Sigrid
Manchester shows it’s eclectic side with a right mixed bunch of gigs this month, Getintothis’ Steven Doherty sends us down the right path.
So, we are now entering the most boring week of the year.
Halloween, a ridiculous concept that we have let seep into the nation’s collective brain from over the Atlantic, followed by Bonfire Night, seemingly enjoyed only by those that seek to upset household pets.
Each to their own and that, obviously.
At least that means we are in the home straight towards, literally, the most wonderful time of the year.
As I write this, I actually have a Christmas film on in the background.
Yes, really.
Although, if you are reading this on November 1, we could have just stumbled out of the EU and we’ll be fighting over loaves of bread by December, rather than the latest toy.
Anyway, the upshot is Autumn is quite boring.
Except, however, in the wonderful world of live music.
Gigs aplenty, new music landing every week, and a roll-call of lovely events for 2020 are being announced on an almost daily basis.
So, not that boring then.
Especially if you are a music lover in and around the Manchester area.
And for the first month ever, I can personally guarantee the high quality, having been fortunate to have seen each and everyone of them live before.
Let us crack on.
Girl Band
Girl Band: Academy, November 2
Hello, Girl Band, my old friend.
The noisy rascals from Dublin are back after just over four years away, and they have a new album The Talkies to get out and play.
A finely tuned racket is the order of the day here, and it’s sure to be busy after their sabbatical.
Those Academy walls will be shaking, and the ears will be bleeding.
It’s good to have them back.
Swimming Tapes
Swimming Tapes: Soup Kitchen, November 8
Might be a new name to some.
We at Getintothis first clapped eyes on them earlier this year and we described them as potentially being “the sound of the summer” once their debut album Morningside was released.
It may not have turned out quite like that, but the summer-pop sounds of the London-based combo will sound lovely in those Soup Kitchen surroundings.
With support from Margot and The Big Peach, this is shaping up to be a underrated gem.
Half Moon Run
Half Moon Run: Ritz, November 9
When Half Moon Run first burst onto the scene back in 2012 with their debut record Dark Eyes, they were seen as young pretenders to the Imagine Dragons mega-pop throne.
It may not have turned out quite that big for the Canadians, but they too are back with a new record and still the capacity to hold their own in massive venues such as the Ritz.
The back catalogue full of pop pearlers such as Full Circle and Meet Me In The Afternoon will make the sing-alongs worth the ticket price alone.
Fontaines DC
Fontaines DC: Ritz, November 19
This writer is not one to blow his own trumpet, but when asked late last year for a “tip for the top” for 2019, he had no hesitiation in naming these guys.
And for once, how right he was.
They will have played a different Manchester venue on each of their three visits that they have made in the last 12 months, Night People to Gorilla and now onto the Ritz, charting the massive success they have had.
Dogrel is THE album of the year, and this has all the potential to be one of the most special gigs of the year.
2019 was theirs, celebrate with them.
Chemical Brothers, Photo by Hamish Brown
The Chemical Brothers: Arena, November 22
One of the few old-school dance acts to still be relevant in these times, The Chemical Brothers are playing the biggest room in town.
And if what we saw of their Glastonbury set was anything to go by, this is going to be something beyond spectacular.
Latest album No Geography, their first in over four years, was a return to form, and the live shows accompanying them have already been critically acclaimed.
Sam Fender
Sam Fender: Academy, November 22
The new kid on the block.
Bland radio favourite Sam Fender, fresh from supporting Liam Gallagher earlier in the year at the Ritz, now plays a venue that’s now massively too small for him already.
In support of his Number One album Hypersonic Missiles, he has already announced two dates at the massive O2 Victoria Warehouse for next March, so catch him in the relatively cosy Academy while you still can.
Ladytron announce new Manchester show plus YES aftershow with Stealing Sheep
Sunset Sons
Sunset Sons: Academy, November 26
It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything from these guys, in fact since a huge Liverpool Sound City set last year and they are now back and on the brink of releasing album number two, Blood Rush Deja Vu, on November 1.
Last time they were in town, they blew the roof off the cosy Deaf Institute.
This time round, it’s the far more suitable Academy, they are a trainee stadium band in waiting.
Sigrid
Sigrid: Academy, November 29/30
2019’s most underated pop star.
Top 5 debut album Sucker Punch should be a shoo-in for most people’s albums of the year list, and her live shows supporting George Ezra on his arena tour, saw her blow the headliner away each night.
It’s good to see that she has chosen to do two nights in a smaller venue, to keep her good vibe pop tunes accessible to the whole audience, rather than going straight to arenas herself.
An evening of catchy choruses, what more would you want?
The Wonder Stuff
The Wonder Stuff, Jim-Bob: Ritz, November 30
The retro-gig of the year, featuring two of the early 1990’s biggest indie behemoths on the same bill together.
First up is Jim Bob, singer with Glastonbury headliners (when it was still primarily a music festival, rather than just a hipster hangout) Carter USM, whose set will be one long drunken sing-along.
This will be then followed by The Wonder Stuff, who headlined Reading Festival the same year as Nirvana did (when Reading was still relevant) and have been unfairly written out of most music tales of the time.
Although the Stuffies have a new album Better Being Lucky out in time for this tour, the gig’s main selling point will be the fact that they will be playing their first two seminal albums, The Eight Legged Groove Machine and Hup in full.
Nostalgic superbness will be in great supply.
Also playing this month:
Friendly Fires: Albert Hall, November 2
American Football: Gorilla, November 4
Deerhunter: Ritz, November 6
Vampire Weekend: Victoria Warehouse, November 8/9
Kate Tempest: Albert Hall, November 10
Lizzo: Victoria Warehouse, November 11
Wolfgang Flur: Yes, November 15
Feeder: Albert Hall, November 16/17
Pixx: Yes, November 17
Pumarosa: Academy, November 21
The Joy Formidable: Bread Shed, November 22
A: Gorilla, November 25
Pizzagirl: Yes, November 27
Aldous Harding: Academy, November 30
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