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!

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.

The Academy, being 4 seperate venues, is hard to summarise. I have only managed to get to Academy 1 and Academy 2 but understand the basic set up. Academy 1 is a big place, holds somehwere about 2000 if not a few more, Academy two holds 800ish, 3 is smaller still and 4 is about as big as the toilets in Academy 1. You have to admire the set up catering for bands at almost all degrees of success, apart from the arena style venue but we get that at the festivals so who cares.

Unfortunately, the reality doesn't measure up. Certainly Academy 1 is one of the worst large venues I have ever been to. There isn't enough bar space for people so its always at least 4 rows thick and a good 20 minute wait. The acoustics are really bad and the music is never loud enough. You can easily talk to people and that just isn't right at music venue, it's more like a social club with some live music on and without the luxury of chairs.

The worst part is this seems to be the number one venue for successful bands playing in the city. The other venue of a similar size in the city is The Apollo, nationally recognised as an amazing venue yet seemingly ignored by many a touring band. Let this bring shame upon them!

Academy 2, on the other hand, isn't half bad. The sound is better and far louder, not ear bleedingly so, but I realise thats a personal preference and, while the bar is outside the venue, after the initial bar busy-ness its easy enough to get a drink. The only thing worth mentioning is that there is a better venue of a similar size in town, the Ritz Ballroom! With its sprung dancefloor and gallery style it feels more intimate. Still, I would certainly go back and see another band there.    

It'd be unfair of me to comment on the others, but I have heard good things about both. Overall I think this set of venues is really important to the Manchester music scene. There are at least 10 other good venues in town of varying sizes to go and see live music, but this seems to be the cornerstone, being the most commercial and set in the grounds of the University it is easy to get to. Yet if I was in a successful band I wouldn't play here.

The Academy is 'Simply Red' while the Apollo, The Ritz, and Night & Day are 'The Smiths', The Acdemy is 'New Order', the others are 'Joy Division'. I guess it just depends how you like your eggs cooked.

Event Date: October 12, 2009
Event Venue: Manchester Academy

it was amazing. the atmosphere was really good and everyone had a good time. they did loads of good songs, including Juggernauts, Labrynth, The feast, Sorry you're not a winner etc.

10 out of 10  :]

Event Date: July 23, 2009
Event Venue: Manchester Academy

This was a stunning show, very well received by an enthralled audience. The three musicians (violin, guitar, double bass) gave a  display of integrated virtuousity, delivered with energy, passion and humour. There were elements of country, swing, jazz and even classical music in the mix, ranging from standards through novelty numbers to original material. The excellent soloing and vocals, underpinned by driving slap bass and brilliant chord work on guitar, and combined with a winning stage presence, was irresistible. Please come back soon!