POP

Travelling the road to success

Gig of the week — The Travelling Band

Where? The Railway, Greenfield, Saddleworth

When? Sunday, 3.30pm

This is one of three exclusive gigs before the six-strong band set out on a full UK tour in support of their debut album “Under the Pavement” next month.

They were winners of this year’s Glastonbury New Talent competition and their single, “Only Waiting”, was record of the week on Radio 2’s Radcliffe and Maconie show.

Glastonbury organiser Michael Eavis loved The Travelling Band so much he invited them back to play alongside The Ting Tings and Franz Ferdinand at the smaller festival Equinox.

The band is led by guitarists and vocalists Adam Gorman, Jo Dudderidge and Steve Ballinger and favour a country pop folk vibe.

In their early DJ days, the lads would think nothing of mixing up Appalachian folk songs, The Beach Boys and Devandra Bernhart on the decks.

“Under the Pavement” has been well received by critics who have praised the shimmering, crunk-pop melodies and gorgeous harmonies.

Website? www.myspace.com/thetravellingband


Neil serves up a solo project

Unsigned act of the week — Tea For One

Tea For One is a solo project from accomplished songwriter and performer Neil Wardleworth (right), who takes influence from artists such as Tom McRae, Elbow, Damien Rice and Counting Crows.

Neil recently spread his wings and toured the US and Canada playing at open mic sessions, coffee shops and bars to gain more live experience.

As well as Tea For One, Neil also plays drums in Oldham band Crosswire and runs a small studio in Mossley.

On the first Thursday of each month, Neil runs Songwriter at Jackson’s Pit, Oldham, an evening of performances where everyone is given the chance to do their bit.

Visit www.myspace.com/teaforonemusic to find out more.


Lighting the fire

FANS of the late, great Jim Morrison can relive the glory days of the late Sixties and early Seventies when tribute band Doors Alive hit Manchester on Saturday.

The Doors Alive go all out to re-create the look, sound and vibe of the supergroup. The band has been touring for the past three years playing more than 100 gigs to fans from Cornwall to Scotland, as well as making countless festival appearances.

They play all The Doors’ hits, including classics such as “Break On Through”, “Love Me Two Times”, “LA Woman” and “Backdoor Man”, with the show’s highlights being faithful versions of “Alabama Song”, “Riders on the Storm” and “Light My Fire”.

Tickets for the gig, at the Ruby Lounge in Manchester, are £9 in advance and the show will be followed by popular club night Caged Asylum until 4am.


REVIEWS

The Submarines — “You, Me and Bourgeoisie”

With its handclaps and old school melodies, this jaunty, jangly good time track can’t fail to make you feel happy. The sweet harmonies are the good kind of retro and the vibrancy instantly puts you in a good mood.

BUY


The King Blues — “My Boulder”

Sometimes simplicity is the best policy and while there’s nothing ground breakingly original about this song it’s certainly heartwarming. It’s quite an old fashioned track and would make for a perfect sing along.

BORROW


Sia — “Soon We’ll Be Found”

There may be hordes of husky females waiting to take Winehouse’s crown but it doesn’t mean they’re any good. There’s something distinctly lacking from this song — passion, emotion and talent.

BIN


CSS — “Move”

Electro vampish fun for a night out on the town with the girls. This tune should be anyone’s soundtrack for the weekend. It’s funky, fresh and transports you back to the 70s without sounding dated. Excellent.

BUY


GIG GUIDE

TONIGHT: The Bishops — Dry Bar; Michael Bolton — Apollo; This Will Destroy You — Music Box; Deus — Academy 3; The Coast — Ruby Lounge; Jeremy Walmsley — Night and Day; Amy LaVere — Roadhouse; Gilhad Atzmon — Matt and Phreds.

TOMORROW: Scorpions — Apollo; My Ruin — Rockworld; Towers of London — Academy 3; Urban Detox with Haven — Night and Day; The Paddingtons — Roadhouse; Gilhad Atzmon — Matt and Phreds; Now Wave presents Black Affair — Deaf Institute.

THURSDAY: Tim Minchin Ready For This — Dancehouse Theatre; Emainia Productions International Launch Party — Chicago Rock; Status Quo 40 Years of Hits — Palace Theatre; Blood Red Shoes — Academy 3; The Deadstring Brothers — Ruby Lounge; Styrofoam — Star and Garter; Oceansize — Roadhouse; Ralfe Band — Deaf Institute; Congorock, Andy George — Attic.

FRIDAY: Astro Zombies — Satan’s Hollow; Musical Box Performs Genesis — Apollo; Status Quo 40 Years of Hits — Palace Theatre; Curtis Eller — Ruby Lounge; Kids in Glass Houses — Club Academy; Oceansize — Roadhouse; The Sugars — Moho Live; The Slippery Belle Presents Burlesque — Bookbinders; Minus Presents — Warehouse Project; Illumi Naughty Inferno — Ritz; Sequence — Sankeys.

SATURDAY: Beepfest — Deaf Institute; Oceansize — Roadhouse; Puressence — Academy; The Doors Alive — Ruby Lounge; Wishbone Ash vs The Hamsters — Academy 2; Jason Manford — Apollo; Goldblade — Academy 3; A Bear — Club Academy; White Hinterland — Night and Day; Holy Ghost Revival — Dry Bar; Bakabeyond — Bury Met; Live — Warehouse Project; Back to Front — Spektrum; Disco Electronica — Sankeys.

SUNDAY: Forward Russia — Ruby Lounge; Jackie Leven — Academy 3; A Silent Film — Ruby Lounge; Johnny Flynn — Matt and Phreds.

MONDAY: Wheatus — Roadhouse; The Shakespeare Schools Festival — Dancehouse Theatre; 3 Doors Down — Academy 2; Jenny Lewis — Academy 3; Sam Forrest and Hayley Hutchinson — Cup; Audacity — Spektrum.