Press Release: Cityscape Presents 10 May
Some of the North West’s brightest emerging music talent will take to the stage in a series of showcase nights at Bolton’s Octagon Theatre.
The nights, hosted by Bolton-based record label Cityscape Records, kick off on Saturday 10 May with Cityscape duo Merchandise headlining in the intimate surroundings of the Bill Naughton Studio Theatre.
“Sparkling“, “summery“, “life-affirming” and “beautiful” are among the terms critics have used in their attempts to encapsulate the intelligent, melodic pop conjured up by Brad B Wood and Conrad Astley. The BBC website’s Manchester section went as far as declaring their original sound to have “a touch of genius.”
Joyous single Sometimes, due to be released on Cityscape Records in June, gives a flavour of their knack for marrying acoustic gorgeousness with digital know-how.
A strong bill for the 10 May show also includes Manchester music scene luminary Sara Lowes. Her impressive CV includes being a member of both country-inflected Lancashire/Texas band The Earlies and Jim Noir’s tourning band, Chorlton-cum-Hardy’s answer to Brian Wilson. She has also lent her talents to King Creosote and Micah P Hanson.
But it is as a singer-songwriter in her own right that Sara Lowes will be wowing the Octagon audience. Driven by piano and piloted by her warm vocals, her songs give a fresh folk/pop twist to the classic sixties influences she absorbed as a child.
Chris Evans, who takes his inspiration from singer songwriters with something to say – from folk legends Fairport Convention through to John Lennon and Billy Bragg – completes the line up.
More Cityscape Presents nights, promising further delights, are confirmed for 21 June, 11 October, 12 December and 7 February 2008. The first of these being headlined by The Loungs from St. Helens.
Brad B Wood, Cityscape founder and one half of Merchandise, said:
“As a label, Cityscape is all about independence and imagination. Hosting an evening of like-minded acts seemed like a logical extension of what we‘re doing. I’m delighted that we’ve managed to entice acts of the calibre of Sara and Chris to join Merchandise for the inagural Cityscape Presents. These are acts which are creating a buzz among people who have their ears to the ground listening for up-and-coming talent.”
With its cabaret-style seating and table service, the Bill Naughton Studio should prove the ideal venue to host Cityscape Presents . . .
May 10th Cityscape Presents press release