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Band on the Wall: Back on the Block - Manchester Venue Set to Reopen 25th September 2009

Posted: 14 years ago

After a considerable refurbishment and hibernation lasting 4 years, one of the most enduring and iconic music venues in Manchester re-opens its doors on September 25th. The owners have promised a packed live line-up to usher the legendary jazz and alternative venue into the next decade and beyond.

On the opening night, soul-chanteuse Mica Paris and jazz-soul composer and producer Julian Joseph join forces for a night of languid magic. Paris has been out of the music spotlight for a while since her last Top 30 hit "One" in 1995, but do not underestimate her power and voice nowadays. Tickets are currently returns only - check the website for details.

The next honour of a live gig here falls to a band who have played at the BOTW before - A Certain Ratio (26th). During the heyday of punk and post-punk, ACR were a force to be reckoned with (and still are) around the Wythenshawe jazz-funk scene in the early 80s and with a drummer sharper than a Jack Russell's bite and funk in the form of "Shack Up", "Felch" and "Do The Du", they can't fail. There is an after-party with ACR DJs for £6 (or free if you are lucky enough to get a ticket to their preceding gig)

Other highlights coming up are Norwegian jazz-impresario, Bugge Wesseltoft (Oct 1st - £12.50), Congo Soukous performer, Kanda Bongo Man (2nd - £14.50), ex-Hacienda DJ, Hewan Clarke teams up with The Sunshine Band for their after party (3rd - £6), UK dub and Massive Attack-collaborator, Mad Professor brings his Ariwa Posse to the live stage for the very first time (16th - £14.50) and jazz-funk legends from the 70's, Azymuth, will strengthen the reputation this excellent locale will gain from such names (Nov 10th - £12.50). See the list below for the role-call that will surely make other clubs and pubs jealous.

Paul Pledger