Yes, after finally releasing a first taste of new music this month, The Lathums have finally announced their next album and an accompanying 12-date UK tour to boot.
Gosh, it’s been a really great few weeks for music, hasn’t it?
The much-loved Wigan band dropped the likes of ‘No Direction’ back in July, as well as new single, ‘Stellar Cast’ – which they described rather fittingly as a “Jamaican Ale-fuelled fever dream” – earlier this week and have now confirmed the title and release date for their latest LP.
Set to debut on Friday, 7 March next year, their next project will be called Matter Does Not Define and the local lads won’t be wasting any time in touring it either, with the UK dates scheduled to kick off just a few days later.
Having watched them at Kendal Calling back in 2023 and enjoyed gigs multiple times here in Manchester, we can confirm we’ve got a very soft spot for seeing The Lathums live.
It was only this past summer that they headlined a sold-out hometown show at Wigan’s Robin Park Arena, playing to more than 11,500 fans on a weekend shared with Britpop legend Richard Ashcroft, who has just been confirmed as the support act for the Oasis reunion tour.
You don’t get to play stages that big without being a bloody gig at what you do.
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With that in mind (not to mention two number-one records in a row already, don’t forget), we’re very excited to hear what these guys have come up with for their third studio outing.
Speaking in an official statement on behalf of the band, frontman Alex Moore says there is a “raw, real and energetic” vibe to the album, adding that there were some nice nostalgic personal touches that made its production special.
“Recording Matter Does Not Define felt like coming full circle”, says Moore. “We worked on it with our good friend and old college tutor, John Kettle, which brought us back to our roots. The process felt organic, without the pressure to cater to industry demands, and it allowed us to really explore creatively.
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“It was like being back in college, free to make music without constraints. ‘Duz’ [drummer Ryan Durrans] even plays a frying pan in ‘Stellar Cast’, a random touch you might not expect.” He summed it up by labelling it “everything we hoped it would be”.
The Lathums will kick off a dozen domestic tour dates in Barrowland, Glasgow on Thursday, 13 March 2025 before arriving in Manchester for their O2 Apollo gig on Friday, 11 April.
General admission for all UK dates go on general sale to fans at 10am on Friday, 8 November 2024.
Elbow announce three very intimate shows in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Elbow have announced a three-night Manchester residency, and they’ll be playing a much more intimate venue than their usual.
The Bury-formed rock legends have announced a run of ‘very special’ intimate gigs to celebrate 25 years of their debut studio album, Asleep In The Back.
Elbow frontman Guy Garvey has said the band want it to be a ‘time machine night’ for both them and their fans.
Last time Elbow played a hometown gig, it was an enormous outdoor summer show at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester.
And the time before that, they were opening the UK’s largest indoor arena, the Co-op Live (admittedly, they weren’t supposed to open the venue, but its opening got delayed to land on the date of their gig).
So to see them play to a crowd of just 1,500 people is not an occurrence we’re likely to see again for a while.
Elbow have just announced three intimate Manchester gigs, performing at the O2 Ritz this November.
They’ll perform their debut, Asleep In The Back, in its entirety, along with selected B-sides and rarities.
Speaking of the announcement, Guy Garvey said: “It’s fascinating for us to revisit the atmosphere we created, and the Ritz feels like the perfect setting to capture that atmosphere.
“A time machine night for us and for the fans. See you there.”
Elbow will perform at O2 Ritz Manchester on Friday 20, Saturday 21, and Sunday 22 November.
Tickets will go on general sale from 10am on Friday 4 September HERE, with an artist presale from 10am on Wednesday 2 September.
Andy Burnham’s favourite Manchester pub, restaurant, neighbourhood and Sunday roast
Daisy Jackson
Andy Burnham’s favourite pub, restaurant, neighbourhood, and Sunday roast have been revealed – and the man’s got taste.
Old footage of now-PM Andy Burnham chatting to content creator Isaac Likes has been doing the rounds again, and while the interview dates back to before Andy left us and headed down to the big smoke, his Manchester recommendations still stand.
From his go-to neighbourhood and favourite pub to where he heads for a Sunday roast, and even the song he likes to play when he gets behind the decks, Burnham gave us a glimpse into his ideal Manchester day.
First up, there’s the Northern Quarter, which Burnham reckons has to be his favourite neighbourhood in the city.
He said: “Got to be the Northern Quarter. It’s the place where it’s all happening.”
When it comes to food, he singled out Firehouse, sitting on the edge of the Northern Quarter, as one of his favourite places to eat. He also gave a shoutout to its sister venue Ramona, where he’s been known to get behind the decks.
Andy said: “On the edge of the Northern Quarter, Firehouse is a place I love to go. Ramona Pizza, I’ve DJ’d there – if the mayor DJs there it’s gotta be alright.”
For a proper pint, Burnham’s choice is a little more traditional, saying his favourite pub is the ‘proper old school’ Peveril of the Peak.
The beautiful tiled pub was recently named the best in the UK, just days before its legendary landlady Nancy passed away.
When Sunday rolls around, Burnham said he has a couple of options up his sleeve. The Wharf in Castlefield gets a mention, as does Edinburgh Castle up in Ancoats.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterThe Edinburgh CastleFirehouseSome of Andy Burnham’s favourite places in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
He said: “We love our gravy, we drink it by the pint in Manchester.”
Of course, no conversation with Burnham about Manchester would be complete without talking music.
Asked to name the best Manchester band of all time, he offered a few contenders – The Smiths, New Order, and, ultimately, The Stone Roses.
“The band I think are quintessentially Manchester is The Stone Roses. That was peak Manchester,” he said.
Danny Jones -
30th October 2024 
