Live music in Manchester this week: 14-20 Dec
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 15 Dec
Join No Wave iconoclast, noise queen and Islington Mill regular Lydia Lunch for an all-star serving of Weasel Walter, Tim Dahl and Bob Bert, who collectively become Retrovirus. Expect face-melting stuff, along with support from Yr Lovely Dead Moon, Claire and Slow Knife. Islington Mill, 7.30pm, £8
Fri 16 Dec
Organised by Social Workers Without Borders, Movement is a night of fund and awareness raising for people affected by border violence, where four local acts will come together in solidarity with refugees and asylum seekers as they tackle demonisation and discrimination in the wider media. On the bill you'll find Best Friends, Aldous RH, Easy Kill and Gorgeous Bully, along with work on sale from local artists and information on the global crisis.
All proceeds will be donated to grassroots charities working to preserve the humanity of refugees. Deaf Institute, 7pm, £6
Sat 17 Dec
Time for another installment of the rather ace When in Manchester music festival, this time with south-east London's InHeaven, surfery garage types The Orielles, Reading punk lot The Amazons, Liverpool alt-pop singer-songwriter Natalie McCool and others. The Ruby Lounge, 3pm, £12
You can also embrace your inner goth child with Gothmas, an alternative Christmas party packed with glitter, tinsel, eyeliner and music from Rose and The Diamond Heart, Salford-based post-punk duo Factory Arts and more. Gullivers, 7pm, £4-£5
Meanwhile, Wirral five-piece The Coral make their comeback after a lengthy hiatus, getting straight back into the game with their eighth album, Distance Inbetween, which was recorded at Parr Street Studio in
Sun 18 Dec
Two of
Tue 20 Dec
Fronted by UK hip-hop legend Dr Syntax and verbal acrobat Sparkz, The Mouse Outfit have announced a second date to their sold-out show at Band on the Wall on 23 Dec. The eight-piece band’s horn-heavy and funk-driven live show combines original grooves with classic hip-hop, b-boy and funk breaks, perfect for revving up a no doubt otherwise dull Tuesday. Band on the Wall, 7.30pm, £10
Now booking:
Maryland-born, Brooklyn-based rapper and producer Oddisee recently took a break from spitting bars to bring us a beat tape of smooth, jazz-ridden instrumental hip-hop, released earlier this year to add even more integrity to the consistency – but also, crucially, the versatility – of his output. You can catch him in action at Gorilla on 8 March next year, when he'll be hitting the road with Good Compny and Olivier St Louis as part of his Beneath The Surface tour. Tickets available here; snap those fellas right up.
Don't forget tickets for Stay Fresh Fest 2 are also on sale ahead of the January 28 comeback, following a corker of a debut back in September. Once again we'll be teaming up with The Deaf Institute to celebrate some of the most vital new music in the North and beyond, with acts including The Orielles (recently signed with Heavenly Records), Luxury Death, Henge, Heavy on the Magic, Seize the Chair and MUMS, along with recently-announced polyrhythmic electronic outfit Strobes and Manchester party-smart punks Patty Hearst.