Reviews and tips for venues near Heywood

The two winning bands Uberstande and Trappist really captured the imagination and interest of the crowd.

Uberstande, with their bluesy rifts and Pantera influence, had the crowd singing their name from the rafters. Jon and Sean worked the stage like pro's making sure the Photographers in the audience got the... [more]

Event Date: July 10, 2009
Event Venue: Academy

The two winning bands Uberstande and Trappist really captured the imagination and interest of the crowd.

Uberstande, with their bluesy rifts and Pantera influence, had the crowd singing their name from the rafters. Jon and Sean worked the stage like pro's making sure the Photographers in the audience got the pictures they wanted.

Trappist got the crowd rocking with their heavy, individual sound. This three piece band work so well together that they make more noise than 3 men should! [less]

Like most of the newer areas in Manchester, the Comedy Store on Deansgate Lock is a pig to find.  The inner Manchester ring road takes you tantalisingly close to it but you will probably end up launching your Sat Nav into the canal if you try and find it... [more]

Like most of the newer areas in Manchester, the Comedy Store on Deansgate Lock is a pig to find.  The inner Manchester ring road takes you tantalisingly close to it but you will probably end up launching your Sat Nav into the canal if you try and find it by car.  Deansgate Locks has a row of funky two-storey bars that sell exorbitantly priced drinks in a pretentious atmosphere but the Comedy Store bar at the bottom end is actually quite welcoming; wood-panelled throughout with low leather sofas to lounge in and a downstairs ‘snug’ area that has low-key live music acts on all night.  At 19.30 or 23.30 (depending on which show you’ve come to watch) the big doors on the back wall with the Comedy Store logo above will open and you troop down two flights of stairs to the cavernous brick-walled performance area with semi-circular tiered seating around the tiny stage, so no matter where you’re sat, you’ll have an unobstructed view.
There is no bar down there, but you can take your drinks down and all seats have a drinks holder.  Brucey Bonus! [less]

I have been a regular at all four Academies (though I still prefer to call 2 and 3 MUSU and the Hop and Grape respectively) for decades and have no complaints about any of them. I don't drink at gigs, so bar crushes are not an issue for me. ... [more]

I have been a regular at all four Academies (though I still prefer to call 2 and 3 MUSU and the Hop and Grape respectively) for decades and have no complaints about any of them. I don't drink at gigs, so bar crushes are not an issue for me.  As I'm tall, views are never a problem either. There always seems to be plenty of elbow room at 1 (apart from Magazine this year, which was Sardinesville) and I have never experienced problems with the sound (though chatter is a problem at all Manchester venues). 2 gets crowded, though one of the best gigs for me there was a half-full Graham Parker, c. 1996. I also have happy memories of Scarce supporting Grant Lee Buffalo and then Hole, and recent highlights were Sinead O'Connor, Drive By Truckers and a life-affirming show by Edwyn Collins. We don't know how lucky we are in this city with this calibre of act coming to play for us.

The Hop and Grape (3) is an amazing, intimate venue - you can see the artists' perspiration and hear their off microphone cuss-words. I've been up close and personal there with Kirstin Hersh, the SAHB, Edwyn Collins (again), Babes In Toyland, Spiritualised, the Webb Brothers...a real broad spectrum of talent.

4 is equally intimate, but I would imagine views can be a problem for people of average height. There's a ramp on one side which gives a good sightline, but the rest of it looks like what it is, something that was converted from a previous use. The proximity of the artists makes up for that though - I've seen stunning sets there from Scritti Pollitti and Maria McKee.

If it's the music you're into, rather than drinking and chatting, then the four Academies are a blessing in our city probably unrivalled outside London. The staff are always pleasant and helpful too. [less]

This venue also is a brilliant one went to see Nickleback and Staind there earlier this year and they put on a brilliant show along with the arena staff!!

This venue also is a brilliant one went to see Nickleback and Staind there earlier this year and they put on a brilliant show along with the arena staff!! [less]