Hey! Manchester promotes gigs by folk, Americana and experimental bands from around the world in Manchester, England. Read more here, see below for our latest shows, check out our previous shows, contact us, or join our mailing list, above.

Upcoming shows: Daudi Matsiko... Jolie Holland... Christof van der Ven + Niamh Regan... Ariel Sharratt & Mathias Kom... Giant Sand... Melanie Baker... Sophie Hutchings... Jerron Paxton... Ghostly Kisses... Sounds From The Other City 2024... Francis of Delirium... The Buffalo Skinners... The Handsome Family... Memorial... His Lordship... Florry... Bad Bad Hats... Dana Gavanski... Caoilfhionn Rose... The Lovely Eggs... Rain Parade... Charlie Parr... Ryley Walker... Erland Cooper...

When: 8pm on Saturday 19 April 2014
Where: The Castle Hotel, 66 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE

We’re delighted to be helping Gymnast launch their new single, Geneva, with a free show!

Gymnast are Manchester-based duo Cathy Wilcock and Chris Lyon. Their music sits somewhere between alt-pop, trip-hop and electronica, resulting in a sound that moves both heart and feet. They also make a habit of playing live in unusual places: the top of a skyscraper in Manchester; a mediaeval chapel in Cambridge; inside the ‘shark’s mouth’ in the Olympic Park.

Their self-released debut EP was much praised by Tom Robinson (6 Music), and Simon Raymonde (Bella Union) made the opening song his Track of the Week on Amazing Radio. The EP led to some high profile support slots with, among others, San Fermin, Breton, Woman’s Hour and Torres. It also caught the ear of Gizeh Records – and now the first fruits of that relationship are unveiled in the form of their debut single for the label.

Geneva is a perfect introduction for those new to Gymnast. With its atmospheric synths, bold, motivic beats, and dual vocal work, it features a number of the band’s signature elements. It also typifies a songwriting style that is part melodic pop, part careful literary craft, the lyrics reimagining the first throes of Percy and Mary Shelley’s ambivalent romance.

‘If you imagine a world where the Wild Beasts frontman were born a woman, it may sound something like this – but the electro duo are successfully making their own unique sound’ – Thank Folk For That

Support comes from Veí. Veí is the alias of multi-instrumentalist, producer and former Kin keyboardist Jonn Dean. Having shifted his focus from improvised electronic performances to a more structured laptop-based setup, Veí has since released a self-titled EP with new not-for-profit Manchester label Baptists & Bootleggers.

Entry is completely free and the first 25 people arriving at the show will receive a Gizeh Records bag full of music (being Record Store Day and all that!)

Attend on: Facebook | Last.fm



All shows are 18+ unless otherwise stated.