Fancy Performing In Front Of 1,000′s Fans???

Party On the Pitch is set to be the biggest Jubilee celebration party in Cheshire. An all day event with 2 massive stages on the Macclesfield Town Football Pitch!!!

As part of the event there will be a competition to offer 8 bands/musicians the opportunity to win a slot to perform on the day!!

The competition is open to all musicians/bands of all ages(entrants will be split into over and under 18′s). The over 18′s competition heats will be held at Fresh in Macclesfield on Thursday nights from 19th April, first heats of the competition will be based on audience vote to give everyone a fair chance of getting into the final and winning!

The first 20 bands/musicians to register for the competition will get the opportunity to promote themselves on local radio – on the Local Music Low Down or The Silk Sessions show! We’re also adding further prizes to the competition, which will be announced shortly!

Just visit the link below or call the competition co-ordinator – Keith Townley on 07581 411450.

https://www.facebook.com/PartyOnThePitchCompetition

Popular Macclesfield based Punk outfit Cash 4 Chaos have been confirmed as support to classic punk outfit Sham 69, as they hit the north west next month.

Both bands take to the stage at what promises to be a sold out gig at the Box in Crewe, on March 10th. Tickets are available now, priced £10.

Having already made big waves in the local live music scene with their incendiary live shows and the release of their debut album for free download, the band are delighted to be handed this slot, and promise to give a performance to remember.

Drummer Mark says: “We’re absolutely chuffed to be given this opportunity. We grew up Sham and their punk anthems, and can’t wait to share a stage with them!”

For further information or to book tickets, please email cash4chaos@hotmail.co.uk

The band’s debut album can be downloaded for free now, from www.soundcloud.com/cash4chaos

For more information and all the latest news on the band, please visit www.facebook.com/cash4chaos

As part of the massive WinterFest season in Macclesfield, Take it to the Maccx offers local talent the chance to perform live on the specially constructed stage in Market Place as part of the WinterFest launch celebrations on Saturday 3 December. The traditional Christmas Lights ‘Switch On’ will take place on the same day. Brad Snelling is coordinating the event for WinterFest and says: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young bands, singers & musicians to showcase their talent. We’re hoping as many young musicians as possible will enter the competition and enjoy the opportunity to play in front of some very experienced music professionals. We’re not just looking for bands but singers, duos & trios and classical musicians too. We know the talent’s out there and we look forward to hearing their music.”

The winner of each heat will have a 20-minute slot on the WinterFest stage in Market Place on December 3. The overall winner of Take It To The Maccx will be given the unique opportunity of playing at the prestigious Liverpool Sound City music festival next year.

The Heats for the competition will be held at Fresh in Macclesfield, over several dates in November(dates to be confirmed). Please visit the link below to register or call Keith Townley on 07581411450 for more informtion;

http://www.musicvibe.co.uk/577271/edit

Mid September at the snowgoose and homegrown effect blow the roof off fantastic original reggae band check them out you’ll be hooked also check out utube for vids/live footage of this great band. Also early October homegrown smash it at the bath hotel macc. This band is made up of anywhere between 5-12 players drums,bass,two guitars,vocals,brass section and a three piece percussion set up. They also have guest vocals guitars and percussion giving this band fantastic diversity and a fresh sound each time you see them. Check them out don’t forget your dancing shoes. Jah love.

I spent most of last Wednesday night scratching my head trying to figure out how to use an old Yamaha 02R Digital Recording Console that I’d been lent by a good friend to use for Thursday night. It’d been stored in a basement for a good few years, the question was if the bloody thing actually worked. After several hours and a lot of ranting, I came to conclusion it didn’t! – A massive amount of effort has gone in to putting together the best PA system for the bands that play Summer Sessions on Thursday nights. I decent system in a reasonable size venue makes all difference and I can confidently say no other venue in Macc comes close!

The Tasers performed brilliantly last Thursday night. I must give them a massive amount of credit as one of the bands pulled out last minute which created a few technical issue before the performance, but it all came together nicely and they played a superb set.

I’m pleased to say we’re getting a little busier each week, however the bands need everyone’s support! My aim is to put Macc back on the map for live music and it’s not going to be an easy task. A serious issue affecting the whole country (including Macclesfield) is the fact that people are staying at home in the evenings. Thousands of pubs that support live music and local bands, are closing down and disappearing.

It’s great to know that Macc has a number of loyal venue’s that prop up the local music scene. The Swan With Two Necks, The Nags Head, The Snow Goose, The Porters, to name but a few – but no one can take it for granted they’ll always be there, if punters doesn’t supports them.

I hope Summer Sessions gives Macc a taste of the potential scene we can have. In the days of Cuban Knights, Macclesfield had a great reputation for pulling in bands and I’d love to see us win that reputation back. Ten bands over the next 6 weeks of Summer Sessions are travelling to Macclesfield from all around the country, from as far as Birmingham and Wales! – I’m doing all that I can to bring talent in to the Town and showcase the talent on our own door step – They just need your support by sparing a few hour on a Thursday night to come down and enjoy the bands.

This Thursday night, 21st July – one of Macclesfield’s most popular and hardest working band ‘Hot Vestry ‘ will be performing live for the Summer Sessions along with Manchester Band ‘The Hottaches’. I know it’ll be a great gig, both band are on form and all they need is YOU!

The first week of Summer Sessions was approaching fast, my mind was on overdrive. I’d booked over 20 bands, set up Facebook pages, organised artwork, posters, flyers and now I had to spread the word. Most events have big budgets and months to promote themselves, I had no budget and only had a few weeks!

On Friday night before the first week, I was on Park Green giving out flyers , when I received a text I really didn’t want to read. The Blind drivers, one of the bands due to play on first Thursday had to drop out. Several drinks and abusive texts later(I apologised in the morning, as they did have a genuine reason for cancelling!) I calmed down. I still knew it would all come together as the others bands, Infidel Castro and The Reign had contacted me a few days earlier and we’re buzzing about playing.

2am, 7th July – surrounded by cables and speakers in bits, I was having a crash roadie course. Steve, the head DJ at Fresh was putting the PA system up and showing me how it all pieced together. It sounded awesome….

6.30pm 7th July – Week 1 of Summer Sessions – I drove into the car park opposite Fresh and spotted the 2 bands hanging around their cars amidst guitars, amps, drums and cases. Within an hour or so we were ready ….it was just a question of waiting for people to turn up! I knew the word was getting around about the event and sure enough people started to drift through the doors. It could have been busier, but I was still happy that we had a reasonable crowd.

10pm 7th July – Infidel Castro take the stage…. I’ve spent countless hours selecting the bands playing over the 8 weeks. Most of the bands playing are Indie/Rock with a few twists to keep it Fresh(pardon the pun!). When I first booked Infidel Castro I wasn’t sure how well they’d go down, as the band only formed this earlier year. Within 10 minutes any reservations had disappeared, I’d describe them as a quirky band, that show great promise. I enjoyed the set which was mostly their own material, Sweet Heart, Serial Chiller and Simon were particular tracks that were both catchy and memorable. Infidel Castro have already played Manchester Academy, Beached Festival and Crewe Live – so they’re working hard to make a name for themselves. The guys are in the recording studio this month, so I’d keep an eye out for them on the Macc circuit over the next few months.

11pm 7th July – The Reign take the stage….The biggest appeal of the Summer Sessions line up is the great mix of both local bands and bands from all around the country. I picked the Reign to play the first night as I wanted to show off the high standard of bands we have on the line up. They have a ‘define’ edge to their music and have an energy that draws the crowd to them and by the end of the first song had grabbed the attention of everyone in the club including the bar staff. To sum up the whole performance id simply say ’Bloody Awesome’.

This is my first write up for the Summer Sessions Gigs. I’ll keep you updated for the next 7 weeks, but Id prefer it if you just came down and enjoyed it in person! I also wanted to say a big thanks to everyone that came down and all the staff at Fresh(as everyone pitched in to help), this event just wouldn’t happen without your support.

If you missed the first week, don’t make the same mistake twice! We have some real gems on the line up, The Tasers and Control Is Dead are due to perform this Thursday 14th July – bands will start about 10pm… see you there.

Around 12 weeks ago I was engaged in an alcohol & cigarette fuelled conversation in Ronnies about the Macclesfield music scene. We were all enjoying the open mic night and the conversation boiled down to the observation that Macc has a lot of musical talent, but lacks a decent large venue to support the scene and offers little attraction for out of town bands to come to Macclesfield and play.

After pondering over this conversation for a few days, I wondered if anyone was doing anything about promoting live music around town. I found loads of websites, facebook pages and people dedicated to promoting the scene but very few events. I decided to take on the challenge and see if I could organise something myself.

In the space of a week, I had a venue! Fresh supported my idea for promoting live music and local bands. It was the perfect venue, large capacity, classy and acoustically perfect for playing music the way it should be – very loud!

So I started to put something together, my initial idea was to organise a few nights showcasing local bands . I decided to make it a free event to attract as many people as possible, making it worthwhile for the bands and to see if this idea would be popular enough to think about other events in the future.

After a few weeks of networking, the word got around. I couldn’t believe the response, both local bands and bands from all over the country approached me. A few bands, turned into over 20 bands that wanted to be part of the event and so the Summer Sessions were born!

It’s been hard work planning everything in such a short space of time but I know it’ll be worthwhile, as so many talented bands are going to be performing over the 8 weeks. I hope everyone that appreciates live music comes down and offers their support as I’d love to organise more free events in the future and start to put Macc back on the Map for live music.

Summer Sessions – Every Thursday Night from 10pm, Starting 7th July until
25th August 2011

Venue – Fresh, Wood Street, Macclesfield.

FREE ENTRY – NO DRESSCODE

For more info about who’s playing and when check out macc-music.co.uk and ‘Summer Sessions’ on Facebook or email – keith.townley@hotmail.co.uk

Macc Music 147

With a number of options available on Saturday evening I opted to try the Snow Goose first. Once in, there was no desire to leave.
The evening’s programme had a title, ‘ The Tenth Muse’ and was irresistible in its concept – a celebration of talented women from in and around Macclesfield.
The Snow Goose is fast becoming a star performer in the renaissance of the erstwhile tired, old Sunderland Street (Macc’s so called Northern Quarter). It is changing into an area with a truly cosmopolitan feel to it that has never been achieved anywhere in Macclesfield before.
I propose it is re-named the Southern Quarter (more geographically correct), as Manchester, which loaned it the ‘northern quarter’ tag when this metamorphosis first began, has little to teach it. It is doing a better job using its own original template.
It is events like The Tenth Muse that will serve to consolidate Sunderland Street as Macclesfield’s place to be. It was a mini Festival in itself – Barnaby revisited. The walls of the Snow Goose were adorned with works of art by no less than seven women artists which provided a beautiful and fascinating backdrop to what was to follow.
The performance artists were many, and excellent to a woman. With a delightful a cappella set from Sam’s Kitchen launching proceedings you knew a good night was in prospect. They were followed by a veritable cornucopia of the Euterpean and Sapphic muses with the dynamic Maisie Johnson (guitar and vocal); Sarah Bullock who entertained with an eclectic mix of song and poetry; Goodnight Astor, a fascinating and engaging left-field duo with a strange ‘period’ feel; beautiful pure original folksong from Carrie Pentymason; a master (or is it mistress) class in self accompanied acoustic performance from the superb Alexis McLean.
Then the uber sexy Jane Birch liquidised the bunch of men I was amongst with a poetry performance of such raunchy intensity we were left in desperate need of a cold shower. I am shuddering at the memory.
Phenomenal stuff throughout but before the finale we had a special surprise in the shape of Coral, the 8yr old daughter of Melanie Williams, who gave an a capella rendition of ‘My Heart Will Go On’ that could have melted stone. Quite superb.
Then it was mum’s turn, Melanie, who along with the lovely Yvonne was backed by some suspiciously butch-looking broads named Wilhemina Read, Ashlie Darko, and Josie Williams in a sort of Butterfly Jam tribute act. Odd but predictably brilliant.
Major kudos to the very talented Helen Walford for co-ordinating such a marvelously original night.
Support live Music (its pure magic)

Macc Music 146

After the elation of a wonderful Barnaby Festival in which everything (apart from the weather) went like clockwork and provided the town with a multitude of stunning events and exhibitions and a myriad high quality entertainments I was looking forward to a gentle weekend of passive spectating and perhaps an improving weather situation.
It started well enough with Tommy Allen and Johnny Hewitt delivering some top drawer blues to a knowledgeable and appreciative crowd in the Hollins on Friday night. So far so good.
Then Chris, the guv’nor at the Hollins dropped a bombshell. He is to leave the pub at the end of July.
This is a tragedy both for his many regulars who have appreciated his efforts and hard work during his tenure, and for the town which will not only lose a well run hostelry but one that has become a significant player on Macclesfield’s music scene.
Chris found himself a niche in that scene and filled it admirably using his knowledge and love of the blues and a slightly more eclectic taste than most. I have been delighted to help him over time and support his efforts.
Why is it coming to an end?
Whenever this situation occurs in this area and that question is asked, a significant word almost always appears in the answer – Punch.
Punch are a property holding company that seems to know little or nothing about running a good English pub but have managed to acquire a dangerously large proportion of them. They have presided over the closing of many (the UK is still losing huge numbers of pubs on a weekly basis) and continue to do so. They own and let almost all the pubs on the south side of Macc and the tenants, unless they have a thriving restaurant attached have little chance of making a decent living due to the restrictive practises employed by Punch regarding the supply of beer.
Punch is carrying a legendary amount of debt and have been trying to sell off the Hollins (for far too much) but have refused an offer from Chris, therefore, with the uncertainty hanging over the business he feels he must move on. I hope he finds another pub locally soon, we need guys like him.
When he does go I suspect there will be a seriously messy (and musical) party to see him off – watch this space.
Support live Music (it’s actually critical at times)

Macc Music I44

Open letter :- to the fantastic musicians who played at Langley Village Hall on Saturday and in the superb Victorian Market Hall Stockport on Sunday (and to the wise and hardy people who braved the elements to show up)….
Thanks for everything this weekend, though I’m afraid the gods were against us making any commercial success we certainly had a ball.
I would rather use the pleasures of shared experiences as my yardstick to measure a worthwhile existence and this weekend is right up there in the memory bank.
The Black Oil Bros (from Chicago) – couldn’t help but love them, the Hokum Hotshots – hysterical and brilliant, Peter Price – awesome talent, Tommy Allen band– ludicrously good. As for the totally disparate venues (chalk and cheese) – both perfect.
All involved contributed huge amounts to ensuring both events were fantastic. Thanks million guys, we will work together again unless I die first. Keep misbehavin’

On Saturday afternoon at the Bollington Youth Fair I was on a panel of judges at their Battle Of the Bands. A super afternoon with some fine local talent on show. Couldn’t fit a razor blade between the top three acts, Addy Oldman -3rd Hot Vestry- 2nd Zap Zap Zap- 1st. Well done to all involved, excellent show.

Well Barnaby is upon us and this year there is so much to see and do it is going to be difficult to pick your way through it. My recommendations would be, on Friday- the Acoustic Sanctuary show at the King Edward Street Chapel. A fine bill with the ‘seen to be believed’ Jon Gomm (stunning guitarist). Three nights of Blues@Amuse with Jim Kirkpatrick’s Heavy Weather, Friday, Fuschi 3, Saturday. Stevie Hayes and Les Hunt, Sunday. All free to customers (book a table fast). There can’t be many in Macclesfield need telling how good Jim is. If you can’t get in to that, on the unofficial ‘Fringe’ are Tommy Allen and Johnny Hewitt, as a duo, at the Hollins. On Saturday is Barnaby Rocks Out, 2pm-midnight 12yrs up. Amazing line up headlined by the Virginmarys (might be some tix left).
Check www.barnabyfestival.org.uk for bookings.
The carnival on Saturday morning is unmissable but you may have to camp out to claim a piece of pavement!
Support Barnaby (or be Billy no mates)