Manchester Music

As it's my last day here in sunny Manchester, I thought it might the right time to touch on the subject of Manchester music.

Music has always been a strong point of Manchester - at least in the 80s and 90s anyway. But what's around now? Can the city match its previous musical glories?

The act on people's minds at the moment here in Manchester is The Ting Tings...
And after checking them out, I can't say I'm impressed. At all. I know it sounds critical, but where's the freshness?!

To say that this act is the most talked about new act in Manchester at the moment says something about the state of the Manchester music scene to me. But they're on the NME tour this month, and good luck to them - it's all a matter of taste!

The problem Manchester will always have is that it reflects on past glories - which is probably what I am doing here. Big name bands such as New Order, Oasis, The Smiths - all hailing from Manchester.

Maybe the regeneration of the city is leaving people lacking inspiration. The old doom and gloom of Manchester's dying industrial centre must have acted as a push towards creativity and escape. But now that it's disappearing - is that stifling the music scene? It's a debating point, if nothing else...

I have already mentioned my top pick for Manchester bands at the moment, and that's Destroy The Evidence. if you haven't heard them, check them out - Jordan Allen say 'they gonna be big'

as for songs of the week...

Manic Street Preachers - Tsunami = I love this tune. The best version I ever heard of it was from TFI Friday. But it's wonderful on record all the same. I hear the original demo had a gong...

そして　－　日本の週のソングは。。。　フーバーオーバー　ー　チョコレート　＝　マサミさんのボーカルはとてもいいです！　そして面白いギターだよ。