A new documentary film about cult busking band The Piccadilly Rats is to premiere in Manchester next month.
The Piccadilly Rats: Live in Moderation is directed by filmmaker Nathan Cunningham, and produced by Greg Bass, alongside band members Gaz Stanley and Tommy Piggott, and it follows the gaggle of old buskers as they take their band from the cold and rainy streets of Manchester, right to the big stage – with some “hilarious and heartbreaking consequences” along the way.
The beloved band, made up of homeless musician Buddy Awful, old Tommy ‘Trouble’ Piggot, drummer Martin Busterabcat, and “street dancer” the late Ray Boddington, were known for bringing joy to the people of our city with their unique and scratchy rock’n’roll street performances.
But they always dreamed of more than singing and dancing in the rain.
The new 87-minute documentary will take viewers along with the band on their ambitious journey to the top, which is admittedly met with “nothing but a procession of epic failures”, before they eventually get an offer to perform at a big festival on the same bill as one of their music idols, Noel Gallagher.
Read more: New book tells the life stories of beloved Manchester band The Piccadilly Rats
By proving that even a bunch of old-timers can have their moment in the limelight, The Piccadilly Rats: Live in Moderation has already been described as “hilarious and heartbreaking”.
It ultimately aims to tell the story of “the last of a dying breed of Mancunians”.
“I chose to make this film because I saw the importance of its social documentation,” explained director Nathan Cunningham ahead of next month’s premier.
He continued: “This documentary is a wonderful story of love, friendship, loyalty and of course, rock n roll. The film is beautifully shot but keeps its rawness throughout. It was very important for me to show beauty within the raw.
“The characters are at their best in these true and honest moments”.
The Piccadilly Rats: Live in Moderation is to premiere at HOME Manchester on Saturday 9 July at 6pm, before it’s taken out on the film festival circuit.
The premier will also be followed with a Q&A by Nathan Cunningham, Greg Bass, and band members Gaz and Tommy.
You can find out more and grab tickets to the screening here.
Featured Image – HOME MCR
