Manchester Welcomes Back Band On the Wall
Article published: Saturday, October 17th 2009
Whether you’re in to hip-skanking dub, smooth jazz grooves, bouncing African soukous or contemporary English folk music, you’re bound to find something to tickle your fancy at the newly re-opened Band On The Wall. After five long years of extensive renovations and re-thinks, the venue which previously played host to scores of local legends, including Joy Division and Buzzcocks has finally flung open its doors and is inviting everyone in.
Brian Slater
The building remains in its original location in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter. The site dates back to the beginning of the 19th century when the George and Dragon pub was granted its licence. During the 1930s the pub gained itself a nickname that stuck, Band On The Wall. Musicians used to play on a stage that was mounted on to the wall of the club to maximise space. As the 1970s dawned business was declining and the joint was fighting for its life. Luckily the flexible venue was speedily re-invented and became one of the region’s most important music stomping grounds, assisting the punk revolution and pumping the blood back round Manchester music’s circulatory system.
In its latest reincarnation, Band On The Wall offers an eclectic programme with up-coming highlights including Malian African blues star, Bassekou Kouyate and young English folk upstart, Jim Moray. The programme is so varied and wildly inclusive that it’s impossible to pinpoint one genre the venue favours. Team member Malcolm Duffin says that the club is simply committed to “putting on the best music regardless of genre, from around the world”.
Band on the Wall offers a complete night out for music lovers. After every live gig, concert goers can seamlessly continue their evening by sticking around for the after-party, at no extra charge. The club is already receiving support from the local musical community: Manchester DJ marvel Mr Scruff recently announced that his monthly marathon night ‘Keep it Unreal’ will relocate there from The Music Box.
Duffin is keen to emphasise that Band On The Wall is “not just another black box music venue, where you go in at 7.30 and come out at 11.00 pm”. The venue aims to engage the Manchester community in active music-making and education. By joining one of the ‘Learning and Participation Courses’, you could find yourself singing in an all ages choir, hammering out some global grooves on an African djembe drum or busting out an improvised jazz lick with a full band. Next-door, The Picturehouse offers a social space and a classy café-bar. It is set to play host to occasional, more intimate gigs and screenings.
This is a venue that has something for everyone, including a Steinway piano, a state of the art PA system, quality performers, a not-for-profit status and beer for a very reasonable £2.50.
For more information and a full line-up see: www.bandonthewall.org
Become a Band On The Wall member for £30 and get 20% off everything.
Rachel Jackson
More: Culture, Manchester, Music
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