Pob808

Rochdale’s streets have become a living gallery thanks to the Common Walls Murals, a vibrant series of large-scale artworks bringing colour, culture and creativity to the town centre. Each mural tells its own story, from local heritage to modern expression, transforming familiar walls into bold canvases that invite you to stop, look and think. We spent an afternoon wandering through the trail, admiring the mix of styles and talent on show and, of course, taking a few well-earned refreshment breaks along the way. Our first stop was The Treetop Bar on Baillie Street, where we enjoyed a drink overlooking the buzz of the town below. From there, it was only a short stroll to The Baum, a Rochdale institution and perfect spot to rest and reflect among friends. We rounded off the day at The Flying Horse, soaking up the atmosphere in one of the town’s best-loved pubs while chatting about our favourite murals. If you haven’t explored the Common Walls trail yet, it’s well w...

808 State ex:el Live - New Century House

Last year, 808 State’s live shows were something special. The band toured to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Ninety , performing the album in full from start to finish, and it proved just how well that material still translates to the stage. This year, they’ve turned their attention to their second ZTT album, ex:el and once again, the concept is simple but ambitious: the album played live in its entirety. That approach does come with a challenge. ex:el famously featured guest vocal appearances from Bernard Sumner and Björk, and reuniting that original lineup for a small-scale tour would be close to impossible. Instead, Graham Massey has sensibly kept things local, handing vocal duties to Manchester artist Ellen Beth Abdi. The set opens exactly as the album does, with San Francisco , before flowing into Spanish Heart , originally sung by Bernard Sumner. This is where Ellen Beth Abdi first appears, and she immediately justifies her place on the stage. It’s a strong performance...

808 State - 90 Live (35th anniversary)

Ten years ago I took a trip down to London to see 808 celebrate the 25th Anniversary of their album, 90. It was a bit closer to home for their 35th anniversary at New Century Hall in Manchester. Andy is sadly missing from the line-up now but Massey's son, Jackson, has stepped in keep the beats alive. The set kicked off with the sparkling "Magical Dream," setting the stage for the bass-heavy onslaught of "Ancodia." The sound was loud . Scratches battled with furious basslines as the iconic Speak & Spell samples teased from the mix. The stage was a mesmerizing tangle of wires and laptops, but it was clear that much of the music was being created live. Massey was a whirlwind of activity, tinkering with keys while the drummer unleashed a relentless percussive assault. "Cobra Bora" was a highlight, its wibbly synths and thunderous drums pushing the boundaries of electronic music. The band seamlessly transitioned into a glorious fusion of electro, hous...

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