The legendary Manchester entertainment mecca, Band On The Wall, has announced a tasty and warming plateful of hearty music for the coming months, covering all age groups and tastes and guaranteed to prevent your wallet from freezing over.

Nitin Sawhney

As recently announced, Nitin Sawhney will be curating a short set of performances under the 'Aftershock' banner on January 23rd (DJ Set - £6), 26th (Talk - £5) and 30th (Grand finale concert £12). But the follow-up string of events will certainly continue this high standard - even better, a few are a tenner!

Marconi Union will return to their home city on Feb 2nd (£10). The duo will charm their native audience with a brand of ambient, cinematic and string-driven mellowness that has already impressed crowds at The Big Chill and Eden Sessions a few years back. They are back with new material available only through their own website, opting to 'stick it to the man' in their own way by going truly independent.

The Bittersweets

Rosanne Cash has been saving all her love for The Bittersweets by declaring the US Americana duo as '...an amazing band. They give me hope for the future.' They play at the BOTW on Feb 5th as part of a national tour (including a stint at the Celtic Connections season in Glasgow on Jan 29th).

Dick Gaughan

Continuing with roots music, the infamous Scottish folk

troubadour Dick Gaughan sparks up the acoustic fireworks on Feb 13th (£12.50). His important 1981 album, 'A Handful Of Earth' is still name-checked today by modern performers (as well as being hailed Album Of The Year by now-defunct inky Melody Maker). He normally has a tale to tell and a lot to say so enjoy.

Swing Out Sister

Veering back towards the age of wedge-haircuts and leg-warmers normally turns men into gibbering fops, but Swing Out Sister represented a more sophisticated take on 80s pop with massive hits such as 'Breakout' and 'Surrender'. Members Corinne Drewery and Andy Connell (also an ex-ACR and Kalima member) continued with a few more lavish albums through the 90s and they have just recently released a newie, 'Beautiful Mess'. They play two dates, Feb 22nd and 23rd (£16.50).

Nils Petter Molvaer

If nu-jazz is your bag then two gigs might well appeal - Norwegian trumpeter Nils Petter Molvaer (think Mark Isham and Jon Hassell) will puff and blast his own unique blend of ECM melancholia on Feb 25th (£15) while celebrated London jazzateers, Portico Quartet appear on March 14th for a bargain £10.

Introducing [live]

There is just so much going on at this great place, I've run out of space but a special mention goes to Introducing, an ensemble dedicated to recreating the landmark Mo Wax platter, 'Endtroducing' by DJ Shadow, in its entirety. Gotta be worth seeing - beanie hats and chin-stroking optional - and it costs a tenner!

Check out the full line-up of related BOTW nights below.