Live music in Manchester this week: 22-28 Mar

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. 

Wed 22 Mar

[Prides, photo: Ross Baynham]

Glaswegian indie outfit Prides may now be a man down following the departure of drummer Lewis Gardner, but that’s not stopped the duo from moving forward: they’re back with new material, including latest single Away With the Night. The Ruby Lounge, 7.30pm, £8

Thu 23 Mar

How about some midweek moshing? Best get yourself down to see chirpy American punk-popsters All Time Low as they tear the Apollo a new one, all fast-paced and fizzy with hooks galore. O2 Apollo, 7pm, £28.50

[Thundercat, photo: Ross Gilmore]

Seems the world’s particularly enamoured by Flying Lotus protégée/Brainfeeder affiliated bassist, singer and producer Thundercat at the moment, thanks to the buzz from new album Drunk, which we deem “a stoner’s wet dream”. As such, his live date in Manchester sold out long ago, but if you can find a ticket, brace yourself for soulful, jazz-inflected off-kilter hip hop. Gorilla, 7pm, £sold out

[Alexis Taylor]

Hey! Manchester welcome Hot Chip frontman Alexis Taylor, who’ll be out touring Listen With(out) Piano, a companion album to his 2016 record, Piano, which saw him pare things back with solo works composed entirely of piano and vocals. This time round, the album features new versions by artists including Papa M (David Pajo), Green Gartside (Scritti Politti), Spring Heel Jack, Beatrice Dillon and Brian DeGraw (Gang Gang Dance). St Michael’s, 7.30pm, £12.50

Fri 24 Mar

[Yussef Kamaal, photo: Larissa Araz]

Inspired by the jungle, grime and broken beat of their native London, Yussef Kamaal (the collaboration between Yussef Dayes – aka Henry Wu – and Kamaal Williams) return to Manchester with their contemporary riff take on jazz, which proved a hit when they performed at Islington Mill towards the end of last year. This one’s already sold out, unsurprisingly, but if you can’t track a ticket down, fear not: there’ll be an after party with DJ sets from Henry Wu and Irfan Rainy (Community Manchester) – and if you already have tickets to the show before, this one’s free entry. Band on the Wall, 8pm, £sold out

Sat 25 Mar

[Jesus and Mary Chain]

Enjoy some classic, riotous alt rock from Scottish unit Jesus and Mary Chain, in all their live, fuzzy, scuzzy glory. Still going strong after re-forming in 2007, now they’re onto seventh studio album, Damage and Joy – their first in almost two decades. Manchester Academy, 7pm, £27.50

[Shaking Chains, photo: Jack Kirwan]

After performing at our very first Stay Fresh Fest at The Deaf Institute back in September, Manchester’s own Shaking Chains will be launching their debut single, Midnight Oil / Drunk No More. Promising flashes of Nick Cave, Talking Heads and Magazine, tickets are now running low for this one so get a move on. Eagle Inn (Salford), 8pm, £5

Sun 26 Mar

Afrobeat forefather and original member of Fela Kuti’s Africa 70, Tony Allen’s trademark sound continues to blaze the trail for dub, funk electronica and rap, while retaining a title as one of the greatest drummers this world has ever seen. Seize your chance to catch the Nigerian hero in action this week as he stops by for a Sunday evening set. Band on the Wall, 7.30pm, £20

American composer and experimental electronic musician and former Battles frontman Tyondai Braxton also stops by, returning with the promises of new material – his first batch since last year’s sterling Oranged Out Ep. He’ll be joined by Brooklyn-based acoustic ensemble Dawn of Midi, adding to an already impressive list of collaborators from the past decade including Dirty Projectors, Mouse on Mars, Philip Glass and Drum Corps. The Deaf Institute, 7.30pm, £12.50

Mon 27 Mar

[Sinkane, photo: Bram E Gieben]

Yeasayer and Caribou collaborator Sinkane heads our way to showcase his Sudanese brand of motorik krautrock and funk, fresh from the February release of latest album, Life & Livin’ It. Soup Kitchen, 7.30pm, £9.50

Tue 28 Mar

[Grandaddy, photo: Nell Jarvie]

11 years since their last album, American indie rock heads Grandaddy return with an absolute corker of a comeback, Last Place. We gave the album a full five stars, deeming it the product of Grandaddy at their finest, though if you’re not one to passively take our word for it, you can also read our interview with frontman Jason Lytle, as he discusses the band’s collapse and long-awaited resurrection. Albert Hall, 7.30pm, £24.50

Now booking:

This May, one of our favourite Salfordian gig holes The Old Pint Pot welcomes a pretty tempting triple bill, featuring Wrexham's experimental electronica lot Gallops and local local outfits Werk and BÊTE. If you plan ahead you can grab yourself a ticket for a mere £4; simply follow this link.