Queer Up North launches a takeover of Manchester Academy, with five hours of the hottest acts over three stages with 50 performers ranging from indie bands to singer-songwriters, from the strange to the sublime…
ItâÂÂs an eclectic mix; theyâÂÂve all got one thing in common: theyâÂÂre all damn good.
When:
Saturday 10 May, 6pm-11pm
Where:
Manchester Academy, University of Manchester Students Union, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PR
Cough up: ã12 (0161 832 1111). Tickets are also available in person from University of Manchester Students Union Box Office
Featuring:
Cherry Ghost
Ipso Facto
Anat Ben David (Chicks on Speed)
Bishi
Also featuring: Owen Duff / Sisters of Transistors / Hooker / Drew Pilgram / Mel / Bela Emerson / Milke / The Gadsdens / Alan MX / Salty Lips / No Bra / July Rising / The Slow Life/ KiN / July Rising
Hosted by Anthony Crank
Cherry Ghost: BoltonâÂÂs Cherry Ghost had a top 10 album in 2007 with Thirst For Romance. Jools Holland and support slots for Amy Winehouse and The Manic Street Preachers followed. Cherry Ghost as currently writing the follow-up second album which promises to be of a darker hue. This is a one-off, stripped down acoustic set for QtP.
Ipso Facto: Gathering lots of momentum right now, this four strong group of girls are the dark darlings of a new sharply dressed scene along with the likes of These New Puritans and The Horrors. Support to The Charlatans comes later in May and meanwhile, theyâÂÂre doing exciting stuff with their debut single, Harmonise.
Anant Ben David: Israeli-born Anant Ben David‘s new album Virtual Leisure is just out. She’s part of the legendary Chicks on Speed, and a renaissance woman whose life is art and art is life.
Bishi : Delivering Asian cross-over/experimental artistry, Bishi is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and DJ. SheâÂÂs marvelously theatrical to boot, as one would expect from one who regularly collaborates with Patrick Wolf. Her latest album Nights at the Circus demonstrates her take on the new psychedelica. Her mum is an EMI-signed classical Indian singer and Bishi is at work on a forthcoming collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra.
Owen Duff: HeâÂÂs a piano-led singer / songwriter who has a huge musical imagination and composerâÂÂs command of harmony. Owen studied in Salford, delivering his own voice from influences Elliot Smith, Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro. HeâÂÂs now captain of his own ship and heâÂÂs setting sail for the world.
Mel: Manchester singer songwriter whoâÂÂs a big hit with audiences for her down to earth, warm stage presence and songs to which everyone can relate.
KiN: SheâÂÂs fast developing her own landscape of dark acoustic-electronic sounds. Manchester-based KiNâÂÂs intense vocal style will thrill and chill.
Sisters of Transistors: All girl transistor organ quarter – just slightly leftfield then – who feature the legendary 808 Graham Massey. Four analogue organs, four black capes â whatâÂÂs not to love?
Drew Pilgram: DrewâÂÂs debut album Magnetic Sideways Pull won the Folk/Singer Songwriter Album Category in the 7th Annual Independent Music Awards. With her heartfelt vocals from start to finish, every track is filled with beautiful, thought-provoking moments.
Bela Emerson: With just a cello, loops and effects pedals, Bela summons forth a rhythmically charged electronic storm, as subtle as it is complex. She tours the world extensively, and her work as a session musician includes jobs with British Sea Power, the loveGods and Electric Soft Parade.
Milke: London based outfit with overtones of Hot Chip through high production values make for polished party music. Genius at the keys, Andrew Friendly is a leading mover and shaker on LondonâÂÂs dance music scene, with his own label Gulp chalking up underground hits by the score.
The Gadsdens : Blue-eyed soul meets indie-pop with a knowing wink to classical music to boot. A unique sound, beguiling vocals and currently working with wunderkind producer/programmer, Sean McGhee (Robyn, Imogen Heap, Alanis Morissette). TheyâÂÂre awkwardly beautiful, and theyâÂÂre going to be big.
Alan MX: Little is known of mask-wearing Alan MX â what we do know is that heâÂÂs just produced his first album Warpisichord! and itâÂÂs a kaleidoscope of infectious pop hooks and glitchy electronica.
Salty Lips: A cheeky slice of dirty electro, this local outfit loves starting parties as much as they like raising eyebrows at Contort Yourself and Homoelectric.
Hooker: ManchesterâÂÂs three piece has Zoe McVeigh who never fails to give a visceral punk performance. Think Johnny Thunders / Ramones. But what sets them apart is the sheer amount of power and longing they pack into their blistering 3-minutes salvos.
No Bra: German androgyne who plays on the gender ambiguity tightrope, she’s been photographed by Hedi Slimane (ex-Dior designer) showing off her knee-length hair. She’s off soon to NYC to work with Throbbing Gristle‘s legendary Genesis P.Orridge.
July Rising: Comparisons with the Foo Fighters are never a bad thing, but July Rising have set their compass to find new melodic lands. Memorable choruses and slow burning build ups make for some dangerously likeable loud music.
Slow Life: The Slow Life make music for reflection. Distilled, detailed and uplifting, their layered sounds crystalise into something that rewards listen after listen.
Plus
Queering the Pitch aftershow party
Saturday 10 May
11pm-late
Legends, 4-6 Whitworth Street, Manchester, M1 3QW
ã8 on the door or ã5 with your Queering the Pitch ticket
Join Horse Meat Disco at Legends with their first full Manchester night for some after-show shenanigans and who knows what else….
