Unsigned Guide's Manchester picks

Pinch and a punch, it’s the first (now second – lazy ed) of the month! We might be in the thick of festival season but there are a few industrious souls still gigging, so here are my top five picks of up and coming acts playing in Manchester across the month of August. Miss them at your peril!

The Kindest of Thieves @ Fuel - Friday 2nd August

 The Thieves have taken it upon themselves to recreate the booming sounds of the rock n roll era. With fanciful guitars and burgeoning drums they underpin their sound with somewhat macabre lyrics.

The partnership is abounding and intense, shifting from euphoric to deep despair within seconds. A sentiment which is only intensified live; a gloriously loud affair with reverb and crashing cymbals aplenty.

Having chalked up a fair few gigs in and around Warrington, they’re now keen to dip their toes in the Manchester scene with a hope to securing more dates and more fans.

The Tapestry @ Soup Kitchen, Friday 2nd August

If you have a penchant for the catchy and the anthemic, The Tapestry are definitely for you. Describing themselves as ‘dirty-garage-pop’, Liam, Dyna, Katie and Zara cite influences in the likes of Pixies, Pavement, The Clash and Television. 

Mixing sharp hooks with shimmering disco drums and lashings of gumption, their distinct sound already a hit with Manchester’s rock royalty John Robb who once said if there was ever a band to fall instantly in love with; it was The Tapestry. 

With sold out gigs already under their belt, including their last date at Night & Day, they’ve done the rounds supporting the likes of The View, Pete Doherty and The Courteeners and acquired a hefty fan base along the way.

Friday night sees them play the intimate, cave-like surroundings of the Soup Kitchen and its set to be a highly lauded affair with Northern swagger oozing from every crook.

Brown Brogues @ The Castle, Saturday 10th August

“Garage punk twins” Brown Brogues, regulars on the Manchester gig circuit, are back for another headline slot at The Castle. And the duo’s befuddled feedback driven offerings provide a most engaging live show.

Raucous by nature and a most lively affair, the rapport between Mark and Ben is obvious as is the level of sheer enjoyment exuding from them both when playing.

Hammering drums, stomping beats and blistered vocals coupled with sprightly moves and a good old dose of on-stage hoopla make a Brown Brogues gig a very intense yet familiar affair.

(peep our interview with the group way back in 2010)

The Lottery Winners @ Academy 3, Saturday 10th August

“Born in Salford and raised on romance” is how they go about describing themselves and with a sound that takes on the jovialness of The Beach Boys and partners it with the adversity of The Smiths, it’s not hard to see why.

With front man and chief songwriter Thomas having been brought up on a diet of Aztec Camera, Orange Juice, Bowie, Blondie, Tears for Fears and Joy Division, momentous melodies and forlorn lyrics are a given as are saccharine vocals and jangly guitars.

Uninterested by the ’15 minutes of fame’ ethic, the quartet are keen to shun the faddy band approach to making music having chosen to set the live circuit alight as apposed to officially releasing any material until they felt it was the best it could be.

Merchandise @ The Deaf Institute, Thursday 22nd August

Now Wave have nabbed Florida’s Merchandise for their first ever Manchester show and although not strictly a “new” band it’s only relatively recently that the blandishment has occurred with tastemakers cottoning on. 

With some mystery as to the make-up of the band; some reporting they’re a duo with a supporting member and some saying they’re a trio with a live drummer, you’ll be able to see for yourself on the 22nd of August when they take to the stage at The Deaf Institute.

Emotionally complex matter coalesces with honeyed soundscapes, with nods to the hardcore and punk scenes also most evident. Think along the lines of The Cure and The Jesus And Mary Chain and you won’t be too far off.

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