Whether your idea of festive fun involves skanking to ska reworks of Christmas classics, ringing in the new year with funk and soul favourites or enjoying a gentler evening of carols from the traditional folk canon, we’ve got something for everyone over the coming weeks at Band on the Wall.
As always our Picturehouse Bar is open from 5pm serving home-cooked food and variety of drinks, including a festive mulled cider, so if you feel a night out is on the cards, you can browse our upcoming events below and reserve a table for a pre-show meal here.
THE ALBION CHRISTMAS BAND
Ashley Hutchings, founding member renowned folk-rock outfits Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention and the Albion Band, is joined on stage by Kellie While (Albion Band), Simon Care (Edward II) and Simon Nicol (Fairport Convention), for an evening of traditional English Christmas music, carols, spoken word, humorous readings and dance. This year will see a collection of new material alongside old favourites from their back catalogue of Christmas albums.
RICHARD HAWLEY PRESENTS DISGRACELAND FT. HENRI HERBERT (JIM JONES REVUE) LIVE + RICHARD HAWLEY DJ SET + DJ COOPS
Richard Hawley has penned some modern masterpieces in his time, but is also an avid record collector for when the DJ decks call. Richard and friends will be playing an eclectic mix from the depths of his record collection at Disgraceland; a whole load of songs you’ve never heard, mixed in with some floor stomping classics. It’s rock ’n roll how it was meant to be heard, r’n’b and garage before those terms were stolen, it is a myriad of psychedelia and much much more. Performing live on the night is Henri Herbert, the piano-playing phenomenon formerly of the mighty Jim Jones Revue and DJ Coops will be spinning tunes in the Picturehouse before he takes to the stage.
CRAIG CHARLES FUNK & SOUL CLUB FT. THE BONGOLIAN LIVE
We take the flavoursome funk far into the night as the Funk & Soul Show goes live with acclaimed DJ, actor, presenter and funkster about town Craig Charles manning the decks till 2am. The Bongolian, AKA multi-instrumentalist and Big Boss Man front man Nasser Bouzida, provides the live vibes for what will be the las Funk & Soul Club of the year. Time to find your dancing shoes!
THE BREATH + KIRK MCELHINNEY
The Breath, featuring former Cinematic Orchestra guitarist Stuart McCallum and singer and lyricist Rioghnach Connolly along with McCallum’s fellow Cinematic alumni, pianist John Ellis and drummer Luke Flowers, return to Band on the Wall for their second show of the year. The group mix Irish folk influences with mesmerising guitar riffs, anthemic themes and powerful hooks. Building on McCallum’s distinctive soundscapes, Connolly’s immensely powerful and soulful vocals deliver epic, lush and powerfully raw songs that are hypnotic and heart-achingly beautiful in equal measure.
THE MOUSE OUTFIT + CUL DE SAC + DJ JAMIE GROOVEMENT (IN THE LOOP)
After their first night sold out far in advance, we had no choice but to add a second, with The Mouse Outfit joined by Manchester’s Cul Dé Sac and DJ Jamie Groovement. The Mouse Outfit are a live eight-piece eclectic hip hop act from Manchester who produce a slick combination of quality samples and fiendish beats. Their live show features various guest emcee’s but is glued together by Dr Syntax, an emcee famed in his own right as a solo artist as well as a peripheral member of the mighty Foreign Beggars. It is an epic journey that continually builds in tempo and momentum fusing classic jump up themes and hip hop medleys with thumping funk basslines and classic breaks.
BAKED A LA SKA ‘SKA OF WONDER’ CHRISTMAS PARTY + DJS MARTIN THE MOD & COOPS
Baked a la Ska return for their annual Christmas knees up, with DJs Martin the Mod and Coops spinning tunes throughout the night. The “heavy heavy sound” of Manchester ska have been doing the business since 2008, reworking well known numbers with authentic ska flavour. They had everyone dancing on the tables last Christmas so we thought we’d bring Santa’s favourite rudeboys back!
SOUL CENTRAL PRE-NEW YEARS EVE PARTY FT. MIKE STEPHENS, PAUL MAC & BIZZY B
Soul Central’s resident DJs Mike Stephens, Paul Mac and Bizzy B will be playing the finest 80’s/90’s classic R&B and the coolest contemporary soulful grooves, for their festive season pre-New Year’s Eve party.
NYE FUNK & SOUL PARTY FT. THE HAGGIS HORNS + DJS JONNY SHIRE + JAMIE GROOVEMENT
Our New Year’s Eve Funk & Soul Party returns to ring in 2017 with a bang, featuring ferocious live funk from The Haggis Horns. The seven-piece outfit combine heavy breakbeat funk, soul, hip-hop and afrobeat with the virtuosity of trained jazz musicians. The band, many of whom are who’re currently playing live with veteran R&B singer Martha Reeves, really are the best in the business. Special guest DJs Jonny Shire and Jamie Groovement will be keeping the vibes flowing til late.