The Pick Of This Week's Gigs - 15 March

Kiesza – Albert Hall – Thursday 19 March:

Kiesza comes to Manchester as part of her biggest UK tour to date, performing at the iconic Albert Hall. Taking inspiration from the New York dance clubs of the 90s as well as hip hop and r&b, Kiesza’s debut album (via a record label at least), Sound Of A Woman, is an ode to love, heartbreak and joy and saw the Canadian-born, Brooklyn-based pop singer his the top 40 in the UK and the number one spot on the US Dance/Electronic Billboard Chart. Support comes from Prides. Tickets £14.00.

Sam Smith – O2 Apollo – Thursday 19 March and Friday 20 March:

Multiple Grammy and Brit Award winner Sam Smith performs two dates at Manchester’s O2 Apollo. The singer/songwriter, who enjoyed a meteoric rise in 2014 owing to hits Stay With Me and Money On My Mind, which followed on from significant exposure featuring on Latch by Disclosure and La La by Naughty Boy, will bring with him his soulful voice, tales of love and the talent and songwriting which saw him become the only solo artist to sell over a million albums in both the UK and US last year. Support comes from Kwabs. Tickets £22.50 plus booking fee.

The Devil Makes Three – The Ruby Lounge – Saturday 21 March:

Spiky blues band The Devil Makes Three, bring the good times, with blues, folk, country, ragtime and rockabilly – accoustic music, full of rhythm despite the lack of drums. The group bring plenty of foot-tapping tunes with them and dynamic performances which create an irresistible urge to dance. Comprising guitarist/front man Pete Bernhard, stand-up bass player Lucia Turino and guitarist Cooper McBean, the trio released their latest album I’m A Stranger Here in 2013, seeing it become their most successful yet. Tickets £8 plus booking fee.

Jane Weaver – The Deaf Institute – Saturday 21 March:

Synth-pop psych and conceptual artist Jane Weaver has built up a loyal fanbase via a 20+ year career which has seen her release six studio albums, including 2014’s synth-driven, self-produced The Silver Globe which featured contributions from Badly Drawn Boy, David Holmes and Cybotron. It was an album which was voted Piccadilly Records’ number one album of 2014. The artist, who has strong links to Manchester, running local imprint Bird Records, has garnered high praise over the years and also performed as part of Britpop group Kill Laura. Support comes from Horsebeach. Tickets £8 plus booking fee.

The Backhanders – Kraak Gallery – Satuday 21 March:

Manchester fourpiece The Backhanders (Stephen Chadwick on vocals and rhythm, Peter Clarke on guitar, Ashley Taylor on drums and Matty Owen on bass), have quickly been catching people’s attention and standing out as a band to take note of and watch. Energetic, driven and catchy as anything, the indie-esq band have built a strong reputation on the back of their live shows. Support comes from The Moods. Tickets £5 plus booking fee.

McBusted – Manchester Arena – Saturday 21 March and Sunday 22 March:

After the success of 2014’s arena tour, which saw the band play 35 arena shows to more than 350,000 fans, McBusted, return for two nights at the Manchester Arena, following the release of the six-piece group’s self-titled top 10 debut album and debut single Air Guitar. Support comes from New City Kings and Symmetry. Tickets £37.50-£41.50.

The Pick Of This Week’s Gigs – 15 March – 21 March 2015

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