Blossoms
May sees us approach the early summer, which can only mean the approaching of the festival season. Getintothis’ Steven Doherty looks forward to the lighter nights whilst avoiding the pollen.
May is the time of year that first sees the lessening of the normal gig in favour of festivals, either traditional out in a big field, or in the case of those below and others all around the country, the fast growing one or two day town centre, multi-venue set-ups.
These are becoming more and more popular and are like a buffet of bands, you can dip in and out and see bits of bands you’d never normally go and watch, the chance to find something new without having to traipse through muddy fields.
This time last year at one of these, Getintothis was lucky enough to see three bands that we’d never seen before in tiny venues, and 12 months later, we were lucky enough to see them playing huge venues in Manchester.
So if you’re looking for the new Idles, Fontaines DC or The Blinders, the all-dayers are a good place to start.
Busy month for Manchester gigs, dive in to the goodies below.
Priests (photo via the artist’s Facebook page).
Priests: Yes, May 13.
Renowned for their bizarre live shows, Washington’s Priests come to Manchester in support of their recently released second album The Seduction Of Kansas.
Their last single Good Time Charlie was lauded as Single of the Week by ourselves, and the album is chockfull of sneering, ruthless scratchy punk rock, so this is all set to be a good one.
Don’t let the recent comical press photos (see above) sway you, there’s substance behind this lack of style.
Pottery: Castle Hotel, May 14.
Those of us with our ears to the ground are already hailing Montreal’s Pottery as very much ones to become very big, very soon.
They play the Castle Hotel as part of an extensive UK/EU tour including some festivals later this year, ahead of supporting Fontaines DC on their US tour later in the year.
Latest single The Craft on the much respected Partisan Records is about to be playlisted by 6 Music, so catch them at such a cosy venue as this while you can.
Siobhan Wilson
Siobhan Wilson: The Kings Arms, May 18.
Rearranged from the evening before, Edinburgh songwriter extraordinaire Siobhan Wilson plays the lovely Kings Arms ahead of the release of her soon to be released and eagerly awaited second album The Departure.
This is the follow up to her Scottish Album of the Year nominated debut back in 2017, There Are No Saints, which saw her become one of the most talked about names from over the border.
If you like a strong, masterly delivered vocal invoking a variety of musical styles in a polished, glorious way, then this is very much the ideal night out for you.
Crystal Fighters
Dot To Dot Festival: Various Venues, May 24.
Taking place once again at many of Manchester’s prestigious venues of the course of the one day, Dot To Dot enjoys it’s 15th year, and like any good festival, some of the golden nuggets are to be found further down the bill.
This year it features Crystal Fighters and Jordan Rakei as headliners, whilst you also get the likes of Heavy Lungs, Squid, The Orielles, Viagra Boys, Bloxx, Wovoka Gentle and Swim Deep amongst many, many others for only £14 for the whole day.
The dash between each of the venues to try and catch a bit of each adds to the thrill of it. Get involved.
The Courteeners
Raise The Roof: O2 Victoria Warehouse, May 24.
Tickets for this were only available through a ballot as it’s a major fundraiser hoping to raise a fair few quid for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s charity to help the city’s homeless.
And it’s some enlisting of big names it’s achieved to help that cause.
Local heroes The Courteeners and Blossoms both appear at a venue they’ve so outgrown and are joined by other local luminaries John Cooper Clarke and Lisa Stansfield with special mystery guests, so as well as feeling good by donating, you will be royally entertained.
Echo and the Bunnymen
Gigantic Indie All-Dayer: Academy, May 25.
After a year off, the annual Gigantic all-dayer returns to the Academy with some bill for those of a certain age. Echo and the Bunnymen headline, but the two major draws are a rare Northern appearance for former Carter USM frontman Jim Bob and The Wonder Stuff playing their seminal second album Hup all the way through, celebrating 30 years since it’s release.
The supporting bill is not too shabby, it includes Jesus Jones, The Bluetones and The Juliana Hatfield Three.
Couple this with a wide selection of food and a real ale tent, there are far worse days to spend a bank holiday Saturday.
Also going down this month:
Ten Tonnes: Gorilla, May 13
Tide Lines: Night And Day, May 17
Oh Sees: Albert Hall, May 18
Zara Larsson: Albert Hall, May 21
Lizzo: Ritz, May 26
Spice Girls: Etihad Stadium, May 29/31.
[paypal-donation]
