Cool Manchester

Doesn't time fly? CoolManchester.com has been around in one form or another for over seven years now. From it's original inception of a discussion forum where my friends could chat to each other it has evolved into what it is now and I'm extremely proud of it.

Two years ago I was happy with 500 hits a day and now it gets over 10,000!

Because of the current success, I just want to say thank you to the guys that have helped make this site what it is. From my lovely partner Joe [the real brains of the site] to Andrew and his music reviews the website wouldn't be what it is today

People who know me though know that I don't like to let the grass grown for too long [metaphorically, no bitchy comments about my garden please!] and I am constantly looking at ways to improve the place.

What do you see this site as being about? Any feedback you have would be greatly appreciated.

I still want the site to be an open discussion forum where people can sign up and blog about anything they like, but at the same time I've noticed that the most popular pages are the reviews. Is this something that we should do more?

You can let me know you views by commenting at the bottom of this post. In addition to this we also have a Facebook page and can be found on Twitter [@cool_manchester].

You can also if you wish follow my own Twitter feed [@bluejovanka - blatant self promotion!]

Detachments 'Fade EP' Review

By Andrew Barclay

If you're one of those cynics who feels like music is dead and there is no more hope left, stop doing whatever you're doing right now, and give me your full attention !

Sorry about that heavy intro, but this is really very important. 'Detachments' are something rare, they are an intoxicating mix of the old and new. They aren't afraid to wear their influences on their sleeves, they don't feel ashamed to reveal what their the strongest assets are, and that's being music lovers, as well as being a one of a kind band. I can tell this band listen to hours and hours of music, its inherent in the passion you hear in the playing.

What band doesn't listen to lots of music I hear you ask? Well, a lot more than you might imagine actually. People often say a bands shelf life is only short, bands like 'Detachments' don’t care about such trivial nonsense, they extent beyond mere fads, they make the music they love, and I love them for doing that.

'Nothing You Can Do' zips into being with chiming guitars to an electronic back beat. It's an immediate attention grabber, and is just the kind of thing id love to hear back in the charts. 'The Morning Light' has the bass sound of Peter Hook, but its a borrowed sound and done so with respect, its not stolen or passed off as new. The 'breathy' vocals work around the dark synths and it all makes for pretty essential listening.

'Until You Fade Away' is perhaps the strongest track on offer here, its undeniably influenced by Joy Division, but as I mentioned before, the 'Detachments' do this for the love of creating music, and if part of that process is to pay homage to one of the very few still relevant New Wave music legends, then that's perfectly ok by me.

So, do yourself a big favour, and go out and download this EP. It's out on Monday 17th September on all major download sites.

Detachments Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Detachments/34847912156

Detachments Record Label

www.fac51thehacienda.com

Review By Edward Short

Gareth Icke, the son of infamous public speaker David Icke, releases his second long player on September 17th. The first single from the album came in the form of 'Remember Who You Are', a catchy, Snow Patrol-esque song that fully displays Ickes finer qualities as a song writer, and singer.

Gareth’s voice is, in a word, unique, and whilst comparisons can certainly be made regarding the actual music, his voice is all his own. The album kicks off with the 'Adrianne', a tale of love, perhaps gone stale, perhaps never meant to be, complete with a lush chorus and searing guitar melody.

'Satellites + Wires' is another pacey work, reflective and extremely easy on the ears. ''Sets your mind on fire''... sings Gareth in a that one in a million voice, and you’re carried along willingly to the almost folky sounding 'Beat Up', I imagine its the kind of the song you'd hear Bob Marley write if he were still with is. At this point in the album, you know you’re listening to a classic talent, someone who has it all and is giving it their all.

'A Brand New Battle' is a slower more relaxed work, and Gareth’s voice fills it up nicely, with a slow building up of atmosphere, this is true song writing as a craft, and Gareth’s mastered it.

'Paint The Town Red' is a steady melodic number that betrays some very deep lyrics. It seems to be about uncertainty, identity and moving into a more positive state of mind, in fact, if I were to be asked what this albums overriding theme was, it'd be transcendental harmony after the fact, and that's perfectly fine with me.

'What’s Love Without Meaning' is a top 20 single easily, and if it gets half the airtime it deserves it'll be the chart success it was born to be. 'Growing Pains' is this writer’s personal favourite here; theme wise seems to be in keeping with the albums sentiments.

With this new album 'A Brand New Battle', Gareth proves he is a major emerging songwriter, his music can stand up against the biggest names in the industry, let’s hope he's one of those names very soon, because based on his work; he has every right to be!!

Gareth’s new album is out in stores on 17th September, for more info visit his website at

www.garethicke.com

Former Yazoo star and singing legend Alison Moyet to headline Sunday night Gaydar Main Arena stage as part of the Big Weekend festival.

Almost exactly thirty years since her first appearance in the UK pop chart, Manchester Pride, in association with dating/social networking website Gaydar, is excited to announce the addition of former Yazoo vocalist, solo performer, and actress Alison Moyet to lead the Sunday night Gaydar Main Arena line-up.

An Essex girl born to a French father and English mother who left school at 16, became famous at 21 as singer in Yazoo, and released her triple-platinum solo debut, Alf, at 23. She found fame hard to handle at such a young age, but hindsight has helped her appreciate those experiences. "For a while in the mid-80s, it was amusing to be a pop bitch, but that changed, and it stopped being enough. Now I am able to put my early work into context and find pleasure in the innocence of it. It matters to connect with your audience and these songs have had their place in more lives than my own".

Between 1984 and 1987, Alison was Britain's biggest female solo star. Covers of 'That Ole Devil Called Love' and 'Love Letters' confirmed her reputation as an interpreter of classic songs, while her own self-penned hits like 'Love Resurrection' and 'All Cried Out' as with Yazoo's 'Nobody's Diary and club anthem 'Situation', illustrated her gift as a songwriter. She won Brit Awards, performed at Live Aid, toured extensively and broke the Billboard Top 40. After that, she started to explore what she could do with her wonderful voice, a powerful but sensitive instrument that never forgot its Essex roots, but looked to experiment in a world beyond.

In the last decade, Alison has taken other career turns. She has played Mama Morton in the West End hit musical, 'Chicago'; acted with best friend Dawn French in the Kathy Burke-directed play, 'Smaller'; narrated jazz documentaries for Jazz FM; reformed Yazoo with Vince Clarke for a triumphant reunion tour in 2008; and recently toured the UK as the guest of the Academy Award-winning French composer, Michel Le Grand.

Alison also performed two songs at a tribute concert for Kirsty MacColl, which took place at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in 2010. 'Head' and 'Walking down Madison' will feature on 'A Concert for Kirsty MacColl', a recording of the night, which is scheduled for physical and digital release later this year.

Alison and her band will be performing songs from both Yazoo and her solo career. She is joined on the Gaydar Main Arena stage by 'The X Factor' finalist Amelia Lily, who will showcase her debut single, 'You Bring Me Joy'.

Big Weekend tickets are available at manchesterpride.com or by calling 0871 230 3450.

For more information on Manchester Pride visit www.manchesterpride.com

You can also follow the festival on Twitter: @manchesterpride

Patrons, performers and supporters of the charity Manchester Pride were out in force today, to join volunteer charity collectors at Manchester Airport.

Patrons John Amaechi, Antony Cotton and Adam Zane were joined by Cuban cabaret diva Margarita Pracatan in collecting donations for the charities and organisations that Manchester Pride supports.

A registered charity since 2007, the organisation aims to support a wealth of community organisations, including the Lesbian & Gay Foundation’s free condom and lube scheme, the George House Trust HIV welfare fund, as well as a series of grants available for local LGBT and HIV support groups.

Since 2003, Manchester Pride has raised and distributed over £1million to local organisations.

easyJet and Manchester Airport are supporting the initiative as headline sponsors of this year’s festival. Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK Commercial Manager, said: “As a lively and diverse airline, easyJet is delighted to be part of Manchester Pride 2012 and all of our great people are really looking forward to the weekend. However, it’s important for us all to remember the charitable side of Pride and we are just as excited to be supporting today’s events.”

John Stewart, Chief Executive at Manchester Pride said, “Whilst the festival is in full swing, it is important to remember the focus is to support the vibrant, colourful community that we are part of, and initiatives such as this provide us with a unique opportunity to raise funds to support so many vital projects.”

“The Airport is an ideal location for this, with thousands of visitors arriving ahead of the Big Weekend.

Patrick Alexander, Head of Aviation Marketing for the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: “By having the charity collectors in the terminals we are able to remind staff and passengers that Manchester Pride is about more than just the Big Weekend but also an important and respected charity. Our joint sponsorship of the festival, along with one of our largest airlines, easyJet allows us to demonstrate our commitment to the LGBT community as we prepare to welcome thousands of international visitors to the region.”

Collections in all terminals will take place during Manchester Pride, you can also donate online at manchesterpride.com/donate.

Manchester Pride is in full swing, with the Big Weekend starting on Friday, headlined by reunited pop royalty, Steps.

For more information on Manchester Pride visit manchesterpride.com