In the month that the legendary Band On The Wall FINALLY re-opens its doors again, there’s some incredible gigs to get yourself down to…
Eric Chenaux at The Anthony Burgess Foundation
Wednesday 2nd March
To start off your week, you MUST get yourself to the Anthony Burgess Foundation to see Canadian sound sculptor, Eric Chenaux. Starting his career in the late 90s, Chenaux has released seven experimental solo albums charting an adventurous and uncompromising path through avant-folk, out-jazz and pop composition. It’ll be an evening of true musical craftsmanship that’ll no doubt bring a tear to your eye.
BBC Introducing Live at Night and Day Cafe
Thursday 3rd March
BBC Introducing Live will showcase some of the finest up and coming musical talent this Thursday. Comprising Tik Tok star Abby Roberts, soulful vocalist Brooke Combe, indie infused Tayo Sound and intuitive artist Freak Slug, the evening will no doubt help you discover your new favourite shower ballad.
John Otway at The Talleyrand
Thursday 3rd March
John Otway is an English singer-songwriter who has built a sizeable cult following through extensive touring, a surreal sense of humour and a self-deprecating underdog persona. Known for his frenzied live shows, his wilfully amateur approach caught the attention of a big range of celebs at the time, including Paul McCartney, as Otway was once asked to support Wings! This is gonna be a good’un.
Beans on Toast at Gorilla
Friday 4th March
Cult folk legend, Beans on Toast will take to the road in support of his brand new album Survival of the Friendliest, offering some hope and light relief from this bizarre world in which we find ourselves. The modern day storyteller covers themes of love and politics in a brutally honest and identifiable way, usually leading you to leave his show with food for thought.
Larkins at Night & Day
Friday 4th March
The Manchester alt-pop group will be hitting up Night & Day this March, with support from Quiet Houses, Juno James and Phoebe Hall. After working tirelessly over the last few years to establish themselves as one of the hottest alt-pop acts on the scene, Larkins finally unveiled their hugely anticipated debut album – JCOY – in 2021. Since then they’ve been catching up on lost gigging time – and this one at Night & Day should be a biggie!
Lupe Fiasco at O2 Ritz
Sunday 6th March
The GRAMMY award-winning rapper and producer, Lupe Fiasco, is back in the UK for the first time in 12 years, performing hits from Food & Liquor, The Cool, and many other classics. With support from Manchester’s Abnormal Sleepz, Didjit and Konny Kon.
Le Couleur at The Castle
Tuesday 8th March
Mega French babes, Le Couleur are real disco delights. If you don’t douse yourself in glitter and pretend to be at Studio 54 whilst listening to their music, you’re doing it wrong! The band is made up of Laurence Giroux-Do (vocals), Patrick Gosselin (bass), and Steeven Chouinard (drums), who deliver rich and irresistibly danceable performances through their vintage influences rooted in 70s disco, psychedelia and upbeat French chansons.
Akemi Fox + OneDa at Band On The Wall
Tuesday 8th March
Akemi Fox is one of the north’s most soothing alternative R&B artists to debut this year. Standing out for all the right reasons, her distinctive voice, seductive lyrical ability and mighty 90s/00s nostalgic sound have cemented her a position in the UK music scene as one of its most fearless and gifted songwriters. To be back at Band On The Wall will be a delight, too, so make sure you get this one in your diary! She’s joined by OneDa who’s signature lyric ‘Manny on the rise’ applies to the rapper herself too. She’s on the rise with high-vibration collaborations (Gabe Gurnsey, Mr Scruff) that combine catchy wordplay and gold-plated flow, all fired by an empowered philosophy that she shares in her regular Pussy Power talks.
Xhosa Cole at The Talleyrand
Wednesday 9th March
24-year-old Xhosa Cole has won the 2018 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the year award, headlined London’s major-league jazz clubs, picked up further honours and built an impressive set of sideman and session credits, as well as recording an acclaimed debut album. I’m also 24 and all I’ve got under my belt is an addiction to Babybels and an already prominent frown-line from squinting too much at the telly.
Yves Tumor at YES
Thursday 10th March
Absolute master musician, Sean Bowie, more commonly known as Yves Tumor will be bringing their chaotically edgy beats to YES’ Pink Room in March 2022. The American musician and producer burst onto the scene back in 2015, and has been providing us with gorgeous hip-hop-pop-rock infused music ever since, with 2021’s EP release ‘The Asymptotical World’ giving a gorgeous glimpse into Tumor’s locked down creative mind. We’re absolutely dying to hear tracks such as ‘Jackie’ belted out live in the Pink Room this month!
Freak Slug at Gullivers
Friday 11th March
Freak Slug is a Manchester / London based artist who blends nostalgic melancholic memories that are influenced by heavy sounds, the soft melodies of 90’s shoegaze and the rough side of the 60s, her lo-fi, bedroom pop sound exists in a time frame of its own. You can catch her live show at Gullivers on Friday the 11th!
Imarhan at YES
Monday 14th March
Desert funk-rock quintet, Imarhan are the type of band you’d struggle to play on Guitar Hero because of their unbelievably fast fret work. The Algerian band started their career back in 2006 and have grown to create masterful music that doesn’t forget its roots, giving nod to tradition through the unique sounds at the forefront of its craft. Dry guitar riffs, pop melodies and pan-African rhythms are prominent throughout, creating a unique live show that we’re dying to see up close!
Cate Le Bon at The Albert Hall
Wednesday 16th March
Welsh musician and producer, Cate Le Bon has been a firm favourite of mine ever since her early, enigmatic album ‘Me Oh My’. Since then, she has gone onto tour and work with artists including John Grant, St Vincent and Tim Presley. She returns to Manchester this March to tour her sixth studio album, Pompeii, which was released on February 4th.
Stormzy at AO Arena
Saturday 19th March
From unknown YouTube sensation to headlining Glastonbury, Stormzy’s rise to the upper echelons of the British rap and grime scene has been an interesting one, and he’s now playing huge arenas all over the world. It’s Manchester’s turn to host him this March.
Bishop Nehru at YES Pink Room
Sunday 20th March
A teen prodigy from the fringes of hip-hop, rapper and producer Bishop Nehru was labelled ‘one to watch’ by Hot 97 and the ‘future of music’ by Nas. He released his Nehruvia mixtape at 15 and whilst touring in Europe met MF Doom who was so impressed that they ended up creating a collab album NehruvianDoom.
bbno$ at Manchester Academy
Tuesday 22nd March
Alexander Leon Gumuchian, better known as bbno$, is a Canadian rapper, singer, and songwriter from Vancouver, British Columbia. Reminiscent of early Mac Miller, his music is upbeat and fun and his live performance will no doubt follow in suit.
Strategy & Cartridge + Neffa-T & Lampa at Mint Lounge
Friday 25th March
Strategy & Cartridge are REGENTS and their new event REGENCY is back at the Mint Lounge. Special guest NEFFA-T will be playing a 1hr set of dubs exclusives and productions alongside LAMPA and REGENTS.
De La Soul at The Apollo
Saturday 26th March
After being rescheduled FOUR times, De La Soul will finally be able to celebrate 30 years of their astonishing career in Manchester at the end of the month! Hailed as pioneers of hip hop – having released 3 Feet High And Rising to critical acclaim back in 1989 – De La Soul are back on the road proving why they deserve that title, as they celebrate three decades of music.
Beatnik Collective at The Derby Brewery Arms
Saturday 26th March
Beatnik Collective is a collaborative instrumental group heralding from Melbourne. After forming in 2018 the Collective has grown and changed to become one of the staples of Melbourne’s instrumental dance scene. Combining influences of House, Disco, Jazz and Funk their sound is one for the AM. I am so buzzing to see these lads live at Derby Brewery Arms’ day party!
Curtis Harding at Gorilla
Monday 28th March
Curtis Harding is an American singer and songwriter. Primarily a soul artist, his ‘slop n soul’ style carries the influence of genres including blues, gospel, psychedelia, R&B, and rock. His flawless style and approach to his music has allowed the artist and his fans to find comfort and peace in his craft.
Theopholis London at The Blues Kitchen
Wednesday 30th March
Trinidadian-US rapper and singer Theophilus London is playing a rare, intimate show as part of his ‘Bebey It’s Never Too Late’ Tour. With a huge discography of hit singles and an impressive list of collaborations including Kanye West, Dev Hynes, Solange and Tame Impala plus the UK’s very own, Giggs, Theophilus London is one of the most in-demand artists of his generation.
JPEGMAFIA at O2 Ritz
Thursday 31st March
JPEGMAFIA is often praised for his ability to create music that seamlessly joins an array of emotions, sounds, and subject matter – releasing his breakthrough album, Veteran, at the top of 2018. The album established him as one of the more exciting artists that rap has to offer, due to his ability to make political commentary and the concerns of American millennials engaging, humorous, and informative all at once.
The Beths at The Academy
Thursday 31st March
Indie-pop rockers, The Beths hail from the vibrant and deeply collaborative music community of Auckland, New Zealand. Lead vocalist and guitarist Elizabeth Stokes met guitarist Jonathan Pearce and bassist Benjamin Sinclair while they were all in bands in high school. They’ll be rounding off March with their angsty teen pop punk!
