We're not ones to lament the end of a season, especially with summer around the corner, but there's a bittersweet feel to May.
Sure, the days are getting long, temperatures are rising, and we're all jetting off for a break, but it also means festivals are on the way. That's good news, and bad.
The good news is we can all stomp off to some godforsaken muddy field in an ancient shire, and see some of the best acts in the biz. The bad news is that it means gigging season is over - or at least the first half is.
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Venues and promoters often talk about one gig season lasting from February to May, and a second one comes in from September to November. The reason why is quite simple.
In the summer, the whole industry is travelling from festival to festival, so there's not much appetite for a stop in a basement when it's 28C outside and light until 9pm. In December, everyone is doing Christmassy things, and in January, everyone is skint.
So, with fewer gigs in Manchester coming up, this is the final hurrah of the spring/summer show season - and at least we're going out on a high. We've got the usual mix new hopefuls coming through, plus some bona fide legends and groups about to hit the top of their game.
Strap in.
Are you small band playing a show? Fancy being featured in the MEN? Email ethan.davies@reachplc.com with details of your gig, and a bit about yourselves, to be considered for a gig guide.
The Orb - Band on the Wall - May 5
Band on the Wall is really good at nabbing legendary acts for its intimate venue — and they have repeated the trick here. The Orb are goliaths of late-80s acid house, when the second summer of love was in full swing.
However, unlike a lot of their contemporaries who were spat out in the comedown of the scene, The Orb stuck with it. There were personnel changes, but Alex Paterson has been ever-present, and has released 16 albums under the banner.
This show, therefore, is a chance to see two masters of electronic music do their thing. It’s not going to be an all-night rave in a field in Hampshire — but it is going to be really, really good.
The Rodeo Presents — Various venues — May 5 and May 16
Established in 2018, The Rodeo magazine is a DIY publication that’s spent five years promoting Manchester’s scene — its hometown. From last year, the editors began to take it a step further, putting on their own nights.
This month, the Rodeo gang has put two shows on — at the Lions Den on May 5, local lads Delights will headline alongside very special guests EEVAH and Fallu.
There’s an international flavour to the May 16 event, at 33 Oldham Street, as Canadian artist Ruby Waters is performing.
She is alongside two blinks I love you – the new project from Liam Brown, AKA pizzagirl – and rising neo-soul artist Jo Hill.
Black Country, New Road - New Century - May 9
Four days before releasing their second studio album, Black Country, New Road announced that frontman Isaac Wood was leaving the band, citing struggles with his mental health. Ants from Up There, was released almost exactly a year after the band's debut LP.
Both albums received widespread critical acclaim, but none of their songs are expected to be performed live again, unless Isaac returns. The six remaining members started writing new material before the sudden announcement of Isaac's departure, and after cancelling their 2022 tour, by the end of the year they started performing their new songs live and recorded a live album in London.
Although the vocals differ, much of the group's melancholic music is sung in a similar style and features their distinctive instrumental flares. A pity perhaps that some previous songs may never be performed live again - and certainly for sad reasons - but the prospect of hearing some of the experimental English rock collective's latest music live for the first time this month is actually quite exciting.
Maruja - Yes (The Pink Room) - May 19
The last time Maruja featured in an MEN gig preview, it was for their first headline show. That was in Yes’ basement, so to progress up to the much larger pink room in only a few months is remarkable.
The music has kept progressing, too. An EP, Knocknarea, was released in March. It’s still got the same jazzy-post-punk fusion which has drawn the eyes of some of the industry’s most-respected taste-makers.
In our previous preview, Maruja were playing for just £8. This time it’s £10 — and the venues will just keep getting bigger, too.
Cosmo Pyke - Castle Hotel - May 19
Born in Peckham, Cosmo Pyke is described as a 'multi-disciplinary artist' who 'spins eloquent but relatable tales of Gen Z life'. A student of The Brit School, his credentials are immediately obvious from the first listen of the small sample of his songs so far.
As a songwriter, he has combined indie, jazz and blues influences into a soulful style with a groovy rhythm. His music is not dissimilar to that of Afrobeat collective Kokoroko's Oscar Jerome, whose solo stuff seems to draw on the same influences.
But there's something about the South London musician that makes him stand out as one to watch. His sold out show at the Castle Hotel should be special and perhaps part of a series of performances that could well be his last at such small venues.
GoGo Penguin - New Century - May 23
Their music makes you feel like you're in a film. In fact, GoGo Penguin themselves have described their style as 'cinematic'.
The instrumental trio from Manchester who first formed more than a decade ago were back with a new album in April - and a new drummer - and they are sounding more optimistic than ever. You wouldn't believe it when you listen to the LP, but Everything Is Going to Be OK was written during a difficult period for the band, including 'deep personal loss and mourning'.
But the band, who have been shortlisted for the Mercury Prize in the past, say the studio offered them a sanctuary from real life. Emerging stronger with such an uplifting sound, their homecoming show at New Century is set to be something special.
Maggie Lindemann - Gorilla - May 24
The evolution of Maggie Lindemann's music is remarkable. The now 24-year-old climbed the UK charts in 2016 with summer hit Pretty Girl, featuring Cheat Codes and CADE.
But she has since left behind her bubblegum pop sound, opting instead for a darker, grittier aesthetic. The EP Paranoia, released in 2021, is as angsty as it is vulnerable, with thrashy guitar melodies and cutting lyrics woven into its eight tracks.
A year later came debut album SUCKERPUNCH - a deeper exploration of Lindemann’s psyche, including the self-aware ‘Self Sabotage’ and a feature from Sleeping With Sirens’ Kellin Quinn on ‘How Could You Do This To Me.’
Lindemann warmed up a sold-out Manchester Academy crowd for alt-pop trio PVRIS in January - her headline slot at Gorilla is sure to be electric.
Blondshell — Yes (Basement) — May 25
You will currently find Blondshell's self-titled album artwork adorning the walls of Piccadilly Records. That Mancunian honour has come complete with a slew of critical praise for the musician's efforts, singer-songwriter Sabrina Teitelbaum, which atop every music review website going.
The album's opener hails a return to late 90s/early 00s alt-rock in both sound and theme, with the bombastic 'Veronica Mars'. It's laden with pleasingly raging references to reruns of the far-too-short-lived teen drama, the tale of frustrated young woman trying to navigate a messy, hedonistic start to adulthood - the parallels with this set of songs are obvious.
The album charts a course from her upbringing in New York to university years in LA, with a suitably twinkly ending track 'Dangerous'. Once again, it's littered with references to the familiar American teen girl movie tropes of love-hate crushes, venomous friends you're stuck with, and desperate gasps for air outside of the hometown bubble.
There's a buzz around Blondshell. Get in line, as our stateside counterparts would say.
Liv.e — Yes (The Pink Room) — May 25
Pronounced 'Liv', neo-soul musician Olivia Williams has created an iridescent world with her latest album Girl in the Half Pearl. Somewhere between the timeless silky soul of D'Angelo and the modern R&B approach of Sudan Archives, Liv.e's sophomore efforts are romantic, smooth and soothingly lo-fi.
Tracks like 'Heart Break Escape' are slow and slinky cityscapes of songs, followed by the likes of 'HowTheyLikeMe!' which plunge the listener into the techno-edged underbelly of a late night in the club. Liv.e combines the two when closing out the album with pitch-shifted 'Glass Shadows, a dewdrop of a ending with crystal clear production.
As we roll into summer, Liv.e's album is one to play as the sun sets on a balmy eve - or rises on a clear morning. And one to dance too in a packed, pink Yes.
Ibibio Sound Machine (Manchester Jazz Festival) — Band on the Wall — May 26
English electronic Afro-funk outfit Ibibio Sound Machine return to Manchester in May as part of the city's Jazz Festival. Having sold out Band On The Wall last April, the group will grace the city centre stage again for a final Friday night performance.
Fronted by London-born Nigerian singer Eno Williams, the band's music is a clash of African and electronic elements, inspired by the golden era of West-African funk and disco, as well as modern post-punk and electro. Their fourth album Electricity - produced by Hot Chip - was released last year to much fanfare after teasing out a series of singles of several months.
Their performance on the final weekend of the Manchester Jazz Festival promises to be an energetic end to the 10-day event. But the bank holiday weekend will have only just begun, amplifying that Friday feeling with the most danceable music on offer.
The Goa Express — Yes (The Pink Room) — May 26
The Goa Express’ show at Yes towards the end of the month has all the hallmarks of an England World Cup warm-up game, circa 2018. There’s a growing sense that this band can really achieve something.
They hit radio bigtime a couple of years back with ‘Second Time’, a jangly-and-ethereal earworm of a single. Since then, more singles have followed, like the energetic ‘Good Luck Charm’.
That’s led them to start playing more inner-city festivals. At the end of April, they hit up Liverpool’s Sound City, and on May 20 they’re doing Get Together in Sheffield — with more dates over the summer, so think of this show as a nice way to send the five lads off.
Sparks - Bridgewater Hall - May 27
You might be surprised to see Sparks in a grassroots music guide. Then again, they’re too good not to include — and we’ve heard there are still some cheap tickets left.
The Bridgewater Hall show is the perfect setting for Ron and Russell Mael to play the hits. It’s a hall for high drama, which the duo are very well known for.
This show is not dissimilar to The Orb — venue aside — as you’ll get to see two electronic masters play their best, with nothing left to prove. The duo have done it all — so they will want to have some fun now.
The Beths - New Century - May 28
It’s not often we get to see The Beths in Manchester — the last time was about a year ago, when they played the quaint Club Academy. A switch has flicked for the indie four-piece, though.
First of all, the New Zealanders finally scored a number one in their home country with third album Expert in a Dying Field, with two fan favourites propelling them to world tours either side of the pandemic. One of those shows was recorded for the live album Auckland, New Zealand, 2020, released the following year.
And one listen of that will tell you why so many people get so excited about The Beths. It’s full of energy, joy, and a multitude of danceable tracks.
Meryl Streek — Yes (Basement) — May 29
Incandescent with fury, Meryl Streek's debut album 796 takes aim at corrupt politicians, greedy landlords, and the Catholic abuse scandal in Ireland - ripping apart the hypocrisies of a state still drenched in religious identity, yet populated by victims of it. The Dubliner steamrollers past any newbie niceties lands on a raw, visceral and refreshing version of punk.
It's snarling, sardonic, and stylish spoken word from the streets of those feeling left behind, peppered with grime beats, Pixies-like riffs, and sparing strings employed to devastating effect. Politically charged as they come, Streek plumbs the depths of darkness on 'Suicide', but follows with the defiance of upbeat tracks like 'Educated Mates' and 'Dad' - which, together, form a racing heartbeat to close out this album.
It's not just a sucker punch of an album, it's an absolute battering. 796 is ricocheting around the playlists of critics as one of the most interesting, if not disturbing, debuts of the last year - Streek urgently wants it to be heard.
Caroline Polachek - Albert Hall - May 30
They say third time's the charm - but it could be fourth time lucky for Caroline Polachek this month. The American hitmaker has tried - and failed - to play Manchester on three separate occasions in the past 11 months.
Polachek was previously billed for last year's Parklife festival, but a cancelled flight soon put a stop to that. Fans had another chance to see her headline the Albert Hall this February - which had already been rescheduled from its original October date - but illness meant she had to call it off.
Alas, it was rearranged for May - and hopefully this month's performance will have been worth the wait. In the interim, the New Yorker unveiled her fourth studio album, Desire, I Want To Turn Into You to critical acclaim. Released on Valentine’s Day, it boasts hits ‘Welcome To My Island’ and ‘Bunny Is A Rider.’
A choir-girl at heart, Polachek has an impressive catalogue of projects, including the band Chairlift and solo projects Ramona Lisa and CEP. She has also worked extensively with the likes of Christine and the Queens and Charli XCX and has even penned material for Beyoncé.
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