Music
Every Manchester band has been ranked and this is the top ten
Did your favourite band make the cut?
If there’s one thing Manchester is known for, it’s its impressive offering of musical talent.
Yep, out of the whole of the UK (and arguably the world), Manchester has been the place to be for ‘proper good’ music for decades and it seems that even today, our city isn’t short of upcoming new talent.
And to put this Mancunian talent into perspective, Vice ID has accumulated a definitive list of every Manchester band and musician ranked in order. Here’s the top ten…
10. A Guy Called Gerald
Credited for shaping the British electronic music scene with his solo acid track ‘Voodoo Ray’ and 1995 album ‘Black Secret Technology’, A Guy Called Gerald is definitely one of the more influential musicians to hail from Manchester.
Having grown up in Hulme ‘playing chicken across the motorway from Moss Side’, A Guy Called Gerald – real name Gerald Rydel Simpson – started out as a regular nightclubber but would eventually go on to hold a residency in the famed Haçienda.
9. The Durutti Column
The Durutti Column was the late 1970s project of guitarist Vini Reilly, following his big break in the Manc band Ed Banger And The Nosebleeds. Vini left The Nosebleeds to form The Durutti Column, before splitting with the other members of the original line-up, who went on to form Simply Red (another sensational Manc offering, might I add.)
Factory Record’s Tony Wilson was the one to assemble The Durutti Column and, after the band became Vini’s own solo project, other musicians contributed to recordings and live performances for many years to follow.
8. Buzzcocks
Obviously.
Formed in Bolton in the late 1970s, this punk-rock band were regarded as a seminal influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement, punk rock, power pop, and pop punk.
And, perhaps even more obviously, the band were never far from controversy with song titles like ‘Orgasm Addict’, which was banned from the airwaves by the BBC because of the tune’s overt sexual message. All in the name of punk, I suppose.
7. Happy Mondays
The Happy Mondays made a true name for themselves in the Madchester scene with many thanks to frontman Shaun Ryder and eccentric dancer and maraca-shaker Bez.
I think the name of their debut album, ‘Squirrel and G-Man Twenty Four Hour Party People Plastic Face Carnt Smile (White Out)’ sums up the general vibe of the Mondays – the band went on to enjoy massive commercial success, with Ryder and Bez remaining firm television favourites to this very day.
6. The Fall
First associated with the late 1970s punk movement, the Prestwich group The Fall underwent many stylistic changes but, nonetheless, their music has generally been characterised by an abrasive, repetitive guitar-driven sound, tense bass and drum rhythms, and Smith’s caustic lyrics.
The band have dabbled in just about every genre you can think of, with DJ and record producer John Peel once describing them as ‘always different, always the same’ and even saying: “I know there are people who don’t like The Fall – they must be half-dead with beastliness.”
5. Joy Division
If you’ve ever been in a dark place in your life, ever felt a little lost, or have just been a generic angsty teenager, you’re guaranteed to have immersed yourself in the emotional lyrics of Joy Division at some point.
The Salford rock band were heavily defined by their lead singer Ian Curtis so, following his devastating suicide in 1980 – believed to have been triggered by ongoing mental health issues and an epilepsy diagnosis – the band rebranded as New Order.
4. The Stone Roses
Yep, the band responsible for creating The Second Summer Of Love and whose gig on Spike Island in 1990 has gone down as one of the most legendary live performances of all time, do indeed hail from Manchester.
The Stone Roses were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with the band’s classic and most prominent lineup consisting of vocalist Ian Brown, guitarist John Squire, bassist Mani and drummer Reni.
3. Oasis
Oasis were always going to make the cut, weren’t they?
Regardless of your thoughts on Liam and Noel as individuals, there’s no denying the impact and influence Oasis has had upon not only music in the U.K, but all over the world. The band has sold millions of albums and, despite their very ugly break up in 2009, their fan base today is as loyal as ever.
Because come on – ordinary Manc lads taking the world by storm with rock ‘n’ roll music? Biblical.
2. The Smiths
Definitely one to divide opinion, but The Smiths have been ranked as the second best musical group to come from Manchester.
The Salford-born band are known best for their bleak and depressing lyrics (yes, they’re the ones who sang about being hit and killed by a double-decker bus) and their controversial frontman, Morrissey. But, regardless of his personality and stance on veganism, there’s no denying that The Smiths have churned out arguably some of the best music in Manchester.
1. New Order
Described as ‘survivors’, New Order rose from the flames following the heartbreaking suicide of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis.
While the band’s early years were indeed overshadowed by the legacy of Joy Division, their experience of the early 1980s New York nightclub scene saw them incorporate dance rhythms and electronic instrumentation into their work, redefining their sound and making them the band they’re known as today.
Their 1983 hit ‘Blue Monday’ became the best selling 12-inch single of all time and remains today as an iconic club track.
Music
Liam Gallagher reveals son Gene’s band to open for him on Definitely Maybe anniversary tour
He revealed the news responding to a fan on social media – as you do!
Liam Gallagher has said his son Gene and his band Villanelle will support him on his upcoming Definitely Maybe anniversary tour.
The indie-rocker took to X (formerly Twitter) to reply to a fan who said they like Gene’s band and asked what Liam thought of them.
In his response, Liam said he thinks the band are ‘good’ and announced they will be ‘first on’ for his Definitely Maybe tour.
Gene, 22, is Liam’s youngest son and is the frontman and guitarist for the recently formed band Villanelle.
The band is set to hit the UK festival scene this summer, releasing their new music along the way, and will also be first up to support LG alongside the likes of music legends including Cast and The View.
Although the newbies haven’t officially released any tracks just yet, they have recently been spotted supporting Brummie band the Overpass on tour, and performed at King Tut’s in Glasgow on March 21st.
Clips online hint that Gene will most likely take after his dad and go on to create some classic British indie-rock tunes.
Aside from the upcoming Definitely Maybe 30th anniversary tour, Liam has a big year and is currently touring with John Squire, formerly of the Stone Roses, to support their joint, self-titled album. The pair performed live at Manchester Apollo last month and reviews are looking pretty positive for these two rock legends.
Liam will be coming to Manchester’s brand-new Co-op Live arena on his Definitely Maybe 30th anniversary tour on June 15th and 16th, with a final Manchester date on June 27th.
It’s not clear which tour dates Gene will be supporting his dad on but we look forward to seeing him live.
Music
Liam Gallagher says Noel ‘turned down’ reunion for Definitely Maybe tour
There’s no sign of them burying the hatchet yet
Liam Gallagher claims he asked Noel to reunite for the Definitely Maybe 30th Anniversary tour later this year but that he ‘refused’.
The former Oasis frontman shared details of his upcoming tour – to celebrate 30 years of Oasis’ seminal 1994 album – back in October.
So, a solo Liam will play their iconic debut album in full, including tracks ‘Live Forever’, ‘Supersonic’, ‘Slide Away’ and ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’.
The indie-rocker also teased he’ll be playing ‘naughty’ B-sides from the era.
He’ll be kicking off the 12-date tour in Sheffield on June 2nd, heading to Cardiff for a night, then onto London for four, followed by three dates in his native Manchester at the Co-op Live arena.
From there, Liam will play two dates in Glasgow and two in Dublin, before heading back to Manchester for the finale.
Speaking to MOJO recently, Liam said that his brother refused to put aside their differences and join him on the 30th anniversary tour. He said: “Noel? He ain’t f**king doing it.”
“I did call him! Well, my people called Noel’s management team,” he told the publication.
“We put an offer on the table for an Oasis thing – because we got offered it – and he said no. It was a big tour, a lot of money. He turned it down. I get it, he’s got a divorce going down. I’ll do the ‘Definitely Maybe’ thing and have a nice time without him.”
On whether next year could see the feuding pair finally make amends and reunite for the anniversary of second album ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’, Liam said: “It’s down to the universe. It’ll happen when it happens, it’s not in our hands anymore.”
Either way, it seems Liam is up for the tour with or without him as he added: “Me, I love nostalgia though. I’m doing the lot. Every album, even… what was the last one?”
It’s not the first time Liam has claimed his estranged brother has turned down his offer to get back together.
Back in October, a fan asked whether he’d give us the surprise of joining him on the DM tour, to which Liam responded: “He’s been asked and he’s refused.”
It comes after Noel told talkSport radio back in May that he was ‘open to a phone call’ from Liam but said that he wouldn’t dare and accused him of being a ‘coward’.
He continued: “He doesn’t have to speak to me. He won’t speak to me, he’s a coward. So he should get some of his people, his agent, to call my people and say, ‘Look, this is what we’re thinking.’ And then we’ll have a conversation about it. Until then, he’s being a little bit disingenuous.”
He added that Liam is guilty of getting ‘people’s hopes up’ with his post on social media.
But Liam hit back with a string of posts on social media saying it wasn’t true and that Noel just ‘hates Oasis fans’.
The band parted ways in 2009 and ever since, the bickering brothers have exchanged spats publicly while being asked about whether a reunion may be on the cards one day.
Regarding the 30th Anniversary of Definitely Maybe, Noel confirmed in April last year that an Oasis reunion would not be happening any time soon but did confirm plans of a reissue of the record to mark the occasion.
The singer-songwriter also added that there had ‘never really been a serious offer about ‘The Big O’ getting back together’.
Earlier this year, as he reflected on their split, Liam accused Noel of throwing him ‘under the f**king bus’ at the time.
Liam is now focusing his attention on his much anticipated collaborative, self-titled album with Stone Roses guitarist John Squires, which is out on March 1st. The pair will also announce details of an upcoming tour.
Music
Wigan Casino to celebrate 50th anniversary with Northern Soul all-nighter
The rarest Northern Soul record was recently sold for £100k
The legendary Wigan Casino will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special Northern Soul all-nighter after its last song, Frank Wilson’s ‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do), played in 1981 and it shut its doors for good.
The all-nighter will play on BBC Radio 6 Music, featuring all the – often B-side – bangers discovered in Motown vaults from the likes of The Supremes, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Dobie Gray, Yvonne Baker, and many more.
From its opening in 1973, Wigan Casino saw crowds of music lovers desperate to dance the night away to all of the latest vinyl records, getting dropped off by the coach load outside the venue – the former Empress Ballroom.
Several DJs including Russ Winstanley, Ian Fishwick, Kev Roberts and Richard Searling would take turns in spinning the decks for clubbers who would queue for hours just to get a taste of the action in the main dance hall.
Wigan Casino’s very last all-nighter was played on December 6th 1981 from midnight to the early morning, played by DJ Russ Winstanley.
Now, 50 years after the legendary night began, a special edition of Northern Soul programming dedicated to Wigan Casino will kick off on Saturday September 9th until 8pm on Sunday September 10th, on BBC Radio 6 Music.
The tracks will be played across The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show alongside a broadcast of Stuart Maconie’s Northern Soul Prom, which was recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in July.
Kicking off the programme on Saturday, from 6pm to 9pm, Craig’s show will feature a ten-piece soul house band – The Signatures – and special guests including Wigan Casino DJ Richard Searling and R&B group The Flirtations.
Craig will also be going in search of the rarest Northern Soul record, which was recently sold for £100,000 – can you guess which one it was?
Then, from 9pm-12am, Craig will join Stuart to introduce a broadcast of the Northern Soul Prom – recorded with the BBC Concert Orchestra.
It features Brendan Reilly, Darrell Smith, Frida Mariama Touray, Natalie Palmer, Nick Shirm and Vula Malinga as they perform the likes of You’re Gonna Make Me Love You, Open the Door to Your Heart and Hold Back The Night.
Stuart Maconie says: “Northern Soul was and is one of the most thrilling and vital music subcultures ever.
“It’s a dynamic, sympathetic union of the sounds and dreams of generations in the industrial heartlands of the North and Midlands of the UK and their counterparts in New York, Detroit, Philadelphia and beyond.
“At the heart of the scene is this wonderful, dramatic, vibrant and inspirational music, as well as the passion and knowledge of its devotees.
“They brought the communal rapture of the Northern Soul clubs and dancehalls to the Royal Albert Hall, which was on its feet on every tier for the Prom. It was a night the like of which that grand and esteemed old building has never seen before.”
From 12am-4am, 6 Music begins an audio tour of the UK’s iconic all-nighter venues, with hour-long playlists by DJs who were there at Golden Torch (12am-1am), Wigan Casino (1am-2am), Twisted Wheel (2am-3am) and 100 Club (3am-4am).
These key figures from the scene share stories and songs, taking listeners back to the dance floors of these legendary spaces.
From 4am-7am, 6 Music’s Morning After Mix, Northern Soul Special, brings listeners a playlist of mellow soul numbers, featuring classic ballads and as well as contemporary selections.
Stuart returns to the airwaves an hour earlier than usual at 7am on Sunday morning (September 10th) to present Lights On With Stuart Maconie.
He’ll bring the party to a close and bring listeners the original versions of Wigan Casino’s famous Three Before Eight – Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend, Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe and I’m On My Way by Dean Parrish.
The Wigan Casino 50th anniversary special on BBC Radio 6 Music can be listened to via BBC Sounds from 6pm on September 9th – 8pm on September 10th. You can also tune in via DAB Digital Radio, Freeview, Sky TV, and supported mobile devices.
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