$The Wave Pictures + Turner Cody \/ YES Pink Room, Manchester \/ Thu 5 Mar$

Emerging from the quiet village of Wymeswold, nestled on the border between Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, The Wave Pictures formed in the late 1990s as a group of school friends with second-hand instruments, a love of American indie rock, and an instinctive DIY ethic. Over three decades the Wave Pictures have grown into one of the UK’s most singular and enduring cult bands.
The group honed their sound through covers of Velvet Underground, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Pavement, inspired by long nights listening to John Peel and taping his shows to cassette. It was during these formative years that Tattersall began to write songs of his own — idiosyncratic, literate, and melodically rich — setting the band on a path toward an eclectic and prolific career.
The early days were marked by experimentation and home recording, leading to a series of out-of-print CDRs that captured the raw energy and charm of their lo-fi beginnings. Albums such as Just Watch Your Friends Don’t Get You and More St. Less T.V. chart the journey from curious students to committed artists. Together, they developed a sound that defied easy categorisation — part garage rock, part indie pop, part classic rock and roll — and a reputation for witty, unpredictable lyrics and masterful musicianship.
Upon relocating to London in the early 2000s, The Wave Pictures quickly established themselves as a band apart. Eschewing the fashion codes and posturing of the indie scene, they let the music do the talking — a move that, while sometimes misunderstood, cemented their status as outsiders with integrity. Early support from figures such as Nick Lowe, who described Tattersall as “a man who harbours no ambition to be seen hobnobbing with Dido at the Met Bar,” set the tone for a career that would be defined by independent spirit and artistic curiosity.
Their debut album Instant Coffee Baby (2008), released via Moshi Moshi Records, introduced a wider audience to Tattersall’s vivid songwriting and the band’s spirited playing. Subsequent albums such as If You Leave It Alone, Long Black Cars, and the emotionally raw twin releases Brushes With Happiness and Look Inside Your Heart demonstrated their range, from tender balladry to joyful rock.
Collaborations followed, most notably with Medway icon Billy Childish on Great Big Flamingo Burning Moon, recorded with engineer Jim Riley. This fruitful partnership continued with Bamboo Diner in the Rain and culminated (for a time) in 2022’s sprawling double album When The Purple Emperor Spreads His Wings — a critical and creative high point that showcased the full breadth of the band’s songwriting and sonic ambition.
Throughout their career, The Wave Pictures have maintained a fierce independence and relentless work ethic, releasing dozens of albums, side projects, and one-off recordings, both in the UK and internationally. While their early years were marked by misunderstanding and misfit status, time has vindicated their vision. Their blend of classic American influences, British lyrical sensibilities, and unpretentious authenticity has earned them a loyal following across Europe and beyond.
Now, with over two decades behind them, The Wave Pictures continue to evolve while staying true to the spirit that first inspired them: music made for the love of it, songs that are full of poetry and joy. The Wave Pictures are a band that — against all odds — has never stopped being themselves.
Special guest is Turner Cody. Turner Cody is a songwriter in the American tradition and a poet laureate of the millennial generation. He came up in NYC’s anti-folk scene. He currently lives in St. Louis MO.
Price: £20 adv
Info/tickets: https://www.heymanchester.com/the-wave-pictures-15#info