Thurston Moore (Sonic Youth) and Michael Chapman + support Dean McPhee

  • Wednesday | 06.02.13
  • 7.30pm
  • Band on the Wall, Manchester

A major coup for Band on the Wall as we present the Sonic Youth frontman and guitarist performing a very special acoustic concert with his long-time hero – the legendary 60s singer-songwriter Michael Chapman. A night with classic wriiten all over it, advance booking strongly advised.

Thurston Moore

There are few artists as tireless and consistently groundbreaking as Sonic Youth frontman and founder Thurston Moore. That band’s unpredictable aural adventures became the blueprint for the rise of alternative rock, post-punk, hardcore and no wave and there are few credible indie rock bands out there who haven’t been influenced by them. 

While Sonic Youth have remained firmly and impressively at the cutting edge ever since, Moore has also been actively engaged in a plethora of side projects as a writer, producer and musician, a fervent champion of the creative and the avant garde, as well as recording five singular solo albums to date. The most recent of these, Demolished Thoughts, was released in May 2012. For the legions of Sonic Youth fans this is Thurston Moore as he’s never been seen before – acoustic and raw –  achingly beautiful, yet still crackling with the electric charge and anthemic sprawl that came to define the sound of a generation. 

Michael Chapman

Michael been tearing up the rule book since he first announced himself with a series of albums for the renowned Harvest label in the 1960s. He was championed at the time by John Peel and now, forty years later, he has found a new audience for his everyman philosophical songs and distinctive guitar instrumentals, particularly in America. There, he has enjoyed a career resurgence among a new generation of experimental musicians and acoustic players. He was rediscovered after touring with Jack Rose and the No Neck Blues Band, his credibility confirmed with an extensive interview by Thurston Moore in Fretboard Journal in 2009.

Moore and Chapman have remained in contact ever since, recording together and now performing.  At Band on the Wall they will be playing a full set on their own before collaborating at the end of the evening. It promises to be a rare treat for all lovers of classic, stylish and experimental guitar music and distinctly original song writing by these two maverick legends and visionaries.

Support tonight from the unadulterated Fender Telecaster and valve amp induced sounds of the remarkable Dean McPhee.

Early Bird tickets just £15 – save £6 on full price tickets by booking early. Limited availability so first come get them!


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

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

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