Celebrate Halton Music Weekender:
A Certain Ratio – Man & the Echo – Seagoth – Ike Thomas
Saturday 4 September 7pm
The Studio, Lacey St, Widnes WA8 7SQ
Manchester Factory Records legends and post-punk heroes A Certain Ratio are co-headlining the main Celebrate Halton Music Weekender show at The Studio, Widnes, on Saturday 4 September.
Formed in 1978, with a core line-up of Jez Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson, adding Tony Quigley, Denise Johnson and Matt Steele for touring and studio contributions. A Certain Ratio sounded like nothing else around them which led to Joy Division’s manager Rob Gretton putting them in touch with Tony Wilson who was setting up the fledgling Factory Records. Hailed universally as pioneers of what became known as “punk funk” thanks to the success of ‘Shack Up’ on both sides of the Atlantic,
Over the past few decades the band have influenced countless influential musicians from Talking Heads, LCD Soundsystem, Happy Mondays, Franz Ferdinand, ESG, Factory Floor, The Orielles, Sink Ya Teeth and Andrew Weatherall.
‘Loco’ is A Certain Ratio’s latest album and comes fresh off the back of their most successful tour in over 20 years. “We’ve done the 40-year celebration thing,” says Jez. “It’s about the future now and where we’re going next.”
They will be joined by the eclectic and strange Man & The Echo from Warrington, who released their eponymous debut album on James Endeacott’s resurgent 1965 Records. The album was quickly picked up by Steve Lamacq (BBC 6 Music) and John Kennedy (Radio X) and was named as “Album Of The Day” on 6 Music. They were invited to perform on Billy Bragg’s Leftfield stage at Glastonbury and have played other major festivals such as Kendal Calling, Reading & Leeds, Secret Garden Party and The Great Escape.
Also appearing will be Seagoth with their striking, indie pop synth melodies and Ike Thomas will open then show with his atmospheric acoustic songs.
Tickets are £15 from https://celebratehaltonmusic.eventbrite.co.uk/
Celebrate Halton Music Weekender!