Live music in Manchester this week: 3-9 Aug

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.

Thu 4 Aug

Scruff of the Neck Records head down to The Castle with Manchester-based gothic alt-poppers Altar Flowers, who’ll be joined by fellow locals Sprinters, riff-driven Warrington quartet The Volts and main support from the newly-formed Spares.
The Castle Hotel, 7.30pm, £6

[Virginia Wing]

Soup Kitchen hosts a triple bill of forward-thinking electronica and modular synth explorations, with Camberwell-based outfit Virginia Wing chugging out some textured pop in support of latest single, Rhonda.

Also up (or down, rather, as we descend into Soup’s basement) is XAM, the exploratory synthesiser and saxophone duo made up of founding members from Hookworms and Deadwall, as well as HOWES, who conjures up modular jams from his Salford apartment.
Soup Kitchen, 7.30pm, £5 

Fri 5 Aug

Famed for revolutionising the Congolese dance genre Soukous, African superstar Kanda Bongo Man brings his optimistic melodies and hip-wiggling kwassa kwassa dance moves our way. Expect high energy – and to be expected to exercise to the same levels.
Band on the Wall, 7pm, £16

We’ve long been tracking the progress of Manc-based trio False Advertising, whose fierce DIY ethos is the driving force behind their compelling twisted power-grunge. Seamlessly fusing scuzzy guitar and sweet melodies, there’s a lot to look forward to as they head to The Castle this week for a ‘low key showcase gig’, a few months on from their self-released EP, Brainless.
The Castle Hotel, 7.30pm, £5

Sat 6 Aug

The Beauty Witch presents Anthroprophh, the droning, experimental psych outfit led by Paul ‘Prof’ Allen – formerly of cult Bristolian group The Heads – and also featuring Big Naturals’ Gareth Turner and Jesse Webb. Unfortunately one of our Sounds From the Other City highlights, Locean, have had to pull out from the support slot, though a replacement act will join Werk for warm-up.
The Star & Garter, 7pm, £8

[Stealing Sheep]

This Saturday Sadler's Yard gears itself up for its Summer Jam, a very tempting afternoon of free live music from the likes of Stealing Sheep, Rachel Rimmer, John Haycock, The Lake Poets, Napoleon IIIrd, Honey Feet and DJ sets from Dutch Uncles and SMS. And as if that isn't enough (it really is), there will also be beer from Portable Street Beer House, street food from What's Your Beef?, Honest Crust and The Mexican Pilgrim and a doughnut workshop with The Pilcrow x Blawd. Find out more from our summer events guide.
Sadler's Yard, 12pm, free

Sun 7 Aug

In partnership with Brighter Sound and Community Arts North West, Amani Creatives return with Amani Live, a triple bill featuring singer-songwriter Herve Vika, musician, singer and composer Autorite Mussema and live performance art by Akinyemi Oludele, together spanning Congolese rumba, zouk, reggae and other world sounds.
Band on the Wall, 4.30pm, £5

Now booking:

[How to Dress Well]

Now Wave have announced they'll be welcoming ethereal R'n'B singer How to Dress Well, aka Tom Krell, to Band on the Wall this November; tickets are on sale now, though you'll only have to wait until September for his fourth album, Care. 

If you're a fan of the trip-hop/electronica sound of multi-platinum-selling group Morcheeba, you'll be happy to know that Skye and Ross from the band are embarking on a series of UK concert dates, including a gig at Band on the Wall this November, and will perform material from their new record alongside classics from Morcheeba's back catalogue.

Moovin’ Festival looms ever closer, too, so worth getting yourself a ticket if you want to get in on the sounds of Lee Scratch Perry, Goldie, Congo Nattu, Beardyman, Stanton Warriors, Jaguar Skills, Greg Wilson, Channel One Soundsystem and many more during the August bank holiday weekend.

Pre-registration for 2017's Bluedot festival at Jodrell Bank is now open, so why not let us persuade you with our four-star review from this year, before you go and sign yourself up for next summer?