DIY event showcasing 4 alternative rock and metal bands at Aatma, Manchester.
Tag: Alt-Rock
Bombastic and barefaced, theatrical and sincere, it invites us to laugh, to sing, to reckon, and to revel. An undeniable artist-to-watch, Selve aren’t just performing; they’re liberating – they’re throwing open the curtains and letting it all spill out. – Atwood Magazine
Fronted by Jabirr Jabirr man Loki Liddle, Selve are breaking ground and crushing milestones at every turn. After recording their sophomore album Breaking Into Heaven at the legendary Abbey Road Studios and releasing it to widespread acclaim from triple j, Rage, and Rolling Stone, the band marked the occasion in unforgettable fashion — selling out a 700-capacity pre-release premiere at HOTA, performed live alongside a 33-piece Australian Session Orchestra as part of Bleach* Festival 2025.
Since then, Selve have shown no signs of slowing down. Hot off support slots for Radium Dolls and festival appearances at Lost Paradise and Spilt Milk, the band continue to cement their reputation as one of the most exciting live acts out of Australia, a powerhouse rock outfit carving their own rare path.
Eagle & Salmon presents:
Ground Loop 8:20 pm
Marzana Collective 9 pm Marzana Collective are an innovative 4-piece cello group that aims to break the boundaries between classical and metal music. With their reimagined takes on your favourite metal classics, they explore all areas of the cello and its versatile nature. Join Maisie, Tom, Rhys and Ruaraidh for a night of virtuosic playing, extreme sound worlds and head banging!
Moon Before Dawn 9:40 pm Hailing from Manchester, Gothic Metal ensemble Moon Before Dawn began their journey through the macabre at the tail end of 2024, when vocalist Vincent Sterlacchini, guitarist Alex Holt, bassist Lou Tarabay, and a Mysterious Entity on the drums, were brought together through a mutual passion for goth, alternative rock, and various webs of heavy metal. Together, the four piece have developed a dark and unique sound, blending their individual tastes to form a concoction that is as melodic as it is melancholy, and as heavy as it is sincere.
Adv tickets £5. £6 on the door.
Eagle & Salmon presents:
Skeezebag 8:20 pm
R I C ʘ C H E T 9:00 pm Providing in-your-face rock n roll stage antics with high-energy riffs.
Inspirit 9:40 pm Inspirit are a new alt-rock band from Manchester, blending the weight of grunge with the energy of post-punk and the bite of early 2000s guitar music. Influenced by the likes of Pearl Jam, Radiohead and The Verve.
Eagle & Salmon presents:
The Riviera’s 8:20 pm Up-and-coming indie band who draw inspiration from early Kings of Leon, Oasis and just about everyone in between. They will be performing original material with the odd cover.
The Monamees 9:10 pm Manchester-based indie rockers The Monamees craft intricate chords with thoughtful lyrics. Their music takes a nod to classic British guitar rock-n-roll bands, such as The Who.
Plastic Plant 9:50 pm Plastic Plant are a Manchester-based alt-pop/rock band fusing psychedelia, folk, grunge, and experimental textures. Taking stylistic notes from Pixies, Neil Young, Talk Talk and Ween, their set honours and fuses gone decades of music experimentation into something modern, eclectic, and colourful.
Their debut EP Radiodonta, released earlier in October, collectivises six sonic vignettes spanning time, nature, religion and human progress. From oceanic psychedelia to grunge-tinged introspection, this succinct body of work aims at being both raw and reflective, blending sharp and musing lyricisms with rich harmonies, live and electronic percussion blends, whilst underpinned by determined, serpentine grooves. You can listen to Radiodonta here.
MASLOW
+ SWAN
LIPP
__________________________________________________________
Maslow are a Manchester-based rock band, drawing inspiration from Radiohead, Nirvana and Wunderhorse, their alt-rock sound is rooted in a deep appreciation for raw, authentic live music. Maslow’s performances embrace the imperfections of human expression, standing as a response to the dehumanisation of music, in an age of AI-generated music and oversaturation.
Divided We Fall Tour 2025
Face The Silence Vs The Metronics
England Versus Scotland
Skies Turn Black – Our English competitor for Manchester a Metal band from the North of England whose brand of metal incorporates the elements of Electronic and NWOBHM with an added electronic twist. Always prioritizing a big riff, a blistering solo, and an epic chorus, Skies Turn Black use heavy metal at their core to explore other avenues of the genre that make for a massive live sound. Having included choirs, orchestras, synthesisers, and keytars in their music, Skies Turn Black are ambitious. Taking the stage at Bloodstock 2023, they showed why they had the right to be there, performing to a rammed Jager tent. A band suited for those larger rooms, this was a major step in the right direction, as the band’s momentum continues to build.
The Metronics – Pioneering glibcore and all things glib. Glib GLIB glib… Formed on a multiple mishearing of a word in the far reaches of England, The Metronics are an alt-rock, grunge, mathcore band. Pulling together dualing vocals, powerful riffs, and eerie soundscapes, The Metronics have formed their music into a narrative of loss, heartbreak and strength in the eyes of defeat. Championing their new singer to form a new sound that packs a punch, their new set will be unlike anything you’ve seen before. The Metronics have finished their first full length album which is set to debut in January 2026. Having successfully managed to perform in and around the North of England they are set to break through into larger venues and perform with greater strength, bolder statements and, deeper reflection. Even if you seen them before it’s still the first time, it’s the last time. glib…
Face The Silence – Born from the depths of personal struggle and forged in the fires of Scottish determination, Face The Silence is a hard rock band that transforms pain into power, silence into sound. The band’s origin story is as compelling as their music – formed during frontman and lead songwriter Doug’s father’s cancer battle, the name “Face The Silence” emerged from a pivotal hospital moment. When Doug told his mother he was going to “face the silence” with his unresponsive father, he unknowingly named both his band and his life philosophy. What began as a creative outlet during one of life’s darkest chapters has evolved into a musical mission that resonates with anyone who’s ever had to confront their deepest fears.
“Time doesn’t stop and neither can we.”
This central philosophy drives every song, every performance, every connection Face The Silence makes with their audience. Their music doesn’t just entertain – it empowers. Each track is built around the belief that facing what we fear most isn’t just important, it’s essential. Tracks like “Traitor” dive deep into psychological struggle and self-sabotage, while maintaining the band’s signature message of bravery in the face of adversity. Face The Silence creates music that encourages audiences to rock out to great songs while embracing the deeper message of courage and resilience. Face The Silence delivers hard rock with heart – music that hits as hard emotionally as it does sonically. For fans who’ve experienced their live shows, they know this isn’t just a band playing songs; it’s a shared experience of facing the silence together. From Scotland to wherever the music takes them, Face The Silence continues to build a community of fearless souls ready to turn their struggles into strength
Role up role up! Come and see @wokenonsenseband @humongousfungusnoise and @disinfect.band.
+ special guests:
The Vandagos
Jack Simo
Eagle & Salmon presents:
Box Wine 8:20 pm
Four mates bringing massive energy and even bigger riffs.
The Infinite Noise Machine 9:05 pm
Epic, heavy-as-hell, riff-based, blues-rock power-trio. Inspired by Hendrix, Audioslave, Black Sabbath, The Black Keys and more.
Earthworks 9:50 pm
Unashamadly steeped in 90s alt rock with a nod to psychedelica and the odd powerballad, Earthwork’s songs are at times intimate and melodic and then punchy and anthemic thanks to atmospheric guitars, powerful emotive vocals and formidable back line.