O2 Love Music Column – October 2014
Atlantan indie quintent Manchester Orchestra (O2 ABC, Thu 2 Oct) visit Glasgow at the start of the month to show off fresh fifth LP Hope – or rather, also show off its companion Cope released in April this year, of which Hope is an acoustic re-recording. You might be wondering what a rock troupe from Georgia, USA has to do with our fair town of Manchester, but it’s the rainy city’s famed musical heritage which inspired the name. Wholesome, emotive, and heavy in equal measure, the band’s decade-long history ensures a quality night.
They might have penetrated popular culture quite aggressively with the ear-worm melody of that one single (Rather Be), but there’s more to Clean Bandit (O2 Academy, Mon 13 Oct) than radio-play pop. Debut record New Eyes showcases their accessible blend of classical and electronic music, which – while far from a novel idea – is executed with polish and maturity. Touching on electronica, deep house, and plenty of original compositions alongside judicious classical references, there are fewer gimmicks here than some might say.
If that’s all too contemporary for you, keep one Friday in October clear in your schedule. The rich soul of Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings (O2 ABC, Fri 24 Oct) is the perfect antidote to the week’s stresses and distractions, whether you want to cut loose to their infectious, revivalist funk or lose yourself in Jones’ heady vocal. As a band they might be a relatively recent formation, but they channel that 1960s/70s sound crystal clear.
We know what you’re thinking: after all that 70s soul you want to keep the weekend going with some experimental, game-changing acid house. Fortunately 808 State set up their decks (and instruments!) at the O2 ABC on Saturday 25 October for a live set, perfect for reliving the relentless pulse of Pacific 202 in person. And yeah, there’s an afterparty from 11pm – free entry with your gig ticket – at the O2 ABC2. Bargain.
John Cooper Clarke (O2 ABC, Sun 26 Oct) – the bard of Salford himself – saunters up to Glasgow the very next day (maybe he’ll be at the 808 State after party?) to unspool his iconic, biting punk-poet artillery. A counterculture king from the late 70s and early 80s, his political satire and galloping wordplay are as unmatched now as they were then.
To round off the month, check out touring hip-hop outfit eMC (O2 ABC, Tue 28 Oct), a fearsome foursome of Wordsworth, Punchline, Stricklin and the inimitable Brooklyn talent that is Masta Ace. Having dropped latest EP The Turning Point earlier this year, this tour is rumoured to be in advance of a sophomore album, long overdue since 2008’s The Show. Rocking on up to Sauchiehall Street and see the Four Brothers do their thang in person is highly recommended.