Leo Stannard
Sunday 16 October – Deaf Institute
Leo Stannard has been picking up recognition and plaudits left, right and centre, which has only increased with the release of his collaborations with Kidnap Kid and Kant. In between writing, collaborating and hitting the studio, he has been supporting the lights of Nina Nesbitt, Rudimental and Benjamin Francis Leftwich. Now the singer songwriter hits Manchester’s Deaf Institute, headlining in his own right.
Jake Bugg
Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 October – O2 Apollo
Jake Bugg tours his latest album On My One which was released in June and follows the incredible success of his first two albums, the double platinum 2012 debut Jake Bugg and the top five 2013 follow-up Shangri La. Support comes from Georgie who is about to release her debut single Company Of Thieves and hits the studio in the new year to finalise her debut album. She’s also due to go back on the road in December supporting Blossoms.
Jamie T
Thursday 20 October – O2 Apollo
Less than two years after the release of Carry On The Grunge, Jamie T blasted back with his fourth album Trick (released 2 September). Full of vigour and vibrancy the album was spearheded by lead single Tinfoil Boy, which was playlisted by Radio 1, 6 Music and Radio X. To support the release the five-time NME winner and Mercury nominee is on an 18-date tour calling in at Manchester’s O2 Apollo.
Clean Bandit
Friday 21 October – Gorilla
Electronic/classical baroque popgroup Clean Bandit have developed a knack of recording hugely addictive songs which they transfer perfectly to the live stage. The group, who are again riding high on their recent single Tears (featuring Louisa Johnson) are currently shortlisting tracks for their upcoming album, the follow up to 2014’s hit top 10 debut New Eyes.
Maddie and Tae
Saturday 22 October – Manchester Academy 2
Maddie and Tae make their return to the UK following their excellent performance at London’s C2C Festival in March. The country duo pen songs with complete honesty (even if it does risk raising the ire of Nashville’s Bro’ Country fans ), singing about cluless boys (Shut Up And Fish), bullying (Sierra), heartbreak (Smoke) and attitudes towards women in country music (Girl In A Country Song). Their debut album Start Here was released in 2015 and went on to be a huge success in the US and with country fans in the UK.
Ward Thomas
Saturday 22 October – Deaf Institute
The award winning duo Ward Thomas recently become the first UK country act to score a number one album. They’re back in Manchester touring new album Cartwheels. They have shown time and time again that they are a live act not to be missed, from intimate acoustic gigs at The Castle through to lively full band events at Band on the Wall and Gorilla. Support comes from the incredible and highly acclaimed Nashville singer and songwriter Sarah Darling, making her return to the UK following a tremendously successful Nashville In The Round tour a few weeks back and excellent performances at March’s Country2Country Festival in London.
Maddie and Tae image courtesy Alysse Gafkjen
