BLACK MOUNTAIN
plus WINTERSLEEP
Monday 12th May at Moho Live, Manchester
7.30pm till 10:30pm // £11 adv //
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We're really happy to be hosting Black Mountain, a band whose success has gradually developed over the last three years and recently exploded thanks to their unique mixture of sixties and seventies rock with themes of the here and now. After their first release, the band worked intensely upon separate projects - singer/guitarist Stephen McBean formed the Pink Mountaintops with vocalist Amber Webber plus drummer and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Wells, whilst bassist and dub aficionado Matthew Carimand created Blood Meridian and keyboardist Jeremy Schmidt worked on the intriguing Sinoia Caves. More recently, Amber and Josh regrouped under the moniker Lightning Dust; from all of these endeavours came the experience, inspiration and energy for Black Mountain's second full-length, 'In The Future', about which we'll let the experts have the final say:
"a rollicking, wildly adventurous reconfiguring of 1960s and 70s nostalgia that's as duty-bound to the present as it is sympathetic to the past... staggering" - Pitchfork
"The songs echo with anger at the state of the world" - the Guardian
MAN MAN
plus BLOODGROUP, CATS IN PARIS (Manc only)
Tuesday 13th May at Cargo, London
Wednesday 14th May at The Phoenix, Manchester
7.30pm till 10:30pm // £7.50 adv // BUY TICKETS // £8 adv (London) // BUY TICKETS
Was anyone at our In The City show in 2006? Nope, probably not. It was maybe our least attended show so far, but definetely one of our favourites. Some laughed, some wept, some violently soiled their pants, but all had one of the most memorable experiences of their lives. These guys really have to be seen to be believed. Influences? Some might cite Zappa, maybe Captain Beefheart; I cite nothing-else-ive-ever-heard. Miss at your peril. Appearing in London as part of the best new night around, Pineapple Folk and Emmy The Greats GET LONELY... watch this space for announcements on the lineup for the launch night in April, and May, June and July
NO AGE
plus EX MODELS, ATLAS SOUND, SOILED MATTRESS AND THE SPRINGS
Friday 16th May at Islington Mill, Manchester
9:00pm till 03:00am // £9 adv // BUY TICKETS
First there were four. Liars, No Age, Ex Models and Soiled Mattress. Then Radiohead call. Pineapple Folk = Liar-less. Enter Atlas Sound….(PS- Liars will be back in June)Randy Randall and Dean Allen Spunt are the latest sensation signed to Seattle’s legendary Sub Pop label. The Los Angeles duo have charmed hardcore noiseniks and fragile types alike with their tuneful no-wave.
Ex Models are Shahin Motia, Kid Millions (of Jagjaguwar neoliths, Oneida) and Zach Lehroff, three superbly-named kings of post-punk rebellion. They began their heavy experimentalism when they were still nobbut bairns in high school.
Atlas Sound is Bradford Cox, one fifth of Deerhunter; a man creating quite a stir with his record Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel. It’s an album that goes some distance in doing what its title suggests; spiralling atmospheres help you pick out new shapes, textures and features of the room you’re in, the thoughts you just had, the last conversation you heard. It’s “a gauzy bedroom pop album that drifts from ambient bliss-outs to sadsack avant-garage, from hospitals to heartacheâ€, said Pitchfork (marking it at a whopping 8.6). In the eerie basement of Islington Mill, this will sound like magic.
2100 – The Beginning
2130 – SOILED MATTRESS AND THE SPRINGS
2215 – ATLAS SOUND
2300 – EX MODELS
0000 – NO AGE
0300 – The End
We take no responsibility for ear damage.
SUNSET RUBDOWN
plus FIREWORKS NIGHT
Monday 19th May at Moho Live, Manchester
7.00pm till 10:30pm // £8 adv // BUY TICKETS
You can't escape the presence of American indie-king Spencer Krug, but then, you wouldn't want to; his projects have ranged from Wolf Parade's dark pop to Swan Lake's wistfulness, via Frog Eyes and probably one million other things. They play Manchester hot on the heels of their third album, possibly 2007's most ecstatically-received record, 'Random Spirit Lover', which was recorded in a chilly Montreal with Jace Lasek of the Besnard Lakes and we're super excited to hear their fiery, complex melodies and watch what will no doubt be a stunning performance at Moho.
XIU XIU
plus CHRIS GARNEAU
Tuesday 20th May at The Roadhouse, Manchester
7.00pm till 10:00pm // £8.50 adv // BUY TICKETS
For the first time in years, Jamie Stewart brings his canon of neurotic, twisted sounds back to the UK – and, even better, to Manchester’s intimate Roadhouse – for what promises to be an evening dark magic. Now in their eighth year – and having recently garnered across-the-board praise for their eighth album, Women As Lovers – Xiu Xiu command a godly cult status amongst fans of important and experimental modern music: these are serious, significant and often terrifying songs that deal with the personal and political; with love and genocide. Frequently discomforting, Xiu Xiu’s performance will leave you shaking with fear on the verge of tears, even if your heart is made of stone.
Then the support, well often when a band brings a tour support, I don’t expect much. But when I heard Chris Garneaus album, to say I nearly wet my undies is an understatement. The next Sufjan maybe. Get there early, and expect more appearances from Chris Garneau at future Pineapple Folk events.
MT EERIE
plus NO KIDS
Wednesday 21st May at Kro Bar Live, Manchester
7.30pm till 10:30pm // £7.50 adv // BUY TICKETS
Oregon’s Phil Elvrum is something of a modern-day Peter Pan. Signed to Calvin Johnson’s nigh-on-legendary K Records label and having become one of its major figures – releasing music under the monikers of the Microphones and Mt. Eerie, plus masterminding artwork and mentoring a number of its fledgling artists – he’s become something of a guru for those who like their folk music bare-boned, with hearts on sleeves. And yet, he still looks to be about fourteen years old. We can’t think of anywhere more perfect for Elvrum’s mysterious odes than cosy Kro on a springs’s eve. He’s joined by No Kids, a threesome signed to Tomlab, whose pinched, quiet and perky electronica is in keeping with their label’s edgy ethos.
Please note, before asking, there is are only 70 advance tickets for this, and there won’t be any on the doors, so avoid disappointment and buy early.
THE MAE SHI
plus JOHNNY FOREIGNER, IVAN CAMPO
Wednesday 21st May at Moho Live, Manchester
7.30pm till 10:30pm // £7 adv // BUY TICKETS
“Run! Run! Run to your graaaave!†squeal California’s The Mae Shi on their latest bomb of a song, erm, ‘Run To Your Grave’. But don’t! Come to this gig, instead. Showcasing latest album HLLYLH, a rainbow-coloured burst of joyful squall and victorious rhythms, LA’s The Mae Shi are here to initiate previously-unexplored dancing patterns amongst the sweaty Manchester crowds. Fun, cubed.
You may well have heard the name Johnny Foreigner bandied around every single online forum and audience since what seems like the dawn of time. That’d be because they’re one of the most talked-about British bands this year, managing to unite youngsters still powered-up on long n’ hot school holidays with older fans getting all wistful about being fifteen and having their first kiss. Inventive riffs, arguing vocals and kicks aplenty’ll all come spilling from the amps when this multi-limbed Birmingham monster takes to the stage: “too fast and too clever for the usual clichésâ€, said Drowned In Sound.
SILVER JEWS
plus ADRIAN CROWLEY
Tuesday 27th May at The Dancehouse Theatre, Manchester
7.30pm till 10:30pm // £12.50 adv // BUY TICKETS
With Silver Jews’ sixth album – Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea – on its way, you’ll want to mark this special seated show down in your diary as an opportunity to see some true purveyors of wry, wise songwriting. Frontman (and published poet) David Berman formed his stellar group in 1989 with Steven Malkmus and Bob Nastanovich of Pavement, whilst Pavement itself was but an itch in Malkmus’ musical testicle. Sorry… So anyway, the Jews went on to create five records widely loved by those with a hankering for Berman’s clever, cynical lyricism and heartfelt delivery. Their latest – released through Drag City, home to fellow genii Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and Joanna Newsom – continues a superb lineage of masterfully-crafted, tastefully dark music. A must-see.
DIANE CLUCK
plus EMMY THE GREAT
Wednesday 11th June at Cargo London
Thursday 12th June at The Deaf Institute, Manchester
Friday 12th June at Nice & Sleazy’s, Glasgow
7.30pm till 10:30pm // £7 adv // £8 adv (London)
Human beings generally fall into two categories: 1) people who have already heard Diane Cluck’s music and love it, or 2) people who have heard every single one of their favourite musicians cite Diane Cluck as their idol, but not yet sought out her work for themselves. Members of both categories are obliged to attend this gig at Manchester’s favourite new haunt, the third Trof. Loosely affiliated with New York’s anti-folk scene, Cluck has collaborated with Jeffrey Lewis and Herman Dune as well as released six albums of her own; listen, and her dynamic, confident voice will work its way beneath your skin.
Meanwhile, Londoner miss Emmy The Great, who counts Cluck amongst her heroines, sings affecting songs about warped, modern love in a warped, modern world. With her clear voice, headstrong lyrics and delicate patterns she’ll be sure to have you spellbound. By June, she’ll have completed her much-anticipated debut album, so come along to have a sneak-preview of an astounding set of sweet n’ surreal songs that’ll surely make up one of the records of the year. Plus support from Young Husband, one of the many, many Euans in Emmy’s musical troupe.
An Evening with Daniel Johnston and friends
with Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse, Scout Niblett, James McNew of Yo La Tengo, Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub and Jad Fair of Half Japanese
Wednesday 23th July at Old Fruit Market, Glasgow
Thursday 24th July at New Century House, Manchester
Friday 25th July at IndigO2, London
7.30pm till 11:00pm // £17.50 adv // £20.00 adv (London)
After sold out shows at The Comedy Store, Manchester and Union Chapel, London in 2007, we are delighted to welcome the return of Daniel Johnston to the UK. Supported by a stellar cast of musicians, performing a medley of their own songs, tributes and covers, before gracing the stage together as Daniels backing band.
Tickets on sale from Friday 2nd May.
DAMIEN JURADO
plus LITTLE WINGS
Monday 18th August at Scared Trinity Chapel, Manchester
Tuesday 19th August at Bush Hall, London
7.30pm till 10:30pm // £10 adv // BUY TICKETS // £11 adv (London) // BUY TICKETS
You’ll always remember the first time you head Damien Jurado’s voice. Where you were; what you were doing; who you were with. The Seattle musician manages to tap into something private, something unexplored, with every one of his songs, from those recorded back in the mid-90s on tapes and released through his own, cassette-only label, to his most devastating and introspective work on Ghost Of David (2000) and his recent record on Secretly Canadian, And Now That I’m In Your Shadow. And you’ll always remember the one that most affects you; for us, it was the ominous, helpless finale to 2005’s On My Way To Absence – and Uncut magazine explain why, perfectly: “Amongst the empty farmhouses, black widows, pink champagne and guns in the drawer, Jurado’s riveting narratives explore sunken relationships and thwarted dreams, perhaps most tellingly on the outstanding ‘A Jealous Heart Is A Heavy Heart’, mordant strings giving way to a lonely piano coda and a desperate plea - “Grow old with me†- fading into oblivion. It’s the most heartbreaking thing he’s recordedâ€. This is Jurado’s first time in the UK for two years, playing just two special shows in Manchester and London, both in stunning settings. A sure sell-out.