Hi °C | Lo °C It was a sad day for music fans last month when news of the death of Factory Records boss, radio presenter, nightclub owner, TV show host and the main man behind the birth of Madchester, Tony Wilson, was announced.
Now local fans can pay tribute to the man who put Manchester, and it's infamous Hacienda club, on the map at the Anthony H Wilson tribute evening taking place in Aunty Annie's, Belfast, on Sunday, kicking off at 8pm. There'll be live musical tributes to the man dubbed Mr Manchester as well as showing off the movie 24 Hour Party People during the subsequent disco, headed up by DJ Renton, the night is the brainchild of local music buff musician, club promoter and all-round impresario Nick McCallan, who is currently in the studio writing and recording the upcoming God Talking Soul album, which is due for release early next year. As well as footage of the Hacienda and Wilson in interview, expect numbers from among others, charismatic Driving By Night frontman Neal Hughes, Catherine McCrystal and nick himself. New Order's Hooky and Barney have also been asked to attend, so fingers crossed on that front!
With a well received debut LP, A Kind Of Crusade, under their belt, local alt.rockers Sixstarhotel are quickly building up a reputation and a following, thanks to their relentless touring - including a month-long trek across Denmark - and hardcore work ethic. The four-piece take to the stage of The Limelight next Thursday and, while you can certainly get a sense of their passion and technical ability from the album, seeing them live will blow you away. The gig celebrates the second anniversary of the launch of local music showcase night, Two Step, and comes nine months after the band's sell-out performance in the venue last December. Fresh from their stint at Vital, support comes from Steer Clear as well as the new project from Torgas Valley Reds and Backwater frontman, Barry Peak, which goes under the name Julip.
A formidable force in the local singer-songwriter canon, Penny Smith holds down the support slot for the two Finley Quaye gigs in Belfast's Black Box tomorrow night and in Sandino's, Londonderry, on Sunday. With her haunting, melodic delivery, Penny is the perfect warm-up for former Brit Awards winner Quaye, at what are set to be two very special, intimate and laid-back concerts.
