To Kill A King – The Deaf Institute – Sunday 8 March:
Leeds five piece To King A King perform at the Deaf Institute, just days after the release of their self-titled second album and just before heading over to Europe. Building on the successes of 2013 and 2014, expect a further push from the band pitched somewhere around Bastile, Mumford and Sons and Imagine Dragons. Slightly dark, they are catchy and addictive, full of sing along melodies and a stadium feel. Support comes from Waylayers. Tickets £10.00.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Manchester Arena – Monday 9 March:
Noel Gallagher returns to Manchester following the release of the second High Flying Birds album Chasing Yesterday, for which he took on writing and producing responsibilities, featuring a broader array of instrumentation than ever before. Having cited influences as diverse as west coast rock, ‘space jazz’ and classic rock’n’roll, the album offers an ever so slight change in direction, but the gig will no doubt retain that classic Gallagher feel. Support comes from Black Rivers (the new band from Jez and Andy Williams, two thirds of Doves). Tickets £35-£70 plus booking fee.
The Unthanks – The Ritz – Wednesday 11 March:
Mercury Nominated band The Unthanks perform at Manchester’s Ritz as part of their latest tour in support of new album Mount The Air. Featuring a 10 piece ensemble, the live show showcases their first album for four years, a relief to fans of the acclaimed Geordie folk band, sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank. Tickets £18 plus booking fee.
Halestorm – O2 Apollo – Saturday 14 March:
Pennsylvanian rockers Halestorm return to Manchester following their sell out 2014 gig at Manchester ACademy. Performing 10 UK dates before heading over to Europe, they will be showcasing material from their forthcoming album Into The Wild Life and clearly have frontwoman Lzzy Hale excited – “We are so stoked to get back to our European Freaks in March! Thank you for all the love over the ‘net…but now we want to see your faces!!! And we have some killer friends we’re bringing along with us: NOTHING MORE and WILSON. Don’t hesitate! This is not a tour you can afford to miss!”. Support comes from Nothing More and Wilson. Tickets £17.50 plus booking fee.
Orphan Boy – The Ruby Lounge – Satuday 14 March:
Orphan Boy return ahead of their forthcoming third album, and following the announcement of their new single Beats Like Distant Tides. Shot in and around their hometown of Cleethorpes, the music video for ‘Beats Like Distant Tides’ epitomises the harsh atmosphere looming over Humberside through British wintertime. “The character is searching for something but ends up in a race against time to find it. The longer he tries the more unlikely and desperate his search becomes,” songwriter and vocalist Bob Orphan reveals of the video’s concept. “His search is a metaphor for a life spent searching for something that simply might not be there. We chose the scruffier end of the beach for the final scene because it is typically quite lonely there.” Support comes from No Hot Ashes. Tickets £8 plus booking fee.
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Previewed: To Kill A King at The Deaf Institute
