An Ear to the Ground

Simple Minds are to appear in a new documentary about the Brat Pack film director, John Hughes, who died at the age of 59 from a heart attack in New York City this month (August).
Hughes, who died at the age of 59, defined a generation with hit teen movies such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Home Alone and Planes, Trains and Automobiles. His most memorable impact… the seminal 1985 Brat Pack film The Breakfast Club (see pictured).

He documentary – called Don’t You Forget About Me – is named after the Simple Minds song and Jim Kerr, lead singer of Simple Minds, has confirmed that they will dedicate the song to the director’s memory during their forthcoming Graffiti Soul world tour.
Director Matt Austin-Sadowski flew to Scotland to interview Kerr, and also interviewed Brat Pack stars Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Mia Sara and Andrew McCarthy. The film follows Sadowski and producers Kari Hollend, Mike Facciolo and Lenny Panzer as they set off on a road trip to find Hughes.
Says Kerr, “When we perform ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’ on the forthcoming tour, we’ll be thinking about John Hughes and how his enthusiasm for the sound of Simple Minds made us go the extra mile when we recorded it back in 1984. Everyone was hell bent on making a classic piece of pop rock, but little did we know the kind of longevity the film would have on generations to come. The Breakfast Club helped us kick the door down, and once there, no one could ever lock us out or tell us again what it felt like to be No.1 in America.”
Don’t You Forget About Me: The Movie -
Go to www.simpleminds.com for more tour info.

It seems there is a shortage of strapping rugby men in Manchester.
Didsbury Rugby Club is opening it’s doors on Sunday (Aug 16) to allow new members to join.
The South Manchester club is one of the best Manchester has to offer with four adult rugby teams, mini rugby and juniors as well.
Their long-standing reputation has managed to pull in some big boys aka two top England rugby trainers who will be at the open day training and talking to new talent.
Organiser, Tom Richards, is looking forward to the event: “It’s going to be a brilliant day to drum up more team members. We are hoping new recruits will be inspired by what they see and inject some passion and desire in to the team. Really, however, this is a fun day for everyone. The junior coaches will provide activities for kids. There’s a barbeque. Loads of stalls and competitions. There will be plenty for the whole family to enjoy.”
Open day starts at 11am. Click here for more information.

Manchester is now a hot bed of TV and film locations. No sooner had Red Productions injected some Shameless interest in our northern talent pool, than they were all at it.
Actually, they’ve always been at it… Love on the Dole (1941, Man in a White Suit (1952), A Taste of HOney (1961).. right through to 24 Hour Party People (2002).
Well all eyes are on the north once more. Empire and Total film have laden their front covers with previews of the forthcoming Sherlock Holmes film.
A small part of which was filmed by taking over a small corner of the Northern Quarter six months back so that Jude Law and Robert Downey could do some thorough investigations down the old cobbled streets while looking rather dapper in top hat and tails.
Now Clerkenwell Films are descending once again to film BBC 1 Drama Paradox starring Tamsin Outhwaite. They will be filming August 13 – 16.
Futuristic crime thriller Paradox, starring ex-Eastender Tamzin Outhwaite, is set to begin filming on location in Manchester next month.
This futuristic crime thriller is in five parts and is directed by Generation Kill’s Simon Cellan Jones (Our Friends in the North) and stars Outhwaite in the role of DI Rebecca Flint – the head of a special unit that investigates crimes committed in the future.
Cellan Jones has told the BBC that the show will be “an electrifying white knuckle ride” that “will leave the audience asking themselves dark, complicated questions about fate, the future and who controls it.”
Ben Stephenson, the controller of BBC drama, commissioning said of the concept: “Paradox is a fresh spin on the crime genre for BBC1.
“Stopping crimes before they happen is a fantastically bold idea that allows us to tell edge of your seat thriller stories, whilst also weaving compelling moral and emotional questions about what happens when you try to change the future”.
Passers by to HIlton House this week will find a fire in the building. Simulated smoke and ash will be the highlight of the day at Hilton House. Special effects galore.
It seems Manchester production is on the up bringing more talent, creativity and skill with it.

Along with his band, The Sussex Wit, Johnny Flynn is a nu-folk musician. He sings about England to the sounds of the cello, violin, mandolin, guitars and flute.
Flynn has been taken under the UK’s wing since his debut album in 2008, ‘A Larum’ (lauded by critics the world over).

And his story is an interesting one… The sometime actor, is a multi-musician leading a new generation of folk troubadours. Born in Johannesburg, Flynn grew up in socuth Wales working on a fishing boat, and then won a singing scholarship to Winchester College before haning out in the New York anti-folk scene.
He came to London and toured the world acting with a Shakespearian theatre company. Which is why he can talk about people, places and travelling for a long time.
So if you have an Iron and Wine album lurking in your collection, then this intimate date at Manchester Deaf Institute is just for you. It will coincide with the release of the ‘Sweet William’ EP – his first new material in over a year. That will be followed next year by a second album in 2010.
What to expect?
Sweet harmonies a few indulgent mellow track. An intimate atmosphere.
Sunday 25th October Manchester Deaf Institute 0161 832 1111
Tickets are £9; Onsale now at www.gigsandtours.com 24 hr cc hotline 0871 2200 260

Newton Faulkner has announced a 12-date tour of the UK this October in support of new album ‘Rebuilt By Humans’, due out in September this year.
The acoustic-guitar virtuoso second album is preceded by the first single from it, ‘If This Is It’ released the week before.
The follow up to Hand Built By Robots is a triumph for Faulkner who broke his wrist in France and dislocated his entire right hand back in 2007. Faulkner nearly lost the movement in his hand and after a series of painful procedures by French medics and a career saving operation at home in the UK, Newton was successfully rebuilt by humans and within days was back doing what he loves most, playing his guitar as taught by the legendary Eric Roche.
Newton says “I wanted to avoid the classic second album thing of complaining about how great things have gone and all the hard work. I had brilliant fun making this album, and hopefully it sounds that way. That’s another reason why If This Is It is great for the first single: hopefully it comes across as quite grateful. Because I am grateful.”
Tour dates are:
Mon 12 October The ABC (ABC 1 & ABC 2), Glasgow
Tue 13 October Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne
Wed 14 October Grand Opera House, York
Fri 16 October Regent Theatre, Ipswich
Sun 18 October Warwick University (SU & Arts Centre), Coventry
Mon 19 October The Lowry, Manchester
Tue 20 October O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London
Thu 22 October Brangwyn Hall & Guildhall, Swansea
Fri 23 October Corn Exchange, Cambridge
Sun 25 October The Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
Mon 26 October Hall For Cornwall, Truro
Tue 27 October Portsmouth Guildhall, Portsmouth
Tickets go on sale at 9:00am, Friday July 17 and eGigs will have links to buy them then. Tickets are priced £17.50.

Since Band on the Wall closed in 2005 Manchester has been missing a musical heartbeat. It is an institution of the scene up north and, for all those who can remember it in its hey day, a name synonymous with quality entertainment.
This year the venue will open it’s doors again. And kicking off its first season, Band on the Wall presents Back To Our Place – a month-long launch celebration featuring the finest artists from across the globe (25 September – 31 October 2009).
BOTW has always had a reputation for doing something different, whether introducing world or experimental music or putting a film on.
The list of artists to grace the new doors of BOTW is already sending goosebumps through the veins of wannabe musos everywhere. Mica Paris! Come on. The soul diva will headline an unmissable night with legendary jazz pianist and radio presenter Julian Joseph.
And there will be a raptuous round of applause for seminal funk punk pioneers and local Factory signing A Certain Ratio. Plus a touch more variety for the mix just for goodluck… the 2008 Mercury Music Prize nominated folk of Rachel Unthank & The Winterset, sonic dub master Mad Professor with The Ariwa Posse and internationally acclaimed Malian ngoni player Bassekou Kouyate.
Even festival line-ups don’t get much better than that.
Manchester is a place where people love music. And Band on the wall is once again proving it is more than a music venue, it is one of the most influential venues Manchester has ever had.
Go to the BOTW website for more updates on sets and artists from around the world.

This is a man who defies comedy criteria. Mainly because the man is a musical genius disguised as a stand up.
We all have some subliminal awareness of Bailey’s exhaustive CV. And the star of Black Books and Never Mind The Buzzcocks has descended successfully upon the UK with his Part Troll tour.
Bailey has always been an incredibly busy man. As musical comedians go he’s up there with Billy Connolly (banjo and guitar), Jasper Carrot (guitar), Woody Allen (clarinet), Steve Allen (piano) and my personal favourite at the moment Flight of the Conchords (guitar).
There’s just something special that happens when a person’s genuine wit is able to catapult itself from genuinely effortless rifts and harmonies.
It’s like watching a symbiosis.
Many are drawn to Bailey’s flowing locks that, of course, utterly fail to disguise his geeky sci-fi passions. He named his son after a Star Trek: Deep Space 9 charcter, Dax and refers to himself as a Klingong.
It was way back in 1999 that Bailey won the Best Live Stand-Up award at the British Comedy Awards and no surprise that he is a celebrated British talent.
I love that he is a talented pianist and guitarist. A hairy old rocker with perfect pitch. n October 2008 he performed Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall with the BBC Concert Orchestra, conducted by Anne Dudley.
His main Influences, however, are everything from jazz, rock (most notably prog rock from the early seventies), drum’n'bass, rave and classical, are perfect for his comedic value.
On another strange musical note, he even put himself forward in Britain’s Eurovision entry in 2008, as a result of several fan petitions encouraging him to do so.
Needless to say that random musical superpowers in his live shows are to be greeted with open arms.
Funny lines and dry rhymes provide us with enough imagination to sink the titanic.
He is a magical hybrid. Topical, political and silly.
His mix of music and talk it brilliant. Entertaining trickery that defies definition and The Lowry is a perfect stage for his five night stint.
Last time Bailey came to Manchester he sold out the MEN Arena for three nights.
I can’t wait.
Bill Bailey is at The Lowry from June 9 – June 14
Go to his website

One small village and a whole lot of folk going on.
It’s no surprise that this sell out event is back for year seven warming the hearts of those on north western edge of the Lake District National Park. This year headlined by the undisputed queen of folk Eddie Reader.
For those unfamiliar with this corner of Cumbria Ireby is situated 13 miles north of Keswick and 18 miles south west of Carlisle. The festival comprises a main marquee which has been expanded to accomodate the crowds who bustle in for rock, folk, bluegrass and country acts.
Meanwhile more concerts and showcases can be found in the town’s pubs, halls and church during the two-day festival.
Perhaps one of the highlights are the music workshops and sessions. Whatever your pleasure only a small number of tickets are now available for performances from 10.30am to 5pm on Saturday, so get in there fast.
The main event completely sold out five weeks ago! Popular stuff. And here’s a glimpse at why…
Watch out for
Friday: Englands’ finest instrumental folk duo Spiers and Boden, and folk-opera outfit White Mansions
Saturday: Acoustic queen Eddi Reader, The legendary Peter Donegan Band, music and comedy from The New Rope String Band.
Weekend, Friday and Saturday nights have sold out. Tickets are still available for Saturday performances 10.30am ’till 5pm. £30 for the weekend; Friday evening £15, children (10-16) £8; Friday evening + Saturday afternoon until 5.15pm £20, children (10-16) £8; Saturday afternoon until 5.15pm £10, children (10-16) £3; Saturday evening from 5.30pm £18, children (10-16) £8; Saturday all day £20, children (10-16) £10. Under 10s are free for all options. To buy tickets online, click here.
Camping per pitch: Friday £5; Friday and Saturday £8, Friday, Saturday and Sunday £10.

Local celebrity comedians, Justin Moorhouse and side kick Steve Edge know a good charity when they find one, which is why they took part in an open mic session with a difference last week.
Already long standing supporters of St Ann’s Hospice, the Phoenix Nights comedians couldn’t resist rolling out a few one liners to raise the profile of the Manchester Midnight Walk.
And they’ve posted an appeal for support on You Tube for everyone to see. Watch Justin and Steve here.
The walk is a great annual event – a 10km walk around Manchester City Centre, starting from Manchester Central at Midnight on June 12.
If you haven’t signed up there’s not long to go! The closing date is Friday May 29. So why not join the 2,500 other registered walkers for a great night in aid of a great cause which cares for thousands of patients with life-threatening illnesses, while supporting their families and carers in Greater Manchester. Register online now at www.manchestermidnightwalk.org.uk
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Get in touch
Contact St Ann’s Hospice on 0161 498 3631 with any questions about the Manchester Midnight Walk or how you can get involved with supporting St Ann’s Hospice.

The British Soap Awards is back with all the trials and tribulations we have come to expect from this oh-so-very dramatic affair.
Love them or hate them, the soaps are ingrained on our national consciousness.
And while we might not know exactly what’s going on in Coronation Street, Doctors, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks it’s a great excuse for these TV darlings to get all dolled up and feel as thesbian as they possibly can.
Hosted by Phillip Schofield the 17 awards and categories were voted for by a panel of expert judges and the public.
The ultimate accolade, Best British Soap went to Eastenders for the second year running – scooping a total of seven awards, one more than Northern favouritem, Coronation Street.
And we’ll find out Wednesday May 13 who has taken the trophy for Sexiest Male and Female, Best Actor and Actress, Best Comedy Performance, Villain of the Year, Spectacular Scene of the Year, Best On-Screen Partnership
THE BRITISH SOAP AWARDS – ITV1 8 – 10 pm WEDNESDAY 13 MAY
BRITISH SOAP AWARDS 2009: AFTER PARTY ITV2 10 – 11.30 pm WEDNESDAY 13 MAY