Various venues, Manchester city centre, October 18th-20th, 2009
OK, so what do Noah and the Whale, Coldplay, Little Boots, The Noisettes, Daft Punk and Arctic Monkeys have in common, aside from standing proud atop the pop pile? Well, they all went big after playing at In The City. Time for a nosy at the very best of this year’s lineup:
1. The New 1920
Against all odds, The New 1920 were a personal highlight of 2007’s In The City, finishing off the live programme with aplomb at Bar 38.
Their melodic, punk-tinged rock may not be in vogue amongst the mainstream anymore, but they do what they do far better than their contemporaries (and even some of their rock ancestors). Come Around and Amber Gambler are the standout tracks off their latest EP, and whilst the band won’t be to everyone’s tastes, it’s worth calling in to witness a little of that superlative live show of theirs. KG
See them here: The Roadhouse, Newton Street, October 18th (19.30)
www.myspace.com/thenew1920
2. Dutch Uncles
Famous in these parts for their haunting, guitar-led tunes and the sinister video to Face In, Dutch Uncles are playing not one, but two shows on Sunday night. So confident is their output that it beggars belief that they’ve not yet been signed in the UK.
The band’s measured rock draws natural comparisons with Maximo Park, who they’ve recently supported in Manchester, and the band have also built up a solid following in Europe, where they’ve toured a great deal (their album was released on Germany’s biggest indie label, Tapete Records). Oh, and finally – don’t confuse them with The Dutch Uncles, who are an altogether different (and, dare we say, far less enticing) proposition. KG
See them here: Chicago Rock Café, Peter Street, October 18th (19.50) and Trof, Grosvenor Street, October 18th (21.50)
www.myspace.com/dutchuncles
3. Ou Est Le Swimming Pool
Having passed their GCSE French exam by the narrowest of margins, it seems that Ou Est Le Swimming Pool (or Ou Est La Piscine, for those who require a more accurate translation) are setting their sights on transcontinental nightclub pop domination.
Their music combines cutting edge electronic instrumentation with classically soulful songwriting like a playground reincarnation of Spandau Ballet. They could well prove to be the chartbound crossover success of this year’s convention. Catch them now before they depart to bigger and better things, via nationwide tours in support of La Roux and Alphabeat, and an Armand Van Helden remix of their latest single Dance The Way I Feel. BT
See them here: Night and Day, Oldham Street, October 18th (20.10), plus The Ruby Lounge, High Street, October 19th (23.00)
www.myspace.com/ouestleswimmingpool
4. Cate Le Bon
Stepping away from the groovy, biographical offerings of Neon Neon has shown that Cate Le Bon possesses far more strings to her musical bow.
Take Me Oh My, for example – the lead track from her debut album. It’s a dignified, downbeat lullaby (albeit littered with some angular synth stabs) that proves captivating whatever your mood. Be sure to arrive in good time – her timeless voice, combined with excellent performances at Green Man and Latitude, are sure to make this one of the buzz shows of the weekend. KG
See her here: Cellar Vie, off Albert Square, October 18th (22.15)
www.myspace.com/catelebon
5. Frightened Rabbit
Continuing Scotland’s superlative contribution to recorded musical indiepop history, Frightened Rabbit’s next album, The Winter Of Mixed Drinks, is on its way next spring. But if you can’t hang on until then, then fear not! They’re warming up for a big UK tour, including support slots with Biffy Clyro, Gomez and Modest Mouse before Christmas, and it’s this ITC date that kickstarts their adventures on the road.
Their latest single, Swim If You Can’t See Land, pricks up the ears much in the manner of their previous touring buddies Death Cab For Cutie, and it even prompted the Fugitive Motel cat, who is a lazy bugger, to have a little stretch and wander around. KG
See them here: Trof, Grosvenor Street, October 19th (22.30)
www.myspace.com/frightenedrabbit
6. Ezra Bang and Hot Machine
Earlier this year I chanced upon the young, gifted and multiracial rap-rock collective Ezra Bang And Hot Machine bringing the noise to a backstreet bar in London’s Tower Hamlets (coincidentally the borough in which the BNP first made significant advances almost twenty years ago and nailbomber David Copeland unleashed racist havoc in 1999). Now, they’re set to make a stand in Manchester.
Mixing the righteous ska-punk spirit of Two Tone with the incendiary sounds of Rage Against The Machine and Public Enemy, they are a brave and inspirational band who look to soundtrack the social and political discord of the era. BT
See them here: TV21, Thomas Street, October 20th (20.30)
www.myspace.com/wearehotmachine
7. Young British Artists
Named in honour of a pioneering creative uprising, Young British Artists are an art-rock quartet formed by the bar staff of the best drinking establishment in Manchester. They were the name on the lips of those in the know at last year’s In The City, and have since released a debut EP entitled Small Waves on legendary local label Red Deer Club.
Whilst pouring countless pints of the black stuff in their day jobs, they will doubtless have learned that good things come to those who wait, so here’s hoping that 2009 is the year that the industry delegates take note of their experimental Jesus And Mary Chain-inspired noises. BT
See them here: Night and Day, Oldham Street, October 20th (20.40)
www.myspace.com/youngbritishartists
8. The Northwestern
ITC 2009 sees cult post-rock group Hope Of The States, who disbanded three years ago having released just two albums, making a comeback of sorts. Following their endeavours with the more leftfield Troubles, two former members (namely Sam Herlihy and Simon Jones) are back with The Northwestern.
Fans of their previous output will recognise in an instant the epic sound of recently released double A-side single Telephones/All The Ones, and be pleased to hear that the concept which first promised so much is being given a second chance to fulfil its potential. BT
See them here: Trof, Grosvenor Street, October 20th (22.00)
www.myspace.com/thenorthwesternmusic
9. MAY68
Formed by the bar staff of the second best drinking establishment in Manchester, MAY68 are an electro-rock quintet, named in honour of a pioneering political uprising. In light of the previous ITC 2009 recommendation, there seems to be a pattern emerging.
Imagine singer Judy Wainwright as the viciously seductive offspring of Karen O and Iggy Pop, backed by the telepathic rhythmic and melodic interplay of her band. Altogether, their eccentric disco-synth aesthetic is perfectly timed to ride the latest crest of the 1980s revival wave, without sounding so much as a millisecond out of date. They’re destined to follow fellow north-westerners The Whip and Delphic into French label Kitsuné Maison’s groove of hipster fame and fortune. BT
See them here: Night and Day, Oldham Street, October 20th (22.20), plus Studio, Peter Street October 18th (21.10)
www.myspace.com/may68uk
10. The Drums
The Drums thieve relentless, saccharine melodies from classic 50s Stateside pop, blending them with fiendishly cool electronics which were last in fashion twenty or thirty years ago (and which, it seems, carry equal cultural capital right now).
The result is refreshing, setting them apart from their musical counterparts in Brooklyn, epicentre of cool as it apparently is. I Felt Stupid’s giddy refrain makes it one of the songs of the year. Even the slow numbers work – there’s harmonies on Down By The Water that would have made The Beach Boys pack up and go home if The Drums had been their contemporaries. KG
See them here: Night and Day, Oldham Street, October 20th (23.10)
www.myspace.com/thedrumsforever
In The City takes place between October 18th and 20th – live band showcases take place at various venues across town. All stage times are approximate. The Motel advises: a) wrapping up warm, b) running between venues, c) taking a bottle of water or a flask and d) having a hell of a lot of fun.
words: Kate Goodacre and Benjamin Thomas
picture of The New 1920: Kate Goodacre
www.inthecity.co.uk
www.myspace.com/inthecitymanchester
twitter: @itcmanchester
Authors bio is coming up shortly.