Yolanda has sax appeal for Errol

Beats

HANKERING after something other than indie, rock and pop?

For a taste of sophistication check out saxophonist Yolanda Brown who is supporting Hot Chocolate legend Errol Brown on his UK Farewell Tour which hits Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on Monday.

Yolanda has released two EPs — “Finding My Voice” and “A Step Closer” — as well as a DVD of her sold out debut concert at the Mermaid Theatre in London in July 2007.

Last year, she toured the UK, opening for The Temptations and was eventually invited to be the sixth member on the closing night of the tour.

The sassy saxophonist has won a MOBO Award for Best Jazz and has guest appearances at the House of Commons, The Indigo O2 and the Broadway Theatre London to mark the inauguration of President Barack Obama.

She has also collaborated with various artists including Alexander O’Neil, Mica Paris, Sway, Omar, Bashy, Soweto Kinch, Sonny Bradshaw and Terri Walker.

Look out for her debut album which is due for release later this year. Visit www.myspace.com/missyolandabrown to find out more.


Gig of the week: Crosswire

When? Tonight.

Where? Dry Bar, Oldham Street, Manchester.

Why? If poppy, rocky blues is your bag, you’d be wise to check out newly signed Vagabond who are fast making waves on the UK music scene.

The quintet, fronted by the enigmatic Alex Vargas — who has been described as a cross between Michael Hutchence and Bryan Ferry — became a band almost by accident when they met by chance at a studio in Kent. The lads have crafted a modern day Motown style all of their own.

And with roots in Uruguay, Denmark, East London and Huddersfield the result is sure to be very continental. See www. myspace.com/vagabond for more information.The lads are battling for victory in the Surface Unsigned Festival 09 and need your votes to take them to the next stage.

On Sunday, the trio will battle it out against Downdog, Switchboard Spectacular, Thief Taker, Henry’s Carpet Skip, CSOD and Richard Steed Revolution at Manchester’s Dry Bar.

The overall winner gets a host of prizes such as £5,000, studio time, equipment, performance opportunities and CD distribution.

Votes are gained through texts, audience reviews and the opinions of specially selected judges.

The band are putting on a coach to Dry Bar from Whittles in Oldham for any local fans that want to show their support. Tickets are £6 or £10 with return coach.

Anyone interested should contact the band via their website at www.myspace.com/crosswireuk

To find out more about the competition visit www.myspace.com/northwestsurfaceunsigned


Linder makes return

LIFELONG vegetarian Linder will return to Manchester for the first time since 1982 when she appeared at the Hacienda in a dress made of raw meat.

Linder, who will be a guest of Magazine at the Manchester Academy tonight, designed the cover for the band’s iconic debut album ‘Real Life’.

She will be accompanied by guitarist Stuart McCallum, drummer Mykey Wilson and keyboard player John Ellis.

Linder has long been cited as muse and seminal designer to bands such as the Buzzcocks, Magazine and Morrissey.

Last year, six of the collages made by Linder in 1977 — one of which was used by Buzzcocks for their debut single ‘Orgasm Addict’ — were bought by the Tate gallery.

Linder’s career as a singer and musician with her own group Ludus has always run parallel to her work as a visual artist and her early recordings have recently been re-issued to international acclaim.


Adjusters lead the way

OLDHAM’S very own Babysub Indiclub is back with another fantastic line up to brighten up your Thursday night.

Headliners The Adjusters have just won Rock FM’s ‘Future Punk Classic’ award and will be touring the country with new EP ‘Can’t See’ over the next few months.

Rev Porl + Teatime take inspiration from classic poems to create tailor-made tunes backed by smooth electronica.

Babysub Indiclub is held at Whittles, King Street, on Thursday from 8pm. No dress code, free entry.


Don’t miss:

Iglu and Hartley

Where? Academy 3, Manchester

When? Tomorrow

Why? The quintet - Jarvis Anderson and Sam Martin (vocals/keyboards), Simon Katz (Guitar), Luis Rosiles (Drummer) and Michael Bucher (bassist) - have had a busy year so far since relocating from sunny California to frosty England in a bid to embark on a full on assault of the UK.

Debut single ‘In This City’ sold more than 100,000 copies and was followed by hugely successful debut album ‘& Then Boom’. The lads soon became regulars on radio playlists and made a very memorable - and shirtless - appearance on Jonathan Ross’s Friday night show.Tickets? www.gigsandtours.com or 0871 2200 260.

GIG GUIDE

TONIGHT: Wintersleep — Roadhouse; Magazine — Academy; Reemer — Jillys; Avenue — Club Academy; Priest Feast: Judas Priest, Megadeth, Testament — Apollo; Parts and Labour — Star and Garter; Wild Beasts — Deaf Institute

TOMORROW : Tricky — Club Academy; Iglu and Hartley — Academy 3; Jedi Mind Tricks — Music Box; Cut in the Hill Gang — Ruby Lounge; Now Wave presents Black Lips — Deaf Institute

THURSDAY: This City, Canterbury, Sons of Albion, Hot Melts — Roadhouse; The Eyes of a Traitor — Music Box; Das Pop — Night and Day

FRIDAY: Big City Events — Roadhouse; Hugh Cornwell — Academy 3; FIGMO — Club Academy; Tis Feeling — Moho Live; Filth 2nd Birthday — Sankeys; Friends and Family — Mint Lounge; Tunes Your Nan Might Like — Zoo; Soundstream — Roadhouse; Reboot with Tempered DJs — Area 51

SATURDAY - Seismic Rhythms — Jabez Clegg; Hayley Westenra — Bridgewater Hall; Whiskycats — Club Academy; The Return of the Fabulous Ricky Hatton — Palace Hotel; Shanty Town — Academy 3; Birthday Party Club Night with Kid British — Ruby Lounge; Il Divo — Arena; Skint and Demoralised — Roadhouse; Keith — Night and Day; Big City Events — Moho Live; The Return of Sasha — Sankeys; Bangers and Mashup MCR Launch Party — Satan’s Hollow

SUNDAY: Paolo Mojo — Area 51; Profane — Ruby Lounge; Big City Events — Roadhouse; Il Divo — Arena

MONDAY: Errol Brown — Bridgewater Hall; Imelda May — Academy 3; Chris Corsano — Salford Islington Mill; The Spinto Band — Night and Day