B-Lounge, Brunswick, Manchester (13.1.2012)

Another night out for Old Man Pie, heading over the moors to the centre of Manchester and an open mic run by the group Naymedici.  This night is designed for bands as well as solo performers - and takes place every Thursday night in the B-Lounge (Brunswick) near Picadilly.  It's a mostly word of mouth event and always well attended due to the organisers high standing in the Manchester music scene.

The evening begins with a random drunk in a suit and tie subjecting us to some mediocre human beatboxing.  It was entertaining in some ways, but I've heard this type of thing done well and when its good its brilliant - this wasn't one such moment.  During the second piece he tells the audience, predictably, "if you (k-chish) don't like (k-chish) my shit (k-chish) you can (k-pfff) suck my (kchish) dick!"

Things pick up when Edwin Miles follows the suited beatboxing with some great acoustic songs.  Beginning with an upbeat number called Narcissist.  A guitarist called John also has some equally good songs, but doesn't get such a fair hearing on account of an upsurge of drunken banter from the suited beatboxer and his pals.  But this is the middle of Manchester and you have to expect things to get rowdy every now and again.  I don't catch the name of the next player, with a head of long hair, attacking his guitar with relish whilst he shouts out a vocal.

Then Charly Tiefenauer (pictured) gets the whole place jumping with some quality guitar work and rockin blues and country rock pieces.  Everyone has stopped talking to listen to Charly play, particularly when he is joined by a skilled cajon player, who has rolled up his trouser leg and taken off his shoe to get the full effect from the instrument.  I was searching for a sample of Charly's work to include here but could find very little of film or publicity that did his strong set justice. 

Charly is a tough act to follow and it falls to the pie guys.  We play a similar set to the one we did last week in Hebden, but this time include a rendition of Mackerel Fishing.  The audience are brilliant fun and I completely forget the words half way through one song on account of laughing at the umpa lumpa dancing that has broken out at the bar.


My Lyrical Mind introduce their set with some nicely reverbed guitar and violin, a piece of music that is experimental and right up my street.  I get a free CD off them later and exchange it for some pie music and poetic loops.


We leave the B-Lounge to head back over the Pennines at about12.30 and there are still musicians arriving to play.  It's a late one here in the middle of Manchester.  My only regret was that I didn't get to see Naymedici themselves perform because Josh, the lead singer, is unwell.  So I'll leave this blog note with one of their songs, the most excellent and eclectic 'Lobster Boy'

Naymedici - Lobster Boy (4th Dec 2011)

Gig News:
Just heard Naymedici, Deaf Sirens and Sam Haine and The Bloodflames will be playing Ducie Bridge, Corporation St, Manchester on Saturday, 28 January 2012


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