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Manchester indie-rockers Easter return with Facsimile of a Dream – their latest album, released via Scratchy Records.Produced by Simon ‘Ding’ Archer (PJ Harvey, The Pixies, The Fall) at 6db studios in Salford, the album title refers to the lockdown period in one sense, a document of that time – but also, as frontman Tom Long states, it ‘harks back to pre-lockdown, when there was actually a possibility of some change on offer. There were solutions to many of the problems we face now, but that dream was crushed.’
Easter have built a reputation as one of the city’s best-kept secrets. Spurred along by singer/songwriter/guitarist Tom Long with a stable of Manc-underground shredders, they’re a formidable live act who’ve found admirers in Huw Stephens and Tom Ravenscroft at BBC 6 Music and garnered praise from Uncut, Record Collector and NYC’s The Big Takeover, while building a loyal fanbase across the UK.
For all of Manchester’s illustrious musical history, it’s hard to bring to mind a local act that they compare or aspire to. Instead Easter’s binoculars are fixed on the fuzzy indie-rock of Dinosaur Jr and Teenage Fanclub with added twin-guitar weaving recalling Television, Chris Forsyth and even Wishbone Ash. Only in Tom’s vocals are there hints of their surroundings with occasional echoes of Morrissey and, a few junctions away across the M62, Dave Gedge.
‘A welcome throwback to the wry, self-lacerating alt.rock of the early 90s’ – Uncut
Main support comes from Bristol’s Lifter. Lifter proudly take musical cues from a diverse range of sources, including slowcore, folk, country, and indie rock, and deftly showcase this throughout first album Clasping Hands with the Moribund, which came out in October. A handful of influences would include The Fairport Convention, Sparklehorse and Duster.
Opening the show are Claw The Thin Ice. Claw The Thin Ice are four ageing friends, dedicated to a life of crafting surging emotional rock music that combines DIY aesthetics with arena-rock hooks. Since 2012, they have been constantly crafting and reshaping their sound – 2025 will see the release of their long-awaited new album Fever Dreamer, which pushes their sound to the outer reaches and beyond.
Price: £10 adv
Info/tickets: https://www.heymanchester.com/easter-4#info
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Rat & Pigeon, 33 Back Piccadilly, Manchester M1 1HP, 33 Back Piccadilly, Manchester, M1 1HP, United Kingdom,Manchester, United Kingdom
Tickets
