Manchester has become a hotspot for festivals dotted around the city at multiple venues instead of the usual parks and fiends. Beyond the Music, Psych Fest and Neighbourhood have all shown off how city festivals can make the most of smaller venues. This year they’ll be joined again by Fair Play Festival which takes place on 6 April all over the Northern Quarter at venues such as Band on the Wall, The Peer Hat and The Castle Hotel. We’ve taken a look over the acts on the line up to pick out the ones well worth checking out.
Loose Articles
Genre – Punk
Having already played to a sold out Night and Day during Beyond the Music last year and an upcoming tour date with the Foo Fighters at Old Trafford booked in, Loose Articles put simply are a must watch. The four piece all-female punk band are noisy, energetic and challenge the traditional male-dominated rock scene whilst also enjoying themselves at the same time. Go and see them.
BUZZARD BUZZARD BUZZARD
Genre – 60s Rock
Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard started apparently because frontman Tom Rees was obsessed with Norman Greenbaum’s Spirit in the Sky and he wanted to make music like that. He’s done a decent job, supporting Noel Gallgher’s High Flying Birds, Ocean Colour Scene and has a Welsh Music Prize nominated album ‘Backhand Deals’. A second album is set to be released a week after the festival so you’ve got time to hear some of it first.
Adwaith
Genre – Welsh Language Pop
Libertino Records currently have a great roster of Welsh Language artists on their label and Adwaith are one of the more well known. The group have been around since 2015 and have been on the festival circuit for a number of years, playing at Glastonbury, Green Man and Swn. Welsh is a great language to hear sung even if, like me, you can’t understand every word.
BabyMorocco
Genre – House
BabyMorocco signed to True Panther Records and released debut EP, The Sound in 2023. Having just come off supporting Dorian Elctra on tour, it seems that this is just the start of a revival for early 00’s euro fun. Make sure you check them out.
Marie Davidson
Genre – French Techno
It wouldn’t be a Northern Quarter festival without a world music artist and there’s a few on this bill but our shout is Marie Davidson, hailing from Canada and singing in French and English, Davidson will be great live. With five studio albums to her name and catchy lyrics over drum machines and synths which sound like the best band you’ve not heard from 1986, one not to miss. It’s her first gig in Manchester since 2019 when she played a memorable Parklife set.