Live music in Manchester this week: 15-21 Feb

We dive into the listings to bring you this essential guide to gigs in Manchester this week plus the latest news on festivals, tour announcements and more. Think we've missed something? Hit up jess@theskinny.co.uk with the details. 

16 Feb

New music ensemble Psappha’s Light and Matter programme features three intriguing world premières: Tom Coult's playful Two Games and a Nocturne, Emily Hall's Advert - Wedding Dress and Gordon McPherson's Williams Machine, along with Joe Duddell's Nightswimming, Elliot Carter's Intermittences, Kaija Saariaho's Light and Matter and Xenakis by Psappha. Halle St Michael's, 7.30pm, £7-£12

17 Feb

[Naked (on Drugs), photo: Alexander Bell]

Performing their first live show in over a year, Luke Byron Scott and Sebastien Perrin's Naked (on Drugs) come out of hibernation in the name of their debut album, The Gift, via Tombed Visions. The release party will also feature sets from Manchester's own Slow Knife and Psychic Sister Pseudo Seance Band. The White Hotel, 8pm, £5

Hey! Manchester presents Texas native Jess Williamson, whose gothic folk will suit the intimate surroundings of Gullivers’ lounge space. Support comes from Hey! Manchester staple Jo Rose, a local country and Americana singer known for stealing the show before its headliner has walked on stage. Gullivers, 7.30pm, £6

18 Feb

American soul singer and Northern Soul icon Betty Harris stops by this week following the Autumn release of her compilation album, Betty Harris: The Lost Queen of New Orleans Soul, which compiles all of her Northern Soul, sister funk and deep soul sides on one album for the first time. Girl’s got lungs; go see ‘em in action. Band on the Wall, 7pm, £20

Macclesfield three-piece Cassia head out on their spring tour, ahead of March’s release of their new single, Weekender. Expect sumptuous tropical rock from Rob, Leff and Lou, whose crowd’ll be warmed up by Affairs and Girls Girls Girls. Soup Kitchen, 6pm, £7

Around a year after the first installment, Corporation Pop comes at it for #2 in the new venue of Withington bar Fuel. Along with pop-based selections spinning into the wee hours, beforehand there'll also be a small showcase of live bands with Buffy the Vampire-inspired (yep) DIY feminist queer pop trio The Potentials, Clueless-themed (also yep) concept pop act Whatevers, and Bird Bath – no cult references there, we're afraid. Fuel, 8pm, £3

20 Feb

You’ll no doubt remember country warbler LeAnn Rimes from the integral part that her song played in the narrative of Coyote Ugly, and while we’d love to call you a total sadsack for that, there’s no denying it’s a CRACKING SONG. Turns out she’s actually been quite the busy bee since, and now the country popstress returns with her 16^th (!!!) studio album, Remnants. Just don’t fight it – the moonlight, that is – and enjoy the ride that is, actually, quite an extensive back catalogue. Bridgewater Hall, 7pm, £27.50-£45

21 Feb

Brooklyn noisemakers Sleigh Bells are back with fourth album Jessica Rabbit, released at the tail-end of last year via the duo’s own label, Torn Clean. Their super-hyped, aggro industrial pop makes for one helluva live show, and, as their upcoming jaunt to Manchester is somehow not sold out, you’ve still time to witness that for yourself. Bring some post-Valentine’s Day angst, if you have any going; this’ll sort you reet out. Gorilla, 7pm, £14

Now booking:

[Nick Cave, photo: Daniel Harris]

Throughout his 30-year career with the Bad Seeds, Nick Cave has rarely put a foot wrong – with latest LP, Skeleton Tree, further testament to that. Go clamour for a ticket to the album's live airing this September.

[American Football, photo: Derek Robertson]

Having reunited back in 2014, perennial emo types American Football hit the road with a long-awaited tour, hot on the heels of their even more long-awaited second album. You can catch Mike Kinsella and co at Albert Hall this September for one of just three UK live shows (the only one they're doing up North 'n' all); tickets go on sale this Friday (17 Feb) at 10am, so click here and act fast.