Author: jimmyc1968

Manchester Venue 5 – Academy 2 (Part 2)

Many of the pre-gig drinks meets for this venue were located in Jabez Clegg situated on the other side of Oxford Road however that pub closed around 10 years ago. It was swiftly replaced by the nearby Big Hands which is a slightly grubby, fabulously noisy venue with a fine jukebox where there is a tradition to play ‘Hells Bells’ prior to departing to the gig.

In 1995, Buffalo Tom hit town and I do find their soothing Americana is like putting an old pair of slippers on. A great live act.

The following year, we encountered a band who I thought were the best live band on the circuit at that point in time, namely Rocket From the Crypt. The first sight of them was then they roared onto stage and their effervescent lead singer Speedo uttered the bracing opening phrase ‘This is Motherfuckers God’s music’. They then lived up to that claim by producing a thunderous set. I saw them twice there that year and the second had about 10 of us in attendance.

Image result for rocket from the crypt pictures
Rocket from the Crypt live on stage. Image Credit mrteeth.reviews.com

This high was followed by a crushing disappointment when we went to see Screaming Trees. The main reason was the fact that lead singer Mark Lanegan had a damaged throat and only completed 4 songs before stomping off. The gig should have been cancelled and I recall Paul Bruzzese being understandingly vocal in his consternation. What made it worse was it was my one and only chance to witness them. I still treasure their ‘Dust’ album.

Screaming Trees ‘Dust’ Album cover. Image Credit norman.records.com

I have seen Billy Bragg there twice, one of those a couple of weeks ago when he played selected songs from his first three albums. I have also seen Wannadies, 3 Colours Red, And They Shall Know us by the Trail of the Dead, Mark Lanegan, Nine Black Alps, Ash and Yo La Tengo.

Mercury Rev in 1999 was an outstanding gig where their swirling sound was unique. When they left the stage the lights didn’t come in and there was no piped music for 10 minutes, despite that half the audience left leaving us stalwarts to enjoy an intimate encore. I saw them there again 9 years later.

I saw Bob Mould there twice and also captured Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Children of Bodom, And So I Watch From Afar, Dinosaur Jr and most recently Pup, a Canadian punk band.

Also, in 1999 Death in Vegas played and they had the noisiest bass I have ever encountered. I recall we were leaning on the side walls and they were literally vibrating! I saw them again 3 years later. Teenage Fanclub were also really enjoyable. I also have tickets for DIIV there next year. 

Now I have found that as I have got older, that it takes a lot more to impress me until Hold Steady stopped me in my tracks. The first gig in February 2007 was bloody brilliant as their intelligent sing along evangelical performance was utterly life affirming. Their subsequent performances in 2010 and 2014 were equally as impressive. Lead singer Craig Finn is a modern day bard and I like them a lot.

Manchester Venue 5 – Academy 2 (Part 1)

This venue was originally known as Manchester University or Main Debating Hall (MDH) when I first visited. It first opened in 1963 as a Jazz Club. However when the Academy was built it was incorporated under that umbrella and became known as Academy 2. It is located on the first floor of the Manchester University building down Oxford Road just prior to Rusholme.

The whole complex has the old ‘school corridor’ vibe about it, but not too its detriment. The venue itself is an enclosed room and initially just access in and out at a small door at the back which when busy can occasionally give it a slightly claustrophobic feel. In latter years they have introduced an entrance/exit to the right of the stage. There used to be a very small bar just outside the venue where it is was virtually impossible to get served and they have now introduced a bar at the back of the venue. 

I have attended 35 gigs there and have a further two planned in the coming months placing this as my No 2 most populated venue.

My first gig there was hotly anticipated, namely Wedding Present in February 1988. I was a huge fan at that stage and had their first album ‘George Best’ on heavy rotation. They did not disappoint and I recall ‘Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft’, ‘Favourite Dress’ and ‘You Should Always Keep in Touch with your Friends’ as standouts. By the end of the gig I was a sweaty specimen after spending the majority of the gig in the moshpit. After the gig I recall hoovering a pizza purchased from an establishment opposite the public lavs that subsequently turned into the Temple of Convenience bar.

George Best album cover. Image Credit Radio x

I have since seen the Weddoes a further two times there in February 2005 and October 2018 and have a further attendance planned in December 2019.

The 2018 gig was an interesting one as I attended with a new Manchester brethren Martin W, Howard not Tom, Donna and Wedding Present ‘superfan’ Marcus. We had just bought our new home a week before which solidified our move to Manchester so hence a big moment in life. The gig was great with them incorporating the 30th anniversary of George Best but the commute was stunningly chaotic with cancelled trains, ubers, then the Jimmy Sat Nav having a rare malfunction by getting off the night bus far too early in monsoon conditions and then eventually a £15 cab journey as I was in the middle of nowhere – still a good night though!

Boo Radleys in 1994 was an especially good one with ‘Lazarus’ the highlight.

The Boo Radleys’. Image Credit creation-records.com

I saw Marie McKee there twice in 1991 and 1996, the second time she was compelling viewing as she had recently released ‘Life Is Sweet’, in my opinion her best solo album. This was despite a somewhat annoying heckler in attendance which resulted eventually in a portion of the audience including myself ordering him to ‘do one’ in no uncertain terms.

https://www.manchesteracademy.net/