Manchester Gig Listings: Sept-Dec 2013

James Blake – HMV Ritz

Friday 20 September - £14.50

James Blake may have been known for his electronic music but Overgrown showed the man was more than just a series of effects. He's got soul too. Prepare to weep at his genius when the ever haunting ‘Retrograde’ fills the HMV Ritz.

Tim Burgess – Band On The Wall

Monday 23 September - £16

Following the announcement of the release of his new remix album, Oh No I Love You More, Tim Burgess will be embarking on a headline tour this September. Tim and his band will play a lively concoction of songs from the album. 

Boyce Avenue – RNCM Theatre

Tuesday 24 September - £25

The Florida-based band of brothers who found fame via Youtube after their own renditions of songs such as Justin Timberlake’s 'LoveStoned' and Coldplay’s 'Viva la Vida' gained them 300,000,000 views and over 700,000 subscribers to their channel, are coming to Manchester’s RNCM. The band’s strong acoustic roots and melodic rock sound will ring through the theatre. 

Wiz Khalifa – o2 Apollo Manchester

Friday 27 September - £23

When he’s not getting high or hangin’ out with Kanye West’s ex-squeeze Amber Rose and their new baby Sebastian 'The Bash' Taylor Thomaz, Wiz Khalifa can normally be found rapping and reppin’ his home town of Pittsburgh and its colours. "You know everything, black and yellow, black and yellow, black and yellow, black and yellow". However on Friday 27 September, he’ll be in Manchester. You know everything, red and blue, red and blue, red and blue, red and blue.

The Wailers – HMV Ritz

Saturday 28 September – £22

With his untimely death in 1981, most people sadly won’t have got to see Bob Marley sing live. Aside from the other Marleys who tour, The Wailers Band, who struggled nearly a decade for direction, hampered from releasing their own music by a Gordian knot of legal entanglements, is the closest you can get to the great performer himself. 

Laura Marling – The Lowry Theatre

Sunday 30 September - £18.50-£25

Laura has just released her fourth album Once I was An Eagle which became her highest charting album so far, reaching number three. An achievement in itself for a 23 year old, the remarkable nature of her talent and career was underlined by the 2011 Brit Award for Best British Female Solo Artist, the two Mercury Music Prize nominations, and the NME Award for Best Solo Artist. 

Petula Clark – The Lowry Theatre

Wednesday 2 October - £19.50-£89

“When you're alone and life is making you lonely, you can always go downtown...” and see Petula Clark live in concert. Now at the age of 80, Clark is still doing what she does best and even released an album Lost In You at the beginning of this year containing new music and some covers which she’ll be performing on the night. 

Bruno Mars – Phones 4u Arena

Saturday 5 October -  £42.35

He may not be the greatest vocalist or dancer for that matter, but Bruno Mars sure knows how to put on a show. So much so it’s been announced Mars will follow Beyonce as the next Superbowl headliner. Now those are some shoes to fill (and facial expressions to match). Mars will no doubt be getting lots of practice in with his UK tour, so don’t miss him. 

M People – Manchester Arena

Thursday 10 October - £21.50-£71.50

Gone is the big hair, but the big voice cannot, will not and should not be tamed. Heather and the boys are back for the 20^th anniversary since the release of acclaimed seminal album Elegant Slumming and as a full live band. Heather said: “I’m really looking forward to getting back on the road with the guys again.  It’s been 8 years since we last toured together and we always have such fun, you can expect a big party on that stage.” 

Nadine Shah – Soup Kitchen

Thursday 10 October - £6

If you’re unfamiliar with Nadine Shah’s style, a regular theme in her reviews has been comparisons to both PJ Harvey and Nick Cave. Born in South Tyneside to Pakistani-Norwegian parents her subject matters are often bracingly honest accounts of her personal experiences. Join her as she shares some at Soup Kitchen.

Everything Everything – HMV Ritz

Friday 11 October - £17.60

One of the aims of Arc was to make a less frantic-sounding album than their debut, lead vocalist Jonathan Higgins told Confidential back in 2013. “It’s much more focused and clear than Man Alive. It’s a less desperate sounding record. It’s easier to analyse and isn’t as elitist and abstract.” Hear songs from both albums for yourself at the band’s Manchester gig. 

Omar – Band On The Wall

Saturday 12 October - £13

The father of UK Neo Soul is touring in anticipation of his seventh studio album The Man. Expect a mixture of songs from his back catalogue spanning over 20 years including much-loved hit ‘There's Nothing Like This’. 

Goo Goo Dolls – Manchester Academy 1

Wednesday 16 October – £24

Goo Goo Dolls were a post-hardcore/thrash band, ripped jeans, baseball cap backwards, guitars slung low. Then in 1998, came ‘Iris’, and things would never be the same for them again, bringing them to a whole new audience - the album from which it came, Dizzy Up the Girl, has now sold over 5 million copies worldwide. 

112 and Jagged Edge – HMV Ritz

Saturday 19 October - £31.25

If R&B were a cake, 112 and Jagged Edge would be two key ingredients. With the combined lyrics of ‘Peaches and Cream’ and ‘Let’s Get Married’ it may just be the sickly sweetest slice of R&B you’ll ever have.  

Kate Nash – Manchester Academy 2

Saturday 19 October - £14.85

Join Kate and her all girl band on the Manchester leg of her world tour as she shares what she calls “her best to date, an emotional purge and a mission statement for women the world over.”

Arctic Monkeys – Phones 4u Arena

Wednesday 23 October - £38.50

They’ve been nominated for the album of the year Mercury Prize for their latest offering AM. Catch them a week before the ceremony, gigging at the Phones 4u Arena and sharing live renditions of songs from all five of their albums.

Alison Moyet – The Lowry Theatre

Thursday 24 October - £25-£45

Catch Alison Moyet on tour to coincide with her latest album The Minutes. It’s her first album since 2007 and shows a new artistic lease of life for the 52-year old. Described by The Huffington Post as ‘a musical resurrection in the making’ this gig is a must go for Moyet fans. 

Roy Harper – Bridgewater Hall

Friday 25 October - £30.25

Manchester is lucky enough to be one of three special Roy Harper shows with a string and brass ensemble to showcase the new album Man And Myth as well as a few of the old favourites. Jonathan Wilson will join Roy on stage in October and also perform a solo acoustic set to open each show.

Jamie Cullum – The Lowry Theatre

Sunday 27 October - £27.50-£41.25 

Jamie Cullum’s 'Momentum Tour' will take in 16 UK dates including Manchester. This is Jamie's first full scale tour here in three years and follows the release of his first studio album since 2009. The album was produced in part by Jim Abbiss (Arctic Monkeys, Adele) and Dan The Automator (Kasabian, DJ Shadow) and it should come as no surprise that, combined with Jamie's talent, the album is brimful of beautiful songs.

Professor Green – o2 Apollo

Saturday 9 November – £21.50

The newly-wed will be touring in support of his album, Growing Up In Public. The tour announcement followed Prof Green's spectacular performance at Glastonbury festival, where he performed a cover of Daft Punk's 'Get Lucky' amongst his own songs in the set. 

Texas – Bridgewater Hall

Monday 11 November - £37-£48.50

In their 25th anniversary year Texas release their brand new studio album The Conversation. Their comeback tour to coincide, comes after an eight year hiatus and solo album from frontwoman Sharleen Spiteri. The tour will see Texas play 16 dates across the UK including this one.

Soul II Soul – HMV Ritz

Thursday 14 November - £20

The Funki Dreds are back. Band on the Wall is to host Soul II Soul featuring Caron Wheeler and Jazzie B plus full live band at Manchester's HMV Ritz. Expect a night featuring all their global hits that include ‘Back To Life’, ‘Keep On Movin', ‘Joy’ and ‘A Dream’s A Dream’.

The Blockheads – Ruby Lounge

Thursday 14 November - £18

Rarely off the road since the death of Ian Dury in 2000 there’s no doubting that the most lovable, cocky, funny, schoolboy-rude and artful characters from the punk generation are The Blockheads. Alongside some new material you can expect to hear ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’, ‘Wake Up And Make Love With Me’, ‘Reasons To Be Cheerful Part 3’, ‘What A Waste’, ‘Clever Trevor’, ‘Sweet Gene Vincent’.

Reef – HMV Ritz

Monday 18 November - £21

Reef’s 2013 tour follows the success of their PledgeMusic campaign and last year’s all-encompassing box set which included the group’s complete recorded works across 9 CDs and 1 DVD featuring demos, B-sides, live tracks, un-heard and un-released material as well as music videos and TV appearances.

Vampire Weekend – Phones 4u Arena

Sunday 17 November - £28.50

Vampire Weekend’s tour will see the band playing their biggest ever UK headline shows. The tour follows the global success of Vampire Weekend’s acclaimed third album Modern Vampires Of The City, which debuted at number one in the US album charts. Support on this tour comes from Noah And The Whale.

Motörhead – o2 Apollo

Wednesday 20 November - £31.50

Motörhead: Lemmy Kilmister, Phil Campbell and Mikkey Dee, have released over 20 studio albums over their 38 year career. The loudest band in rock 'n' roll, have confirmed their annual run of UK dates will be taking place this November and this time they're bringing the mighty Saxon with them. 

Queens Of The Stone Age – Phones 4u Arena

Wednesday 20 November - £35.75

Hard rock music fans have enjoyed plenty of great music over the last decade thanks to Queens of the Stone Age and their infectious, hard-hitting songs such as ‘No One Knows’ and ‘Little Sister’. A four-time Grammy nominee who has toured with The Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age has earned a reputation as an amazing live act. 

Basement Jaxx – o2 Apollo

Friday 29 November - £28.95

Fancy a dance? It's been nearly two years since we last heard from long-standing godfathers of UK house, Basement Jaxx. Now they’re back with new single ‘Back 2 The Wild’ and a new set of UK tour dates this winter. Felix Bunton and Simon Ratcliffe will be backed by a full live band, dancers, and exciting visuals. 

Will I Am – Phones 4u Arena

Tuesday 3 December - £38.50

The founding member of The Black Eyed Peas and The Voice favourite will be performing tracks from his chart topping new album #willpower, including the hit singles ‘This is Love’, ‘Scream & Shout’ and ‘#thatPower’.

Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with special guest Melanie C – o2 Apollo

Friday 6 December - £40.75

From playing pubs in the East End docks as a teenage greaser, to leading his rhythm and blues orchestra and selling millions of records this century, it is his passion for music that has made Jools Holland into a doyen of the music scene. And this time he's bringing a Spice Girl with him.

Wet, Wet, Wet – Phones 4u Arena

Sunday 8 December - £40-£45

Performing at the Manchester venue for the first time in over six years, the Glasgow four-piece will be showcasing tracks from their 25 year back catalogue. Wet Wet Wet have sold over 15 million singles and albums, featured in the UK official singles and album charts for an immense 508 weeks and have performed to over four million fans across 25 countries.

Courteeners – Phones 4u Arena

Friday 13 December – £15-£23.50

The Manchester Christmas show - the band's third in the last four years - follows their critically acclaimed Glastonbury, T in the Park and V Festival second headline performances and, best of all, their own two sold-out headline shows at Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl.

Primal Scream – Manchester Academy One

Sunday 15 December - £25

Bobby Gillespie and co. have come a long way together, from the ambient indie-rock sound of the Mercury Prize winning Screamadelica to their darker and more experimental albums. Following their set at this year's Glastonbury and their critically acclaimed album More Light, Primal Scream top off the year with one of three not-to-be-missed December UK shows.

Cherry Ghost - Halle St Peter's, Manchester

Sunday 22 December - £20.90

Heartfelt indie-pop from this Manchester group, tinged with hints of country, folk and Americana. Cherry Ghost began in 2005, first as an alias for Simon Aldred as a solo artist, before morphing into a full band. Early sessions with Doves bassist and vocalist Jimi Goodwin and a special appearance on Later...with Jools Holland helped excel the band's beginnings.