A QUARTET of acclaimed acts at the pinnacle of the local music scene will be showcased at a brand new band night at a Mossley venue.
The Vale will play host to the inaugural In Our Backyard event on Saturday, June 22 from 7pm.
It will feature four bands which, in the opinion of The Vale’s programming manager Johnny Clifford, are the best in Tameside and Oldham right now.
“It was really obvious to me that they had to play the first of what we hope will be an annual event,” he said. “I’m constantly looking out for new local talent.
“The bands all have their own loyal followings but it’s a great opportunity for everyone, regardless of musical taste, to enjoy a showcase of the best music Mossley and Tameside has to offer.”
The bands were handpicked by Johnny having received national attention, as well as regularly playing in respected Manchester venues.
Based in Mossley, Heavy Salad – featuring Lee Mann (vocals and bass), guitarist Rob Glennie, Esther Maylor, Ally McBoo and Toe Thomas (vocals), and drummer Budgie – have performed as far afield as the esteemed Texas festival SXSW.
The band is currently recording its second and third albums at the London studios of Blur frontman Damon Albarn, while the artwork is being created by Manchester’s Stanley Chow in his usual distinctive style.
Heavy Salad’s first album, Cult Casual, received airplay from a host of prominent radio stations including Radio 1, 6Music and Radio X.
Also taking to the stage at The Vale will be Jesus Knieval, a three-piece band from Mossley, Grasscroft and Ashton.
The band has recorded and released music under its own Grasscroft-based label by the same name since 2007, with four albums and a string of nationwide tours under their belt.
Members Stephen Morris, Richie Gradwell and Pete Smyth believe the In Our Backyard event will be an “absolute embarrassment of musical riches”.
They added: “We’ll be joined by some of the best of the Mossley and Saddleworth music scene, which at the moment is positively brimming with creativity and awesomeness from every corner.”
Bringing their unique blend of vibrant, ska-based music will be Frank Williams, Henry Williamson, Gabriel Preston, Charlie Lawless and former circus performer Mikey, who make up Madame Claude – based in Tameside and Saddleworth.
The band, which has released their debut EP called Holt Town Jig, has played live gigs with ska favourites The Beat and Bad Manners.
Completing the line-up on the night will be Sugar Crease which has been described as a ‘jubilant and highly energetic six-piece party band’ from Oldham and Greenfield.
The band, which released their latest single Lemon Cake in January, is made up of Christian on vocals and bongos, Mick on vocals and stink whistle, Adam on bass and backing, Andy on keys, Andy and Mark on guitar, and Richie on drums.
Mossley DJ Jason Rushton will provide the sounds before, between and after the bands to keep the party going until midnight.
Tickets for In Our Backyard at The Vale, on Micklehurst Road, are £12.50 and can be bought at https://www.the-vale.co.uk/event/inourbackyard/