We have been contacted by Jon asking for our help…

Jon is getting married on the 25th May 2013 in Macclesfield and he is looking for a swing/jive style to play in the evening. he is after more of an upbeat jive style, ideally including some kind of brass, rather than a crooning type swing (if that makes sense).

If anyone knows of a band that would fit the bill or if you have a band that can help you can contact him on jdporter1986@googlemail.com or 07776175742.

For the uninitiated, Welly Fest is an annual rock festival taking place at Heaton House Farm in Rushton Spencer, Macclesfield on Sunday 28th August 2011.
The event raises money for charity and with tickets starting at only £5 it is a no brainer!

As well as the array of bands playing the day there will also be a Tug o’ War comp, live bands and plenty of Real Ale, Ciders, Perries, etc to keep you entertained!

Bands Wanted…
The organisers are currently looking for more bands to play over the weekend… do you fancy the chance to play in front of a crowd in the sun? If so then get your contact details + myspace / Facebook or any music you can show to Sarah at Heaton House – marketing@heatonhouse.co.uk.

It promises to be a fantastic day out in the Cheshire countryside!

Last Sunday saw the 2nd final of the fantastic FOM Fest Battle of the Bands…
The acts that performed on the sunny Sunday afternoon were:

• The Tasers
• Stellar
• Masie Johnson
• Zap Zap Zap

The level of musicianship was very high throughout and this left the judges with a seriously hard decision!

After a few beers and a couple of disagreements the judges announced that the second winner of the competition was Zap Zap Zap. The lads performed another great set, gaining the extra points to pip the other acts to the post, with their fantastic songwriting and general polish to their sound blowing the enthusiastic crowd away. Commiserations to the other three acts who were also great on the day. It was really close but someone had to win it!

So, the winners who have now won a coveted place at Capesthorne Hall’s Fom Fest are Rich House and Friends and Zap Zap Zap – well done to all of you and we look forward to you taking the stage in May!

To find out more about FOM Fest visit the official site here – http://www.fomfest.com/

For discounted tickets visit Ronnie’s Bar and ask one of their team or click here.

Well, what a lovely day for a brilliant spot of superb live music!!!

And what a truly difficult decision it was for the judges.

Taking to the stage were Carjack Malone, Old Yellow, Rich House and Friends and Glass Ankle. Four great bands who all equally deserved the slot in the final, but due to the rules of the competition (and we all hate rules) only one could go through. I have to say, after seeing the earlier performances these groups had done in the heats, I instantly got the impression that extra rehearsals had been had, and extra practicing had been done. All four bands were awesome and I thoroughly enjoyed each one of them.

Unfortunately, we had to put one band through, not four. After much discussion and mixed views, the crown eventually went to Rich House and Friends who are now officially on the bill at FOM Fest. Commiserations to Carjack Malone, old Yellow and Glass Ankle, three bands I would gladly go and see again as your performances were fantastic!

Bring on this sunday for the second set of acts for final number two, I’ll see you there!

Don’f forget to check out this weekends pick:

• Thursday – Chris Cook and Jim Kirkpatricks Heavy Weather @ Bluefunk Rhythm and Blues Club, Poynton - £10 booked, £12 door
• Friday – Rough Twist @ Ronnie’s Bar - Free entry | Sweet Relief @ Swan with Two Necks - Free entry
• Saturday – Gearjammer @ Swan with Two Necks - Free entry
• Sunday – FOM Fest Final #2 @ Ronnies Bar - Free entry

Long live rock and roll!

Tom

This Sunday (3rd April) sees more live music down at Ronnie’s Bar in Duke’s Court for Heat Four of their exclusive FOM-Fest battle of the bands.

This, the final week of the heats stage sees the following acts fight it out for a spot in the finals of the competition with two coveted spots on the FOM-Fest line up up for grabs.
With the announcement this week that the Cribs have been added to the already brilliant, talent packed line up there is even more reasons for these acts to put on a great show!

The line up this Sunday includes:

Jack Trainer: 4:00-4:45pm

Addy Oldman: 5:00-5:45pm

Rich House + Friends 6:00-6:45pm

Steller: 7:00-7:45pm

So why not take the time to come down and enjoy some more of Macclesfields unsigned talent? Come and support our local music!

Hi all,

Unfortunately The David International were unable to compete in the competition due to illness, and as a musician and gig goer myself I’d like to make sure everyone reading this knows that they didn’t have a choice in this matter. It was purely down to bad luck and I’d like to wish them all the best for the future, I’m gutted I didn’t get to see them play.

However, some great performances were enjoyed on the night. Maisie Johnson and Glass Ankle filled the air with some great original music and both acts have been put through to the final.

You can listen to Glass Ankle here. My suggestion is to lay back, crack open a beer and relax to their chilled, original, feel good songs.

Check out Maisie Johnson here. Great singer with a great stage persona. Give her a listen, I think you’ll like it.

The next heat is on Sunday April 3rd and I suggest you get down to Ronnie’s and check it out.

See you there!

The Local Music Lowdown is a new radio show that will be starting on the Wednesday 6th April at 6.00pm. They are currently looking for bands and artists interested in being featured on the show please email office@ccr-fm.co.uk with your mp3′s. The Local Music Lowdown will showcase the best of Local Bands and Artists on Canalside Community Radio 102.8FM

So get your MP3s over to them to get some well deserved radio airplay for your band!

David Rutley, MP for Macclesfield, has invited nominations from within the Macclesfield constituency to be considered for the best live band and best live music venue awards of the first ever parliamentary ‘Rock the House’ competition.

‘Rock the House’ is an innovative competition that will capture the imagination of the public and legislators in recognition of the need to support, and promote, the live music sector. It aims to promote the intellectual property rights of unsigned and up and coming musicians; and highlight the importance of live music venues to local communities.

One band and one live music venue from the Macclesfield constituency will be nominated on 31 March 2011. David has asked Ronnie Rees who runs the well known Ronnie’s Bar in Macclesfield to make the final nominations. Ronnie’s knowledge of the local music scene will be invaluable in making the final selections and his involvement will also mean that his own bar won’t be seeking a nomination for the live venue award.

Any band or live music venue can enter the competition by downloading and completing an application form from www.rockthehouse.me.uk and send fully completed submissions to David at david.rutley.mp@parliament.uk by 31st March.

National finalists and winners will be determined by an independent judging panel, which includes Chris Ingham, Group Publisher of Future Publishing, musicians and music professionals, Mike Weatherley MP and John Robertson MP (Chair of the APPG on Music). The Panel will determine the five finalists in each category, and the shortlist will be announced by the end of May 2011. Each of the finalists will be invited to a star studded reception on the Terrace of the House of Commons, on 30th June 2011, where the winners will be announced.

David said: “This is a great opportunity for any aspiring bands or music artists in Macclesfield, Bollington, Disley, Poynton, Prestbury and surrounding villages to raise their profile. I would urge anyone who is interested to get their nominations in early. It would be great to see a Macclesfield artist or band performing on the Terrace of the House of Commons.”

The Prizes…
The sponsors and supporters have pulled together an unbelievable array of prizes, many of which money can’t buy, including: the chance to perform live on the terrace at the House of Commons and at a top music venue or a music festival; a photo shoot with an internationally published music photographer; Yamaha gear and instruments; the chance to network and have consultancy sessions with top industry professionals; master classes from top sound and lighting engineers; the opportunity to record music; the chance to make a music video; invaluable PR exposure through coverage in Future Publishing’s catalogue of specialist music titles; and many more runners up prizes.

Supporters…
‘Rock the House’ is supported by a myriad of big names within the international and British music sector: Yamaha music; UK Music; Future Publishing; BPI; Live Nation; Consumer Focus; Music Managers Forum (MMF); Incorporated Society of Musicians; MVPA; the All Party Parliamentary Group on Music (APPG on Music); and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Pubs & Clubs (APPG on Pubs & Clubs).

Another Sunday, another great day of live music at Ronnies Bar…
The following acts have secured a place in HEAT 3 of the FOM-Fest battle of the Bands at the following performance times:

• Glass Ankle: 4:00-4:45pm
• David International: 5:00-5:45pm
• Hugo Kensdale: 6:00-6:45pm
• Maisie Johnson 7:00-7:45pm

We hope to see you all down there to show your support for local love music!

Last weekends Heat 2 was a brilliant afternoon of music – through to the next round are Zap Zap Zap (who stole the show with their incredibly tight set and polished playing) and The Tasers (who had a strong local following). Commiserations to Simple Confessions and Hot Vestry who didn’t get through. Especially Hot Vestry who came in a very very close third – expect to see bigger and better things from these guys very soon.

Helloooooooo!

Well it’s been a busy bit of time for us these past few months, however, we’ve finally had a chance to listen to the comments you’ve been putting forward as regards the layout of the site.

We’ve made a few changes to the design to try and make it a little more easy for visitors to read posts, and also for you all to navigate your way around the site.

Future additions so far are:

• Venue profiles
• Venue galleries
• Band profiles
• Ticket sales (this one might be a bit far off yet)

If you have any ideas / things you’d like to see on here then drop us a line through the contact form