"A rapidly ascending star with a magnificent blues-baritone voice" The Guardian

“Gregory Porter has most of what you want in a male jazz singer, and maybe a thing or two you didn’t know you wanted.”  New York Times

In the short fifteen months since Gregory Porter exploded onto the international music scene with his debut album, Water, he has racked up a continuing stream of accolades and awards. Porter’s Water garnered a Best Jazz Vocal  Grammy nomination (a rare feat for a debut recording), rocketed to #1 on both iTunes and Amazon in the UK and soared onto an international array of year-end ‘Best Of’ lists for 2010 in several genres, and established himself as a formidable international touring artist.

Porter’s ascending star is viewed most brightly here in the UK, where he has performed on Jamie Cullum’s BBC radio program, on Later... with Jools Holland,  as  a featured guest at the London Jazz Festival and as one of two special guests on Carole King’s  2011 BBC  holiday television special.  UK’s Jazz Wise magazine named Water the #1 Jazz Album of 2011 (the first time a vocal album has achieved this distinction. 

"Gregory is the real deal and a revelation in terms of new male jazz singers, but I think that his voice coupled with his songwriting may be the thing that leaves most listeners with their mouths open. There have been many solid singer songwriters coming from under the jazz umbrella of the last 10 years that are mostly brimming with folk and country influences. Gregory is the first that I’m hearing that is squarely coming out of a real classic soul bag (i.e. Bill Withers, Curtis Mayfield, Donny Hathaway) as a songwriter, but with both feet firmly planted in jazz’s soil."  Brian Bacchus

"Gregory Porter has a voice and musicality to be reckoned with" BBC

"The next great voice in Jazz.” L'Express

Now touring on the back of his acclaimed second album Be Good, Porter is a disarmingly sincere performer, with a groove that never quits, a voice of incredible virtuosity that's been famously compared in its rich depth to Nat king Cole's, we now invite you to this very special live concert at Band on the Wall with full backing band. 

Support tonight comes from the precocious Manchester-based singer songwriter Ruby Ann Patterson.

This event will begin at 8pm but our Picturehouse Cafe Bar is open earlier for delicious food and drinks. 

Special Offer! Book your meal in advance and get free 'lucky dip' tickets for a future concert - click here now for details 

A Band on the Wall Fundraiser Event

Twenty-one years ago June Tabor and Oysterband made a landmark album of dark folk together called Freedom and Rain - a union Rolling Stone called “a marriage made in heaven”.

"If you can't appreciate June Tabor, you should just stop listening to music", said Elvis Costello. June plus Oysterband's potent energy and top-flight musicianship made for something out of the ordinary, and they toured the UK and America with great success. Following this friendships continued while careers diverged.

However , a reunion to play a short set at fRoots Magazine's 30th birthday party at the Roundhouse in 2010 sparked the chemistry again. Soon they were back in the studio, and with a new albumful of gorgeous tunes and brooding intensity called Ragged Kingdom, plus revisited and refreshed songs from 1991, June Tabor and Oysterband launch one of the most anticipated collaborations of recent years. And so it proved - at this year's BBC Folk Awards Oysterband swept the board receiving 4 awards including Best Group, Best Album and Folk Singer of the Year. Advance booking strongly recommended for what promises to be one of the most magical concerts of the year.

A Band on the Wall Fundraiser Event.

Twenty-one years ago June Tabor and Oysterband made a landmark album of dark folk together called Freedom and Rain - a union Rolling Stone called “a marriage made in heaven”.

"If you can't appreciate June Tabor, you should just stop listening to music", said Elvis Costello. June plus Oysterband's potent energy and top-flight musicianship made for something out of the ordinary, and they toured the UK and America with great success. Following this friendships continued while careers diverged.

However , a reunion to play a short set at fRoots Magazine's 30th birthday party at the Roundhouse in 2010 sparked the chemistry again. Soon they were back in the studio, and with a new albumful of gorgeous tunes and brooding intensity called Ragged Kingdom, plus revisited and refreshed songs from 1991, June Tabor and Oysterband launch one of the most anticipated collaborations of recent years. And so it proved - at this year's BBC Folk Awards Oysterband swept the board receiving 4 awards including Best Group, Best Album and Folk Singer of the Year. Advance booking strongly recommended for what promises to be one of the most magical concerts of the year.

A Band on the Wall Fundraiser Event.

Twenty-one years ago June Tabor and Oysterband made a landmark album of dark folk together called Freedom and Rain - a union Rolling Stone called “a marriage made in heaven”.

"If you can't appreciate June Tabor, you should just stop listening to music", said Elvis Costello. June plus Oysterband's potent energy and top-flight musicianship made for something out of the ordinary, and they toured the UK and America with great success. Following this friendships continued while careers diverged.

However , a reunion to play a short set at fRoots Magazine's 30th birthday party at the Roundhouse in 2010 sparked the chemistry again. Soon they were back in the studio, and with a new albumful of gorgeous tunes and brooding intensity called Ragged Kingdom, plus revisited and refreshed songs from 1991, June Tabor and Oysterband launch one of the most anticipated collaborations of recent years. And so it proved - at this year's BBC Folk Awards Oysterband swept the board receiving 4 awards including Best Group, Best Album and Folk Singer of the Year. Advance booking strongly recommended for what promises to be one of the most magical concerts of the year.

A Band on the Wall Fundraiser Event.

A heartfelt vocalist who sings in English and Portuguese and is known for her Bobby McFerrin-like improvisations, Assad is also one of the country's truly accomplished guitar players. In 1995, Assad was voted Best Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitarist by editors of Guitar Player, while readers of the magazine named her album Rhythms the Best Classical Album of the Year. Although her earlier albums focused on unique interpretations of songs by songwriters such as Egberto Gizmonte, Milton Nascimento, Ralph Towner, and George Harrison, Assad displayed her genuinely original songwriting talents on her internationally accalimed 1998 album Chameleon.

The younger sister of famed guitarists Sergio and Odair of the duo Assad, Badi, who grew up in Rio de Janeiro, her first worldwide release, Solo, was recorded in April 1993 at St. Stephens of Hungary Church in New York. Assad followed her debut with three critically acclaimed releases including Rhythms in 1995, the instrumental Echoes of Brazil in 1997, and Chameleon in 1998. 

An astonishingly gifted player and songwriter, this should be a truly memorable night in the company of one of our very favourite Brazilian artists.

This concert will begin at 8pm but our Picturehouse Cafe Bar is open from 5.30pm for delicious food and drinks.

Special Offer! Book your meal in advance and get free 'lucky dip' tickets for a future concert - click here now for details

Garaje Jack received six nominations at the 8th Spanish Music Awards, were named best Rock Band by LH Magazine and were no1 on iTunes with their latest album. Get yourself down to Band on the Wall and secure a place at the front of the stage to witness what all the fuss has been about.

This concert will begin at 8pm but our Picturehouse Cafe Bar is open for delicious food and drinks.

Special Offer! Book your meal in advance and get free 'lucky dip' tickets for a future concert - click here now for details

This show starts at 8.30pm but our Picturehouse cafe bar will be open earlier for home made food, drinks and good vibes.

A unique opportunity to understand and apply live sound engineering techniques in this legendary professional music venue. Great for musicians who want to learn more about engineering and live sound

Taught by in-house producer, engineer and experienced trainer Sam Jones.

Throughout the course learned theory will be applied to live situations. There is plenty of hands on time with some of the best equipment in the business. Knowledge gained can be transferred and used on similar gear in other venues.  

We will discover how the proper use of EQ, compression, gating and the use of effects can bring a performance to life. We will examine why feedback happens and how to eliminate it for good. We will look at the EQ of the front of house Band on the Wall system to gain an insight on how to get the best out of the PA provided in any live venue. We will show you how to set up monitor mixes for wedges and in-ears, how to mix like a monitor engineer and how this differs from a front of house engineer.

The final two sessions will include the chance to see a full soundcheck for the evening headline gigs. 

By the end of the course the participants will be confident in running soundchecks and making performers sound as good as they have ever done. 

Days: Saturdays

Dates: June 9th, 16th, 23rd 30th

Times: 10am-4pm (9th & 16th), 11.30-5.30 (23rd & 30th with soundcheck)

Venue: The Main Venue at Band on the Wall

Course materials will be provided.

Concessionary Places are only open to unwaged, full time students and OAP. These are subject to production of proof of eligibility at first session.

This event starts at 6pm but our Picturehouse cafe bar is open earlier for drinks

A Manchester Jazz Festival event

IMPORTANT! To apply for free tickets to this event, please register at http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours

Successful applicants will be chosen by random draw.

This concert will be broadcast on Jazz on 3 (BBC Radio 3) and Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio 6 Music)

Please be inside the venue by 7.30 to avoid disturbance to the recording.

A Manchester Jazz Festival Event

Band on the Wall Christmas & Private Party Bookings Now Being Taken!

Fancy having the party of a lifetime at Manchester's world famous, city-centre venue? Hire Band on the Wall for your private party with full live band, delicious food and welcome drinks included for £25 or less per person! (£25 based on attendance of 150). Larger parties receive and even further discount - simply contact us for details.

Booking your Bespoke Event is easy...

We can sort everything out for you from helping you select a fantastic band that's perfect for your event, to providing a range of delicious food and drink options - all hosted and managed by our expert and friendly team to ensure your event runs exactly how you want it to. We can even provide all those special extras such as cakes and decorations should you require them. Please find our range of packages below, and if you would like any more information simply contact our Development Manager, Najia Bagi, who will help you create the perfect event at najiabagi@bandonthewall.org  or call 0161 830 3883.

We do advise you book early as available dates are filling up quickly. 

Music To Your Ears!

If there's one place in the world that knows about great live music, it's us, and choosing your live band couldn't be easier. We welcome you to select from a list created by us who we think will be perfect for your night - or simply talk to us and we'll suggest who we think suits your event best. Subject to availability, you just choose one of the following great bands and its all included in the price!

- LaTinto Bros (Latin, Salsa)
- Doctor Truth (Blues)
- Rory Duffy Trio (Brazilian, Pop, Jazz, Latin)
- The Compass Roses (R&B, Jazz. Funk, Soul)
- Extra Love (Reggae)
- Cover Bands also avalable! 

Food, Drink & Music Packages

Please find our range of packages listed below. All packages include live music and are based on an average of 150 attendees. We can cater for up to 320 guests, and the larger your party the bigger the discount - So if your party is larger (or smaller) just let us know and we'll tailor the package and costs accordingly to suit your event. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact Najia Bagi at najiabagi@bandonthewall.org / 0161 830 3883

1. Private Party Package

- Live Band
- Champagne Reception
- Buffet

£25 per person (based on 150 people but less if you bring more!) 

2. Christmas Party Package

- Live Band
- Mulled Wine Reception
- Christmas Buffet

£32 per person (based on 150 people but less if you bring more!) 

Enquiries

All packages can be bespoke and include cakes, decorations and extras you choose. So just contact Najia Bagi, Band on the Wall's Development Manager, to find out how we can give you the party of a lifetime at najiabagi@bandonthewall.org / 0161 830 3883

Highlights include Valentina Montoya Martinez & Voces del Sur, Calaita, Two Man Ting,  Awad Absin, Mickey Van Gelder, Gabbidon, fronted by ex-Steel Pulse founder, Basil Gabbidon, Golty Farabeau and the first UK performance of Kenyan Benga star, Makadem, as well as family and participatory events.  New commissions, especially for the festival,  include And Then There Were Four and Manchester’s very first World Music Bus Tour.

Click Here For Further Info: www.culturalcollagefestival.org

Reception: 7pm - 8pm
Concert: 8.30pm

The legendary soul queen,and patron of Band on the Wall, returns to the venue where it all began for what promises to be one of the most sensational nights of the year.

Performing at Band on the Wall on the back of her forthcoming album, Mica Paris exploded onto the international soul scene back in the 80s with her stunning debut album So Good. Showcasing her incredible vocals, it spawned the single My One Temptation which became an international hit and established Mica Paris as a great new voice in soul music. Further international hits have followed including Where Is The Love (with Will Downing), Black Angel, Stay and Carefree. Over the years she has collaborated with many of the greats from all genres including David Gilmour, Prince, Jimmy Barnes and James Morrison to name but a few. She is also Patron of Band on the Wall (where she performed some of the earliest concerts of her career), and we are delighted to welcome her back for this extra special night by one of soul music's most-loved voices. A Band on the Wall Fundraiser Event.

MEET MICA PARIS!

As Mica is our patron and a great fan of the venue she has agreed to do a very special 'Meet & Greet'  reception before her concert from 7pm - 8pm on the venue's mezzanine level. This event includes a free glass of wine and entrance to the concert as well. If you'd like to meet Mica Paris tickets are on sale now! Simply click here now and select the Meet + Greet ticket option. Limited to 30 tickets so buy yours now! Tickets also available for the concert only.

With more than 600 artistes performing at nine official venues over four days, Colne’s annual – and award-winning - Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival will be bigger and better than ever!

Highlights include:

Joan Armatrading

Booker T. Jones

Spencer Davies

Connie Lush & Blues Shouter

Ticket Hotline  01282  661234  or www.bluesfestival.co.uk

Manchester Jazz Festival returns this July and we're delighted to announce that we'll be hosting a series of incredible concerts right here at Band on the Wall. Click on the links below for details on just a few of the events that will be happening right here:

POCKET CENTRAL

Friday 13th July / 7.30pm

Manchester Jazz Festival opens at Band on the Wall with Manchester favourite Pocket Central performing strong original songs in the vein of Tower of Power, James Brown and Steely Dan.

SISTER ELEMENTS PRESENTS GRANDMA'S PARTY

Sunday 15th July / 6.30pm

Sarah Sayeed, the ‘fearless lyricist’ whose work has been profiled on BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Asian Network, launches her new album and identity as Sister Elements, drawing together Earth, Air, Fire and Metal in her musical concept. Scores, improvisations with live musicians, Indo-jazz fusions, drum’n’bass, digital beats and samples all play a part.

ZOE RAHMAN QUARTET

Wednesday 18th July / 7.30pm

The Mercury-nominated jazz pianist/composer plays music from her current Kindred Spirits recording – the music is a powerful and fresh portrait of her combined English, Irish and Bengali heritage and reflects the diversity of her musical interests and influences. 

SONS OF KEMET ANTON HUNTER TRIO

Wednesday 18th July / 8pm

A double delight of a concert as Manchester Jazz Festival present the earthy, vital music of Sons of Kemet with a special guest slot from Anton Hunter Trio.

We Face Forward - Music from West Africa Today

Band on the Wall is proud to be presenting the music programme for We Face Forward - Manchester's dazzling celebratory season of exhibitions and concerts this summer by West Africa's finest artists and musicians. Taking place in venues, galleries, museums and spaces across Manchester. Click on the links below for tickets and more info:

AFROCUBISM

Sunday 3rd June, The Bridgewater Hall

From the creators of Buena Vista Social Club we present the Cuban/Malian supergroup, featuring Eliades Ochoa and Toumani Diabaté, that has taken the world by storm.

KANDA BONGO MAN

Friday 15th June, Band on the Wall

Kanda Bongo Man is one of Africa’s most joyful, mesmerising and hip-shaking pop stars. Join us on the Band on the Wall dancefloor for serious kwassa kwassa moves!

OLYMPIC TORCH RELAY PARTY

ft. SECKOU KEITA BAND

Saturday 23rd June, The Printworks

The official We Face Forward free party taking place after the Olympic Torch Relay event and featuring a very special concert by Seckou Keita, the Senegalese master of the Kora — Africa’s magical 21-stringed harp.

JALIBA KUYATEH & THE KUMAREH BAND

Friday 29th June, Band on the Wall

Gambia’s greatest living exponent of the Kora — one of Africa’s most beautiful and complex instruments — live at Band on the Wall with his wonderful Kumareh Band.

MAMANE BARKA & ETRAN FINATAWA:

THE ENDLESS JOURNEY

Tuesday 3rd July,

Royal Northern College of Music

This stunning multi-media event features images and film with music created by musicians from two of Niger’s most acclaimed bands — Mamane Barka and Etran Finatawa: The Endless Journey.

FEMI KUTI & POSITIVE FORCE

Wednesday 4th July, HMV Ritz

A very special concert by the true heir to the Afrobeat crown — Femi Kuti and his band performing their intoxicating mix of jubilant, funky music and completely addictive dance rhythms.

DIABEL CISSOKHO

Friday 3rd August, Band on the Wall

One of Senegal’s most loved musicians who, along with his incredible band, blends traditional rhythms with bluesy West African melodies and upbeat dance grooves.

DELE SOSIMI AFROBEAT ORCHESTRA

Saturday 25th August, Band on the Wall

One-time member of both Fela and Femi Kuti’s bands, and musical director of the National Theatre’s critically-acclaimed musical Fela!, Dele Sosimi brings his own Afrobeat orchestra for a thrilling and pulsating performance at Band on the Wall.

Presented by Band on the Wall in association with 'We Face Forward' a season of contemporary art and music from West Africa, celebrated across Manchester as part of the London 2012 Festival. For information on all events please visit www.wefaceforward.org

Sign up by CLICKING HERE NOW. Conference and concert passes are completely free!

Wall of Sounds Conference 2012
New Ways To Make It In The Music Industry

Times: Noon - 5.30pm, Concert from 7.30pm

Free Entry To All Events

Band on the Wall and Brighter Sound, in association with Un-Convention is proud to present this free conference featuring a series of lectures, Q&A's, presentations and masterclasses by a selection of industry experts in alternative music industry business models.  This event will be a chance to learn about how to make a living from music on your own terms, by sharing knowledge and expertise and exploring  a range of practices and vocations.  The event will culminate in performances by the finalists from the Ticketwall New Music Competition, which will be filmed and recorded for the launch of Band on the Wall TV later in the year, and will be a great chance to network and meet professionals already working in the music industry.

Sign up by CLICKING HERE NOW. Conference and concert passes are completely free!

SPEAKERS

Gavin Sharp, CEO of Band on the Wall
A Grand Don't Come For Free
An introduction to basic gig economics for musicians and promoters.  

Richard Jones, Key Music Management Ltd
Fanfare will do
The New Way....Direct to Fan Marketing and Methodology

Andrew Booth, Turner Parkinson LLP
I Need A Lawyer!...Says Who?

Darren Poyzer, Music Promoter & Musician
Collaborative Songwriting

LIVE PERFORMANCES BY

BURLESKIMO

HOT BEAT REPEAT

PRESUMING ED

KING CAPISCE

Sign up by CLICKING HERE NOW. Conference and concert passes are completely free!

As well as programming the music at Band on the Wall, Mike is also a DJ on Jazz FM where his weekly shows have earned him a coveted nomination for Jazz Broadcaster of the Year. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony, which will take place at the House of Commons on 16th May.

You can hear Mike Chadwick every week on Jazz FM presenting:

The Latin Party (11pm/Friday) - a feel-good hour of Latin Jazz, Salsa, Brazilian and dancefloor jazz.

The Saturday Night Experience (9pm) - two hours of the best in Nu Jazz/Broken Beat/Neo Soul/Funk/Rare Groove and everything that's good for you on a Saturday

The Cutting Edge (Sundays/10pm) - two hours of the very best in contemporary jazz, covering many styles from post-bop to fusion. Each week it features upfront music from forthcoming releases - it's definitely a jazz musical mystery tour!

You can also hear Mike present The Big Easy, his unmissable guide to all things New Orleans.

Tune into Jazz FM now by clicking here

William Ellis is widely recognised as one of the finest music photographers working today, and his work has been exhibited at international festivals and galleries in the UK and throughout the world including The Royal Academy of Arts, Amsterdam, Bremen, Cape Town, Havana, Hong Kong, and of course in Manchester at the Richard Goodall Gallery in the Northern Quarter.

Prints are available to purchase online from the Band on the Wall store, and we have a selection of images available ranging from recent Band on the Wall concerts and other photographs taken from William Ellis' archive. Artists include Miles Davis, Paul McCartney, Al Jarreau, Tim Booth (lead singer in Manchester band James) and many more.

As Band on the Wall's official photographer, William Ellis has been capturing on film some of the greatest artists to come through our doors, and what better gift for this festive season than the opportunity to take home a high quality, hand signed and individually numbered archival print. 

 A range of sizes, finishes and prices are available - visit the Band on the Wall store now for more information.

www.ticketwall.org

Ticketwall is a pioneering new national online ticketstore where every ticket you buy directly supports music education and participation projects. Just as with any other national ticket store you can buy tickets for 1,000s of concerts in 100s of venues across the country. But what makes this site really special is when you purchase a ticket for a concert, club night or sporting event - For every £1 spent on Ticketwall, the registered charity Inner City Music will receive 3p towards developing local music projects and events - it might not sound like much but imagine an arena full of people on a ticket price of £50, this could generate around £20K! 

Bookmark the website and from now on buy all your music, sports, arts and event tickets from Ticketwall - you'll be making a difference to the future of music with every purchase.

www.ticketwall.org

For further information on the work of Inner City Music please click here now.