Walk Like a Man

 90s icons Toploader are back with brand new material including a full length album and new singles.

 Made up of Joseph Washbourn, Matt Knight, Rob Green and Dan Hipgrave, Toploader is one of the biggest band of its generation.

Since exploding onto the scene shortly after forming in 1997, the multi-time Brit nominated band have_ over two million album sales to their name and a string of top 20 hits both home and abroad. Right from debut hit single ‘Onka’s Big Moka’ to tracks like ‘Dancing In the Moonlight’, the band have always made it big. As one of the highest selling outfits of their era, they still boast a massive fanbase more than ten years later, and as such news of their new material couldn’t come soon enough.
The band might have taken a break between 2003 and 2011 but their star is still very much burning brightly. They returned with a well received album ‘Only Human’ and more singles came in the ensuing years including ‘Turn It Around’, which picked up plenty of support from BBC Radio 2. Wholly accustomed to playing in from of massive audiences and mixing up musical influences with ease, this band is as skilled in the live arena as they are in the studio when crafting massive singalong hits.
Toploader never fail to please the crowd and have backed the likes of Robbie Williams and Tom Jones everywhere from Wembley Stadium to Glastonbury.

With hits like ‘Digging Your Scene’ and ‘It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way’, The Blow Monkeys epitomised the glamour of mid-80s pop at its most graceful and sophisticated. In the band’s frontman Robert Howard (aka Dr. Robert), they possessed a tall, charismatic singer who was both camera-friendly and clever, who appeared to be just as much at ease on the catwalk that is pop’s conveyer belt as he was penning witty, incisive songs. While quite clearly Robert’s band, though, the Blow Monkeys were also gifted three immensely talented musicians in bassist Mick Anker (he of the trademark bowler hat), saxophonist Neville Henry and drummer Tony Kiley.

Behind the band’s stylish veneer lay something else, which became increasingly apparent from Robert’s lyrics. While some of the Smash Hits generation avoided politics with a capital P, The Blow Monkeys openly criticised the policies of the Conservative government, railing against social injustices and adopting an openly left-of-centre stance on issues of the day.

From openly endorsing the gay community “Digging Your Scene” to an outright attack on Margaret Thatcher ‘Celebrate (The Day After You)’ – a duet with the late, great Curtis Mayfield, The Blow Monkeys were always the thinking person’s pop group.

As the 1980s progressed, so too did the band’s musical style, from a sound once dubbed “jazz punk” by Robert to a more soulful, jazzy style and an ever-increasing adoption of dance music. The Blow Monkeys of their rare, indie debut single ‘Live Today Love Tomorrow’ (recorded on a shoestring in 1981) would be barely recognisable to those who bought the Balearic remix of ‘La Passionara’ from 1990. And yet a soulful, spiritually uplifting strain has continued to run through their music – and, indeed, that of Robert’s solo recordings – to this day.

Having played here four times before, you know these guys give the one of the best live shows we have.    Featuring from the original Animals - John Steel & Mick Gallagher along with Danny Handley and Roberto Ruiz.
 
House of the rising sun,  Keep on running,  Gimme some lovin
Don’t let me be misunderstood, We gotta get out of this place,
Every Little bit hurts and so many more.
 
In 1964 a wave of new energetic rock and roll swept over the youth of the world. On the crest of this wave was The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and of course The Animals. From the banks of the River Tyne came the North East's offering; a brand of rhythm n blues that the whole world seemed to grasp greedily.
 
The Animals were the second British band to top the American charts after The Beatles with the now multi-million selling and legendary anthem, 'House of the Rising Sun'. The band subsequently achieved over twenty global Top Ten hit records, many of which gained the Number One slot in various parts of the world. In Britain alone, the band had no less than twelve chart entries.

Smooth Jazz guitarist Peter White returns for his usual visit – playing just 1 show downstairs in the Club.  We have an amazing time every year, and we are glad to be able to welcome Peter back. He will be playing selections from his ever growing discography as well as songs from throughout his solo career.

Peter White guitar,
Carl Stanley  sax,
Marc Parnell  drums
Frank Felix  bass
Oli Silk keyboard

Over the years, Peter White has maintained a reputation as one of the most versatile and prolific acoustic guitarists on the contemporary jazz landscape. Armed with an unparalleled combination of lyricism and energy, he combines elements of jazz, pop and classical guitar to create a sound that is singular and at the same time accessible to a broad audience.

At aged 20  he was invited to join Al Stewart’s band as a keyboardist for a tour of England, Scotland, and the U.S. in 1975. In addition to opening for artists like Linda Ronstadt, Billy Joel and Queen, White worked with Stewart in the studio in the making of Year of the Cat, which became a huge hit for Stewart in 1976. The tour and the album marked the beginning of a twenty-year association with Stewart. In that time, the two musicians co-wrote numerous songs, including Stewart’s 1978 hit, “Time Passages.”

In a career that spans nearly four decades, over a dozen solo recordings and countless performances, White insists that it’s the faces in the crowd and the fans that keep the experience fresh. “I’ll play a live show, and someone will come to me afterward and say, ‘Oh, I loved this CD,’ or ‘This song helped me through a bad time,’” he explains. “Or I get emails from people saying, ‘Oh, I love the way you covered one of my favorite songs on your record back in 1994.’ The idea that someone can write me an email and tell me about something I did on a record that was released fifteen years ago – you can’t buy that. That’s priceless. That’s what keeps me going – the idea that people out there really care about what I do, the idea that I’ve made a difference for someone.”

I Am Kloot’s songwriter and frontman, John Bramwell, has released his first studio solo album “Leave Alone The Empty Spaces” and is touring a brand new live show.
The record is a stunning showcase of John’s skilful, widely acclaimed song-writing and his unique voice. It’s the first completely new collection of songs by John as a solo artist since he started his

Audiences can expect a highly personal experience from a performer who has completely immersed himself in the experience of connecting with live audiences of all kinds. This adventure has taken John to little rooms above pubs (after promising a fan he would play in their town that ‘doesn’t have gigs’) to World War II underground bunkers in Germany.
It’s about rediscovering the romance, intimacy and magic of the live music experience, one to one with the audience. The new show will include songs from “Leave Alone The Empty Spaces”, a handful of songs from his follow up album, which he has already started to record, and ten I Am Kloot classics that he has rearranged with other instruments.
And of course there’ll be the usual off the wall chat and tall stories…

This is a chance to see one of the country’s most talented songwriters at the top of his game.

For bookings of 10 or more please contact the venue directly.

Money for Nothing was formed in 2000 as a tribute to one of the world’s premier rock bands – Dire Straits. The abundant energy and the excellence and musicality of their performance makes Money For Nothing a “must see” for any rock enthusiast or Dire Straits fan. Fronting the band is the brilliant guitarist and Mark Knopfler sound-alike Aled Williams. Behind him the line-up features top-class and experienced musicians that make this band a worthy tribute to Dire Straits. Aled and all the band have studied Dire Straits in great depth to re-create their tribute to be as close as possible to the real thing.

Featuring all the hits from their first ever single ‘Sultans of Swing’ to ‘Brothers in Arms‘, ‘Walk of Life’ and their last single released in 1992 ‘The Bug’ – also the legendary ‘Money For Nothing’ (ft Sting) which was the first ever video played on MTV. The band also include versions from ‘On the Night’ and ‘Live @ The BBC‘. The Money For Nothing stage show has been performed all over Britain and the world, at all types of venues & events – from music festivals, theatres, nightclubs and venues. 2010 saw them headline the main night on Europes Biggest Tribute Festival. The band have also had the pleasure of performing as show opener for the legendary Roy Wood on part of his Theatre Tour. Sept 2011 saw them take their show to India to perform at a sell-out concert where they headlined an event held at one of Bangalore’s largest Amphitheatres. Their special appearance was featured in the worlds largest selling English-language daily newspaper, The Times of India. Dire Straits are one of the best bands to ever come out of the UK, they have sold in excess of 120 million albums worldwide and were the UK’s first stadium rock band. Their best selling album Brothers in Arms was an international blockbuster selling over 30 million copies and becoming the fourth best selling album in UK chart history. Brothers In Arms was also the first ever CD single, and the first ever album to sell over one million copies on CD. Dire Straits also won numerous awards including, three Brit Awards, four Grammys and two MTV Music Video Awards, and in 2009 they were awarded the Music Heritage Award.

THERE ARE ABBA TRIBUTES AND THEN THERE'S 'MY MY!'

“Sensational!” “The best Abba tribute show in the UK we’ve seen.” “A rip-roaring fun night out.” are just some of the terms that have been used to describe our incredible tribute show that will have you involved from the very start.

My My! pays homage to the original Swedish sensations through capturing Abba’s great sense of fun, recreating their incredible unique sound and combining this into a fun filled evening of sing-along, dance-along magic! Let us thrill you with a mix of iconic costume and a touch of audience participation that only a Veritas production can provide.

Featuring such unforgettable hits as “Waterloo”, “Mamma Mia” and “Dancing Queen”, this fantastic cast of West End performers and full band are guaranteed to liven up your night and keep you dancing till dawn!

After a number of successful top-twenty singles in the UK, the band went on to score unprecedented international success with the release of the classic ‘Nightbirds” recording and the title track has now become a standard in the popular music repertoire.  This success was repeated with the top-ten hit “Down on the Street and the award-winning video established the band’s personnel of Jill Saward(lead vocs), Bill Sharpe(keys),Keith Winter(gtr),  George Anderson(bass) and Roger Odell(drums). With the magic Al Jarreau/Shakatak combination,the group went on to record the track ‘Day by Day’ to further international acclaim.

Along with this successful recording career, Shakatak had firmly established themselves as a vibrant live act, combining astute musicianship with a sense of fun that communicated strongly with world-wide audiences. Their performance in Japan’s Budoken Hall won them a Silver Award at the Tokyo International Song Festival-other awards include the “Best Instrumental Album’ for 6 consecutive years-and other live concerts of note have been the East meets the West Border Concert at the time of German re-unificationin 1989 and the open air concert in Cape Town for the Millennium Celebrations 2000 where they played in front of 250,000 people.Shakatak have enjoyed a level of success and career longevity rarely paralleled in contemporary music – but then Shakatak is a particularly unusual group.

Because of the nature of their music, their fan base is one that is far reaching while always retaining an ‘underground element’.  This paradox sees the band, who are known primarily as serious jazz/funk musicians, enjoying both high ‘cult’ status and instant recognition as a household name.

After a number of successful top-twenty singles in the UK, the band went on to score unprecedented international success with the release of the classic ‘Nightbirds” recording and the title track has now become a standard in the popular music repertoire.  This success was repeated with the top-ten hit “Down on the Street and the award-winning video established the band’s personnel of Jill Saward(lead vocs), Bill Sharpe(keys),Keith Winter(gtr),  George Anderson(bass) and Roger Odell(drums). With the magic Al Jarreau/Shakatak combination,the group went on to record the track ‘Day by Day’ to further international acclaim.

Along with this successful recording career, Shakatak had firmly established themselves as a vibrant live act, combining astute musicianship with a sense of fun that communicated strongly with world-wide audiences. Their performance in Japan’s Budoken Hall won them a Silver Award at the Tokyo International Song Festival-other awards include the “Best Instrumental Album’ for 6 consecutive years-and other live concerts of note have been the East meets the West Border Concert at the time of German re-unificationin 1989 and the open air concert in Cape Town for the Millennium Celebrations 2000 where they played in front of 250,000 people.

As the hot bed of Teal creativity, award winning jazz vocalist and Radio 2 presenter
Clare Teal’s concerts with her Trio are constantly evolving and renowned across the country for their fabulous arrangements interspersed with Clare’s warm and witty storytelling.

This brand new show promises a rich jazz infused repertoire in its many forms and eclectic song list, bringing you more exhilarating swing and sparkling melodies as Clare and her band celebrate the Great American and British Song books as well as contemporary writers creating the standards of today. 

As one of the UK’s greatest interpreters of song and much loved performers, Clare and her Trio guarantee an evening of inspired music and unbridled entertainment performed by the very best.

Originally formed in New York, Odyssey were quick to build themselves a reputation as a premier act. Headed up by Steven Collazo, the eldest son of the group’s original founder Lillian Lopez, the group is formed of several talented performers. Sharing the stage with Romina Johnson and Jerdene Wilson, Steven has led the soul singers towards international stardom.

One of the group’s best-loved songs, the iconic Native New Yorker, saw the group achieve widespread success upon its release in 1977. Performing well in the international charts, the track soon made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. The song was later covered by fellow American singer Frankie Valli, garnering the song further attention with the listening public. Not long after, the group achieved further success with the release of their R&B-inspired hit Inside Out, which was featured in music magazine NME’s Tracks of the Year.

Capitalising on the disco band’s increasing momentum, the group went on to release a number of notable albums and singles. During the years that followed, the group produced an array of memorable songs, including Going Back To My Roots, Don’t Tell Me, Tell Her, I Can’t Keep Holding Back My Love, Ever-Lovin' Sam, Magic Touch, When You Love Somebody and It Will Be Alright. Up until 1982, the band released a number of albums with iconic record label RCA Victor.

Although the group was originally based in the United States, Odyssey enjoyed much of their greatest popularity in the United Kingdom. As a result, the group remain vastly popular with British artists and audiences alike. Their song If You’re Looking For a Way Out was covered by the Nottingham-based rock band Tindersticks, featuring on their fourth studio album, Simple Pleasure. Odyssey member Romina Johnson has also collaborated with a number of notable British actsover the years, having featured on The Artful Dodger’s hit single Movin’ Too Fast.

As some of the best-loved soul singers of all time, Odyssey continues to tour music venues across the country. Building further upon their already impressive musical repertoire, the group are the perfect choice for corporate events and a wide array of other occasions.

The UK's own disco pioneers The Real Thing still whip up the crowds from the minute they hit the stage. Following the sad passing of Eddy Amoo, his brother Chris and Dave Smith have decided to continue as a duo backed by The Real Thing band. Return to the glory days of dance music with the real music legends in a soulsational evening of non-stop, live dancefloor anthems including You to Me Are Everything, Can't Get By Without You and Can You Feel the Force. Backed by their critically acclaimed band, one of The Real Thing's original frontmen, Chris Amoo plus Dave Smith, revive the sensational 70s and 80s, performing all of the UK's most successful soul group's formidable repertoire. Rainin' Through the Sunshine, So Much Love to Give and Love's Such a Wonderful Thing give way to the classic Children of the Ghetto famously covered by Philip Bailey of Earth Wind and Fire. Also featuring a specially composed tribute to the biggest dance hits of their era, including Ladies Night, Ain't No Stopping us Now and Celebration, prepare to use up and wear out the dancefloor one last time!

" ... these guys are pure class, and really hold up their songs vocally, even after all these years" - Clair Woodward, Sunday Express

This event was originally billed as BOYZLIFE but due to tour scheduling is now Brian Mcfadden with Support from Cole Page.

Brian McFadden has enjoyed huge global musical success, including 12 UK and Ireland number ones as a member of Westlife, and a record breaking seven top spots in a row.

The band also boast  four number 1 albums and over 30 million record sales in total. Since Westlife, Brian has enjoyed solo success, including a UK number 1 with ‘Real to Me’.
The former Westlife star will be live for one night only for a very intimate show.

The show will celebrate the hits from chart topping Westlife and his successful solo career.

Expect to hear, ‘World Of Our Own’, ‘Mandy’, ‘Queen of My Heart’, ‘Uptown Girl’, ‘Flying Without Wings’, ‘You Raise Me Up’, ‘Swear It Again’, ‘and many many more

Cole Page will also be on the nights bill,  performing his unforgettable swing set.

A TRULY INTIMATE SHOW.

For Group bookings or for parties of 10 or more, please contact the venue directly on 0161 926 8992

Take three great singers, add a dash of comedy and rousing camaraderie with a pinch of the greatest songs ever written and what do you get? A perfect night’s entertainment with ‘The Rat Pack – Swingin’ At The Sands!’

This fully choreographed homage to the greatest performers in known history features stars of the hit West End show ‘The Rat Pack, Live From Las Vegas’ and features such favourites as “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “Mr. Bojangles”, not to mention the numbers every audience .  can’t help singing and dancing along to, such as “New York, New York”, “That’s Life” and of course, “My Way”

A CELEBRATION OF D.I.S.C.O

For all those who dreamed of going to New York’s Studio 54, Disco Inferno is the spectacular all singing, all dancing celebration of everything D.I.S.C.O. From the smoking hot girls to the guys in platforms, this electrifying show just screams glitter balls and good times.

You’ll be thrilled by pitch perfect harmony, high energy, slick choreography and Disco classics such as Blame It On The Boogie, Car Wash and It’s Raining Men. You’ve all seen Abba, you’ve all seen Motown, but have you all danced
to the ultimate UK Disco tribute and sang along to your favourites by Earth Wind and Fire, Barry White, Donna Summer, The Tramps, and many, many more?

With crowd engagement and interaction like only a Veritas show can provide, Disco Inferno has the wow factor that everyone will be talking about for months to come.

For groups of 10 or more, please contact the venue directly on 0161926 8992

Alan McGee is a Scottish businessman and music industry executive. He has been a record label owner, musician, manager, and music blogger for The Guardian. He is best known for co-founding and running the independent Creation Records label and is the man who discovered and signed Oasis.

**Rescheduled date to be confirmed**

A NIGHT OF MUSIC FEATURING HITS FROM:

Evita
Lion King
Jesus Christ Superstar
Les Miserable
Phantom of the Opera

Featuring the Magic Voices Choir.

His first success was as the lead singer of the band 'Peter and the Wolves'. Peter later toured the country as a singer and then went to London as a busker before he got his first role in a show. He has stared in most major musicals (Jesus Christ Superstar, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera), often as the main roles. He is best known for the role as the Phantom in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical 'The Phantom of the Opera'. He was twice voted the favourite Phantom of members of the international Phantom Appreciation Society. The Vancouver Sun described his performance in the role as "definitive". He has appeared in concerts around the world, on television and on the radio. His own Beyond the Mask concert tour has been an international success, receiving excellent reviews. He has hosted his own radio and TV show in Wales. He created the title role in Bernard J. Taylor's dark musical 'Nosferatu'. The role was specifically written for Karrie, with his vocal range in mind. Karrie's TV show in Wales is called 'Young at Heart' and he has previously presented his own show 'Karrie on Karrie'. He appeared on Welsh TV's 'Children in Need' and at the 'Music Under the Stars' concert at the Faenol Festival in 2001

VOTED THE BEST PHANTOM OF ALL TIME
I.P.A.S

"THE DEFINITIVE PHANTOM"
Vancouver Sun

For bookings of 10 or more please contact the venue directly.

Shaun Ryder is nothing short of a living legend.

As the frontman of The Happy Mondays and Black Grape, Shaun is a fundamental cog in the Madchester phenomenon that spread across the globe. Creating mind-blowing anthems with an abundance of energy, his music has managed to transcend guitar and house music.

Join Shaun for a fascinating interview about his years in The Happy Mondays & Black Grape. You will also hear his take on the Manchester music scene and truly incredible first-hand accounts of mad incidents and the rock & roll capers he is so renowned for.

“I'm not too sure where I've been, I've just got off a plane, mate. I think it was Spain or Norway or some mad place like that... in fact ask Bez.”  - Shaun Ryder

Audience members will have the chance to ask Shaun questions and delve into the mind of a true icon of our time. You know this will be entertaining, make sure you’re part of it!

The Three Degrees with original members Helen Scott and Valerie Holiday all the way from the USA. 50th Anniversary Tour. The Three Degrees are well known for their soulful voices, beautiful gowns and fabulous stage shows. They are known all around the world for songs like 'When Will I See You Again' 'Dirty Ol' Man' 'Take Good Care of Yourself'. They have been continuously touring for more than 40 years and they are still touring to this day!