MAYDAY PARADE - Ten years ago, a group of friends from Tallahassee, FL formed a band and traveled the country, selling their CD to anyone that would listen in parking lots at Vans Warped Tour. Building a following from the roots up, one fan at a time, Mayday Parade has garnered a lifelong, massive dedicated fanbase, in their evolution from hard-working local band to global force. Delving into the musical influences that have inspired their decade-long career, the band have delivered their most refreshing, exciting, passion-driven release to date with new album Black Lines, which debuted at #1 on Billboard's Rock Albums Chart, #1 on the Alternative Albums Chart. Melodically diverse, the collection of 12 stunning tracks blends driving rock riffs with the band's signature heartfelt lyrics into a whole new take on their sound, without losing what is quintessentially Mayday Parade. While musically raising the bar, Mayday Parade constantly reminds fans and industry alike just why they are leaders of their field.

Dusty Pop present
NEW COLUMBIA
+ Nana White Pepper
+ Soma Sons 
+ The Sheratons 
+ Guests

Doors 7.30pm - Curfew 11pm

All ages welcome, U14s must be accompanied by an adult at all times

Alternative rock n roll quartet from Prestatyn North Wales. If you're looking for music with attitude then it's time to bring the rock n' roll times back again in the form of New Columbia.

Masters of Drum & Bass presents

DJ HAZARD 

BENNY PAGE 

+ SPECIAL GUESTS

Manchester Club Academy & Union Bar

Friday 22nd September 2017 

Doors: 10pm | Curfew 4am

18+ only

SJM Concerts Present

FRANK IERO & THE PATIENCE

+ SPECIAL GUESTS

Manchester Academy 3

Sunday 24^th September 2017

Doors 7pm | Curfew 11pm

Tickets £17.00 advance STBF

All ages welcome, U14s to be accompanied by an adult at all times

Mr Jukes – the solo project of Jack Steadman of Bombay Bicycle Club – has announced details of an autumn UK and European tour.

Mr Jukes will release his debut album ‘God First’ via Island Records on the 14^th July. The album places Jack centre stage as an artist, composer, producer and sample-hound and features collaborations with De La Soul, Horace Andy, Lianne La Havas, BJ the Chicago Kid and Charles Bradley.

Jack on making the album: “On Mr Jukes I have the freedom to go right to the end of any idea I might have so if I want to use, say, a Grant Green sample and have Charles Bradley singing over it, I can do that. It’s been very exciting.”

That freedom certainly seems to be paying off – ‘Angels/Your Love’ and ‘Grant Green’ have been Mistajam’s Hottest Record’s in the World on Radio 1, both have gone Top 5 on Spotify’s Viral Chart and been playlisted by 6Music. Newest release ‘Leap of Faith’ was a World Record on Beats1 and his debut headline show at London’s Village Underground on the 11^th July sold out in under 24 hours. All of this has been coupled with key tastemaker support from the likes of Pitchfork, Noisey, Wonderland, Fader and DIY.

CATS in SPACE  featuring members from SWEET, IAN GILLAN, ASIA & T’PAU have been hailed across Europe as one of the most exciting original rock bands to have emerged in 2015. With guest stars including Mick Wilson from 10cc, and Queen producer Mike Moran, their debut album ‘Too Many Gods’ was voted the “album of the year” by many publications. Taking their sound from ELO, 10cc, Queen and all kinds of 70s inspired acts the band’s live show is as explosive and powerful as their album. Picking up radio play on Radio 2, Planet Rock and over 150 radio stations worldwide, it’s no wonder “everybody wants to be a cat!”.

“...The best 70s infused rock i have heard in the last 10 years, no, make that since the seventies...”  -Rob Evans, Powerplay

SPACE ELEVATOR released their debut album in 2014 producing a contemporary rock album drawing on the influences of the biggest and best bands in rock history. Performing well crafted, powerful rock songs, their instantly memorable melodies are delivered brilliantly by flamboyant lead singer the Duchess. Space Elevator were played extensively on Planet Rock in early 2016 as well as being featured on BBC Radio 2.

“...Space Elevator could become the biggest Hard Rock band of the year...”  Malcolm Dome-AOR

Quotes:

“In a world over run by tribute bands and nostalgia shows, it is a genuine thrill to be able to watch two ORIGINAL rock bands deliver the most exciting music the UK has heard in ages... this is a must see tour...” Rob Evans

 “ ...There were so many highlights it’s hard to know where to begin, the sensational lead vocals of Paul Manzi, the multi part vocal harmonies,& flashy twin guitars set me drooling...If you weren’t there you missed summat very special...more please!” CATS in SPACE Live review by ‘Classic Rock’,  Jan 2016

“SPACE ELEVATOR ...The Duchess makes Freddie Mercury look like a shrinking violet...”  Prog magazine.

So, together for one night only, prepare for a musical explosion of some of the finest original 70s infused, rock music you will ever hear, it’s going to be ‘Out of this world’!

SJM Concerts Present:
Waterparks
+ SPECIAL GUESTS

Manchester Academy 3
Wednesday 27th September 2017
Doors 7.30pm | Curfew 11pm

Tickets £12.00 advance STBF 
All ages welcome, U14s to be accompanied by an adult at all times

Sanctuary Music Ltd in association with The Fresh Start Agency Rockingham Entertainment Present
VEGA
+ Gin Annie Rock band

Manchester Academy 3
Thursday 28th September 2017 
Doors 7pm | Curfew 10.30pm

Tickets £12.00 advance STBF | £15.00 OTD

UK rockers VEGA first came on the scene back in 2010 with their critically acclaimed debut Dz Kiss of Life dz. The band aimed to offer something more than just a re-tread of rock music’s 80’s and 90’s glory days. To some it was a refreshing change but to others it was blasphemy!! 

However, the guys stuck to their guns, stayed true to themselves and in 2014 delivered another album (What the hell) full of rock anthems with a twist. The album was once again critically acclaimed by both fans and critics alike. VEGA was now also creating a reputation for being a vibrant and energetic live band through headline shows and special guest appearances. Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott even gave the first single from that album Dz White knuckle ride dz its worldwide debut on his planet Rock radio show. Being prolific song-writers, he guys entered the studio the very same year and released their 3rd studio album Stereo Messiah to their best reviews yet. 

The album was to feature a song given to them by Joe Elliott, who also recorded some vocals for the album. The band went on to make several festival appearance’s and were special guest for FM, Joe Elliott’s Down N Outz and Michael Schenker to name but a few and continued to grow their fan-base. The band are now hungrier than ever and released their 4th album Dz Who we are dz in May this year. It went straight in to the UK Rock Chart top 20 and was backed up by a tour with rock legends Magnum. VEGA are building up a reputation for high octane live shows so catch them when you can and bring your singing voice and your dancing shoes!

Love & Gravel Records Presents

ARCADIA

+ SPECIAL GUESTS

Manchester Academy 3 

Friday 14^th April 2017 

Doors 7.30pm | Curfew 11pm

Tickets £7.00 advance STBF

All ages welcome, U14s to be accompanied by an adult at all times

Naughties Nu Metal band ARCADIA  are back with a vengeance for 2017.

A must see for fans of Rage Against the Machine and Limp Bizkit.

SJM Concerts Present
NEW FOUND GLORY 
+ SPECIAL GUESTS
Playing ‘Sticks and Stones/Catalyst’ 

Manchester Academy
Friday 29th September 2017
Doors 7pm | Curfew 11pm

Tickets £22.50 advance STBF 
All ages welcome, U14s to be accompanied by an adult at all times

Pop punk heavyweights, NEW FOUND GLORY have confirmed a UK tour to celebrate their 20^th anniversary with tickets going on sale this Friday 3^rd February at 9am UK time.  The band have also just confirmed the release date for their new album “Makes Me Sick” on 28^th April, which will be preceded by the lead single “Happy Being Miserable” on 16^th February. 

CMH Live Presents
THE HYENA KILL 
+ VERY SPECIAL GUESTS

Manchester Academy 3
Sunday 30th April 2017 
Doors 7pm | Curfew 10.30pm

Tickets £9.00 advance STBF 
All ages welcome, U14s to be accompanied by an adult at all times

Dobb and Blundell exploded like a nail bomb into the subterranean noise scene. Since then – via 2014’s Scrape My Bones EP and two further singles, ‘Suck It Up’ and 2015’s thrilling double-header ‘Still Sick’ / ‘Blisters’ – the duo have refined, honed and focussed their fierce alternative rock sound into something harsher, leaner and altogether nastier.

The result is their Atomised, an unflinching, brutal dissection of what it means to be skint, frustrated, alienated and adrift in modern Britain. From tense, wired recent single ‘Crosses’ (“Cut it up and sell us cheap, crosses for eyes and sunken cheeks…”) to the sparse, bruised, hypnotic title track (“These broken hearts are never far from where we are…”) via stark, snub-nosed titles such as ‘Your Loss’, ‘Choke’ and ‘Erase You’, it’s a compelling snapshot of a young band over-dosing on volume, adrenaline, distortion and a shared passion for venomous, visceral, breath-stealing rock ‘n’ roll.

Atomised was recorded and mixed by Tom Peters at the Grand Studio in Clitheroe, Lancashire, and mastered at London’s legendary Abbey Road studios by Christian Wright (who has cut albums for the likes of Radiohead, Blur and Ed Sheeran).

SJM CONCERTS PRESENT:
Third Eye Blind
+ SPECIAL GUESTS

Manchester Academy 2
Friday 29th September 2017
Doors 7.30pm | Curfew 11pm

Tickets £20.00 advance STBF 
All ages welcome, U14s to be accompanied by an adult at all times

Celebrating the 20^th anniversary of their debut album, ‘Third Eye Blind’, the band are pleased to announce details of two UK headline shows, which will take place in Manchester and London.

Led by frontman Stephan Jenkins, Third Eye Blind have sold over 12 million records since their inception and their most recent release “We Are Drugs” hit iTunes top 5 alternative records.

They continued to sell out numerous headline shows and set attendance records at 2016 summer music festivals worldwide including Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Tokyo’s Summersonic and UK’s Reading and Leeds Festivals.

These two very special headline performances follow ‘The Summer Gods Tour’ where the band sold out amphitheatres across North America including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and New Orleans.

Despite two decades Third Eye Blind of success, they are a band focused on the future, with an album named after the current tour “Summer Gods” expected before the end of this year.

Kilimanjaro Live Presents:
BRIAN REED ON CREATING S-TOWN: 
A NEW WAY TO TELL A STORY

Manchester Academy 
Saturday 30th September 2017
Doors 7pm | Show 8pm | Curfew 11pm
Tickets £25.00 advance STBF

Brian Reed is the host and co-creator of the groundbreaking podcast S-Town, which is a production of Serial and the public radio show This American Life. Reed is also the senior producer of This American Life.

S-Town was downloaded 40 million times in its first month, setting a new record in podcasting, and is currently the number one podcast on iTunes. Reed spent more than 3 years reporting and writing S-Town, which began when a man named John B. McLemore asked Reed to investigate an alleged murder in his small Alabama town. The series won widespread popular and critical acclaim for elevating audio storytelling into the realm of great literature.

Reed has investigated multiple sketchy FBI operations, as well as produced stories about strange coincidences and car salesmen on Long Island and a turkey who terrorized a neighborhood before getting murdered by police. His journalism has helped an immigrant gain asylum in the U.S. and prompted a Senate Committee to grill the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Before joining This American Life as an intern in 2010, Reed reported and produced for NPR as one of their Kroc Fellows and their first Above the Fray Fellow. Reed has received the Dart Award for Reporting on Trauma, the Overseas Press Club Award, and the Peabody Award.

Manchester Academy Presents

LIVING COLOUR

With support from: Stone Broken

Manchester Club Academy

Saturday 30^th September, 2017

Doors 7.30pm

Curfew 11.00pm

Tickets - £18.50 Advance STBF 

All Ages – Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult over 18

Living Colour are a funk metal group formed in New York city in 1984.

Stylistically their music is a creative fusion influenced by guitar-based rock such as hardcore punk and heavy metal, and traditional African-American music such as jazz, funk, and hip-hop. They are linked to the funk metal/alternative metal movement of the late 1980s typified by bands such as Fishbone, Jane’s Addiction, Primus, Faith No More, and 24-7 Spyz. They are best remembered for the hit Cult of Personality, which won a Grammy Award for best hard rock performance in 1989.

In 1995 the were in the process of writing what would be their fourth full-length album, but an inability to settle on a single musical direction caused friction between the members, leading to Living Colour's demise in early in the same year.

In 2000, Living Colour re-united and launched their first tour together in six years during the summer of 2001.

Gather Presents

MARTIN SMITH

PLUS BRIGHT CITY

Manchester Academy 2

Saturday 30th September 2017 

Doors 7.30pm | Curfew 11pm

Tickets £10.00 advance STBF | £12.00 OTD

All ages welcome, U14s to be accompanied by an adult at all times

Martin Smith is a singer and songwriter of rare ability and passion. His mixture of skill and integrity has wowed audiences inside and outside the walls of the Church since his days as a young guy with big dreams in the early 1990s. Back then, Martin spent his time writing and singing songs about the realities of life and faith which travelled the world, some of which became some of the modern Church's most popular calls to arms (Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble, I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever, Thank You For Saving Me). Today there are new songs, new audiences to be wowed, but the passion, the desire for connection and transformation burns stronger than ever. Blessed with the kind of voice that people recognise having heard it a mere handful of times, Martin is finding more what it means to be him and the results, in terms of new songs of love and loss, doubt and hope, are shot through with a cascading and coursing reality and power.

Martin's new band, Army of Bones, as well as readying a storming debut album, are developing a reputation for being equally as adept at bringing hope to sweat-filled clubs as they are as his team in stadium events full of abandoned praise and, perhaps most potent and impressive of all, Martin has managed, somehow, to maintain the fire, the intensity, of hope and love which fuelled him more than 20 years ago. The greatest testimony to this is not just the songs and the powerful impact they continue to have, it is that he continues to live the story of honest faith and love himself. Martin still has huge dreams. He wants what he's always wanted, to let people know that God is nearer than they think and that that same God wants to continue the dance of love with them. Whether it's in the anticipation of 'Waiting Here For You', or precious moments lost in the wonder of celebrating the 'Fire That Never Sleeps', one thing is clear, the flame still burns and it is drawing Martin on into that dance, himself.

Whether it's in the river, in the streets, a dimly lit town centre pub, in the workplace or in a sports stadium full of worshippers, Martin Smith and his songs carry the same power they always have, an then some. That power invites us, his listeners to dance, and then to dance some more. Are you in?

This seven-piece tribute band have been amazing audiences all over the
Northwest with their engaging and energetic performance celebrating the
magical music of Pink Floyd. They have been especially praised for the
accuracy of their performance based on the studio versions of music
spanning the entire output of the Floyd from early days through to the
most recently released Endless River, with firm favourites Dark Side Of
The Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and The Wall particularly featured.
Lead by front-man Russell supported by Andrea’s astonishing vocals (her
Great Gig has been described as “the best I have heard since the release
of DSOTM”), attention to detail is the bye-word for Luke (keyboards and
effects), drummer Lee, Jack on bass, and Harry (guitar and sax), while you
might think it was David Gilmour himself on stage when you hear Alan’s
lead guitar riffs.

Some reactions to recent performances: 

“What a show!! I will
be coming to see these again. All round great performance. Have a cigar,
fellas & girl” 

(Jay Frazer)

“There was something very Floydish about
spending a summer's evening listening to Pink(ed) Floyd music. Never going
to see the real thing at Pompeii but this was a pretty good substitute!”
(David Evans) 

“My heroes will never be forgotten as long as you are on the
stage and that's from a 68 year-old roadie of the original PF! You are
another brick in the wall!" 

(David Larkin, former PF roadie)