October 2010
The Stumble
R&B festival favourites The Stumble mix uncomplicated guitar solos with the powerful voice of Paul Melville and you've got a band that even a diehard blues fundamentalist would succumb to. Playing their own songs alongside well chosen covers, the band perform strong arrangements with vigour and passion.
IQ
In a career spanning almost thirty years, IQ have established a reputation for themselves as one of the world's leading progressive rock bands. Known for their dramatic, passionate music and visually innovative live presentations, they have released a string of critically acclaimed albums, most recently last year's highly successful Frequency.
To mark the release of the deluxe 25th anniversary box set of their classic album The Wake IQ will be performing the album in its entirety, along with other popular favourites from their back catalogue.
Fiddlers' Bid
With a powerful rhythm section and arguably the country's most awe-inspiring harpist, Fiddler's Bid are a dynamic, internationally acclaimed fiddle group from the Shetland Islands - a community long famed for its distinctive fiddle tradition. Their album All Dressed in Yellow recently won Album of the Year at the Scottish Traditional Music Awards.
Girls Night
Goodnights Entertainment
Join five friends on a karaoke night out - four in their forties and one, an angel who died as a teenager. A roller coaster of emotion with a life affirming, sing-a-long soundtrack with songs including I'm Every Woman, I Will Survive, It's Raining Men, I Am What I Am and We Are Family.
Kieran Goss
Long hailed as one of Ireland's leading songwriters and performers, Kieran Goss' music has won him fans across the globe. But if his albums have made him a star, his live shows have made him a legend. Live on stage is where he really shines.
"The sense of fun is tremendous, the playing first rate and the songs are sheer quality. The encores were genuine, but only because the man is too."
Irish Times
First Thursday Comedy Club
This month's comedy club features two acts back by popular demand - Ginger Scotsman Brian Higgins, and Mike Wilkinson, the man chosen to support Peter Kay and Johnny Vegas.
Plus the immensely likeable Chris Brooker and rising star Letty Flynn.
A Comedy Club event.
Genticorum
Weaving wooden flute, fiddle, acoustic guitar, jaw harp, bass and foot percussion with strong vocal harmonies, French-Canadian band Genticorum offer a blend of traditional songs and tunes as well as original compositions. The energetic and original traditional power-trio also incorporates the dynamism of today's North American and European folk cultures in their music.
Mike Peters (The Alarm)
Direct Acoustic UK Tour
Best known as front-man of the internationally acclaimed Welsh band The Alarm, Mike Peters is also an inspirational solo acoustic performer and (as a two times cancer survivor), founder of what is now regarded as the world's leading rock and roll cancer charity Love Hope Strength Foundation.
Achieving over fifteen Top 40 UK singles and over five million album sales, Mike Peters' musical journey has seen him sing with some of history's greatest performers such as Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Bono.
Mike is currently preparing for the release of a brand new Alarm album Direct Action and remains as passionate as ever about his music, Wales and charity Love Hope Strength.
Tuesday 12
October 7.30pm
Wednesday 13
October 7.30pm
Main Theatre
£10
£6 Concession
£6 Members
Free Under 26s Learn more »
The Games
Spike Theatre Company
Inspired by stories of the ancient Olympics - and the Greek comic satyrs of Euripides and Aristophanes - Spike Theatre will bring to life again the world of the Greek gods (and bizarre sporting events) in their own inimitable style.
This comic re-telling of all things Greek will incorporate sporting equipment with a thousand uses, an original musical score and a sense of the ridiculous.
But be prepared: The Games is war...minus the shooting.
Michael McGoldrick and Friends
Drawing influences from a life and world beyond his Manchunian roots, Michael McGoldrick will be playing songs from his new album Aurora, a collection of tunes and songs self penned with some more traditional material mixed in. Appearing with some special guests, his live performances are truly special, allowing you to enjoy the sheer energy as well as subtlety of his music.
"packed with fiery energy, lyrical poetry and bold experimentation within the tradition"
The Independent
Viva Morrissey
Formed in the summer of 2007, and based in the Holy City of Manchester, Viva Morrissey are highly regarded for the authenticity and accuracy that they bring to their presentation. The Viva Morrissey live set includes many Smiths classics, alongside Morrissey's best known solo material and fan favourites.
Pedal Power
Mikron Theatre
Mikron's play covers one hundred years of National Clarion Cycling Club history; from its socialist origins to the last day of business in a 21st century Manchester cycle shop.
Chris Wood and Andy Cutting
A Mr Kite Benefit
In 1990 Chris Wood and Andy Cutting embarked on a collaboration which proved to be one of the most influential in English Folk Music. This concert will draw from their classic repertoire as well as exploring their restless quest for ever deeper and more vivid musical experience.
"The finest and most original singer-songwriters to have emerged from the British folk scene since Richard Thompson"
The Guardian
I'm a Minger
by Alex Jones
Kelly, right, Kelly the bitch decides to have a party on the very same night as my sleep over - the very same night! And I know she's done it on purpose. And she invites everybody - absolutely everybody...except me of course...I want to die! I'm such a minger!
Welcome to the world of 14-year old Katie as she battles her way through the bitches, the chavs, the misery of school discos and the desperate search for a worthy boyfriend.
A turbulent and triumphant tale of a totally troubled teen. I haven't got time to tell you everything, just come and see this show, but get this, they've got this actor to play everyone, including me! What's that about? He's a bloke! Ohmigod, what a MINGER!
"Alex Jones writes with fury, passion and compassion about those whose voices are seldom heard"
Financial Times
Tift Merritt
A Mr Kite Benefit
North Carolina singer-songwriter Tift Merritt has produced an impressive body of work and earned a passionate, dedicated audience. Her live performances, both with her band and on her own, are similarly riveting. Tift will be performing songs from her new album See You On The Moon.
Alexei Sayle
Alexei Sayle performs excerpts from his new book Stalin Ate My Homework, a memoir of his confusing life as the son of Communist parents, his childhood travelling round Eastern Europe and his years as a teenage Maoist. A funny and perceptive portrait of a family, a city, a country and a continent going through enormous changes.
Otis Gibbs
Blues singer-songwriter and teller of tales Otis Gibbs comes to The Met following his success at last year's R&B Festival.
Thick As Thieves
Reform Theatre
Friends Steph and Barry have never been model citizens but they are finding it increasingly hard to stay on the straight and narrow. When the pair decide to turn their hands to housebreaking it leads to hilarious consequences.
Our hapless duo has to contend with, amongst other things, shopping deliveries, nosey neighbours, a dead budgie and a shocking discovery that could change their lives forever. As the night becomes more frantic and frenzied the pair realise that life in crime isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Christine Collister
Best known for BBC's Life and Loves of a She Devil, Christine Collister has worked with a host of excellent musicians (Peter Frampton, Richard Thompson, Louden Wainwright III). Throughout her career, she has mesmerized and astounded with her subtle and effortless blend of soul, blues, pop, jazz, country and folk. Christine will be performing with Rob Cross.
"...boundary breaking is routine for Collister and makes her one of the finest grown-up vocalists on the planet..."
Q
Erik Mongrain
Exceptional talent, combined with the ability to recall and execute complicated patterns, timings and syncopated rhythms, make up the memorable melodies of Erik Mongrain. Using 'lap tapping', Erik finds new and unusual ways of conveying music and emotion to the audience with exciting and surprising results.
The Clone Roses and DJ Clint Boon
Presented by GS Promotions
The Clone Roses have the look and the sound of The Stone Roses and play all the classics such as Waterfall, Fools Gold and I am the Resurrection. This very special event will also feature DJ Clint Boon to top off this fantastic evening.
The Dragon's Daughter
Blunderbus Theatre Company
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a little boy called Hans discovers a real-life baby dragon. Can Hans return his new-found friend to her mother before it is too late, or will Dotty, the tiny dragon perish in the darkness?
Written especially for 4-7 year olds, this timeless adventure will whisk you away to a world of magic and make-believe. The Dragon's Daughter is a touching, triumphant tale about a brave little boy and a scared little dragon, who learn to become the very best of friends.
Thursday 28
October 7.30pm
Main Theatre
£10
£8 Concession
£8 Members
Free Under 26s Learn more »
Houdini
Proteus Theatre Company
Escapologist, magician, secret agent, lover, husband, devoted son, enemy of the establishment, Harry Houdini was all and none of these things. His life remains a mystery, and his greatest trick remains his ability to escape interpretation, until now...
Harry Houdini was an enigma in his own time, and the mysterious circumstances of his premature death have launched a thousand conspiracy theories ever since. The man who believed he could return from the dead spent the latter part of his career exposing fake mediums and those seeking to exploit the grief of others, despite his widow's constant attempts to contact him after his death using an intricate code...
Using Proteus' distinctive style of fusing physical performance, circus, film and music Harry Houdini will be resurrected to tell his remarkable story of a truly self-made man and the myths that have made him a legend.
Martha Tilston
Martha Tilston is a captivating performer and an enchanting singer-songwriter blessed with a gloriously clear, seductive voice. She expresses herself in her trademark direct poetic manner, putting forward her philosophy of life and examining relationships in an accessible, universal way. The songs are exquisitely set, the musicianship (featuring The Woods) is faultless.
Salsa Celtica
Salsa Celtica's synthesis of Scottish and Irish traditional music with all the Latin American elements of salsa is a stunning combination of virtuosity and energy. Their lineup combines some of Scotland and Ireland's most innovative traditional musicians together with a stellar group of salsa, world and jazz musicians from Latin America and the U.K., and are one of the most exciting bands on the world music concert circuit today.
The Revelators
Manchester's The Revelators are a four piece band playing soulful blues influenced by Robert Cray and Joe Louis Walker. Formerly The Convertibles, the band have already played many festivals and now with the addition of new members they have added a new sound to their already funky/blues feel.
A Monthly R & B Club event.
Tom's Midnight Garden
Image Musical Theatre
Phllippa Pearce's wonderful story of a boy's encounter with the past has become a modern classic. It tells of the intersection of two people's time, Tom's time in the 1950's and Hatty's time of 1895. Both are children in need of companionship and both play in the garden. Their experience challenges our accepted concept of lineal time and gives us a fascinating and magical experience.
With the opportunity for some children to take part as actors and the whole audience as the chorus singers this is family theatre at its very best.
3 Daft Monkeys
3 Daft Monkeys are a band that knows how to make people dance and resistance is entirely futile! The Cornish trio blend a unique brand of rousing vocals, frenetic fiddling, 12-string guitar, dancing bass and foot drum and return to The Met in support of their new album due for release at the end of the year.