Four outstanding acts hit Manchester over the next few weeks deserving of a special nod, so we thought we’d give them just that:
Dayglow – 26 March – O2 Ritz
Over the last few years, Dayglow has cemented himself as an indie pop innovator with his vibrant, vivid, and memorable music. The Texas-native singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer (a.k.a. Sloan Struble) has emerged as a multi-platinum certified phenomenon, generating billions of streams. Since bursting onto the scene, he’s sold out headline tours across the globe and graced festival stages including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Firefly Music Festival, Outside Lands, Reading & Leeds, Corona Capital, and more.
Dilettante – 27 March – Deaf Institute
Manchester based Dilettante, the art-rock collective led by Francesca Pidgeon, continue to wow with their latest outstanding album Life of the Party. Drawing on jazz, pop, avante-garde and more, Dilettante embrace the experimental, looping and genre shifting textures, delivering a string of alternative musical styles across the new album and debut Tantrum (2022). Live, they deliver a stunning display of musicianship complete with fuzzy guitars, addictive rhythms, the occasional saxophone and more.
Almost Monday – 28 March – Deaf Institute
This trio from San Diego are currently riding high in the US charts with their single Cant Slow Down reaching No.1 on the alternative charts and continuing to climb into the Top 30 airplay chart. Their European tour is a sell out and having played the likes of Lollapalooza and Firefly, their signature blend of sun-soaked melodies, danceable rhythms, and infectious indie-pop energy is must be caught at the Deaf Institute.
Kids Return – 3 April – Band on the Wall (supporting Oracle Sisters)
Born in 1997, the of their birth is marked by a musical effervescence – the French Touch and the rise of Britpop: major movements that infuse their recordings two decades later. In 2022, Kids Return released their first album ‘Forever Melodies’ and in just a few months, the duet transitioned from a filmed live session at the legendary Motorbass studio, to sold-out shows at highly prestigious Paris venues including La Maroquinerie and La Cigale. The band went on tour the US, from Los Angeles to Montreal, including the iconic Red Rocks amphitheater enroute to Tokyo and 2023’s Summer Sonic. The duo are now on course to storm through 2025 as a band to watch, so the question is – are you along for the ride? They will also perform at Liverpool’s Hangar 34 on 4 April.
Manchester gigs – image of almost monday courtesy Aaron Oquendo
