Archive

Monthly Archives: October 2011

From Mancenion to Manchester: A tale told by Ford Madox Brown

By
October 23, 2011
Art, Manchester

Though it was touched upon in our second A Long Weekender post, I felt that the Ford Madox Brown murals – which decorate a chamber on the first floor of Manchester Town Hall, and depict the history of our city in a series of twelve scenes – deserved a post all of their own.

As something of a history lover, I’ve often wondered what Manchester was like in the Middle Ages; there’s ample evidence of the city in the 19th century – you can’t help but notice all the mills and factories dotted about the place – and the Roman fort in Castlefield is testament to the city’s longstanding history. But what about all that time in between then and now?

If, like me, you’ve ever asked yourself these questions, then these murals provide a very concise introduction. Each is painted in the vaguely romantic style, which is technically a Hogarthian version of Pre-Raphaelite. Apparently.

The story begins with The Romans Building a Fort at Mancenion, with a Roman general and his wife inspecting the work being carried out (detail showing a solider inspecting the plans below).

The next image shows the baptism of the pagan King Edwin to Christianity. Though this took place in York the conversion brought Christianity to Manchester.

The Expulsion of the Danes from Manchester portrays Mancunians, rather than Saxon soldiers, expelling Danish invaders. From there we move on to The Trial of Wycliffe A.D. 1377, a man who is credited with brining non-conformism to the North of England.

Wycliffe was an unfortunate bloke who was tried for heresy in London in 1377; however, through his protector – John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster – he became linked to the origins of non-conformism. In the full scale image Chaucer is pictured taking notes. I liked the detail of these two gossiping in the foreground about the drama taking place behind them.

Detail from The Trail of Wyclif: Wyclif was an unfortunate bloke who was tried for heresy in London in 1377 but through his protector, a man named John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster he became linked to the origins of non-conformism in the North of England. In the full scale image Caucer is pictured taking notes. I liked the detail of these two gossiping about the drama taking place behind them.

Next, The Proclamation Regarding Weights and Measures A.D. 1556 shows that streamlining the system of general measurements was as unpopular in the 16th century as it was in 2000, when UK law compelled traders to sell in metric measurements.

Crabtree Watching the Transit of Venus A.D. 1639 depicts William Crabtree, from Broughton, observing the transit of Venus, before Chetham’s Life’s Dream A.D. 1640 shows the origins of the current Chetham’s School of Music.

Next, Bradshaw’s Defence of Manchester A.D. 1642 presents a Manchester under siege as Royalist troops surround the town. This was the last murial to be completed before Brown died; having lost the use of his right hand after a stroke, he had to complete it with his left.

We then move on to more familiar times with John Kay, Inventor of the Fly Shuttle A.D. 1753. As Kay tests his invention rioters try to break into his workshop and break it. We stay with the origins of the Industrial Revolution with The Opening of the Bridgewater Canal A.D. 1761, before finally moving on to Dalton Collecting Marsh-Fire Gas, where we see Dalton collecting bubbles of gas from the water of a pond. His experimentation with gas led to the him developing atomic theory.

And there we have it; some of the key events that have help shaped Manchester history over the ages. I’m not really sure how accurate the murals are as a historical record, but regardless they are lovely to look at, and before we saw them as part of our Weekender events I had no idea they were even there.

If you would like to find out more from the comfort of your computer screen you can take a look at the Manchester Government website. Or you can go down to Manchester Town Hall Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.

Part four of a four part series in conjunction with All Points North, providing coverage of Manchester Weekender and other regional festivals.

A Long Weekender, part two

By
October 18, 2011
All Points North, Art, Creative Tourist, Literature, Manchester Weekender, Royal Exchange Theatre, Science

Sunday 16th October 2011

10.47 a.m. With sleep in our eyes, we stumble to the nearest greasy spoon, order up two full Englishes, and take our seats, with the music of Denis Jones still ringing in our heads (and our ears). Before the food arrives to be promptly devoured, we scribble down some thoughts after a night and a day of Manchester Weekender. Three things stand out: how family friendly the whole thing is, how many well thought out free events there are, and how it has succeeded in getting people to venues and places they might otherwise not visit. Good work, Manchester Weekender!

11.56 a.m. Case in point: Manchester Town Hall’s Great Hall (pictured below), which houses Ford Madox Brown’s captivating murals. Indeed, we loved them so much that we almost immediately decided we would be dedicating an entire post to them. The hall itself lives up to its billing; beautifully lit throughout, the splendid ceiling illustrates the nations Manchester traded with at the height of its mercantile power.

12.48 p.m. A quick catch up with friends who have been kept occupied with other events in and around Manchester. It’s one of those weekends, where everyone we know seems to be doing something different, spread across the city engaged in various pursuits, and everyone we pass in the street seems in a rush to get to something or other.

2.40 p.m. We head back over to the Royal Exchange Theatre, not for a play this time, but to see a very unusual collection of clothes. Primitive Streak depicts the first 1000 hours of human life in a series of dresses that take inspiration from the fundamental biological processes. This exhibition, which is part of Manchester Science Festival, is the work of designer and artist Helen Storey and biologist Kate Storey.

The collection uses a minimal pallet to tighten the drama surrounding the biological processes that are being depicted. A particular favourite of ours was the Spinal Column Dress, a halter neck fish tail ball gown with a metal spinal column adornment running the length of the model’s back. The dress displays a biological structure, and the print mimics the results of a DNA test.

Several pieces of the collection are on display at Debanhams, so you’ll be able to catch some of Primitive Streak even if you can’t make it down to the Exchange.

3:45pm Just before leaving the Exchange we heard some music start up from the floor below the gallery. Looking down, we were lucky enough to catch the last stop of the Mala Procession, part of the Asia Triennial, which is featuring at various locales across the city until the 27th November. Here’s a snap of the dancing in action:

4.24 p.m. We swing by the Manchester Food and Drink Festival hub at Albert Square, mindful that after Monday the whole shebang will be leaving us for another year. The desire to spend every remaining penny we have to our name is overwhelming, but in the end we restrain ourselves, and say our goodbyes for another 12 months.

5.22 p.m. Our feet hurt. Our bodies ache. But we’re hardy souls, and swing by the Northern Quarter to get in on some of the hustle and bustle that was so apparent earlier in the day. To see the city so full of life is one of the best things about October in Manchester. So much to do, so little time…

7.11 p.m. Manchester Cathedral is a truly magnificent setting for anything, the type of space you’re happy to find yourself in regardless of what’s taking place. That we’re here for the Sacred Hearts event is entirely fitting, given that Sarah Dunnant’s novel is something of a rumination on religious faith. As we take our seats, we’re not quite sure what to expect.

8.13 p.m. A brief intermission gives us time to stretch our feet, take a few pictures, and scribble a few notes. Combining a reading from Dunnant herself, a dramatisation of parts of the novel, and a live performance from the highly accomplished Musica Secreta choir, Sacred Hearts turns out to be very interesting. Whilst the odd technical difficulty reared its head during the spoken interludes, the choir is perfect; their songs echo around the interior, every bit as harmonious as one would hope.

9.56 p.m. Once again, it’s time for a long walk home with music having had a significant impact upon us. There’s something about music in a holy setting; you can’t help but be moved a little, regardless of the genre or the circumstances. We’re exhausted but content, and shuffle homeward to get some much earned kip. For us, and for the city as a whole, Manchester Weekender was a rousing success.

Part three of a four part series in conjunction with All Points North, providing coverage of Manchester Weekender and other regional festivals.

A Long Weekender, part one

By
October 17, 2011
All Points North, Art, Creative Tourist, Deaf Institute, Hey! Manchester, Manchester Art Gallery, Manchester Craft and Design Centre, Manchester Weekender
1 Comment

Saturday 15th October 2011

9.02 a.m. And so it begins, with the ringing of a phone alarm followed by toast, imitation Weetabix, and cups of tea. A look out the window suggests that earlier predictions of another citywide heatwave may not have been too far wide of the mark. Perfect weather for a stroll to Manchester Art Gallery, to catch the first part of Sounds Like A Gallery.

10.34 a.m. We arrive early, as it turns out; Black Jack Barnet won’t be starting until 12. Fortunately, that gives us the chance to enjoy the gallery’s fantastic permanent collection. The problem with living in a city for any number of years – and knowing that your immediate future lies within its boundaries – is that it’s easy to become complacent about the likes of the Manchester Art Gallery. A “we should drop in some time” mentality takes over, whereby you intend to visit but never get around to it. We’re delighted to have been prompted to do so, and make a note to come visit the Ford Madox Brown exhibition as soon as our pockets are a little heavier. We’d fully recommend you pay the place a visit, too.

12.36 p.m. Black Jack Barnet (pictured above, alongside William Etty’s The Sirens and Ulysses) turns out to be great: playing to a broad audience of kids and older folk, he uses “poetic license” to tell the stories behind six of the gallery’s most bold and impressive paintings. From song to song he shifts style dramatically, so that one moment he’s delivering gospel folk that calls to mind Seasick Steve, and the next he’s mining Jam On Bread twee indie territory, touring the first floor and picking up new followers at every stop. He mostly plays it for laughs and gets them, with the children in attendance every bit as delighted as the adults.

1.12 p.m. We recharge our batteries with a plate of fish and chips in a Norther Quarter caff, with a soundtrack of “Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa” and “These Boots Are Made For Walking.” Next stop, the Manchester Craft and Design Centre…

1.45 p.m. …another place it is easy to forget about, but which deserves plenty more attention than it receives. Partly because the building is beautiful – with a high glass ceiling that lets the light stream into the artisan-filled shopping piazza bellow – and partly because it houses a handful of the city’s most talented artists and craftivists.

2.15 p.m. Within the venue, a makeshift stage has been set up to play host to a couple of hours of world music. First up is Jali Njonkoling Kuyateh, who you might have seen playing his African harp around Piccadilly Gardens. It really is a remarkable instrument; it doesn’t look like much, but the beautiful sound it emits is somewhere between a harp and guitar, and Jail’s voice sounds melodious and delightfully archaic at the same time.

2.41 p.m. The live performances are interspersed with sets from DJ Mayeve and a performance from San’at Mahmudova. We spend a pleasant hour exploring the centre and snacking on chocolate cake at the popular onsite cafe…

3.12 p.m. …after which we spend some time browsing the small jewellery boutiques. We’re interrupted by the first notes of singer/songwriter Luciano Gerber’s 20 minute set. The sounds of rich, nostalgic Brazillian folk reverberate around the bright airy space, which really does lend itself to live music.

3.40 p.m. EthniCITY concludes with an emotionally charged Flamenco set from Calaita (above), that combines powerful lyrics with Catalonian melodies, and underpinned by staccato percussion. It’s always nice to have your eyes opened to different cultures.

4:30 p.m. We retire to the nearby Cord for a couple of pints and reflect on what we’ve seen so far, then eventually head over to the Deaf Institute, grabbing a bite to eat along the way.

7.56 p.m. As we arrive at the Deaf Institute, we’re handed envelopes that contain 3D glasses. A nice touch that helps create the feeling that we’re going to see something special.

8.47 p.m. Support band Gladeyes quickly ensure that said feeling is justified. Indie rock that has its toes more in the rock ‘n’ roll pool than the indie pool, they absolutely command the stage, and deliver a killer performance that the audience clearly love. We hurry to pick up a free copy of their CD, the existence of which they mention between practically every song.

9.34 p.m. As Denis Jones and his musical companion take to the stage, the crowd roar their appreciation. As he begins his set, the sound from the bass and amps are so strong we can literally “feel” the waves of music being created on stage.

The songs are built up in layers; Jones pushes chords and melodies from his guitar through various electrical gizmos creating various effects. Samplers distort his vocals and add an electronic/techno feel to music that started out with distinctly country influences.

And the distorting glasses, which allow the wearer to view the world in a distinctly glitzy haze, seem appropriate now that he’s in full swing. The visuals displayed behind him show sound scapes in primary colours, and against this background Jones casts a dramatic silhouette.

11.12 p.m. The sounds of Denis Jones are still reverberating around our head as we walk home, trying to put the effect into words. We decide that his music lies somewhere between folk, country, psych, and IDM, although the only word that does the set justice is “stunning.” We retire exhausted, but excited about what Sunday has in store for us.

Part two of a four part series in conjunction with All Points North, providing coverage of Manchester Weekender and other regional festivals.

Good at the Royal Exchange Theatre

By
October 15, 2011
All Points North, Creative Tourist, Royal Exchange Theatre, Things to do in Manchester

We’ve rarely been disappointed at the Exchange and we arrived last night hoping the evening’s performance, and our inaugural Manchester Weekender event, would be no exception.

It wasn’t. Good is a play that is hard to forget, one that will roll around in our minds for some time to come.

This production of C.P. Taylor’s 1981 classic, directed by Polly Findlay, tells the story of Professor Haldler, an academic living in 1930s Germany who is struggling to balance the responsibilities of an infirm mother and a hapless wife with a burgeoning infatuation with his student.

To deal with his frustration at his mother’s declining health he writes a pro-euthanasia novel that catches the attention of the Nazi Party, who enlist his services to add ethical weight to their anti-Semitic policies. At crucial moments of moral choice Hadler’s tendency to imagine beautiful music playing leads to him making ethically dubious decisions, almost without him realizing the impact of his actions until it is too late.

The action unfolds in a series of overlapping scenes that act as a means of deliberately disorienting the audience. This device leaves you feeling empathetic with Hadler, played by Adrian Rawlins. We switch from a scene with his mother, to his Jewish friend, to his wife, to his love interest, all the time witnessing how Hadler’s attention is constantly moved from the moral focus of his predicament by his own musical delusions.

With its multitalented cast Good was a show filled with tight performances. Particular highlights involved the switch from straight acting to musical performance. And the climatic scene of the first half was a delight, complete with light pyrotechnics – the description on the Exchange’s website of “1984 meets Cabaret” is entirely apt.

After the opening minutes, you become quickly acclimatized to this pace, and begin to share the disorientation of the main character. The musical interludes seamlessly integrate and feel entirely believable as a means of distracting Hadler from the situations of those around him.

The main question Good asks is “what would you do?” if faced with the same situation and the same choices. It is a question subtly asked; implicit in the creation of an emotional reality so complete, but also one regularly broken by dramatic techniques.

With the demands placed upon him by the supporting characters you can, as a viewer, sympathize with Hadler; however, in one of the final scenes between Hadler and his Jewish friend Maurice I actually wanted to get out of my seat and slap the central character, for sleepwalking from a position of sympathetic protagonist to an attempt to convince his now deceased friend, and himself in the process, that the actions of the Nazi Party are entirely justifiable and are, in fact, the fault of the German Jewish population.

The performances were, without exception, extremely accomplished, showcasing faultlessly how each character around Hadler is so wrapped up in their own psyche and the intricacies of their own experience that they have few faculties left with which to explore the wider implications of their actions.

Good runs until the 5th November, and we would certainly urge you to go and see the play for yourself. Tickets can be booked through the Royal Exchange website, and as always significant discounts are available for people under 26.

Part one of a four part series in conjunction with All Points North, providing coverage of Manchester Weekender and other regional festivals.

Who Gives A Fuck About An Oxford Comma?

By
October 12, 2011
Literature

In response to Vampire Weekend’s question: I do. At first only because I was paid to, but before long I came around to the Oxford comma’s way of thinking, and now cannot stand to see it absent. For the uninitiated, said comma is used immediately before a co-ordinating conjunction in a list of three or more items (as illustrated in the picture above); it was introduced to aid clarity and to improve the flow of potentially cluttered sentences. However, people have argued over its usage since it first appeared.

In recent months, to use or not to use the Oxford comma has once again become the grammatical issue du jour; of course, it should be noted that coverage hasn’t extended much further than the broadsheets’ blogs, which gives you an idea as to how much the debate actually matters. Some lamented its supposed death, others who didn’t believe that it had expired called for its death, whilst others still suggested that common sense should be allowed to prevail (a ridiculous notion, I know), and that people should just use it when they feel its necessary.

Me, I’ve come to use it almost as a matter of course, not just in my work but in everything I write. For my money, it helps give equal weight to each item listed in a sentence. It also helps avoid confusion and ambiguity, as wonderfully illustrated by The Gloss.

I was never quite this precious about language before, but since finding work as an (associate) editor the way I see language, grammar, and punctuation has changed. More than ever, I am struck by the brilliance of the comma, and convinced that, in the right hands, its usage constitutes an artform all of its own. So much so, in fact, that I recently had to abandon my attempt at reading Cormac McCarthy’s All The Pretty Horses, because of his stylistic decision to all but avoid punctuation.

For an American-born writer, that’s practically sacrilege; despite having its origins in the famous university, it is the US where the Oxford comma is viewed as mandatory. It is not the only feature of American English I admire, either; the likes of “honour” and “labour” have always struck me as ugly words, yet when the superfluous “u” is removed they become much more palatable. The Yanks also gave the letter “z” something meaningful to do, rather than just let it sit on the end of the alphabet like a lazy freeloader.

Language is supposed to constantly evolve, but in recent years that evolution has focused on the creation of ever more ridiculous words and their subsequent addition to whichever dictionaries are most desperate for publicity. I would begrudgingly accept this country’s right to allow phrases as asinine as “mankle” and “fash pack” to enter the lexicon, would it only give something back; the sacrifice of a “u” here and there, the abolition of the “st” on the end of “whilst,” “amongst,” and “amidst.” A small price to pay on the road towards common ground.

But of course, this is England, and we have a deep appreciation for protecting pointless things to the death as a matter of principle, regardless of whether the battle is actually worth fighting. I’ve long since come to terms with that. If people want to defend their honour – or labour a point – they are welcome to do so. And if people don’t have the time to write or to say “food memoir,” they can go ahead and use “foodoir” instead. Just don’t take away my Oxford commas, okay?

Things to do: Monday 10th October to Sunday 16th October

By
October 10, 2011
Airyfairy Cake Boutique, Castle, Cornerhouse, Islington Mill, Kings Arms, Octagon Theatre Bolton, Things to do in Manchester, Working Class Movement Library

With all the festival-related events taking place over the next seven days, it’s easy to forget that there is still a full week of other cultural highlights to look forward to, which we’ve gone to the trouble of detailing below. For our look at Manchester’s October festivals, please check out our Things To Do Special.

Monday 10th October to Sunday 16th October

Tyrannosaur at the Cornerhouse

The critics have fawned over Paddy Considine’s directorial debut to such an extent that you know it must be the real deal. Tyrannosaur tells the story of two individuals who have little in common other than their loneliness, who find themselves united by chance and tragedy. This is cinema at its very best: powerful and deeply moving.

Monday 10th October to Saturday 15th October

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf? at the Octagon Theatre Bolton

This week is your last chance to see this critically acclaimed version of Edward Albee’s much-loved play, at a theatre that has had a fantastic year. Alcohol has a habit of bringing hidden feelings to the surface, and over the course of one evening two couples find themselves forced to examine that which they would have rather avoided.

Monday 10th October

Patterns at The Castle

A band who are definitely on the up, Patterns are celebrating the launch of their new single “Induction” with a show at The Castle. Not only that, but The Louche FC are supporting. Your chance to see two excellent bands before they break big in 2012, and tickets became almost impossible to get ahold of. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Wednesday 12th October to Saturday 15th October

The Retreat at The Kings Arms

As part of its laudable attempt to focus some of its attention on hosting unique performances, The Kings Arms has brought The Retreat to Salford. First shown at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this play tells the story of a couple on an idyllic romantic weekend away, whose peace is disturbed by the appearance of an unexpected guest, and the revelations from the past that soon follow. Directed by Lucy Herzberg, The Retreat takes at least some of its cues from classic tragedies of the past.

Wednesday 12th October

A Talk on Len Johnson at the Working Class Movement Library

If you have Wednesday afternoon free, you really should consider venturing to Salford for what promises to be an interesting discussion of the life of Len Johnson, a Manchester boxer and communist. Part of Cafe Historique’s Black History Month series, the talk will delve into his career as an oppressed fighter and his subsequent political ambitions, and should shed some light on the fascinating life of a forgotten Mancunian.

Thursday 13th October

Halloween Fancy Dress Outfit-Making Workshop at Airyfairy Cupcakes

If you’re anything like us, you spend the run up to Halloween wondering “what should I wear?” before eventually settling on a) nothing; b) whatever was available in the local supermarket; or c) a hodgepodge costume comprising bits and pieces dug out of the back of the wardrobe. Why not avoid that tiresome ritual with the help of Stitched Up, whose workshop should help ensure you stand out from the masses.

Friday 14th October

Craft Spells at Islington Mill

Wonderfully described by Pitchfork as “music for bedsitters who dream about being social,” why not prove said website wrong by venturing out amongst other folk and catching Craft Spells? Epitomising the sound of the burgeoning California DIY scene, their lush pop sounds should be the perfect soundtrack to your Friday night.

Tales of a Go-Nowhere Indie Band, part three

By
October 9, 2011
Manchester, Music, Tales of a Go-Nowhere Indie Band

“Things can only get better” – D:Ream, “Things Can Only Get Better”

Where were we? Oh yes, I remember: no fans, no record deal, no point. That’s where we stood at the end of 2007.

Of course, it can be difficult to let go sometimes, and we weren’t willing to do so just yet. Despite having experienced a complete lack of success, we still thought highly enough of ourselves and of the music we were making to keep working at it. What that meant, as always, was locking ourselves away in our practise room.

By this point we were rehearsing in a damn-near derelict old mill located on, appropriately enough, Old Mill Street in Ancoats, and I can say with some conviction that we were dedicated. We turned up there Christmas Eve morning, planning to put a full day in, only to find that for once the place had been properly locked up. To be honest, I was relieved; I’d just finished the last of my 10pm till 8am shifts as a temp at Toys R Us. Playing music was the last thing on my mind, given that the preceding two months had been an exercise in draining every last trace of joy out of my life. 50 hour weeks working unsociable shifts will do that to a person.

Anyway, one of our biggest problems was always a complete inability to self-promote. Other bands make creating buzz seem effortless (although it should be noted that many actually hire someone to do the work for them), but we laboured at it without success. You could be writing some of the greatest songs of all time, but if no-one gets the chance to hear them that doesn’t count for anything. “If a tree falls in the woods” and all that. Naturally, this in no way deterred us from spending money we couldn’t really afford on studio time.

Early in 2008 we entered the studio for the fourth time. The previous sessions had never gone that well. The first was a rush job, and involved getting down four tracks in an epic single session just so that we’d have something to shop ourselves around with. The second was slightly more relaxed, but we still weren’t all that happy with the results. In the immediate aftermath of both, we ended up writing much better songs, meaning that the recorded material was disowned. Still, we handcrafted a small amount of CDs and managed to sell them at our gigs, meaning that somewhere in this city a few copies must still be dotted around.

Alas, third time was not the charm. If things don’t click quickly in the studio, then it soon becomes a nightmare. A late start on the first day was followed by various complications and malfunctions. I had to play my parts again, and again, and again, until they had lost all meaning. As did everyone else. We became more and more dispirited and started losing all patience with one another, and in the end were just glad when it was over, regardless of how anything sounded. Months later, after I had finally quit the band, I had a habit of bumping into the guy who had helped engineer the session, and every time he would tell me how much he hated our lead guitarist’s vocals.

In comparison, then, the fourth session was a joy. The setup for the drums was perfect, and I banged out my parts with a minimum of fuss, and then happily disengaged my brain from the boredom of the process as everyone else laid down theirs. It went very well indeed, and we came out with two songs that were of “professional” quality. We were thrilled, and felt that this time, we could definitely find a label – local or otherwise – that would want to put them out.

We were wrong.

In part four: time to call it a day.

The Playlist #2

By
October 8, 2011
Music, The Playlist

This time of year traditionally isn’t great for new releases, but we’ve managed to pull together an eclectic playlist that should give you a flavour of what’s out there at the moment.

We had to scour the internet to find a full length version of Answer Code Request’s “Reflected,” but something about techno just feels right at this time of year, when the skies are grey and the nights are drawing in. This is only available as a 12 inch at the moment, and we’d love to get our mitts on a copy soon.

Another highlight is the beautiful track from Twin Sister, “Kimmi in a Rice Field,” which is accompanied by a fantastically odd video that is well worth a watch. And credit where it’s due to Ghost Outfit, who are not only playing a hell of a lot of gigs, but also putting out consistently great music; their new single is due out on Halloween.

Anyway, thats more than enough from us. We hope you enjoy the playlist!

1. Action Bronson – “Barry Horowitz”

2. Emperor X – “Erica Western Teleport”

3. Ghost Outfit – “Tuesday”

4. Friends – “I’m His Girl”

5. Francois & the Atlas Mountains – “Les Plus Beaux”

6. Sandro Perri – “Changes”

7. Walls – “Raw Umber/Twilight”

8. Answer Code Request – “Reflected”

9. Twin Sister – “Kimmi in a Rice Field”

10. EMA – “Marked”

Once again, if you’ve heard anything particularly great recently, let us know in the comments!

The Warehouse Project: All Good Things…

By
October 7, 2011
Music, Things to do in Manchester

It happened like this: you heard a rumour there was a secret afterparty, location as yet unknown. You danced wildly and formed firm friendships with complete strangers that never lasted longer than the opening hours of whichever club you happened to be in.

At kicking out time you piled into a taxi armed with a text on a friend’s phone telling you where the afterparty is. You would pull up at a disused building on the outskirts of the city centre to be ushered through a series of dank, dark rooms before emerging into a world of moody, smoke-diffused lighting and griding, popping beats.

In the early 2000s it was often warehouses or disused factory buildings. There were lots of them empty. Today, it might be an abandoned house or a meadow close to a bustling suburb. Same format applies; a text, a location, a party. Hopefully the police don’t show up.

But since 2006 you haven’t needed to know someone who knows someone who knows where the party is. The Warehouse Project has done the leg work for you.

And it’s not done it badly. There have been plenty of must see lineups and some really fantastic nights – one of the defining moments of my early twenties was losing myself to Modeselektor in the old Boddingtons Brewery – but this year will see the last party to be held at the Store Street venue, and perhaps the last of the Warehouse Project altogether.

This is certainly what was hinted at when Marcus Barnes spoke to one of the organisers Krysko for the Independent blogs section. In the interview he described the parties as “a little bit naughty, a little bit grimy.” And they are. But for me, last year that raw quality that made the parties electric to begin with felt contrived.

As word spread more people naturally wanted to go, which took some of the ‘secret party’ sheen away. For the first couple of years the Warehouse Project felt ‘underground’, as it should have done given that the event is modelled on free, illegal raves.

As the popularity grew the marketing machine went into overdrive. Beautifully designed posters and flyers flooded the city, and you would see them everywhere. Consequently, every tit with a valid ID and a pair of shutter shades had a ticket.

And as more people turned up the opportunities to part them from their money became all the harder to resist – when I went last year there was an honest to God merchandise stand. Not really in keeping with the spirit of the underground, is it?

I guess you could say it has become a victim of its own success, and the organisers will be taking a noble step if they put this cash cow to bed and look for new projects, despite knowing they could get another couple of years out of it easy.

And who knows? Maybe they will. In the interview Krysko stops short of saying that this is the last we’ll see of the Warehouse Project in Manchester, and the website simply says “end of Store Street” rather than “this is definitely and absolutely the end of the Warehouse Project forever, thank you and goodbye!”

Either way, this feels like the right time to call it a day. It would be so sad to see it become an embarrassing Madchester-esque cliche.

All good things can and should come to an end.

Narcissus and Echo

By
October 6, 2011
The Lowry, Things to do in Manchester

There is always a value to taking oneself out of the cultural comfort zone. A modern day retelling of the tale of Narcissus and Echo, through the medium of chamber opera, is some way removed from my typical night out, but let it not be said that I am becoming complacement in my advancing years. This was the first premiere I had ever been invited to attend, and slight fears about the possible incomprehensibility of the material aside, I was determined to make the most of it.

As it happened, I needn’t have worried. A familiriaty with the myth upon which Narcissus and Echo is based made the plot easy to understand, and the contemporary elements – Narcissus is recast as a celebrity figure who is as obsessed with himself as the papparazzi who pursue him – is clever without being intrusive. That’s largely due to David Sheppard’s portrayal of the character, which allows notes of sensitivity to shine through the vanity.

Lizzie Marshall is even more impressive, capturing the overwhelming strength of Echo’s attraction to Narcissus, and the futility of it too. The nymphs – in this case the journalists who hound Narcissus - provide the comic relief, stumbling over one another in a manner rarely seen outside of a 1920s silent film, and singing into their dictaphones; however, in true tabloid fashion they are complicit in his fate, and thus cannot be written off as the proverbial jokers of the piece.

The performers are accompanied by a fantastic group of musicians; their first notes are wonderfully jarring, the discordant rhythms helping to build a sense of urgency and turmoil that is occasionally interrupted by moments of calm, which create an air of beauty and pathos. Composer Anja Djordjevic should be congratulated for her score, which is captivating throughout, and gives the narrative room to breathe.

The finale subverts the traditional mythology slightly, although it still ends the only way it can, the way so many classic love stories end: a powerful warning that emotional extremes – be they selfish or selfless - can be perfectly destructive. But a sense of inevitability doesn’t matter one bit if the journey is enthralling, and Narcissus and Echo certainly delivers on that front.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 35 other followers