Kristyna Myles – The Ruby Lounge – Monday 23 March:
MOBO nominated singer Kristyna Myles launches her excellent second album, Paint A Brighter Day, the follow on from her sensational 2014 debut Pinch Me Quick, at Manchester’s The Ruby Lounge. With influences of soul, gospel and jazz, the hugely talented Kristyna Myles has a voice which can only be described as sublime and an incredible knack for song-writing. She has previously delivered stunning performances at Manchester’s The Deaf Institute and Manchester Jazz Festival. Support comes from three more outstanding artists – Philippa Hannah, Jules Rendell and Lily-Jo, making a thoroughly enviable line-up. More details here. Tickets £7.00.
Ward Thomas – Gorilla – Monday 23 March:
Returning to Manchester following previous performances at Band on the Wall (alongside The Shires) and The Castle, 20-year old twin sisters Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas continue their rise. The duo performed at the recent star-studded Country 2 Country music festival in London and in 2014 saw their debut album From Where We Stand enter the iTunes Country Chart at number 1, sit atop the OCC Country Artist Album Chart for 5 weeks and scooped the British Country Music Award for UK Album of the Year (and rightly so). Support comes from another highly talented artist, Jess Roberts. Tickets £12.50 plus booking fee.
Chic ft Nile Rodgers – O2 Apollo – Tuesday 24 March:
One of the most influential musicians/producers around, Nile Rodgers, performs alongside Chic at the O2 Apollo. With hits including Good Times, Le Freak, Everybody Dance and Dance, Dance, Dance, there’s no shortage of good times to be had – and expect a medley of other artists’ hits too as he often plays Lets Dance, Lost in Music and We Are Family (well he was involved in the writing and producing). This is an artist who can really pen an addictive dance and singalong hit. Tickets £40 plus booking fee.
Amerie – Manchester Academy – Friday 27 March:
Best known for her massive hit 1 Thing, singer Amerie has described her sound as specific and unique – hard and soft; melodic; lush harmonies; aggressive but smooth; soulful. Six years after previous album In Love and War was released, she is back, joining up with her hit-making collaborator Rich Harrison and demonstrating that she hasn’t missed a beat. Support comes from Hayley Cassidy. Tickets £17.50 plus booking fee.
Gun – Manchester Academy – Friday 27 March:
Following the huge demand for their three Glasgow shows in November 2014, all of which sold-out within an hour, Gun embark on a full UK tour in celebration of the 25th anniversary of their acclaimed debut album Taking On The World. It was an album which received glowing reviews and was included in Classic Rock Magazine’s list of the 150 Greatest Debut Albums of All Time. The band’s latest album, Frantic, is released on Monday 23rd March, so expect a mixture of classics and new material. Support comes from The Wild Lies and Renegade & Retrospect. Tickets £14 plus booking fee.
Patterns – The Deaf Institute – Saturday 28 March and Sunday 22 March:
Manchester’s own Patterns perform at the Deaf Institute. With a gig which includes bespoke visuals and 3D projections on multiple screens to illustrate the drones and loops in their hallucinogenic music, this is one for the eyes as well as the ears as the astral-psych/shoegaze pop four-piece gear up towards their second album, a follow-up to 2013’s Walking Lines. Support comes from Victories at Sea. Tickets £8.
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