CHORLTON Arts Festival returns to south Manchester 17-26 May 2013 with its annual dose of music, visual arts, comedy and performance taking place over 10 days in venues across the whole of Chorlton.
The Festival, now in its 13th year, has become a permanent fixture in the city’s events calendar, attracting record audience figures of over 20,000 people in 2012.
The Festival’s Chorlton Weekender will take place over Bank Holiday weekend (23–26 May) and feature internationally acclaimed musicians alongside local talent.
Weekender acts include Sunday-night headliners TOY, London’s much-hyped motorik alt-rock band, who, fresh from appearing in NME’s Award Show Series at London’s Scala, are now preparing to support The Vaccines on their UK arena tour.
TOY
Support comes from Manchester-based girl band PINS who are causing a stir with their punk-infused industrial sounds, reflected in the speedy sales of their limited-edition single, produced on gold cassettes.
The same night, punk legend and former member of The Slits, Viv Albertine takes to the stage at Dulcimer for a rare intimate show.
Performing on Saturday are off-the-wall American folk icons The Jeffrey Lewis & Peter Stampfel Band. Songwriter and visual artist Jeffrey Lewis is renowned for his six albums of twisted garage-indie-folk on Rough Trade, while Grammy winner Peter Stampfel celebrates 50 years of in the music business, most famously with The Holy Modal Rounders and The Fugs, as well as featuring on the Easy Rider soundtrack.
Other acts include Brighton-based Esben and the Witch headlining on Friday. Having recently sold out Salford’s infamous and mysterious Bunker venue, they are currently on tour topping the bill at venues such as London’s Scala and New York’s The Mercury Lounge.
Esben And The Witch
A local musician making waves further afield, JP Cooper performs in the unique surroundings of St Ninian’s Church on Saturday night with his full band, while The Candle Thieves kick off the Weekender on the Thursday night with their Beach Boys-esque love songs.
Festival Director Ella Byford said: “We’re delighted to be able to bring so many top-quality bands to Chorlton and allow people the rare chance to see them perform in unique venues such as local churches, bars and cafes.
"We’re really looking forward to announcing the full programme of visual arts, comedy and performance very soon.”
The Chorlton Weekender will take place 23–26 May 2013; tickets and wristbands are now on sale via www.chorltonartsfestival.com – full line-up below:
Thursday 23 May 2013
The Candle Thieves with support from Heath Common and The Thin Man (£8/£6) – Wilbraham St Ninian’s Church, Egerton Road South, Chorlton
Friday 24 May 2013
Esben and the Witch with support from Ghosting Season (£10/£8) – St Clement’s Church, Edge Lane, Chorlton
Saturday 25 May 2013
The Jeffrey Lewis & Peter Stampfel Band (support TBC) (£10/£8) – St Clement’s Church, Edge Lane, Chorlton
JP Cooper with full band (early show) (£8/£6) – Wilbraham St Ninian’s Church, Egerton Road South, Chorlton
Sunday 26 May 2013
TOY with support from PINS (£10/£8) – St Clement’s Church, Edge Lane, Chorlton
Viv Albertine (£7) – Dulcimer, Wilbraham Road, Chorlton
