What's On Northwest 24-31 Mar: Todd Terje

Each week The Skinny team hand pick a selection of the best events from the Northwest cultural calendar to provide you with this here top ten guide to the most exciting goings on for the week ahead. From gigs, plays, and exhibitions, to spoken word, pop-up foodie events, and one-off film screenings, we give you the insider's guide to things to do in Liverpool, Manchester and beyond every Thursday morning.

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Don't forget to check our Easter bank holiday roundups in Manchester and Liverpool, as well as our dedicated clubbing guide for the extended party hours.

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Todd Terje
The Garage, Liverpool. Fri 25 Mar, 10pm

The arrival of spring marks a distinct surge in optimism for us Brits, but before we throw off the blankets from our knees and head to a not-so-sunny beer garden, we might prove better off channelling that hopeful energy into the disco dynamism of Todd Terje, who returns to Liverpool this weekend as Freeze rope him back in for another night of Norwegian nu-disco, following a sell-out show last year.

A-Bound Festival
Islington Mill, Salford. Until 27 Mar

Fat Out's Burrow presents A-Bound Festival, a collaboration of unorthodox music and interactive arts events that welcomes a bevy of innovative promoters, musicians, DJs and artists for five days of fun at Islington Mill. Along with a six-hour set from DJ duo Optimo, who'll be joined by fellow Glaswegian names such as Sparky and Mr TC, other highlights include a collab with Oxford's Supernormal festival featuring live music from Consumer Electrics, Gum Takes Tooth and more.

Spring Food and Drink Festival
The Great Baltic Warehouse, Liverpool. Fri 25-Sat 26 Mar, 12pm

What better way to truly welcome spring than by eating and drinking your way through its seasonal bounty? At the Spring Food and Drink Festival they're talking fresh falafel from Maray, 12-hour smoked brisket from Slim's Pork Chop Express, Pan-Asian from HOST (pictured) and Secret Diners Club's new Cuban venture, Finca, where they'll be peddling none other than the almighty Cubano sandwich. Oh, and a gin garden, live music, DJs and great booze.

Holy Crab Takeover
Redbank Co, Manchester. Fri 25 Mar, 5pm

Holy Crab are the latest output for Manchester's street food scene, noteworthy for cutting through our sea of dirty burgers (not throwing shade, just sayin') with well crafted seafood dishes, and in turn finally treating us to something a little different. Oysters, mainly, are the draw for these guys, who can be seen pairing them with Bloody Marys at various markets across the city, but at their Redbank Co pop-up this weekend you'll also get to chow down on party boats and sea sliders. Serious flavour ahoy.

The Damned United
West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds. Until Sat 2 Apr, times vary

A long weekend seems as good an excuse as any to inch your way out of the Northwest and into nearby Leeds, just in time to catch The Damned United before it ends its run. A West Yorkshire Playhouse and Red Ladder Theatre Company co-production, the play is an adaptation of David Peace's novel of the same name, taking you back to 1974 as Brian Clough tries to redeem his managerial career by winning the European Cup with his team.

Photo: Malcolm I. Johnson

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Test Card x Bohemian Grove
Texture, Manchester. Fri 25 Mar, 7.30pm

You may have heard of Test Card's talks, which explore the development of new software, technologies and techniques behind AV performance, but for this Friday's event they're also joining forces with one of the most forward-thinking parties out there, who since 2010 have become known for pairing underground sounds with full-on atmosphere. The result sees an evening delving into the possibilities of live audiovisual performance, before you witness it come into its element as you party into the small hours.

The Railway Children
FACT, Liverpool. Mon 28 Mar, 3pm

A bit of melts-your-heart nostalgia chugs into town this Easter with the Railway Children, the film of the play based on E. Nesbit's timeless tale – which was also made into a much-loved feature flick back in the 70s, while we're on the case – of three siblings who move to rural Yorkshire after their father is wrongly imprisoned. Hopefully York Theatre Royal's Olivier Award-winning production will set you right after a week of a few too many wrongs in the world.

Photo: Anthony Robling

Viv
Font (New Wakefield Street), Manchester. Launches Thu 31 Mar, 6pm

One of alternative fashion's leading ladies becomes the focal point for this exhibition of hand-screenprinted prints by Moderate Realism's Jermyn, who has taken inspiration from the undisputed queen that is Vivienne Westwood. Better still, don your best punk, couture, tartan and patterned looks for the launch and you could be in with winning a set of prints from the exhibition, worth £200.

Hustle x SuncéBeat Boat Party
Albert Dock, Liverpool. Sun 27 Mar, 2pm

So the Mersey might seem worlds apart from the azure waters of the Croatian islands you've become accustomed to, but this Easter you'll have to settle with the former as Hustle teams up with SuncéBeat for an all-dayer aboard a boat. Luckily, Andrew Ashong (pictured) and Opolopo will be soundtracking proceedings to ensure things sound suitably sunny. Just have those fingers crossed for actual sunshine to match it. Toes too.

Illustration: Dom Kelly

Johnny Clarke and Dub Asante
Band on the Wall, Manchester. Sun 27 Mar, 8pm

Original dancehall don Johnny Clarke makes his way to Manchester this weekend, set to pack Easter Sunday with his pioneering reggae sound that he established back in the mid-70s with famed producer Bunny Lee. He'll be backed by reggae dub band Dub Asante, who've played alongside all the greats like Max Romeo and Horace Andy, while Blood and Fire selectors fill the gaps.

Photo: Chris Hoyle

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Read more news from across the Northwest cultural scene at theskinny.co.uk/news
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