Save £8 on a full price by buying an Early Bird Ticket now. Limited availability so first come served.

This concert will begin at 8pm but our Picturehouse Cafe Bar is open earlier for deliciou 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

Expect a magical night that draws from the Yes songbook that includes all-time classics such as Owner Of A Lonely Heart, Wonderous Stories, Long Distance Runaround, Yours Is no Disgrace and (with Vangelis) I'll Find My Way Home. Advance booking strongly recommended

A Band on the Wall Fundraiser Event

This seated concert will begin at 7.30pm.

Over five 1-hour group sessions, Brighter Sound's experienced guitar tutor Adam Dubale will take you through some of the basics of popular guitar, and show you that learning to play can be a fun and rewarding experience!

Starting from grass roots, this course will cover everything you need to start playing some great tunes within just a week or two:

-How the guitar works.

-Simple melodies and fingering.

-How to read guitar TAB (guitar-specific music notation)

-Basics of chords and strumming.

Don't own a guitar? Don't worry - Band On The Wall and Brighter Sound can provide guitars for use during lessons.

Day: Fridays

Dates: June 14th, 21st, 28th. July 5th, 12th.

Times: 7.30-8.30pm

Price: £50

Venue: Education Room 1 at Band on the Wall

NB Under 16's must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Entry is FREE and Doors open at 7.30pm for an 8pm start.

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

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

One Education Music in partnership with Brighter Sound and Band on the Wall is delighted to be working with the National Youth Jazz Collective to offer a new programme of opportunities for young musicians to play and learn together.

With Jazz weekends, half term and summer courses, workshops, master classes, jam sessions and performance opportunities; this programme is for all school aged musicians with an interest in Jazz (from beginner to advanced). The National Youth Jazz Collective focuses on small group improvisation in streamed groups designed to support all levels of ability (whatever the instrument).

Manchester Youth Jazz Collective Summer School 2013

Manchester Youth Jazz Collective presents a 3 - day summer school at Band on the Wall led by the NYJC Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Issie Barratt and the inspirational jazz musician and and educator Les Chisnall with support from the MYJC's team of young mentors and ambassadors.

This is a great opportunity for all young jazz musicians wishing to work with expert jazz educators who are also active members of the international jazz scene - working in bespoke ensembles, each made up of young musicians of a similar standard

 ".........really enjoyed his two days on the MYJC….it has been a very positive experience for him, in his words “it was good to be with like-minded people”

Dates:Tuesday 30^th, Wednesday 31^st July and Thursday 1^st August 2013.

Times: 10am-4pm each day.

Venue: Band on the Wall 25 Swan Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 5JZ.

Total enrolment fee for the 3 days is £60.

 A FREE performance for family and friends will be given from 2.30pm-4.00pm in the main venue at Band on the Wall on Thursday 1^st August. 

To book a place on the Summer School please return the APPLICATION FORM to Helena Summerfield at:

One Education Music, Universal Square, Devonshire Street North, Manchester, M12 6JH.

Alternatively you can email the form to helena.summerfield@oneeducation.co.uk

Click HERE to download the Summer School application form

The cost of all participants' places is supported by a grant from Youth Music.

A bursary scheme is available for young people in receipt of benefits. Please contact course co-ordinator, Helena Summerfield in confidence to request a form.

The National Youth Jazz Collective can also support and assess Arts Award candidates.                                       

Sunday Sessions is the free entry acoustic night showcasing the goldmine of emerging musical talent in Manchester and the surrounding area. Also featuring free open mic slots from 6.30pm, the Sunday Sessions are one of the most well-established and well-respected nights on the Manchester acoustic scene...

For this Session, we have;

Glenn Sharp is a fabulously talented instrumentalist, composer and producer of world music, who captivated the Sunday Sessions audience with his beautiful instrumental recital last year. With his consummate mastery of all things stringed, Glenn's live set often features a variety of instruments, including Spanish guitar, Arabic oud and Turkish saz. A truly wonderful musician, this is really one not to miss!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgUyTeaXRVc

On the back of his debut EP release; Life Is Only Vibrating Energy, Sunday Sessions is delighted to welcome Tom Metcalfe back to The Picturehouse stage, with full band in tow. Truly one of the best song writers on the northern acoustic circuit at the moment, Tom's style marries his accomplished flamenco guitar playing with his undeniable talent as a writer and singer of heart-rending folk tales. Always popular with the Sunday Sessions audience, this is sure to be a real treat!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab4YoxLhra4

Doors open at 6pm and open mic from 6.30pm so get down early to book in.

John Smith is a guitar man from Devon. He is also quietly becoming recognized as one of the most exciting new voices on the British folk scene. He is a dazzling and inventive guitarist with a wondefully unconventional percussive playing style, and possesses an unforgettable honeyed gravel growl of a voice that belies his 30 years. Smith spent several years working on the road - touring with late great folk legend John Martyn and accompanying Davy Graham on his final tour. He has also supported John Renbourn, David Gray, Martin Carthy, Jools Holland, Tunng, and has shared the stage with Cara Dillon, James Yorkston, Martin Simpson and Ben Ottewell.  John Smith spent much of 2012 touring with Lisa Hannigan and her band, and doing some supports across Europe, US, UK, Ireland and more recently Japan with Joe Henry. It was on a recent round of UK supports that John and Richard Hawley formed a bond and Hawley extended the invite to John to join him on the Irish dates in December.

A magical night in the company of a great musical presence.

"Brilliant" MOJO 

"Spellbinding" Time Out

"A guitar genius...He sounds as though he arrived 60 years ago but looks startlingly young, perched on a chair, quietly confident, charming and instantly engaging." The Sun

"One man, a guitar and an incredible voice...mesmerising" BBC

"His performance was an object lesson in how taste and imagination always outweigh mere musical virtuosity...unexpected and daring" The Sunday Times

"John Smith continually swoons audiences with his own strain of nu-folk. It is only a matter of time before he is enormous."  NME

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

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

A new series of the ever popular creative learning project for parents and children aged 0-3. Explore instruments, create sounds, sing songs, dance, move and make a big noise! 

These nine sessions over ten weeks give children the opportunity to explore, learn and build their musical skills and understanding. They also give parents a chance to learn a new and fun repertoire of musicaly interactive activities and games to play with children from a very early age. 

The morning comprises two sessions, each 50 minutes long, all led by the brilliant Beth Bishop in the Picturehouse Cafe/Bar at Band on the Wall. Both sessions are for children aged 0-3 and their parents. Feel free to attend whichever session is best for you.

Shake, Rattle and Roll includes some original songs, and lots of old favourites! The sessions have become very popular with parents who want to enjoy a music experience with their little one in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. There is a large assortment of instruments to explore and lots of new friends to meet!

Instruments, changing facilities, floor mats, comfy chairs & refreshments are all provided!

These music sessions can

• Help to develop communication, language and speech 
• Improve coordination and motor skills 
• Build social skills (amongst parents too!)
• Encourage self-confidence and self-awareness 
• Support exploration, play and learning in a safe environment
• Promote the parent/ child bond with activities to do at home

They incorporate dance, movement and actions, use toys, puppets and props!

Above all they are a fun activity for families to share!

Beth Bishop has worked as a music leader since 2002 specialising in Early Years and working widely with children and young people. She has composed songs, created and resourced her own programmes and has run training for other professionals in Early Years music provision.

Venue: The Picturehouse at Band on the Wall

Days: Saturdays

Times: Session 1: 10.00-10.50am

            Session 2: 11.00am-11.50pm 

Dates: March 16th, 23rd. April 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th. May 4th, 11th, 18th. 

All prices are per family group.

Price: £40 discounted price for the full series of 9 sessions.

£5 per session. Please pay when you arrive.

"The course was great, and hearing you talk about the business with such heart and passion was the height of it for me... Thank you for sharing :-) and thank you too for giving so much encouragement...your energy is contagious and I shall tell every songwriter I meet to go on the course!" 

Following the high demand for Martin's workshops at the last Wall of Sounds Conference we have put together an intensive two day course devoted to the art of songwriting. Each day will include group tutorials, collaborative small group work, critiquing and coaching masterclasses. Learn professional tips, tricks and ways get your songs out there from one of the UK's leading and most sucessful writers.

A great opportunity for all songwriters, any age* and any style. If you are an experienced writer looking for industry advice or a beginner finding your way around song forms and lyric writing this weekender will have something to offer.

The weekend finishes with a special Sunday Sessions acoustic open mic night in the intimate surroundings of Picturehouse Bar with opportunities to trial and showcase your songs in a supportive and friendly environment.

Days: Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th July 2013

Course Times: Saturday 10am-4pm. Sunday 10am-5pm.

Sunday Sessions starts at 6pm

Price: Full: £60 Conc: £45 MU Discount: £30

This course is supported by Musicians' Union and BASCA (British Academy of Songwriters Composers & Authors)

* Under 16's must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

We're giving away a handful of tickets to this Saturday's live show with The Lambrettas.

Formed in the late-70s as the mod revival gathered momentum, The Lambrettas were at the core of that now legendary scene which also spawned bands such as The Jam and Secret Affair (who performed a blinder of a gig at Band on the Wall in 2012).

Perhaps best known for their wonderful version of Poison Ivy which charged up the charts eventually selling over 250,000 copies, The Lambrettas reformed back in 2009 following a critically-acclaimed resurrection at Brighton's Modrophenia event. If you love your mod authentic, sharp and revving for action then get down for this one...

To win tickets simply email miz.deshannon@bandonthewall.org with 'Mod Night Out Competition' in subject line no later than 5.00pm on Thursday 7^th February.

The lucky winners will be selected at random and be offered a pair of tickets for the concert on Saturday 9^th February - please be sure you can attend before entering!!

We'll let you know whether you've won by 5.00pm on Friday!

Every so often a band comes into our sights and completely blows us away. Enter stage right the utterly brilliant SONAR.

SONAR is a new Post-Minimal-Rock band from Switzerland. The name stands for Sonic Architecture, describing their intention of creating musical atmospheres, polyrhythmic soundscapes and highly structured aural spaces.

The instantly recognizable sound of Sonar is due to the special tuning of the guitars and the bass guitar to tritones (C / F# / C / F# / C / F#), an interval sometimes called the devil in music (diabolus in musica). A large proportion of the music is played using only the natural harmonics of these two notes, thereby creating a harmonically ambiguous musical microcosmos that the group calls "tritone harmonics". Incredible live - this is visionary torch-bearing music performed by an exceptionally talnted outfit.

"A really fascinating blend of art-rock, groove-based minimalism and abstract mathematical theory, all woven together to great effect" 
New Sounds, New York

"You might need a moment to get used to Sonar's idiosyncratic sound world. But once you are in, you don't want to leave..."  Nik Bärtsch, pianist and ECM recording artist

"With the guitars and bass tuned to tritones, there's a challenging quality to the constellations of plucked harmonics that chime in orbit around each other. They create interlocking, overlapping and polyrhythmic meters, reminiscent of the early minimalist microworlds of Steve Reich and the 80s-era gamelan rock of King Crimson [...] Sonar's music firmly locates the group as a glisteningly brilliant node on the continuum of the Swiss minimalist scene alongside the ritual groove of Nik Bärtsch" Sid Smith

For further information on the band click here now!

Win Tickets!

To win tickets simply email malcolm.duffin@bandonthewall.org with 'Sonar Competition' in subject line no later than noon on Friday 26 April.

The lucky winners will be selected at random and be offered a pair of tickets for the concert on Friday 1st February - please be sure you can attend before entering!!

Christmas & New Year 2012/13 Opening Times - Box Office will be closed from Sunday 23rd December and will reopen on Friday 28th December. It will also be closed New Years Day.

On all other days we will be operating our standard opening times. Please visit 'About' section of website to view these.

Click Here To Buy Tickets!

The Brand New Heavies are a British music institution whose unique mix of jazz, funk and soul has lit up the dance scene for well over two decades – and shows no sign of stopping.
 
The founding and ever-present trio of Jan Kincaid, Simon Bartholomew and Andrew Levy on drums/keyboards, guitar and bass respectively had been influential in creating what became known as the acid jazz scene. They have since steered the Brand New Heavies into the current millennium, where they remain as influential and respected as ever.

A single, ‘Got To Give’, came out on Cooltempo before the band signed to Acid Jazz Records and released ‘Brand New Heavies’ in 1990 with the emphasis on instrumental rather than vocal material. In America, where they were signed to the Delicious Vinyl label, they started getting press attention. Jan Kincaid recalls ‘a live show in New York which also got great press. Word got back to the UK and suddenly there was this massive buzz … From then on, the public and press perception really took off for us.’

Click Here To Buy Tickets!

Their eponymous debut album, re-issued with Davenport’s vocals added, took off around the world in 1992, fuelled by the hits ‘Never Stop’ (a new track), ‘Stay This Way’ and ‘Dream Come True’. The video for ‘Stay This Way’ enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV, taking them to a still wider audience.

The Brand New Heavies have been a part of the British music scene for over a quarter of a century. And, while they’ve always looked west for inspiration, we can be justifiably claim them as our own.

Click Here To Buy Tickets!

Win Tickets!

To win tickets simply email malcolm.duffin@bandonthewall.org with 'Brand New Heavies Competition' in subject line no later that noon Wednesday 5 December. The lucky winners will be selected at random and be offered a pair of tickets for the concert on Sunday 9th December - please be sure you can attend before entering!!

We are absolutely delighted, ecstatic!… to announce that 3 members of the Texas / New York ensemble Snarky Puppy will be leading our next Artistic Director Series - a 5 day intensive residency in January 13 culminating in a showcase event of newly created material, with the band, at Band on the Wall, Manchester, UK.

This unique residency programme is delivered by Brighter Sound with Band on the Wall to offer emerging and mid-career musicians the chance to work with professional artists who are creatively and professionally exciting, and who have a depth of experience to share.

This is a unique, and special opportunity for 12 musicians from across the UK to work intensively with Snarky Puppy bass player and band leader Michael League, drummer Robert 'Sput' Searight and keyboard player Bill Laurence over 5 days, and develop their skills, aspirations and perspectives on their music and careers.

About Snarky Puppy:

Visit: http://bandframe.com/snarkypuppy/

“I've never heard a sound like this. It's what music should be.“
musiqsoulchild.com

“ ...an exultant throwdown of smart danceability.”
villagevoice.com

“Their sound is entirely unclassifiable, yet always seems to strike some chord within. It’s part jazz, part funk, part rock, part jam… It will make your brain churn and your booty shake...”
chicagojamscene.com

Application information:

All musicians are invited to apply – any instrument, any genre. The programme is aimed at “emerging and mid-career musicians”. If you want to talk to us about whether this means you, please email tim@brightersound.com Dates: 28th Jan to 1st Feb 2013

Performance: Friday 1st Feb (Evening)

Applicants must be available for the whole week – including evenings - and aged 18 or over.

Expenses: £100 for the whole week plus accommodation if required.

Application deadline: 5pm on Monday 18th December 2012

For further information and advice please contact residency producer Tim Chatterton on 0161 830 3975 or email tim@brightersound.com   

Please CLICK HERE to proceed to the application form. You will need to have ready a photo, and an uploadable music file. Bands cannot apply together due to limited places, but may apply as, and will be judged as individual musicians.

Further info:

Wall of Sounds is partnership programme between Brighter Sound and Band on the Wall funded by Arts Council England’s Grants for the Arts Fund.

We offer a range of support for emerging and mid-career musicians including conferences, masterclasses, residencies, coaching, mentoring and performances.

Each residency is a five day creative music workshop where up to 12 emerging & mid career musicians collaborate with the guidance of an artistic director to devise, re-work, produce and arrange new and existing work culminating in a unique showcase event at Band on the Wall. Residencies will give musicians the space and time to work intensively with each other and the lead artists, collaborating on ideas, developing artistic practice, honing musical skills and developing strong working relationships. If you wish to apply for the 5-day Artistic Directors Series Residency with Snarky Puppy from Monday January 28th to Friday February 1st 2013 at Band on the Wall, please fill out the following application.

APPLY HERE

Applicants must be available for the whole week including a performance (recorded and filmed) at Band on the Wall on Friday 1st February 2013.

Wall of Sounds is a partnership between Brighter Sound and Band on the Wall

At last night's Manchester Tourism awards held at The Lowry Salford Quays, Band on the Wall was recognised as the city's entertainment venue of the year.

The venue was chosen from the other nominees which were The Lowry Salford, Frog & Bucket Comedy Club and Palace Theatre & Opera House.

Gavin Sharp, CEO of Band on the Wall: "We are delighted to receive this award. Band on the Wall  has worked hard over the last year to bring the world's best artists to the city to one of the UK's most friendly and welcoming venues and in doing so has attracted more than 50,000 people to enjoy its programme of live music and the city of Manchester. We now hope that even more people will come and enjoy one of the best night's Manchester has to offer."

As well as recognising the venue's eclectic music programme and excellent customer service, the judges also acknowledged Band on the Wall's other programme of activities as contributing to it being chosen as the winner. These included its acclaimed education programme of courses and classes throughout the year; its pioneering use of online Band on the Wall TV, social media, mobile apps and digital technologies to bring the Manchester live music experience to audiences across the world.

“The judges felt this legendary entertainment venue was truly innovative and reached out to a wide range of audiences. Their focus on digital activities is impressive and the community involvement is also exemplary.” Manchester Tourism Awards

Since reopening in 2009 with state-of-the-facilities, Band on the Wall has been recognised for its outstanding contribution to the UK's live music scene with a string of awards including the Night Time Award (Manchester Tourism Awards 2010) and Best Small Venue in the North West 2011 (NME Magazine public poll). Indeed, Band on the Wall is a Manchester institution and has been one of the cornerstones of Manchester's live music industry for the greater part of the last century (it celebrated the 80th anniversary of its music license earlier this year). Band on The Wall was at the centre of Manchester’s music scene in the late 1970s and is where Buzzcocks, The Fall and Joy Division played some of their earliest concerts. Over the years 1,000s of the world's most loved artists have performed there. It has a global reputation for showcasing a vast array of accomplished and respected artists and musical genres from around the world and is recognised as a venue that promotes equality and diversity through music.

Band on the Wall is a registered charity run on a not-for-profit basis. It acknowledges the support of Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund and Manchester City Council.

Monday 5th November 7.30pm
Krystle Warren

After performing to sold-out auditoriums with Rufus Wainwright this year - and seducing Manchester audiences at the Nick Drake: Way to Blue concert in 2010 - the Paris-based singer-songwriter is back with her own band and a hatful of love songs.

"... one of the greatest living singers at the moment - I’m very brave to have her in my show because she’s formidable.” Rufus Wainwright

‘Warren’s voice is an extraordinary instrument… It vividly recalls Nina Simone in its depth and smokiness, as well as John Martyn and (Jeff ) Buckley in terms of virtuosic variety.’ The Guardian

Krystle honed her style (a gorgeous jazz-blues-folk-soul mix) – on the streets of Kansas City and New York before cutting loose for the Continent. Since then, an acclaimed appearance on Later with Jools, live dates with Joan As Policewoman and plaudits from Rufus Wainwright and k.d. lang, have made garnered her major attention. Join us at Band on the Wall for an intimate evening in the company of this tremendous talent.

Win Tickets!

To win tickets simply email malcolmduffin@bandonthewall.org by noon Thursday 1st November with 'Krystle Competiton' in the subject line. The winners will be drawn at random and notified by email. Good luck!

Seckou Keita

Sunday 14th October, 7.30pm

Following his astonishing performance for the We Face Forward Olympic Party, Band on the Wall is delighted to present this very special concert by Kora Master Seckou Keita and his band.

"The Hendrix of the Kora" Music News

“A brilliant live performer with stacks of charisma” BBC

"Kora that rocks" Montreal Gazette

"Breathtaking finger-work and musicianship" New Statesman

Seckou Keita is a Senegalese virtuoso master of the Kora - Africa's magical 21-stringed harp that is simultaneously percussive and melodic and requires incredible musical skills to play. One of the leaders of the newest generation of African traditional musicians and a member of Senegal's royal Keita dynasty, he fuses the traditional forms and instruments with those of other cultures. He has performed all over the world with some of biggest names in global music including support slots with Salif Keita and Youssou N'Dour and as drummer for Baka Beyond. Join us at Band on the Wall for what promises to be a fantastic event.

Click Here For More Details!

Win Tickets!

To win a pair of tickets for this concert simply email malcolm.duffin@bandonthewall.org with 'Seckou Keita Competition' in the subject line. The winners will be drawn at random this Thursday 11th October and notified by email.

Band on the Wall is looking for casual Box Office staff, previous experience on computer box office systems is essential and flexibility to work unsociable hours.

Interested?  Email Emma on emmafleurdoran@bandonthewall.org with a brief resume detailing relevant experience and personal information. 

The emperors of ethi-dub Dub Colossus are live at Band on the Wall next Monday and we've got tickets to win!

Dub Colossus

Monday 1st October 7.30pm

The mesmeric and mighty Dub Colossus bring their unique Ethio-Dub sound to Band on the Wall for what promises to be a thriller of a night.

"Furious dub effects and driving reggae rhythms...a great show" The Guardian

The original aim of Dub Colossus was to combine the golden years of Ethiopique beats and Ethiojazz with the dub reggae styles of early 70s groups like Abyssinians and Mighty Diamonds.

When their first album, A Town Called Addis, was released back in 2008, it was hailed as one of the most inventive fusion albums of the year, with its blend of contemporary and traditional Ethiopian styles, jazz and dub reggae. This may have started out as a studio-based project, but  Dub Colossus went on to prove that they were also a rousing live band. That was followed by a second, even more varied and sophisticated album (titled Addis through the Looking Glass) that moved the experiment on. 

Widely hailed as one of the best 'world music' albums of 2011, this was followed in spring of 2012 by an album of dub versions, taking the whole thing down to its roots: titled 'Dub Me Tender Vols 1 & 2'.

Expect heavy rhythms, natty vocals and weird sounds!

Click Here To Buy Tickets!

Win Tickets!

Simply email simon.webbon@bandonthewall.org no later than Noon Friday 28th October with 'Dub Colossus' in subject line. Winners will be drawn at random and contacted by email.