.30pm, £5 advance.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – GUNS 2 ROSES. 7.30pm, £9 advance.
•    SATAN’S HOLLOW – CARJACK MALLONE. 7pm, £tbc.

SUNDAY 28TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 3 – ARCHIE BRONSON OUTFIT. 7.30pm, £10 advance.
•    APOLLO – CHRIS REA. 7pm, £29.50 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – SKETCH PISTOLS. 7.30pm, £5 advance.
•    DRY BAR – MAMA’S GUN / RENE / SWITCHBOARD SPECTACULAR. 7pm, £6 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – THE LAMBRETTAS. 7pm, £10 advance.
•   RETRO BAR – STAND OUT RIOT / CHINA SHOP BULL / BROKEN NOSE / TYRANNOSAURUS ALAN / BLAG / ANONYMOUS TIP. 4pm, £4.
•    STAR & GARTER – ONE MAN STAND / RAZOR CUTS / MARDI GRAS BOMBERS. 7pm, £free via invite.

MONDAY 29TH MARCH

•    BAND ON THE WALL – N’DAMBI. 7.30pm, £10 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – THE MEMBERS. 7pm, £8 advance.
•    RETRO BAR – HOLD YOUR HORSE IS / RUN, WALK! / CROOKED MOUNTAIN, CROOKED SEA. 8pm, £3.
•    STAR & GARTER – STREET DOGS / ROUGHNECK RIOT / GIRLFIXER. 7.30pm, £9 advance.

TUESDAY 30TH MARCH

•    ACADEMY 2 – MADINA LAKE / WE ARE THE OCEAN. 7.30pm, £12.50 advance.
•    ACADEMY 3 – FLYLEAF. 7.30pm, £9 advance.
•    BAND ON THE WALL – ANDY MCKEE. 7.30pm, £12.50 advance.
•    CLUB ACADEMY – ELLIE GOULDING. 7.30pm, £9 advance.
•    MOHO LIVE – STRUNG OUT / RANDOM HAND. 7pm, £10 advance.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – PEARL DIVERS / A DEATH IN BRAZIL / FABLES / THE SIXTEEN TONNES. 7.30pm, £5.
•    SOUND CONTROL – RUN DIAMOND / SYD BOZKO / DANNY MAHON. 7.30pm, £5.

WEDNESDAY 31ST MARCH

•    MOHO LIVE – KILL IT KID. 7pm, £5 advance.
•    NIGHT & DAY – THIS MANY BOYFRIENDS / THE ABC CLUB / OLY NEASHAM. 8pm, £tbc.
•    RUBY LOUNGE – THE MARDER / THE SUZUKIS / THE IRON DOOR CLUB / THE LONG MARCH. 7.30pm, £5 advance.

MONDAY 22ND FEBRUARY

COOL AS FOLK @ ODDER

A brand new night slap bang on Oxford Road, Cool As Folk recognises the amount of folk-drenched music suddenly entering public consumption, and the inspiration that the oft-overlooked genre is having on the industry’s output today. Remember when literally everyone was falling over themselves to talk about Fleet Foxes 18 months ago? Or the sales surge of folk-pop act Florence And The Machine’s debut that followed the Brit Awards last week? Well, the genre’s as big as ever, and what better way to celebrate than to unwind or let loose in the lounge-like comforts of Odder with “the snazziest selection of nu-folk, indie-folk and folktronica”? Facebook event here.

TUESDAY 23TH FEBRUARY

OPTIONAL WALLACE/BEAT THE RADAR/MOTHER BLACK CAPS @SOUND CONTROL

Our pick for Tuesday again, Sound Control Presents… would appear to be herding great line-ups to play on these gloomy evenings. Missing last week’s showcase due to the football, there’s no real excuse not to be at this one (I don’t have a ticket and it’s not on the telly). Big-sounding post-punks Optional Wallace headline – expect dark indie-rock a la Interpol and The Fall. Support comes from the band behind one of our favourite albums of last year, Beat The Radar. Pure indie-pop goodness with all the hooks and singalong choruses that your heart could desire. Lastly (but on first), Mother Black Caps are more local post-punk that we’re looking forward to catching for the first time. Throw in free entry to hot new student indie night, Control with XFM’s Gareth Brooks, and that’s a fiver well spent. 7.30pm onwards. Facebook event here.

WEDNESDAY 24TH FEBRUARY

BUSK @ THE GARRATT

Open mic nights tend to be pretty godawful. A pub half-empty, and those that are present are probably more interested in their next pint. Busk, however, breaks the norm. Running for over 5 years now, they book a couple of local acts (The Courteeners, Dutch Uncles, George Borowski and Liam Frost have all taken to the stage) and even those from further afield. For the rest of the time the mic is available for budding musicians, bands and of course, the occassional busker to get up and play their stuff to the unsuspecting and usually-packed Garratt. We’d advise getting in touch in advance to secure a slot though, such is the growing popularity of the night. DJs play a nice range of music inbetween, and entry is totally free! Always on the last Wednesday of the month, tonight’s monster line-up includes Mount Fabric, an acoustic set from Liverpool’s Major Major, Gib Lyn, Sarah Hingham, Gasoline Alley, Dave Cleal-Hill, Eleanor Lou, Optional Wallace and more to be confirmed. Phew! 9pm-1am, free entry. Facebook event here.

THURSDAY 25TH FEBRUARY

CRACK YR SKULL @ THE CORNER, FALLOWFIELD

Recently relocated, the future for alternative party night Crack Yr Skull seems to be at the cosy Corner venue in studentsville, Fallowfield – for the short-term at least. We had a rather boozey outing at CYS before Christmas and from what we can recall, it was pretty bloody good! No bands on this time, but guest DJs from twee-pop night Scrapbook, as well as the residents playing everything from Animal Collective and Minus The Bear to Rival Schools and Andrew WK. Party hard indeed! 9pm onwards, £3 entry, or £2 with a ticket stub for Japandroids (playing that night at Deaf Institute). Facebook event here.

FRIDAY 26TH FEBRUARY

PERFORMANCE @ DEAF INSTITUTE

Only announced at the turn of the month, this has come round rather fast. Yes, electro-popsters, Performance are back and ready to get us all grooving again. With a second album being wrapped up for release sometime soon, this is the first chance to see what the band have been up to since late 2008. Support comes from Futurecop, I Am Blackbird and Nowhere Again, and DJs from the fabulous Pogo, S’il Vous Plait and High Voltage will keep this one going well into the early hours. £5 advance tickets via Ticketline or in person at the venue. 8pm-3am. Facebook event here.

SATURDAY 27TH FEBRUARY

URBIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING @ URBIS

Ok, if you get the chance to go to this before Saturday, then do it. Failing that, heed this final roll call and get yourself down to “that pointy funny-looking building”. Urbis, the first Marmite structure of Manchester’s modern architecture will soon become the new home of the National Football Museum. Which means that the art exhibition centre will no longer serve its initial purpose. Closing its doors at the end of trade on Saturday, this is your last chance to check out Urbis Has Left the Building: Six Years of the Best Exhibitions in Pop Culture. Urbis has been understated in its short existence, but it has consistently been at the contemporary culture forefront in the city. A perfect send-off, and the ideal time to go if you’re amongst the many who’ve always intended on popping in, but never got round to it. Facebook event here.

SUNDAY 28th FEBRUARY

KONG @ RUBY LOUNGE

We here at SC bloody love Kong. We could enthuse about just how dirty and sinister their music is, but there’s a time and a place for that (probably the live review of this gig). Basically, if you’re not familiar with the deranged mask-sporters from Chorley, then imagine the noise Fugazi and Shellac would make in a small room together. On the grand Leeds-based Brew Records, last year’s ‘Snake Magnet’ LP never fails to put us in a mischieviously good mood. Support comes from labelmates Castrovalva, as well as local loudness from Trojan Horse and Apes Fight Back. 7.30pm onwards, £6 advance tickets. Facebook event here.

So it makes perfect sense when DIY outfits like Manchester-based label Babyboom Records team up with the Free For Arts Festival after their successful outing last October. An underlying theme of not-for-profit, they’re hosting free monthly events of live music and interactive art.

Arriving out of the dampness, we’re ready to warm up in the confines of the downstairs hub of Northern Quarter drinkery, The Bay Horse. Pool table shifted, furniture rearranged to provide the focus on the awaiting backline; the room surprises us as to how well it looks set to accommodate a live gig.

For some reason or other, Hyacinth Girl haven’t shown up tonight. A pity, but like the ever-optimist Meatloaf said, ‘two out of three ain’t bad’. And you wouldn’t argue with the big man, would ya?

The openers’ absence grants a substantial chunk of time to fill then. At most other unsigned band nights, attendance may have dropped rapidly through boredom. But that’s where the beauty of the Free For Arts folk comes into to play. Scattered on tables and adorning the walls are sheets of paper, screaming ‘Draw on me!’. Don’t mind if we do…

I realise I haven’t actually done any freeform drawing in a good while, and quickly surrender without sketching so much as half a rhinoceros. Instead I opt to admire the works of others; a tattoo-worthy flying dragon, an accurate human caricature and a horse that quickly gets its lower half crudely vandalised. Ahhh, reminds me of history class.

This doodle session allows that time gap to fly by, and before we know it Mountains Became Machines are gearing up. I’ve worn two pairs of socks in a wise move to counter the doomed combo of dilapidated Converse and the puddles I will invariably step in tonight. MBM rock both soaking wet pairs off regardless.

The local quartet have been knocking around for a few years now, but with this current set, they seek to grab a bit more attention. Playing what I believe to be the 3-track 30-minute EP ‘Paths’ (borrowed before I had the chance to put it on my iPod, still to return), there’s a ceiling-raising barrage of gargantuan riffs. The first number is so mighty that Mastodon could nick it and they’d be back on ‘Leviathan’ form.

There’s your standard post-rock comparisons such as Explosions In The Sky, but with that added metal afterthought. The middle track slows things down, letting our eardrums ease up a little. More restrained builds, rising and bursting into life whenever it feels like – the conventional ‘quiet/loud’ divide crossed with patience and aplomb. The crowd is almost entirely captivated, and deserved applause follows each 10-minute epic (an overused term, but in this case, highly appropriate).

Last time I saw MBM they had a white backdrop with projected video accompanying their set. Tonight, I only clock the off-centre screening as the credits roll, but I was too busy watching the band in any case. The visuals flowed well previously, so there’s no reason to doubt that was the case here.

A bit more drawing and chatter amidst the Babyboom DJs playing some musical nuggets, and then it’s time for With That Knife.

I fell in platonic love with this band after first catching them at Dry Bar almost two years ago. They mixed the punk energy that I grew up on and refused to grow out of, with the new sounds that were making waves for the likes of Foals at the time. So it’s heavy and frantic but still cool and catchy. You follow?

Take for instance, the brash-but-beautiful ‘Tonight We’ll Find Out’, with its runaway tempo, or the short and sugary sweet ‘Pitchforks’, followed by a 90-second pure hardcore-punk tirade. Two new songs get an airing – both sounding heavier yet full of even more disjointed melody than their stuff of old.

2nd March sees the release of single ‘This Place, A Thousand Times’, so that and B-side ‘Excuse? Me!’ come out to play – review of that little blighter coming real soon. It’s the latter of the two that starts to stir up some serious dance moves at the front of the crowd. Fueled by beer or the sheer rebellious funk that’s going on, who can tell? But everyone’s into this by the looks of things – some just opt to show with extreme gyration.

Ending on the angered ‘Bravery’, With That Knife bow out in a blaze of glory and we’re suddenly back to the mundane pace of reality after that renegade ride. Seriously one of our favourite local bands, and with any luck their imminent release and more good support slots should catapult them into the eyes and ears of many.

As the DJs start playing some classic hip-hop, we leave to sum up a very fine evening. There’s been drinking and dancing and drawing and… drumming. We’ve enjoyed a hospitable night in the company of music and art, and will be back next month and the month after, regardless of there already being ace line-ups in place. We’d come for the jovial atmosphere alone.

LINKS :

With That Knife – http://www.myspace.com/withthatknife

WTK play The Dog in Bolton on Thursday 25th, and then Ruby Lounge supporting Montreal’s DD/MM/YYYY on March 1st.

Stream their EP above and click ‘Download’ to get it for free!

Mountains Became Machines – http://www.myspace.com/mountainsbecamemachines

MBM play Retro Bar on March 12th with Khuda and Humanfly.

The Bay Horse – http://www.thebayhorsepub.co.uk/

Babyboom Records – http://www.myspace.com/babyboomrecordsuk

Free For Arts Festival – http://www.freeforartsfestival.co.uk/

Line-ups already in place – March 18th: Jo Rose, Films +1TBC // April 15th – Amida, Puzzle +1TBC.

Intimate gigs are always the best. More personal, often of better sound and, of course, the ‘I was there when…’ factor. And what more intimate setting than a band’s own rehearsal space? Downstairs of Butterfly Records is an elongated basement, fully sound-proofed and fitted with downlighters of differing colours. There’s a telly with flickering static like in that film I can’t remember right now, and the same visual projected on the back wall behind the band’s set-up. Eerie.

People have taken the opportunity to adopt a BYOB policy (gigs are better with a beer in hand after all) and the room fills up nicely within minutes. The band skulk to their instruments almost unnoticed, and quietly get things rolling.

Lost Knives, for the uninitiated, are the musical equivalent of Silent Bob from the Kevin Smith films. Whereas a large number of bands slug it out for any and every meaningless gig, they built up a good list of commendable support slots in their early months after forming last February. And whereas most bands go overboard with shoving their name down your throat, this humble quartet simply put their music online for free, let the internet do the talking, went into hibernation on the gig front, were invited to record at BBC Maida Vale and generally kept promotion to the bare minimum. Those who wanted to see the band live, would. Those that didn’t would surely hear of them in a year or so anyway.

We’re underway and the instruments slowly start doing their thing, with a little help of course. The lights eventually come down and we’re engaged fully.

Firstly, there’s something about the kind of drumming that makes you nervous and simultaneously excited like only the best horror films can. Like a very boisterous ghost, the haunting thwacks and crashes provide more chill factor than this modern winter can ever dream of offering.

The outstanding ‘Cold Morning’ is the sort of song that every band dreams of writing. As the thumping percussion is accompanied by additional stick-beating from guitarist Steven McInerney, a steady, building riff that harks Godspeed You! Black Emperor rolls in. Frontman George Agan’s brooding vocals are direct, and the chorus “We woke up as the world slowed down,” pours out as a defiant statement of chance-seizing. Expect to hear this used on the box and in film before long.

My personal favourite LK track follows next. ‘She’s Not You’ is very Editors-esque in verse, which makes me want to immediately dislike it every time. But it’s also as fresh-sounding as when Interpol emerged, and the sharp vocal chirps caused by a high ratio of monosyllabic lyrics give it the sort of liveliness that the arena-filling duo seem to have lost with success.

A glockenspiel stick goes AWOL, disrupting the set before eventually being found halfway across the room. Conversation is kept to a minimum, maybe through shyness and modesty than anything. What little that is said is mainly gratitude towards the audience for coming. Standard gestures perhaps, but yet more evidence that the band aren’t exactly clamoring for attention or recognition.

There’s programmed tracks and synth layoffs that provide the pretence of feedback and wailing atmospheric backing. Shut your eyes and you’d think one of the guitarists is purposefully facing his amp up close. It adds those delicate little elements into the background and lets the stringed instruments still talk loud over the top. It’s easy to overproduce a record and then find it hard to replicate the amount of layers when playing live. Lost Knives appear to have had this all sussed out before they left the womb.

The performance resumes with a new track, McInerney on lead vocals this time. Slightly less enigmatic in output, but aptly fitting to the softer tones. And with Agan joining in for the chorus lines, it makes for a nice contrast that works well in later songs too. Regardless of who’s on the mic, the blunted basslines are present throughout. Raw yet equally sharp in prime Cooper Temple Clause fashion.

The penultimate number is ‘Static’ and I don’t immediately recognise it from seeing them last. But then comes a riff so melodic Boney M would be proud and my memory redeems itself. It’s just one of a set full of potential singles.

‘Out Of Touch’ makes for a rip-roaring finale; gloomy intro, swaying beat, racing guitars and vocals crafted in the vein of early Bloc Party. It breaks down and builds back up just like a seasoned pro – that final burst of energy not letting up one bit.

“You don’t have to share this feeling,” echoes the chorus before the lights come up. If it’s the feeling of enjoyment, then trust us, it’s not forced or involuntary. Lost Knives have kept us and everyone in the know in suspense with their secretive approach to being a band. Finally the time appears to be right and they’re ready to ‘wake up’.

Now get something released and shout it from the rooftops, lads.

http://www.myspace.com/lostknivesband

Download 6 tracks here for free!

So do you want the good news or the bad news? Well… there is no good news this week. So here’s the bad instead.

Strike one! One of our favourite drinking holes and regular hosts of free and good-for-value music nights, The Tiger Lounge on Cooper Street has been temporarily shut down. We’ve no word yet on why exactly, or when/if they’re likely to reopen, but all upcoming gigs are set to be relocated. Tonight’s Crash Of Rhinos gig for instance is now at Satan’s Hollow. More info shall follow suit as soon as we find our detective’s hat and pet bloodhound.

Strike two! Manchester’s favourite groove-rockers The Freezing Fog have called it a day. No sooner had they released the barn-storming Challenger EP, the quintet decided to hang up their horns this past week after three and a half years of riffs, jams and singing about medieval adventures. Sure to be sadly missed, we wish them each the best of luck in their next musical guises. Missed out on The Fog entirely? Demist your specs and check your radself. http://www.myspace.com/thefreezingfog

Strike three! The pride of St. Peter’s Square, the iconic Central Library is set to undergo a phased shutdown ahead of intensive renovation work. The building, erected in 1934 and opened by King George V, will be part of a multi-million pound refurbishment of the area and complex to prevent ruination. With 22 miles of books held beyond those huge pillars, several million publications will be stored underground, including some in Cheshire salt mines, until the library reopens fully in 2013. Students and booklovers, fret ye not however. A temporary library will soon be available in Elliot House on Deansgate, and in 3 years time we will boast a state-of-the-art lending service like no other. The next few weeks may be your last chance to see the building in its current-day glory,  so what better excuse to pop down and get a book out? Important dates you need to know concerning the closure stages can be found here: http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/500138/central_library/4580/central_library_temporary_closure/1

Strike four! (… wait, how does baseball work again?) Manchester’s very own TV station, Channel M sees its future looking very bleak. Already having had massive budget cuts this past year, the channel was snubbed by Trinity Mirror in their buy-out of many of Guardian Media Group’s publications – including the Manchester Evening News. The overall deal  featured more regional newspapers and totalled £44million, but with neither party seemingly keen on taking control of our own ‘M’TV,  the analogue, cable and Sky-accessed station may not last much longer. We’ll try and keep you posted. http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=45014&c=1

To end this rather sour dish of news bites, here’s Jo Rose performing on the last ever City Social on Channel M back in September. Catch him at Sound Control on Thursday.

Jo Rose – ‘King Of Your Blue Eyes’

MONDAY 15TH FEBRUARY

CRASH OF RHINOS @ SATAN’S HOLLOW

Swiftly moved following the sudden closure of Tiger Lounge, this gig screams ‘party’. If you’re familiar with the bands Little Explorer and The Jesus Years, you may have heard of Derby’s Crash Of Rhinos, which features members of both. We saw them at Kro Bar last October and were pretty astounded with their wave of emotional rock. Throw in ace supports such as the Fugazi-inspired Wooderson from Sheffield, and locals NASDAQ and Well Wisher, and you’ve got a tip-top line-up. £5 on the door, 8pm onwards. Facebook event here.

TUESDAY 16TH FEBRUARY

GABRIEL MINNIKIN/JO ROSE/BLIND ATLAS @ SOUND CONTROL

The first of Sound Control’s new weekly band nights gets off to a majestic start. With a rare show from Canadian singer, song-writer and multi-instrumentalist Gabriel Minnikin (“think Tom Waits meets The Wizard of Oz“), accompanied by his 6-piece band. Support comes from the mercurial Jo Rose and his full band, and the modern-day alternative-country of Blind Atlas. A super line-up for £5, which also grants you access to the hot new indie night Control with XFM DJ Gareth Brooks. A gig and a night out for a fiver, you say? Darn tootin’. 7.30pm onwards. Facebook event here.

WEDNESDAY 17TH FEBRUARY

IDIOSYNC @ JOSHUA BROOKS

New nights are continuing to crop up as the new year is well underway, and iDiOSYNC is one of those cannonballs in-line to launch. Self-described as “a brand new night offering midweek clubbers the best underground techno/tech-house/minimal that Manchester has to offer“, their first night’s line-up includes the in-demand DJ/producer Adam Shaw, Joe Blackett and iDiOSYNC residents. Add to that the cheap drinks offers at good ol’ JB’s and you’ll be dancing like there’s no tomorrow. Tickets are £4 advance; more on the door. 10pm-3am. Facebook event here.

THURSDAY 18TH

BABYBOOM VS FREE FOR ARTS FESTIVAL – LAUNCH NIGHT @ THE BAYHORSE

We’ve spoken before about the forthcoming Babyboom Records co-alition with the fabulous Free For Arts Festival. Well, their nights have come around fast and we’re jolly well looking forward to this. A mish-mash of alternative bands to kick off proceedings, with Hyacinth Girl providing scuzzy vibes, post-rock from the gents in Mountains Became Machines, and prog-punk from SC faves With That Knife. Babyboom DJs will be spinning some polycarbonate and/or vinyl-based music mediums, and there’ll also be live drawing throughout the night. All for the cost of a donation. Can’t say fairer than that. 8pm onwards. Facebook event here.

FURTHUR @ STAR & GARTER

Only the second Furthur, but it’s a night that’s already caught our eye. Do you ever find yourself listening to the most obscure music at home and wishing somewhere played that sort of stuff on a night out? Well, Furthur play “avant rock, afrobeat, doo wop, classic rock, dub, spacerock, shoegaze, funk (the guitar-heavy kind), psych, ragtime and every other genre that ever warped a mind“, so that’s a whole host of obscurity covered right there. 9pm-2am. £2 before 11pm. Facebook event here.

FRIDAY 19TH FEBRUARY

BEAT BOUTIQUE’S 2ND BIRTHDAY PARTY @ RUBY LOUNGE

2 years can certainly fly by, can’t they? It definitely doesn’t feel that long since Beat Boutique launched to considerable aplomb. Now approaching the grand age of 2 – that’s 24 in club night years – BB has grown from strength to strength. Playing “the absolute best in northern soul, funk, ska, psych, 60’s r’n’b and underplayed unknown modernist sounds new and old”, the usual residents plus special guest Anya Proud take up their standard 3rd Friday of the month slot at the warm and homely Ruby Lounge. 10.30pm-4am, £5 entry. Facebook event here.

SATURDAY 20TH FEBRUARY

TURBOJUGEND UK DENIM MASSACRE 2010 @ RETRO BAR

Dig out your denim jackets and sailor hats and get down to Retro Bar for this 2nd annual event from the UK Turbojugends – fans of the ace Norweigan rock band Turbonegro for those that thought we’d started making up words. Featuring live bands in the form of Nottingham garage-rockers The Hip Priests, Welsh punk-rock from The Sick Livers and Manchester’s lightning fast punks Revenge Of The Psychotronic Man, as well as DJs playing the likes of Zeke, The Stooges, Nashville Pussy, The Hellacopters and Turbonegro all night long. 9pm-3am, £5 advance/£6 on the door. Facebook event here.

SUNDAY 21ST FEBRUARY

MURDER MY HOFF @ THE CORNER, FALLOWFIELD

Another new night for you fine people now – Murder My Hoff comes to you courtesy of some of the folk behind Jupiter Rooms and Sex With Robots. High-list credentials already then, this new Fallowfield outing promises “forgotten 80s classics, weird synth pop, quirksters electrofunk and jammin’ slamming hip hop as we murder Hoff on the dancefloor”… Quite why anyone would want to murder Mr Hasselhoff, I don’t know – especially after that legendary kebab video. Nevertheless, this is a free party, and whatever your views on Knight Rider are, that’s a good thing in anyone’s book. 8pm until late; limited free mix CDs to the first people through the door. Facebook event here.