Category: Manchester

Manchester Venue 6 – The Ritz (Part 1)

The Ritz has always been a grand old venue with Northern Soul roots and its spacious old ballroom vibe and sprung dance floor. It has a capacity of 1500 which allows it capture some medium sized bands without the impersonality of playing in an arena setting. It was built in 1927 and was designated a Grade 2 listed building status in 1994.

Taking into account a Ladytron gig planned there in February 2020 this will make a round total of 30 visits, placing it at No 4 on the all-time venue attended list.  The venue is handily placed on Whitworth St West, literally stumbling distance from Oxford Road station making it an ideal location for last minute dashes for late trains back to Preston (occasionally missed!).

Ritz in 1964. Image Credit pinterest.co.uk
Ritz today. Image credit pinterest.co.uk

My first foray there was in October 1987 to see the Swans supported by AC Temple and Twang. I recall distinctly the DJ playing some rather fine Cajun music between bands. The Swans had semi-legendary status at that stage due to their immense volume and there were urban legends circulating that members of the audience had been physically sick due to the decibel effect earlier in the same tour. They had a sludgy sound which was at that stage the loudest band I had witnessed and there was one brave nay foolish punter with his head in the speaker – it was an odd gig.

Swans on stage. Image credit Revoly.com

In 2000 we purchased tickets for a Death In Vegas gig who were in their pomp at that stage and on receipt of the tickets discovered they were playing a late set commencing at 12.15am like the old days. Undeterred we gained a couple of extra hours in the boozer supping dangerously strong Moonraker in the Rain Bar. It was a tad hazy after that but I recall a mosh pit where my good pal John Dewhurst lost his specs necessitating an escort back to the station for the late train.

Around that time I saw an early Mogwai gig there. You will henceforth notice a reoccurring theme as they are the band I have witnessed the most times (current total is 33). They fall into the post rock category (you may have to look that one up) and are the standout purveyors of that particular genre.

They are primarily instrumental with a quiet/very loud dynamic and their white noise is positively grandiose and blissful. I would also contend their music is built in a classical structure with layers of sound added throughout and has been utilised effectively in cinematic circles to soundtrack ‘Zidane’ and the French TV series ‘The Returned’.

The venue was probably not even half full and they were as spellbinding as ever. It was relatively early days for them and quite a lot of lucky souls were seeing them for the first time. I recall heading to the loo mid gig in the midst of one of their sonic assaults and the look of wonderment on the barman’s face as I headed past was a sight to behold! Without a shadow of a doubt, my favourite live band ever.

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.