tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57871802011-07-31T01:28:27.052Zmanchestermusic.co.uks coverage of in the city and other important world defining musical eventsmanchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comBlogger1961100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-51120708883818344692010-10-20T15:35:00.003Z2010-10-20T15:40:30.407Z

Wow I'm tired. I'm so utterly tired. Upon reflection Friday turns out to be a bit of a funny one. I thought I’d seen lots of bands, but in fact, only saw enough of a few to be able to write anything. Firstly I head out to Band on the Wall to catch EASTER.EASTER are a band born of the ashes of a great many who have gone before them, that however, doesn’t stop their sound being one that I’ve rarely

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-10381913077410383872010-10-16T18:54:00.001Z2010-10-16T18:55:49.955Z

Tales From Behind The Haze... ITC - 15/10/10And so the final day of In The City 2010 has arrived and after witnessing the amount of superb artists on show the previous evening, the chance to do it all over again is one which I am relishing as the Northern Quarter is once again buzzing with the prospect of playing host to so many acts within such a small area. It is an amazing event and one which

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-87587385190837321602010-10-16T17:48:00.008Z2010-10-17T17:08:42.052Z

Seven o'clock. Cash running low, tea is a bag of chips on Oldham Street with a soundtrack of Shoshin, who are - unbelievably - still at it. Someone give these lads a medal for effort! Photo by Ged CameraThey've scored themselves at least one decent gig from a passing promoter, and certainly got their name on peoples' lips. Not my thing, to be honest, but I wish them all the very best - now go and

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-29762169293451493362010-10-16T16:44:00.001Z2010-10-16T16:45:27.965Z

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manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-89878482953296477112010-10-16T15:48:00.006Z2010-10-16T15:55:47.180Z

How's everyone's hangover then? This is Cath here, and when I last left you I was heading off after Night & Day's afternoon session, seven bands down already, and as it transpired another 13 to go before turning in which I believe might be a personal record for live sets seen in one day. Even a 12 hour day at Primavera usually yields just 15 or 16. And the thing worthy of note here is that

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-75887369800833346582010-10-15T23:11:00.007Z2010-10-16T22:03:52.377Z

"And now, the end is near..."I feel the peculiar afterlove sorrow, the sense that tomorrow, I won't wake up needing to dash from venue to venue, filling my eyes & ears with great bands (though there is still Doves tomorrow, my body hasn't quite been abused enough yet...). In many ways, the past 3 days have been an epiphany, a vindication of why I packed my bags and headed across the harsh tarmac

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-51867463493571838262010-10-15T21:47:00.002Z2010-10-16T22:04:44.248Z

The Soup Kitchen packed out beyond words, condensation steaming up the glass as I pass, and thus I abandon my plans to see D/R/U/G/S in favour of a more sedate stroll up Oldham Street. Whereupon I have a chance encounter with Manchester Music's very own Stephanie Webb, who was the only member of the team I haven't bumped into, so I've completed my Panini Album of my MM peers! We set the world to

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-13668618257036749112010-10-15T20:21:00.004Z2010-10-16T22:08:37.792Z

Ooh, this is a bit cheeky, cheeky! It's not officially an ITC gig (in fact, it's not even unoffical...it's about as far removed & disjointed as the current England midfield) but we heard that our long-term favourites The Black Knights were playing. So we couldn't avoid popping our heads in.And is it just me, or are Gary and Thomas getting more unhinged? This, by the way, is a good thing. A very

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-19468781156862063372010-10-15T19:35:00.003Z2010-10-16T22:05:59.060Z

Now, we at Manchester Music like to cover as wide a base as possible at ITC. So we don't ignore the fringe events, those newer, local acts who will no doubt be clamouring to move into the Northern Quarter this time next year. So as a result I find myself in Joshua Brooks with the excellent Santiago Street Machine. Who early in their career are already carving out a formidable reputation as a live

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-55452614506115905002010-10-15T18:07:00.005Z2010-10-16T22:09:34.969Z

Upstairs in Trof is actually a great place to see a band, they should do it more often. And it is here I finally meet Brown Brogues who I've been trying to catch all week. They are hypnotically captivating, a combination of struts, poise & fuzzed-out, dirty riffs from satan's signature distortion pedal. Underneath it all though, there are a series of well thought out pieces of music; the cool &

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-68597265410270344262010-10-15T17:04:00.002Z2010-10-16T16:48:12.344Z

I make an earlier start today but even getting to NIGHT + DAY at 3pm doesn't make me the early bird. Cath is waiting for me. She's returned from watching a band in an aquarium in Hull last night. Came right off the train for breakfast here. Then she's covered and blogged four bands before I arrive. I'd better get a move on then....GLACIER is one bespectacled chap with an electric Gibson guitar.

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-74782014636883936432010-10-15T16:53:00.006Z2010-10-16T22:06:27.200Z

Arriving into Nexus Art Café, I decide to respond to my body's cries for nutrition by treating it to a 3-fruit smoothie. Perfect, big chunks of banana, works a treat. Rock 'n' Roll can't all be about cigarettes & alcohol. Smoothies are the way forward. Well, for an hour or so, anyway. Things are likely to change as the night wears on..They may be able to do smoothies but they're having a disaster

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-13956542428642727212010-10-15T16:22:00.009Z2010-10-15T16:32:26.824Z

After a day away from ITC I'm raring to go again, and Friday starts in the time-honoured fashion of a massive great big Night & Day fry-up. There's a full line-up of bands to see us through Friday afternoon here and first off is a face rather familiar to MM, although in less than familiar surroundings...It seems to be a week of members of Deadtapes not playing in Deadtapes. Following drummer Dug

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-84820523444827750412010-10-15T16:19:00.004Z2010-10-17T00:46:48.392Z

So here we go again! The final day. I'm tired but have that final-festival-day feeling. Which basically means "drink through". Nice one. On my way up, I am stopped by some religious nutcase who insists I am eternally dammed unless I admit I am a sinner and repent. Hmm, based upon the past few days & what I expect tonight to be like, he may well have a point...Photo by Ged CameraAnyway, I start in

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-22945865750006731712010-10-15T15:25:00.002Z2010-10-15T15:29:01.991Z

ITC Thursday 14th OctoberI’m a lonely soldier tonight as I mooch my way down to Gullivers for the first time, not entirely knowing what to expect. First of all there’s the separation issue. The separation I need to make is from associating the place with ‘unsavoury’ characters loitering outside, smoking their roll ups with their dirty fingernails, creepy looking eyes and ‘slept in’ coats. The

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-28935759775389098092010-10-15T14:29:00.002Z2010-10-16T15:11:20.765Z

So as I arrive at the epicentre of the In The City conference being staged in the plush surroundings of the City Inn Hotel for my first foray into covering this prestigious event, a swarm of delegates and wristband holders have descended upon the breakout area to essentially watch a selected number of people listen to music. At first it doesn't sound too compelling but when you witness the

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-24455173969733606622010-10-15T00:32:00.005Z2010-10-15T12:23:25.574Z

Bob Dylan stares down from the wall of Gullivers. One of his lyrics strikes out at me: "The lampost stands with folded arms, it's iron claws attatched". It seems to sum up a lot of the crowd stood here, stoney faced, stern & ready to strike if you breach their aura. Evidently they've been drawn here by the buzz & the NME references, a chance to display their peacock feathers. Now I have no issue

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-5217505184287475042010-10-14T23:45:00.007Z2010-10-15T13:02:35.130Z

So the Thursday begins for me at Dry Bar and our Cath's not wrong about the amazing space that's been opened up underneath Dry Bar. It's one of the more exciting discoveries and realisations this year. It’ll be interesting to see what the in-house rig will be like post-ITC.Oh yes, where was I ? I’m in DRY BAR and COME ON GANG take up arms – they definitely don't sound like they're from Glasgow,

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-16459091035157729972010-10-14T22:49:00.001Z2010-10-15T12:58:17.238Z

I catch the end of Crystal Fighters, which is brilliant: electrically charged electro-pop/rock with force and intent. But I only get 10 minutes which leaves me wanting more. So draining my Red Stripe, I head across the road to Gullivers for Egyptian Hip Hop. But I don't quite make it...for I find Shoshin are STILL doing the generator fuelled busker regime. From a musical standpoint, they do what

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-61923112184923629272010-10-14T21:37:00.002Z2010-10-15T13:01:15.863Z

In the name of music and in the clutches of commitment, I part ways with the Northern Quarter to take a walk down to Oxford Road, to Jabez Clegg. There, I manage to meet up with Jon Ashley. After a bit of Lily Allen savaging (apparently she's been seen in the Northern Quarter...I must make sure I pack my tomatoes tomorrow. Though I'm not entirely sure if it is considered ethical to pelt pregnant

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-28966207214751140882010-10-14T20:14:00.001Z2010-10-15T12:39:08.322Z

Now the clashes arrive! I need to be down at Jabez Clegg soon but I stay for a bit of Let's Buy Happiness, certainly once I've detected a North-East accent from lead singer Sarah Hall! I like what they do, they have a way of putting their tracks together in a way that somehow packs a huge amount of intent and purpose into a relatively short timescale, especially when they do the fractured,

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-7341915490481630112010-10-14T19:52:00.005Z2010-10-17T02:39:07.217Z

One of the exciting things about The Ruby Lounge is the way that if you're at the bar, you are alerted to the band coming on by the opening notes, drawing you towards the stage. And so it proves tonight, a series of ghostly piano chords echoes out through the room. To the backing of a funeral drum march, as obtuse sounds flicker and scatter about like dark moths, I am totally and utterly

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-35891840514376076452010-10-14T18:47:00.002Z2010-10-15T12:41:21.593Z

The Soup Kitchen is very busy. Initially I think it is for the vats of steaming soup in the corner (at least it saves me from reporting them to the advertising standards agency. Don't laugh, I'm still waiting for a response from Um-Bongo about whether they actually do drink it in the Congo. I want photographic proof) But no, they're here for Thomas J. Speight and his delightful little band. The

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-46203936918909229932010-10-14T17:28:00.002Z2010-10-14T17:33:43.343Z

Well, my little ITC bag (which I must say, I'm impressed with so far!) is packed and I'm heading off into the bright lights for a night of continual music treats. And what's even better, I don't need to get up for work tomorrow. Woo Hoo! So expect plenty of semi-sozzled musings later on. Highlights today include Brown Brogues, Let's Buy Happiness, Deadbeat Echoes, Sky Larkin, Crystal Fighters,

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-42176935690092625232010-10-14T13:18:00.003Z2010-10-14T13:20:40.929Z

The Night & Day breakfast session is as much an essential staple of In The City as swearing at any traffic light that dares to interrupt a particularly tight between-venues sprint. Previously an acoustic affair, this year there's all sorts on the bill (MM faves Golden Glow will be here Friday afternoon) so it's effectively an extra gig for those who can't wait for the evening, and free entry for

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-30546641072339618342010-10-14T11:46:00.010Z2010-10-16T15:08:12.696Z

My first In The City and I’m completely spoilt for choice. Where does one even begin?! There are a couple of interesting looking venues I’ve never ventured into and tonight’s first is Noho, where we head over to have a look at DEAD MODELS, who, are tonight, an acoustic 3pc band from East London, with saccharine sweet 60s sounding pop songs that wouldn’t sound out of place on a compilation

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-49469177115633166662010-10-14T11:46:00.009Z2010-10-14T11:53:54.998Z

I wonder if the name of Noho, a relatively new venue on Stevenson Square, is a deliberate piss-take of that dump round the corner? Anyway it's a lovely dark arty little space, which oddly enough also describes 2.54 pretty well. An initial and wilfully lazy assessment of "The xx with a bigger engine" is not inaccurate, but that bigger engine makes all the difference. The core of the group is a

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-69564984274939699982010-10-14T00:54:00.005Z2010-10-14T13:53:02.666Z

So looking for something different, I enter Night and Day to be scared witless by John Wiese. Now I'm sure it's good in many ways but to me it sounds like a nightmare involving kittens being drowned by black shadows....on a laptop. In certain circumstances this could sound wonderful but maybe my heart is a little skip-a-dee-bee-bop over all these miners being released. It's just too f**king scary

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-4761712245340995432010-10-14T00:11:00.003Z2010-10-14T10:04:11.937Z

Cath's Wednesday, part one...By 6pm my inbox and phone have nearly exploded with supportive messages about the Pay To Play debate. This issue is very much not going to go away, now. I walk into Common, where the aforementioned PYT are hosting a live event, and everyone's talking about it. And the first music I hear is Patterns. Admittedly it's just a soundcheck - they're not on for another hour -

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-63995891818061026362010-10-13T23:02:00.005Z2010-10-14T11:46:19.399Z

OK,OK... so there’s lot to do and the task is a might harder as the events proper are condensed into a mid-week evenings viewing . So I take a flutter on NIGHT & DAY and there was just something about BRONTIDES that caught my eye. Therefore, there are more loud goings on occurring in the less populated (although early doors) venue. Which is a shame as Brontides provide big hunks of instrumental

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-69114128542506729132010-10-13T22:24:00.004Z2010-10-16T15:18:56.967Z

I haven't been into The Mint Lounge in years. Which is a suprise, as I really like it. It's got the right blend of darkness, dirty faded glamour and nice leather sofas that any live/club venue should have. And it is full. Now I've heard a bit about T33th but haven't checked them out until this point. You're not quite sure what's going on initially as they have a few technical problems during

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-11769587477887437372010-10-13T20:44:00.007Z2010-10-16T15:13:49.479Z

I flick on my HTC to be greeted by a BBC update to tell me that 23 of the 33 Chilean miners have now been freed...rejoice! I feel a warm glow inside, so I decide to pass it on via the blog. You are watching MM24...News & reviews on the hour, every hour. We don't sleep, we inform. And we'll be going as long as The Rolling Stones keep touring. Or as long as Prince keeps releasing shit albums. Let's

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-56659773802661441282010-10-13T19:59:00.006Z2010-10-16T15:15:21.804Z

Subway...simple sandwiches, served swiftly...yep? Not so this evening. I wander in to get a sandwich as a mid-ITC refuelling stop. First thing, the guy behind the counter is apologising profusely for dropping a sandwich on the floor. The punter he is serving looks utterly distraught, as if he's just been fed his favourite dog on honey-oat bread (personally, I have always been sceptical of those

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-65939629774352323352010-10-13T18:58:00.003Z2010-10-14T14:08:13.001Z

Crivenny! That wakes me up! Entering N&D I am assailed by ferocious stop-start maths rock, with strides into dubstep at times. This is Brontide. And they are a dense exploration of precisely how you can be clever and anarchic at the same time. A three piece instrumental setup, they don't require any vocals, for the allow silky & atmospheric fret-tapping to meddle with melodic, harsh edged bass in

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-65775353161203856702010-10-13T18:19:00.002Z2010-10-14T14:01:40.586Z

And so, the saga begins. I've heard all about ITC but have never been a part of it. Curiously enough, I do remember putting a demo tape together for it with a few friends back in Newcastle back in 1998. We never got anywhere. Just think where the world may have been now if 'The Delicate Heads' had become big.... *Momentary David Fantasy*So here we go. On my running blocks. But they're there for a

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-83195633678887176672010-10-13T17:49:00.003Z2010-10-14T07:27:08.730Z

So here I am queuing for registration and the computers are down. It wouldn't quite be ITC without some form of malfunction or another. The room's getting fuller and nothing's happened for 15 minutes. Except that they've put on some swanky electronic music, which sounds as though it's drifted out of some open lift door somewhere. Everyone shuffles up several chairs, but the bank of iMacs are

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-56450025839255266522010-10-13T14:04:00.006Z2010-10-13T17:06:23.078Z

Words: Cath AuberginePhotos: Ged CameraMidday in the City Inn and contrary to initial appearances this is not in fact a beard convention - although BBC Introducing's Chris Long, Ruby Lounge's Jay Taylor and Elbow's Guy Garvey all boast impressive facial foliage. The Guardian's Helienne Lindvall clearly doesn't.The subject for this very popular debate: "PAY TO PLAY - OK?" and it's hosted by the

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-82301794563558937172010-10-13T11:55:00.001Z2010-10-13T11:55:13.491Z

Well, this little piece is just a test to see if posting from a mobile directly to the Blog works. If you're reading this it does ! I remember one ITC being based on the whole issue of the march of technology. That was in the Dial Up era (ask your parents), but there was still a visible wave of panic on record exec faces. FFWD to 2010 and social networking is the subject of Hollywood, as

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-40028148983351980612010-10-11T10:25:00.002Z2010-10-11T10:30:43.159Z

Hell, Cath here... thought I would give the blog a test run as I can't believe it's that time of year again! If you are new (ish) to MM, you can read all our as-it-happens posts dating back a few years here, and this year will be no different: live reviews and reports, as it happens, when it happens. If I get time in the next two days I might even have a play with the design here and make it look

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-38451115160262182112009-11-06T18:55:00.007Z2009-11-06T19:14:41.569Z

Imagine, the last dying cracks of gunshot, the smoke settling on a British city. News of victory and that the battle is over. The joy of hearing that the troops are returning. A General is clearing is forward command post, long after the final orders to withdraw have been issued. His orderly has cleared the room, but as one final inquisitive gesture, he checks the drawer of his antique wooden

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-7100264672512836302009-10-21T16:25:00.001Z2009-10-21T16:26:50.283Z

It's pushing ten o'clock on Tuesday and I finally give in to the first taxi of the weekend. It's cold and raining and it's a long way from Peter Street to Grosvenor Street. The plan is to see the night out at the Deaf Institute with The Northwestern at 10 and Rogues at 11, but I arrive to find the line-up's been shifted. Rogues went on earlier, there's just The Northwestern to go and it's rather

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-23141432085177731802009-10-21T15:40:00.002Z2009-10-21T15:43:46.072Z

It's Tuesday evening and I'm very much feeling the effects of two days' full-on gig-going (with a "chaser" of a post-rock and electronics all-dayer elsewhere on the Saturday followed by a National Express overnighter), in case you were wondering, yes, I do sometimes get tired. And I could really do with not having to go out again. But there are bands to see, and I wouldn't want to miss anything.

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-80804607297988238022009-10-21T07:57:00.003Z2009-10-21T08:16:33.721Z

Young GunsSaving AimeeLights Out actionThe MandigansYoung British ArtistsDressed To KillDutch UnclesThe Real DollsThe HeartbreaksThe final day of In The City and on this even wetter Tuesday night, I’ve decided to stay loyal to the Northern Quarter. The 14+ rock nights at The Roadhouse have been well organised affairs with some great new and very loud bands at play almost every day. YOUNG GUNS not

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-14987217418032086102009-10-20T18:26:00.004Z2009-10-21T07:57:33.126Z

Monday Neet in Thee ITC Mancdom Twin AtlanticKids On BridgesThe VanguardsBridesThe Real Dollsthe Ray SummersBicycle Thieves (or not)Janice GrahamA tramp (on Dale Street) In The City provides the guarantee of a very long weekend indeed. The bustle of regular punters seems once again to have given way to diehard fans, interested musical voyeurs and a very decent smattering of scouts and fellow

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-35770896663483619812009-10-20T16:50:00.002Z2009-10-20T16:52:59.403Z

HEELS CATCH FIRE, No.1 ClubOU EST LE SWIMMING POOL, Ruby LoungeIt's horribly dead (and absolutely bloody freezing) in the No.1 Club (formerly One Central Street), the bouncer says it has been all night, last night too. Tonight's a Brighton Live showcase, and I'm fairly sure myself and photographer-about-town Shirlaine Forrest are the only people here not from Brighton (and possibly in or with the

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-25865807460639553742009-10-20T15:18:00.003Z2009-10-20T15:23:01.500Z

THE LAW, TV21, 6.15pmTELEGRAPHS, Roadhouse, 6.45pmCOPY HAHO, Bar38, 7.20pmUNICORN KID, Bar 38, 8.10pmYOUNG RIVAL, Studio,8.30pmHOOK AND THE TWIN, Studio, 9.10pmMonday evening starts in TV21 where I am one of precisely four punters in the basement at 6.14pm, one minute before the first band are due on. Luckily by 6.15 there's another 30. Phew, was worried for a second there. The Law are from

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-64837212341000357592009-10-20T12:14:00.002Z2009-10-20T12:22:19.816Z

Cath here again. At the end of my last post I had just watched some bands in Night & Day. It's around 3pm Monday afternoon. Time for a break from live music. I'm off to the pictures.What??! During In The City weekend? Ah, yes, but this is a film every music fan should see. It's all been a bit last minute; a week or so ago top Manchester promoter Jay Taylor was contacted by the distributors and

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-61055803584343913532009-10-19T17:08:00.006Z2009-10-19T17:33:15.695Z

I have to say I might be getting too old for all of this - I've recovered from both Saturday and Sunday in one morning, but then work have been on the blower all day even though I'm on holiday - damn ! - I'll be dashing out again, but Cath A continues her dispatches from the frontline - mine had to go to HQ via courier ...sorry it's late, but here's what happened ! OLDHAM STREET, NIGHT & DAY –

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-611185761253616042009-10-19T13:28:00.002Z2009-10-19T13:30:35.167Z

A GENUINE FREAKSHOW + TIM AND SAM'S TIM AND THE SAM BAND WITH TIM AND SAMNight & Day, Monday 1pmMonday lunchtime, Night & Day, there'll be half an hour's wait for the breakfast apparently. That's OK, I'm not going anywhere. Hannah from Pull Yourself Together / Fugitive Motel has joined me in the online office (table 19, in case you were wondering) to form a sort of Manchester underground media HQ

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-29125498741704093902009-10-19T11:19:00.002Z2009-10-19T11:26:32.797Z

AIR CAV + NOMAD JONES - BUSK @ The GarrattWOLF GANG + EGYPTIAN HIP HOP - NME Radar @ Night & DayTHE BLACK KNIGHTS - Country Club @ The Bay HorseTHE SWITCH - Ruby LoungeNo In The City would be complete without (a) a trip to BUSK @ The Garratt and (b) at least one performance from Nomad Jones. BUSK is, as we say every year, the complete antithesis of the shiny corporate shindigs across town, and

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-20830053580757664942009-10-18T17:40:00.005Z2009-10-18T17:52:05.314Z

Yep, Cath again. Because my laptop's still got a bit of battery left, and Jon's hasn't. I am currently sitting in The Garratt drinking Red Bull and it's only bloody half six. Anyway, where was I? Yeah, I'd just left Night & Day, and it wasn't too far to the next place...WILD PALMS + LR ROCKETS + WU YLFNEXUS ART CAFE, SUNDAY AFTERNOONIt feels a bit wrong going to Same Teens' session when you

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-82727787237755409692009-10-18T14:35:00.002Z2009-10-18T14:41:12.619Z

RUN TOTO RUN, NEIL MCSWEENEY, KING VULTURENight & Day, Sunday 1pm ishRight - have to admit I've done precisely no planning this year. And I've had about three hours' sleep. But as everyone knows, In The City starts with a big dirty fry-up in Night & Day accompanied by whatever music they decide to throw at you. Today they actually seem less organised than me; after a lot of running about they

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-65947102359483789362009-10-18T11:47:00.002Z2009-10-18T11:57:53.769Z

Echodeck,My Albatross,Dry Bar, Saturday 17th October 2009I think someone should let Ben Kelly know that his seminal Factory designs are now covered in gaudy lampshades and Alice In Wonderland stylized mirrors. Lots of them. The basement venue has also been split off and is now accessible via a separate entrance. It’s a bold move, but perhaps an indication that it’s time for the venue to move on.

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-20400759996245631002009-10-17T14:57:00.002Z2009-10-17T15:01:35.032Z

I'm just putting on my coat for this year's ITC - then Ted from Cloud Sounds comes knocking on the social Networking door, asking me for some comments about the whole ITC thang...more news to follow on Ted's published piece as and when, but here's how I answered some of his questions... "Hi Jon" - Hi Ted......* Has ITC changed since 1992? If so, how?I think the question here, is not how ITC has

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-79998225879935383342009-10-16T17:19:00.001Z2009-10-16T17:20:42.835Z

Cath is testing her new laptop, woooo!All set for ITC09 then folks? We are...

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-821071244255609352008-10-08T11:45:00.001Z2008-10-08T11:49:05.551Z

The lack of daytime live events has caused my energy to slump somewhat and it's pissing down again. But a couple of weeks ago Meg invited me to join a Facebook group called Down The Tiny Steps Make The World A Happier Place, and they're scheduled to play at Piccadilly Records at 7.20 so I head out to see if it's true. Unfortunately I don't find out, as they've been shifted back to 8.10 by which

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-75585832260630064092008-10-08T09:54:00.003Z2008-10-08T09:58:43.827Z

TUESDAY ITC - 7th October 2008CELLAR VIETo The BonesAlex JohnsonRed Vinyl FurSTUDIOEl CondorezSam & The Plantshttp://www.myspace.com/totheboneshttp://www.myspace.com/alexjohnsonuk http://www.myspace.com/elcondorezhttp://www.myspace.com/samandtheplantshttp://www.myspace.com/redvinylfurIt started with a downpour and so it ended with a deluge. Manchester certainly delivers when it some to

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-74764338522829630822008-10-08T09:50:00.004Z2008-10-09T13:25:01.389Z

ITC MONDAY 6th OctoberDRY BARSandboxFake KingsNew AnticsShanty TownThe Imogen StylesMinus IQMOHOThe MolotovsThe Cordelshttp://www.myspace.com/sandboxukhttp://www.myspace.com/fakekingshttp://www.myspace.com/themolotovshttp://www.myspace.com/theimogenstyles http://www.myspace.com/officialnewantics http://www.myspace.com/thecordels It’s certainly a little busier out in the venues, on this Monday

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-18904946083736213392008-10-07T15:31:00.003Z2008-10-08T00:48:42.764Z

Not sure I could physically cope with another night of dashing between venues, and Ruby Lounge looks like the best overall line-up tonight. And so far, Frazer King haven't managed to get themselves banned from the place so we might even get to see them! Tony's outside when we get there, but relax, he's just nipping out for some food. Seems his "throwing out" of The Attic on Saturday was rather

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-17468937876423504102008-10-07T12:54:00.002Z2008-10-08T09:10:17.238Z

LIGHTSNight & Day, Monday 18:00...and I'm back in Night & Day, about two hours after leaving. Lights is the stage name of 18-year-old Ben Leftwich, according to the listings, (although as he tells us he's 19 now) and I'm stunned. It's pretty rare for one so young to carry off the solo singer-songwriter thing with this level of depth. When he introduces "an old song", such as the beautiful "

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-9456748968430151632008-10-06T16:32:00.002Z2008-10-06T16:36:17.705Z

JAKE FLOWERS + HOMELIFE + AIDAN SMITH + SALLY MURRAY + GNU AND THE SHREWNight & Day, Monday 13:00So Sunday night finished up in oddball pop territory; it's quarter to one on Monday and that's still very much where things are at. There's a gnome with a watering can on Night & Day's front speakers and some distinctly creepy looking dolls on sticks on the stage. This is all quite normal procedure

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-13689820952710292592008-10-06T11:04:00.005Z2008-10-08T10:07:16.569Z

MICACHU AND THE SHAPESChicago Rock Cafe, 23:45It's quarter to Monday somewhere up Peter Street and I have no idea what's going on. Micachu And The Shapes have something of the early 80s about them - not so much in their sound, which is pretty much impossible to reference to anything past or indeed present (apart from, possibly, a primary school class covering The Cardiacs), but in the spirit. The

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-72168055817391608072008-10-06T10:59:00.001Z2008-10-06T11:01:52.574Z

AIR CAV + TEN BEARS + HAYLEY FAYEFriends Of Mine @ Joshua Brooks, 21:30It's pushing half nine, so I've completely missed Hayley Faye's scheduled time at Friends Of Mine, and at this point I'm actually pleased that the event is running as late as expected, as I've been meaning to catch one of her sets for a while. She always showed promise fronting South Manchester indie trio Hannah, but in the

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-3293308373961795332008-10-06T10:34:00.002Z2008-10-06T10:36:52.980Z

LAYMAR + capitalFierce Panda @ Night & Day, Sunday 19:45Over to Night & Day to catch a bit of the Fierce Panda night, where capital ("there are no capital letters in 'capital'") are doing a pretty good Chameleons / Bunnymen thing considering they're from the south coast. As soon as I get through the door I just know they're going to be all (a) male and (b) dressed entirely in black, and guess

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-60325723911195670202008-10-06T10:15:00.004Z2008-10-06T10:20:37.772Z

DAN MELROSEGreen Bohemia, Sunday 15:00Quick dash down to the Green Room where things are running just late enough to catch the end of Dan Melrose's set. The things this man can do with an acoustic guitar are pretty incredible; folky pickings, scuttling calypso flourishes, frenzied acoustic blues, and his voice, too is fantastic - all gravelly and lived-in like some travelling bluesman.SONS OF THE

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-67311650054561426332008-10-06T09:39:00.004Z2008-10-06T09:45:47.922Z

Sunday morning starts somewhat less stressfully than Saturday. Tiscali have finally decided to reconnect me, the sun is shining, so it's off down to Studio for the first of the weekend's official showcases. Spearhead ITC presents the best unsigned music from the North East and tempts the delegates in with the promise of a free bar; a tactic which can prove rather useful for the bands involved.

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-34881907821875980362008-10-05T11:29:00.004Z2008-10-06T18:37:58.616Z

SATURDAY 4th OCTOBERFICTION NON FICTION @ TIGER LOUNGEJohnny ValentineBeat The RadarVagina WolfJohn Jones & The Beatnik MovementDRY BAR Tori BraggJoe PalmerLucy AllenRojo LyeXmas LightsJOES BARStrange WaysThe FayreNIGHT & DAYSilver ClubFRIENDS OF MINE @ THE ATTICLittle EngineThe Lead Balloons Oh my god. It’s Sunday morning, my pants are wet (from the rain I might add) and my head feels like

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-50015056347157619742008-10-05T10:29:00.004Z2008-10-05T10:40:11.231Z

LEAD BALLOONS + LITTLE ENGINE + KEYSER SOZEFriends Of Mine @ The Attic, Saturday 22:00It's 10pm. After a break for refuelling we headed out to The Attic for Friends Of Mine - "doors at 8" (read 9) and there's no sign of a band onstage yet. Wouldn't have bothered me normally but I could've watched four bands elsewhere by now... still, it's probably good to have a sit down and the sofas in there

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-25314825670699944742008-10-05T09:16:00.003Z2008-10-05T09:21:11.827Z

THE DANGEROUS ACES + VAGINA WOLFFictionNonFiction @ Tiger Lounge, Saturday 17:00Time to head back to MM's official HQ AKA FictionNonFiction @ Tiger Lounge, because any band called Vagina Wolf has to be seen, really, if only to find out what a band with such a phenomenal name sound like. The answer - at least on the evidence of their first song - is "a bit like Forward Russia." Elsewhere there are

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-70059650744103237602008-10-05T09:12:00.004Z2008-10-05T09:23:10.785Z

Right, next stop Zavvi. As a teenager I spent pretty much every Saturday afternoon hanging round record shops, but you never used to get real actual live bands playing in them... young people today, eh, they don't know they're born... :-) Here, it's not just an In The City thing - you can catch live music down here most weekends - but today Same Teens, in association with the enthusiastic team

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-54395869132307022222008-10-05T09:07:00.003Z2008-10-08T10:24:56.878Z

Eventually some time on Sunday morning, Cath's home internet service provider decided to reconnect her.... much relief! Saturday had started with a life saving session at Whitworth Park's excellent Get Connected internet place. All up to date by 1pm and delegate registration doesn't open til 2, so it's time for the traditional ITC Night & Day Acoustic Breakfast...BUTLER-WILLIAMS + JOHN

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-80698737770002408902008-10-04T10:08:00.001Z2008-10-04T10:09:27.044Z

All the action can be found here:http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/MMinthecity/(Aren't USB sticks brilliant!)

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-19912188685621774542008-10-04T09:54:00.002Z2008-10-04T09:59:58.378Z

........21:00. I have a distinct feeling this won't be my last visit to Piccadilly's premier Mexican fast food establishment of the weekend .......LOWLINE + MUTINEERS + ALL THE KING'S MEN, Night & Day, Friday 3rd October 21:30.Over in Night & Day, I suspect All The King's Men might have heard a Libertines record or two. I'm also reminded of that smalltown police chief who barred Doherty and his

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-35161090847399973502008-10-04T09:52:00.000Z2008-10-04T09:53:55.760Z

Good morning, Cath here... Another year, another ITC and once again ManchesterMusic is going to attempt to keep up with everything that's going on. Unfortunately my home internet service provider has picked the worst possible weekend to have a "temporary fault", so my bits are brought to you via a bewildering combination of phone, USB stick and internet cafe, so if you see me out and about please

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-88912667863361427972008-10-03T12:07:00.006Z2008-10-03T12:37:18.313Z

Last year, In The City was still suffering something of an aftershock after the late great Anthony H Wilson's death. ITC08 therefore is something of a monument to the man who so gloriously championed Mancunian Music.This year’s event builds on that legacy and it must surely be as a direct result of Wilson’s strategy (if he had one – he would most probably have shirked at the idea) and his

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-84788210457382627182007-10-23T19:33:00.000Z2007-10-23T19:35:03.736Z

So, I’d just about dragged by weary body through a day in the office, when five thirty rolled around and I skipped to Bedlam with a sprightly step. Or not. The fact that the venue was decked out like a padded cell was most welcome, as I slumped my aching bones against the wall. Desperately needing to be hooked up to a drip of gabber house or something of similar bpm, I was initially a little

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-23608121348296381282007-10-23T17:17:00.000Z2007-10-23T17:33:06.439Z

Monday starts where Sunday ended, in South, which is alternating English and Japanese (or at least Japanese-ish) bands. How's My Pop are about as English as can be, in the grand tradition of Northern observational indie, with a distinct feel of Pulp meets Oasis - yeah, I know, there's a lot of it about - but these Lancaster lads do it very well indeed. A rich organ lifts them above the legions of

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-30124704235871420072007-10-23T16:08:00.000Z2007-10-23T16:18:44.210Z

You know – it’s a bit weird that it’s almost over. It seems to have been a little quieter this year. Not as many buzz bands perhaps and I really think Night & Day (the whole weekend) and Country Club (at Ruby Lounge) maybe stole the fringe weekend. The stack ‘em high / dubious quality control of some of the other showcases made them the ones to miss this year and Dry Bar maybe needs some sort of

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-34015780045643902582007-10-23T16:01:00.000Z2007-10-23T16:08:27.908Z

Fri Feelings THE RESEARCH / MR. LIZARD / DEAF TO THE GHOST / LOWLIFEHaving appeared in Dundee the night before, THE RESEARCH (Dry bar) are just glad to see a crowd. Similarly, this crowd at Dry bar are glad to see the Research. Front man Russell Searle has been leading the trio around for some time now, and the simple Casio keyboard generated tunes have evolved into a sound more suited for a

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-89501764630234204782007-10-23T00:14:00.000Z2007-10-23T00:18:37.603Z

Even with the best of intentions, Saturday night got rather messy – a sort of “hard day at the office” (but more like wandering around bars listening to music after being stuck in a seminar all day) - followed by a caffeine fuelled burst of excitement that meant I couldn’t wind down at all after ducking and diving between venues. So Sunday, of course a holy day for many, should on the face of it

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-86135251409411374812007-10-22T18:52:00.000Z2007-10-23T00:22:18.767Z

Released, if not unleashed onto the streets of Manchester, the live experience (i.e full bands) begins just before tea time. Strangely a walk onto Peter Street reveals a slightly subdues city. BEDLAM AT BEDLAM Visting this little venue is often quite a pleasant experience but today their draught beer is mysteriously “not-available” and they just charged us £9.60 for two bottles of

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-7706243123732144172007-10-22T18:13:00.000Z2007-10-22T18:18:00.791Z

Where was I? Oh yeah, The Witch And The Robot. Where the hell do you go from there? How about two more back-to-back delights from the outer edges of music... yes please.Time for another mad dash across town for a rendezvous with some of the MM crew in the Bay Horse basement. I've missed SAY but would like to point out that the picture disc vinyl Jay is showing people is one of the most beautiful

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-34972948022188110582007-10-22T17:47:00.000Z2007-10-22T17:51:19.889Z

Ohh Err - I'm out of sequence and I'm still writing about Saturday - shame on me - so blimey- I’m going to have to squeeze this in before Cath and Meg get even more of their ace fly-on-the-wall coverage in. Well these notes here, are still being written inside the confines of The Bridgewater Hall and this time John Robb turns up in the biggest white leather beetle crushers in town. Danny

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-45416065371988762622007-10-22T17:10:00.000Z2007-10-22T17:15:00.676Z

Staying off the beaten track, next stop is The Attic where another of Manchester's largely unsung and tireless promoters SA Promotions are custodians of an eclectic little bill. Girl Afraid have a nice line in abrasive, emo-flavoured punk-pop-indie fronted by the amazing little powerhouse that is Tara Kidd. Assertive, melodic and wracked with emotion when singing and sweetly shy in between times,

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-68906497418037586192007-10-22T16:28:00.000Z2007-10-22T16:50:00.010Z

Question: does orange VK constitute one of your "five a day"?Up in the North East they know a thing or two about drinking (at least if my own Geordie mates are anything to go by); thus the annual Spearhead ITC NE showcase is accompanied by a free bar for delegates. At, er, 1pm. This "morning"'s gentle ease into wakefulness is accompanied by the sparkling acoustic melodies of the oddly-named Beth

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-70098744861629367012007-10-22T01:11:00.000Z2007-10-22T01:13:20.243Z

Walking up and down Peter Street this weekend has provided many opportunities to hear Twisted Wheel mentioned. Indeed, as I headed for Bar 38, various snippets of overheard Southern mutterings reminded me that I really should make the effort to see the band being heralded as this year’s Big Deal. A swift about-turn took me to One Central, where I had the unexpected pleasure of Eugene Francis

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-84313464396748290132007-10-21T17:56:00.000Z2007-10-21T17:57:26.793Z

Bloody hell, that Control’s a bit of a party-killer, isn’t it? I thought I’d enter into the spirit of In The City as it operates beyond Peter Street’s basement venues, and check out one of the related films being offered at the Cornerhouse. Control was everything that a film about Ian Curtis’s life should be of course; poignant, touching, sobering, funny in places, and with no shortages of

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-5402322565467668732007-10-21T17:41:00.000Z2007-10-21T17:43:26.753Z

The enemy so far isn’t poison or intoxication, but rather the more painful and draining curse of sleep deprivation. With so much to see and experience the writing up bit, is actually the part that seems to take the longest. With an early rise and a ride on the tram, at this time populated by pensioners and crack of dawn shoppers, the train cuts through the mist of north Manchester’s cold but

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-90469697491261830902007-10-21T10:54:00.000Z2007-10-21T10:56:31.128Z

Afternoon becomes night. We have apparently not won something sport related.. Knuckle-walking animals are swaggering and spilling their anger (bag of sweets for the first person to spot where I robbed that line from) - they've got nothing on Centro's bouncers though. I arrive to be greeted with tales of chaos and extremely disrespectful treatment of promoters and band members by those employed to

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-56514407110586596212007-10-21T10:25:00.000Z2007-10-21T10:28:32.830Z

Studio, AKA Late Room, is hosting the Club NME event today, so it's always interesting to see what they're pushing - we manage to catch a couple of somgs of The Beep Seals and they're really riocking out at the end of their set these days with a pretty explosive finish to the excellent "I Used To Work At The Zoo" - we'd have loved to have seen more of you, lads. This show also, rather excitingly,

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-8663152152563824772007-10-21T09:52:00.000Z2007-10-21T09:57:21.887Z

The next couple of hours are a little more stressful. Having started the weekend with no schedule at all, a couple of minutes in the corner of Night & Day on Friday had yielded a timetable of sorts, but it's spannered fairly early on by tecnical difficulties at Centro, where Fugitive Motel and Elah Valley have planned a quality afternoon's entertainment and I'm down for covering the first band(s)

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-75444950090730084882007-10-21T09:16:00.000Z2007-10-21T09:22:20.313Z

Cath again. Good morning. I'd like to start with a recommendation - ran into Cumbrian weirdness purveyors The Witch And The Robot somewhere last night, where they told me they were hoping to incorporate raw meat into their performance at The Kings Arms today (7pm). Is this a recommendation? Well, trust me on this, you've never quite seen anything like them...Anyway, Saturday. You have to start

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-52154859722012644612007-10-21T02:11:00.000Z2007-10-21T02:14:33.470Z

My evening at Centro began with My Side Of The Mountain, a band whose use of drum machine creates blissful Postal Service atmospherics; music to crunch through snow to. Swinging between this simple electronica and a full band sound was not entirely called for though, as it’s in the sweet retro melodica that they charm their crowd, and when the crystal clear guitar rang out it was quite

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-23064658978872234362007-10-20T16:30:00.001Z2007-10-20T16:31:27.311Z

Right. Saturday lunchtime and I willingly made my way to the Arndale Centre. This is not normal behaviour, but then, The Bottomfeeders are not a normal band. Returning from a six month hiatus in gold lame and face paint, the customers of Virgin Megastore had never seen anything quite like it, and one suspected that there would have been a significant crowd gathered even if organisers hadn’t

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-37643318822957439162007-10-20T09:14:00.000Z2007-10-20T09:17:09.946Z

Good morning. This is Cath, checking in. What day is it again?Normally In The City for me involves evenings of meticulous pre-planning, scheduling a path through the listings with near military precision, pre-checking a few interesting sounding bands.... not this year. Time has been short and I have precisely no plan. I don't remember ever being this disorganised, even in the days when I was just

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-58978539763664869282007-10-20T03:07:00.000Z2007-10-20T03:11:42.837Z

What was that? It doesn’t properly start till tomorrow?Taking a look around Manchester’s music venues this Friday evening told a very different story. With delegates fishing about in their goodie bags, thumbing through flyers and drinking free pop (insert your own joke about the music industry’s penchant for Coke here), there is no denying that In The City 2007 has already kicked off.I decided

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-81722893818646894852007-10-20T00:36:00.000Z2008-12-09T08:10:37.712Z

The next stop is within the welcoming confines of NIGHT & DAY, Greeted as we are by living legend RICH CHEETHAM and KIERAN from LAYMAR, we also rendezvous with CATH AUBERGINE. Schedules are hastily reviewed and ideas precipitated between rounds of spring water and pop. Clean living kids we is. You’re going to hear this phrase quite a lot (probably) – “Great on record but dodgy live” – or

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-75899865472853839702007-10-20T00:32:00.000Z2007-10-20T00:36:17.542Z

It’s not very rock and roll, but at the end of the prelude (ie Friday) to In The City, I’m sat here in my pyjamas in the middle of the night typing up various words and comments from an eye opening night out. And I’m lucid – sober – and very much awake… After getting mixed up about the LOST & BROKEN event – I now realise that this is in fact taking place on SUNDAY. After being quizzed by

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-14119971437985297732007-10-19T17:07:00.000Z2007-10-19T17:11:02.344Z

The starting point for this entry begins with Cath’s post from last year, typed up in the aftermath of another bloody, glorious FictionNonFiction. In The City is back this year but of course there is a slightly different complexion to the whole affair. ITC is eminently well organised and justifiably renowned but of course it’s co-founder will be missing. There’s been talks of statues and

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5787180.post-1162396875619192142006-11-01T15:58:00.000Z2006-11-01T16:01:15.633Z

Well, where else to end the night - and the longest weekend of the year - than at FictionNonFiction? It is actually Tuesday, after all. And more to the point it's Halloween - and in Tiger Lounge it's always Halloween to a certain extent. It's pretty empty when we get in there, perhaps everyone's just all gigged out. There's a couple of bands to go though...This Is Pop are from Paris and the trio,

manchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12738943008708630183noreply@blogger.com