Swamp and other things

On Friday evening, I went to see 'Mercury Rev' at the Bridgewater Hall.  To my great suprise Mark Burgess' new band 'Chameleon Vox' were supporting.  Mark is a great songwriter and vocalist.  His new band basically are keeping the music of 'The Chameleons' alive.  It really made my night seeing them in concert.  During 'Mercury Rev's' set, vocalist Johnathan Donahue, spoke about how 'The Chamelons' had been a big influence on his songwriting and the reaction of 'Mercury Rev's' fans to their music was exactly like his to 'The Chameleons'.  What a lovely thing to say.

'Mercury Rev' put on a very good show.  They all looked like they were really enjoying playing.  They had a big layered sound that showcased their songs wonderfully.  I was very impressed with them.  Please click on the links below to listen to the two bands.

 

I recommend visiting 'The John Rylands Library' on Deansgate if you are visiting Manchester.  I hadn't been in since in was refurbished and a new contemporary entrance way added.   The gothic architecture is a joy to walk around - be sure to check out the reading room, the original Victorian toilets in the basement and the stained class windows entitled 'Theology directing the labours of science and art'.  There is an interesting exhibition entitled 'The Death and Life of Al-Mutanabbi Street'.

The Death and Life of Al-Mutanabbi Street

Historic Reading Room
Thursday 7 April to Sunday 26 June 2011

Full of bookshops and bookstalls, Al-Mutanabbi Street is at the centre of Baghdad’s literary and intellectual world. On March 5, 2007, a car bomb was detonated on this street, killing 38 people. This could have been any street, anywhere in the world.

Full of bookshops and bookstalls, al-Mutanabbi Street is at the centre of Baghdad’s literary and intellectual world. On March 5, 2007, a car bomb was detonated on this street, killing 38 people. This could have been any street, anywhere in the world. The Al-Mutanabbi Street Coalition was formed in response to the loss of life, and the targeted attack on a place where people gathered to exchange ideas.
The Coalition asked printers to produce a broadside in response to the event. An exhibition of these posters has toured the world, raising awareness of the attack, and is now coming to the Library as part of a joint project with the Imperial War Museum North. Jeremy Deller’s Baghdad, 5 March 2007 – the twisted wreckage of a car destroyed in the bombing, will be on display at IWMN from April 2011.