Cityscape Records

Three will be the magic number on Saturday 11 October as Bolton-based Cityscape Records hosts three acts for its third showcase of emerging musical talent. The first two Cityscape Presents events at Bolton’s Octagon Theatre provided some captivating performances enjoyed by full houses in the venue’s intimate Bill Naughton Studio Theatre.

Number three, headlined by Cityscape band Merchandise with Ist and Dan Melrose completing the bill, promises to be every bit as much of a treat. Comedian Dale Meakin, a familiar face on the Manchester comedy circuit, is compere for the evening.
Merchandise return to the Octagon fresh from performances at the Sugarhill festival in Wiltshire and Manchester’s Night and Day. A new full band line-up, welcoming new members John A Stewart on bass and Matt Maher on drums, gives added oomph to their acoustic sound.

They will be previewing songs from forthcoming album For The Masses, including feelgood favourite Sometimes and soon-to-be-released single Enemy. Both can be heard on their MySpace site and are available from Itunes, HMV and other outlets.
Leicester band Ist, who cite influences ranging from Cole Porter to the Pixies, will be playing tunes from their new album Toothpick Bridge which features former members of the Beautiful South and Chris Difford’s solo band. Readers of Mojo magazine voted singer Kenton Hall as one of their 20 top ‘songwriters of substance’ in 2006.

Opening the evening is Manchester folkster Dan Melrose, a talented acoustic guitarist whose live band features an array of instruments including double bass, cello, harmonica and violin.

Brad B Wood, Cityscape founder and member of Merchandise, said: “The feeback from our first two events has been excellent and I’m really looking forward to introducing Dan and Ist to the Octagon audience.
“I saw Dan at a Manchester folk night and knew straight away I had to get him on. He’s got a hell of a way with an acoustic guitar and I’m sure anyone who comes along will see why I was so impressed.
“I first met Ist years ago when my former band Mazeppa were playing on the same bill as them at the Cavern Club. We’ve been friends since and I’m a big fan of their music. Their latest album is their best yet.
“As for Merchandise, we’re really happy with the development of our live sound and looking forward to sharing it.”

The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets, priced £9 for adults (£7 concessions), are available from the Octagon box office. Call 01204 520661 or buy online at www.octagonbolton.co.uk

For more information about the acts, and a taste of their songs, visit their My Space sites at, respectively www.myspace.com/merchandisetheband, www.myspace.com/ist and www.myspace.com/danmelrose

Future Cityscape Presents nights will take place on 12 December, 7th February, 14th March, 18th April, 9th May and 20th June.

Merchandise have been picked to play at the Bolton Showcase at Leverhulme Park. The gig will take place on Saturday 26th July and will also feature Andrea Glass and The Last Waltz, The Minions, Pancho Ballard and The Banditos, The Broken Door, Second Hand Wings, The Planets, Hans Island, Last Chance, The Right Hands, Strangers In Paradise and Drama.

For more information visit the Bolton Showcase site - Hope to see you there!

Merchandise will be playing at the Sugar Hill festival in Wiltshire on 6th September 2008.

There’s a great website to have an explore of and to book tickets:

www.sugarhillfestival.co.uk 

Plenty of new reviews of Merchandise’s new single Sometimes have been hitting the web and print media. Have a look at what these august institutions have to say about the band . . .

There are now new shots of Merchandise up on the Merchandise website including video stills, shots from the making of the video and live shots. Click the pic to get there!

Visit the new Merchandise website, have a look around and let us know what you think!

Click here for the new reviews of Sometimes