James Blond - Stockport Is too Much: James Blonds most dangerous mission yet!

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The five-piece knows their musical craft, has mastered the style and attitude and consistently delivers at a level that reaches far beyond the stage. A release that sees the Melbourne four-piece take their next great leap forwards. The band, consisting of members Toke Bo vocals , Klaus guitar , Mads keys , Stefan drums and Jackie bass uploaded a few self-produced tracks to SoundCloud last year and Danish radio immediately caught on.

Music label Crunch Frog The Raveonettes , PowerSolo loved the music and signed the band, knowing they'd be a great fit. The lads have performed at several festivals and appearances and are on everyone's radar in Scandinavia. Born in Brisbane in , but now balancing time between London and Brisbane, Starlight Theatre is a band bursting with ambition, amazing live, and is one of the most promising new globally impressive alternative bands to emerge from Australia since The Temper Trap.

Musicians, such as, The Lumineers , Of Monsters and Men and Vance Joy have created a residence at radio for some time now with their upbeat folk-sound. Both tracks can be found on the debut EP Dear Misfortune, Mother of Joy , which acts as an anthem for the 90s generation, where everything was recorded at a home studio. Just two years ago, the quintet played their first gig live and released a trio of singles; "Gabrielle" on their own label, "Siamese Lover" on the Fandango Label and "Kiss-Hug-Make-Up" on Fierce Panda.

Their debut album From Birthdays To Funerals and their current release Among Sirens , produced by Ronald Bood and Mando Diao , are worlds apart, not so much in terms of musicianship but rather in the rapid transformation of the band from newcomers to a self-confident band with a purpose. The latest album delivers a courageous, rough, no messing around rock sound. The songs reflect the determination of the band's five members to create their particular brand of rock music. They have over live appearances in their back pocket not only in Switzerland but abroad including performances at Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles and several European tours including one with The Blue Van in Denmark.

Authentic, punchy, uncompromising and determined, Death By Chocolate gives their all both on stage and on record. Evol Walks are performing their unique brand of hard-hitting rock to audiences around the globe. The first ever unsigned Australian band to play the , strong Woodstock Festival in Poland earlier this month, Evol Walks has shared the stage with some of the best acts in the world, including Red Hot Chili Peppers , Black Label Society and Flogging Molly to name a few.

Tara is currently filming the UK movie Moon Dogs , where she performs a leading role. This film being directed by Philip John Downton Abbey. Tara has also performed on a number of soundtracks and has a slew of forthcoming soundtrack work as well.

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Two childhood friends met on the midnight train home after a night out in downtown Gothenburg, Sweden. Victor Crusner and Fredrik Folkstad discussed old memories and had a great time connecting. They stayed in touch and began making music together. Ideas and visions turned into songs, which they then recorded piece by piece at different locations. The Wild Honey Pie music blog touts the debut as "one of those EPs that manages to never dull, only heighten as it progresses, ending with an inevitable repeat play - i.

The Swedish twosome has since returned with new music in the form of the single "Treetops. Last year, James recorded a rapturously received hometown show at legendary Dublin venue Whelan and the resulting album, Live at Whelans -released by Capitol Records in the U. He embarked on his first U. Judging by the debut single "Got It Bad," you may be able to include Leisure to that list soon. Managed by Saiko , Lorde's former management company, Leisure earned nearly k plays on their SoundCloud page in just one month after posting the song.

He's received an influx of praise following his debut live show on the esteemed BBC Introducing Stage at last month's Radio 1 Big Weekend and will be headlining London's sold out Electrowerkz next month. The new song is "a light dreamscape of bright melodies" according to All Things Go Music. Huntar has also received positive reviews from leading tastemaker blogs Hillydilly , Earmilk , Indie Shufle and The Great songs, an incredible voice and a strong work ethic, original and charismatic stage presence and a unique artistic vision that sets the creative bar very high: Huntar has also received positive reviews from leading tastemaker blogs Hillydilly , Earmilk and The and has been generating international support on tastemaker radio stations from Germany, U.

Huntar is signed to the U. Growing up on the Isle of Mull in the Hebrides Islands off the west coast of Scotland, Sorren Maclean began playing in bands at the tender age of Brighton, UK duo Miamigo offered their first musical experience with their single "Opinions" last year. Like other new-age pop acts that captured the 80s sound, Miamigo drew early comparisons to St. Lucia , M83 and Chvrches , with their addicting hooks, mesmerizing synths and intelligent songwriting, not to mention their drum tracks that are reminiscent of Phil Collins post- Genesis days.

After nearly a yearlong hiatus, Miamigo return with their second single, "Hard To Love," taken from their upcoming debut EP of the same name, due for release next month. The single has larger than life hooks and continues where "Opinions" left off. The twosome have their debut show at The Great Escape festival on Thursday and will no doubt have other performances on their schedule soon. Born in Brisbane in , but now balancing time between London and Brisbane, Starlight Theatre is a band bursting with ambition.

Their aim is to write songs that stand the test of time; that they could play aged 50 and still have an arena howling along to their tunes. In twelve months, they have played almost shows, supported Evermore in capacity venues up the Australian east coast and released an EP made with ARIA Award-winning producer Magoo that rewarded them with radio play. No small feat for a completely independent ensemble. His passion as a youth was mainly for his professional football career, but he soon found a true connection to his own music and creativity.

Mathias graduated from the Royal College of Music in Stockholm in where he also collaborated with other professional artists and musicians.

He is currently signed with X-Level Studio in Stockholm and is generating an early buzz in Scandinavia. Joni Mitchell , John Martyn and Willie Nelson informed her inquisitive young ears, while the likes of Regina Spektor and Nina Simone helped to inspire the music you can hear today. A well-traveled artist, Siobhan studied music and composition in Edinburgh and then Paris, where she relinquished the classical world for a burgeoning interest in jazz and immersed herself in the music of Ella Fitzgerald and Jacques Brel. A six-month sojourn to the U. As a youngster, all he wanted to do was create and perform his own music.

Drawing inspiration from the singing styles of Michael Jackson , Prince and Otis Redding , Sean came up with his own unique style of music that incorporates the California surf and beach sound. Since then a lot has happened. He has been involved in various musical adventures, fronting bands in different genres, but now he is focusing all his energy on his own project. For Matt, music is a way to access the divinity that lies beyond our daily routines, a way of meditation and something that truly connects people that is, if it comes from the heart.

When singing, he tries to connect to that divinity so that others can take part in it, if only for a song. This melting pot of great sounds has made his music what it is today: Their repertoire grew quickly as Ruh started gigging at the local bars and clubs in the Stockholm area. After being discovered by Kattis Blom , a booking agent at Live Nation , Ruh started performing at bigger venues all over the country. During a nationwide tour, the band played together with successful Swedish and Scandinavian acts such as Bo Kaspers Orkester and The Ark.

Ruh went back to the studio to record their sophomore effort, Find the Essence and Multiply , which was very well-received. The album was launched in a rather unique way with 11 exclusive gigs featuring one song each, performed live face-to-face at the homes of 11 fans.

Ruh continues to write and record for their third album Meanwhile which presents a massive sound that combines the two earlier albums in style, but also takes a leap forward with sonic expressions. Named after her passionate and exuberant personality, Scarlette is the pseudonym for the UK singer-songwriter, Karen Barrow. She is currently on a West Coast U. Despite her young age, Lydmor has experienced more than most musicians ever will.

She collaborated with renowned European artists such as Arsenal from Belgium and Alle Farben from Germany and has established herself as one of the most promising underground artists in her native Denmark. Exposing herself in the quest of achieving true artistic integrity, she is about to take her career to an entirely new level with the release of her new self-titled album. Monks Of Mellonwah is a quartet from Sydney, Australia who are quickly establishing themselves on the indie music scene. Since its release, the album has received critical acclaim as well as significant radio airplay in the U.

Monks of Mellonwah have also built their fan base from the ground up in the states through live shows by supporting the likes of Scott Stapp the voice of Creed , Sevendust and Saving Abel. They are currently touring in Australia and are in the studio recording the follow-up to Turn The People , due out this year.

Blakk's new sound was discovered just before his pseudonym was inspired by the Black Forest in Germany, the birthplace of his favorite author and Nobel Prize winner, Hermann Hesse. Forest Blakk's past has seen him living on the streets of Jamaica and rising above a difficult childhood to find his path in life, centered around the powerful and emotional music he creates. Inspired by roots, rock, reggae and soul, Forest Blakk blends a multitude of styles into a very organic, yet inspiring contemporary musical fusion.

His recently released lyric video for his first single, "Love Me," has captured the attention of fans and industry alike. Impressive shimmering synth-like guitars, pumping beats of claustrophobia and bass full of hypnotic grit, drive their sound. They've already gained airplay support on multiple Alternative tastemaker stations both in the U. Their breakthrough release Build Anyway took them from regional indie heroes to a wildly popular national act.

With music placements on hit shows such as Glee , Elementary and Private Practice as well as a strong live show; The Rocketboys are poised for a big year. The quintet is currently on the road with upcoming stops in Philadelphia, Charlotte, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and more. Without any experience, they spent their savings on guitars, a microphone and a sound card. Six months later, their first song was completed under the moniker Alfred Hall and after the second gig ever, the rave reviews started coming in and the band quickly became the band to watch out for in When Daniel met Michael, they both shared the same vision; music was their passion and their future.

The result is a debut album that musically jumps between the past and the present, taking its roots from Motown and The Beatles , but also from contemporary artists. The duo just finished a sold-out tour in Germany and executed very successful showcases at the Reeperbahn Festival , Hamburg and Sonic Visions in Luxembourg last year. They are scheduled to perform at Eurosonic this week as one of the buzz acts at the event followed by their next tour. His sonic journey started behind the piano, which then inspired him to pick up the guitar under the tutelage of guitarist Rudy Stevenson George Benson , Nina Simone with whom he also began to write songs.

The tracks entered the musical landscape under the moniker of Gemini and led to regional success. From there, FANCI continued to evolve as an artist and musician and also began producing for a number of other German artists. In the midst of his production work, FANCI began to write songs for his first album, with an international appeal in mind. There is a long list of goals that this young artist and pro surfer wants to accomplish, with standards set as high as the Cali sun, the sky is truly the limit for Sean Kelly. At the age of four, Laurel knew she wanted to become a singer.

Born and raised in a small UK town between Southampton and Portsmouth, at the age of seven, she wanted to be Britney Spears. A few years later she discovered the music of Laura Marling , picked up a Spanish guitar and started to figure out how to play folk music. Since then, the now 19 year-old has discovered her own style of music which can be heard in her self-penned and self-produced, cinematic songs that hinge on seductive, sultry vocals and have a haunting blend of piano, beats and strings.

Following on from there Laurel released her debut EP in April, from which she unveiled two additional singles: In October of the same year, they released their album Under Streetlights exclusively in Scandinavia. After being influenced by the likes of Supertramp and Neil Young , he wrote his first song at 13 years old.

He was featured in this newsletter early last year and has since gone on to European success. Talisco is currently on the road through the end of the year with stops in Switzerland, France, Germany and more. Their self-titled debut album peaked at No. Kaleo have performed at a number of festivals, signed with the Sena record label and have received airplay support on multiple radio stations and are currently being courted by numerous labels and publishers. Sydney, Australia's Little Bastard is a mighty seven-piece punk-string band that incorporates guitars, bass, fiddle, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, beats and a load of voices and memorable tunes that will undoubtedly draw you into their sound.

The Bastards, as they are also known as in Sydney, smashed out their debut album in just eight days with producer Lachlan Mitchell The Jezebels. Using the guitar as an outlet, he managed to tame his inner beast and his sense for songs and melodies that burst like rockets. The uncontrollable urge for writing music and the constant flow of ideas kept him tossing and turning every night and day, forever and a day. The sound he has created is a rich and afflicted take on freaky folk-pop with a familiar and soulful feel.

Unnar is currently in the studio working on his debut album through Record Records who originally signed Of Monsters And Men , which should see release next Spring. Their debut EP was recorded and produced in just five days in a living room, hit No. Together, they have created the spacious stadium sound that Racing Glaciers has always strived for.

The quartet started at the young age of 12 when the members were inspired after hearing Jimi Hendrix for the first time in a TV commercial. The trio have now firmly established themselves on the musical landscape as a formidable and impressive live band with strong songwriting skills. The track, which has been compared to the likes of Phoenix , is a lively indie track complete with a chipper hook. Utilizing everything from traditional hymns and vintage records, to playful harmonies and made-up material, making music quickly became a passion for Jodee.

Jodee has been hard at work putting together her latest EP, After The Hurricane , which showcases her smoky tones and impassioned vocal abilities. The title track is an up-tempo number with lyrical references to one of the greatest films of all time, The Wizard of Oz. When he was a young child, he would always be singing and constantly serenading his family with his early vocal skills. After teaching himself to play the guitar when he was 16, he began to cover popular songs and uploaded them to YouTube. Michael has returned with his sophomore album, The Arising , which turned the small stories of his everyday life into brilliant songs.

Musically, they describe their sound as a melting pot of reggae, psych, pop and bourbon, with comparisons to The Clash , Pink Floyd and Arctic Monkeys. The Sydney quintet released their debut album, Caress Your Soul , in March of that resulted in multiple charting singles and a spot on the Triple J Hottest Tickets to see Sticky Fingers sold just as fast as the album did, nearly selling-out every venue that they performed at; playing 32 dates in 40 days in Holland, UK and France on their European tour.

Sticky Fingers is promoting the album by touring Australia throughout September and October. Recorded partly in a 19th century inn as well as in a cabin in the Swedish west coast archipelago, the two created a full-length album under the moniker Manfred Kidd. With an amazing and unique sound, this is a band to be reckoned with. Twenty two year old Dubliner singer songwriter, Gavin James kicked off with two No.

Gavin began to play guitar at age eight. After leaving school, James gigged around Dublin's Temple Bar and quickly began getting himself heard. Brighton, the city best known for giving the world Fatboy Slim and more recently the buzz rock act Royal Blood is now sharing their latest musical gem, Miamigo. Lucia and Panama while possessing the same commercial potential of Bastille and The Monks Of Mellonwah is a four-piece outfit based in Sydney. A seasoned touring artist, Travis has performed over tour dates in the past five years, supporting a variety of diverse artists including Kasey Chambers , Sia , The Black Crowes , Marty Willson-Piper of The Church , Hinder and many more.

Some of the most successful bands in Australia hail from Sydney: Formed in a garage, ironically, the duo released their five-track Patients EP in which was produced be The E.

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The song is an absolute smash and surprisingly has yet to be discovered by Australian radio; The Faults have the ability to export globally like artists such as The Temper Trap , Gotye and Birds of Tokyo and are on the cusp of great global success. Dustin Tebbutt relocated from Sydney, Australia to Sweden for two years where he wrote and recorded his music.

Crew Mastercard Masterpass commercial during the Christmas holiday. The song, which has a Passion Pit vibe to it, was available as a free download on their website and many fans took advantage. Powers is a head above the competition and should stay on your radar. Back in the summer of vocalist Fredrik Sundberg and guitarist Jens Handel traveled to Cairo, Egypt, seeking musical inspiration.

They took what they had - a half-finished song - and played. The audience was very touched and kept using the same word to describe the music: The group was completed with bassist Daniel Sellberg , keyboard player Axel Belinder and drummer Magnus Frid , who each added their own personal touch to the band.

The repertoire quickly grew and the quintet began playing live in Stockholm, building a fan base and attracting the attention of Kattis Blom , a booking agent at Live Nation , who set them up in larger venues. After a few years of writing, recording and touring, Ruh was ready to create their third album, Meanwhile , a reflection of a stormy period in the bands life.

It was a period of personal tragedies intertwined with great triumphs. The sound of the album combines the overall aesthetics of their first two albums in style, but also took a leap forward with sonic expressions inspired by the 80s. He is recognized for an impressive live show that encompasses a mix of blues, rock and folk with moments of loud, electric blues-soaked songs as well as delicate acoustic balladry.

They incorporate sounds from the '60s up to the present day, mixing big, reverb-laden vocals with tasty guitar work. The group was born in October , emerging from the ashes of previous moniker Sweet Jane under which name they'd performed with such luminaries as Suede, A Place to Bury Strangers and Glasvegas with a change in musical direction, style and lineup. In a world where nearly every musician is put into a genre-specific box, we have been graced with a handful of artists as of late that defy that game.

Someone that refuses to be put into a box is producer and songwriter Max Frost. Hailing from Austin, TX, Frost developed his eclectic style of music playing in various projects while in his teens. The song is taken from his five-song debut EP Low High Low which was released last year and has been building a foundation in the U. Then her perfectly sane family ventured across the world and uprooted Kaitlin to Auckland, New Zealand. Learning to play piano and sing throughout her childhood became much more than a hobby. Kaitlin launched into songwriting when she performed at a local Arts Centre Coffee House open mic night, amongst the folk and country singers at a ripe young age.

Now, her passion for music has never been stronger. Most of the music she creates revolves around intricate vocal parts but almost everything she writes is composed on her beloved Roland keyboard. Her goal, as for many musicians, is to get the music to reflect the lyric, which then bonds together to create an image in the listeners mind. She loves to experiment with sound to create an atmosphere and tell a story. The year-old guitarist, singer and songwriter connects dirty Jimi Hendrix -style riffs with dialect lyrics and is about to wake the Swiss dialect lyrics scene from its hibernation.

In February she followed up that success with her sophomore effort, The Guest , released on her own Daring Viola label through Universal. Gavin James began to play guitar at the age of eight. The year-old singer songwriter's career continues to shine as this red headed Dubliner, armed with an incredible voice and songs, had two No. He built a lot of industry attention and interest in Los Angeles in when he performed his first ever N.

The Cornelius are a Spanish, rock-spirited band influenced by old records and contemporary pop sounds, composed of Andoni Arcos bass , Toni B. Formed seven years ago, they've managed to release three studio albums: At the young age of 11, she began singing in an opera chorus while playing the violin and the piano.

Her passion and love for Motown Soul and classical songwriters soon made it clear to her that she wanted to be a professional musician. Over the years, she continued her musical education and began to write her own songs and play in bands. Her unique voice and rare sense for melodies and lyrics became an important expression of herself. Her five song debut EP, Elle , was released on Modernsoul in June and has earned global blog and radio support. Every so often a musical chemistry is made by the merging of two great talents who meet each other on the journey of life.

Their life story involves journeys in Africa, Europe and the U. After a few months of writing and producing their forthcoming album in London, the duo have returned to Los Angeles to put the finishing touches on a debut album and also garnered strong brands and synch interest. Hailing from Hamburg, Germany is the duo Hundreds. Formed just four short years ago and comprised of siblings Eva and Phillip Milner , their music has a minimalist electronic approach that includes extensive melodies and pop greatness.

Their live show is purely epic and will appeal to fans of Imogen Heap , Frou Frou , Faithless and other intelligent electronic-based alternative music. Hundreds has been playing festivals all over Europe - Paris, London, Milan and Brussels among others. Hundreds spent 18 months working on their sophomore album, Aftermath , which reflected on their experiences of the last four years and have been in the studio writing and recording new material, which will be debuted in Los Angeles this spring.

Hundreds creates music that thrives on tension, dynamics and hypnotic arcs of suspense. To their peers they are a threat; to the general public they are their new favorite band. At age 18, she moved to Perth to attend school and now at 22, she resides in Melbourne. Meg is currently available for signing, licensing, booking, publishing and synch licensing in various markets worldwide.

Eric Zayne is a soul infused pop-rock musician and record producer who blends electronics to create a sound that is edgy, yet unique. His first major gig was a five-year tour across Asia where he played keyboards, guitar and sang in a funk band; these formative years taught Zayne about songwriting, performing and how to connect with an audience.

Less than a year ago, Zayne arrived in Los Angeles and opted to focus his music on pop alternative, through his influences, which range from Prince to The Beatles , Lenny Kravitz to James Brown. He spent the summer in the golden state touring and promoting his music, while recording and producing his first EP, Between Us What If Records. When Talisco was a teenager, he discovered music and the guitar. Soon his bedroom was transformed into a home studio with machines weaving hypnotic canvases for the guitar riffs along with his vocals, somewhere between the fragile soul of Nick Drake and the lyrical genius of Jeff Buckley.

Walking the fine lines of trip hop and pop folk songs, in between is where you'll find the Talisco sound. Her sweet voice together with the electro influence brings a world of sounds and images to an intimate and secret place. In a crowded world of female electro-pop artists, Suvi stands out with her soaring melodies and brilliant, yet not overdone production. Coming from widely scattered musical backgrounds, Carl-Johan grew up listening to and producing hip-hop while Martin had an indie pop background.

Together, the electro pop duo delivers music with timeless hooks and melodies that stick right from the start. Cape Lion has also been gaining the attention of several major labels and publishers. The New York City-based artist is preparing to release his full-length debut soon and will finish up the year on the road stateside and in the UK. Before he could walk on his own two feet, Jett was picking up instruments, which sparked his early curiosity.

At a very young age, he started using a tape recorder and a toy recorder to make music, while writing songs and performing them in front of anyone that would pay him attention, all by the age of Exploring musical boundaries while playing a variety of genres, from Funk to Rock, Jazz to Medieval choir music, Jett would sing them all. Now the Amsterdam-based artist creates his own style of music that is best described as Indie Soul as musical influences can be heard from Sly Stone to David Bowie and Prince to Paul Simon.

Matthew has been featured as the Record Of The Day in the UK three times this year, performed in front of 28, screaming fans at There is strong label and booking agent interest from both sides of the Atlantic. In the infant stage of the band, Correia, Dunham and Siadatian were also co-workers at Amoeba Music on Sunset Boulevard, one of the largest independent music stores in the world.

In September of last year, Allah-Las released their self-titled debut as they toured effortlessly throughout Europe and along the California coast; where they built a reputation as a laid-back, grooving band with an incredible live show and have received positive feedback from bloggers and music sites globally, including ink from Brooklyn Vegan, Aquarium Drunkard and NRGM. Look for them to be signing to a major shortly. At the impressionable age of 13, when most kids are only interested in video games and spending time with friends, B Robin began playing the guitar after spending several years playing the trumpet.

In no time at all, he knew that this was the path that was paved for him and a career in music was not only his passion but in his soul. Impressing fans and industry alike with his talent, B Robin recently signed a worldwide publishing deal with BMG Chrysalis leading to future collaborations on upcoming songs by multi-Platinum global recording artists. His soulful voice will fit comfortably on the radio between the Justin Timberlake s and Robin Thicke s of the world, but also shines through with his originality and writing. B Robin is currently unsigned for the world.

The duo met while Katie was making coffees at a recording studio where Mahuia came to compose jingles. The two bonded immediately over their love and inspiration of music, films, theatre and life experiences. The two have known each other as long as they can remember. A member of The Silencers , contemporaries of celebrated s Scottish acts like Simple Minds , Del Amitri and Big Country , he ensured that the dream of becoming a musician was less far-fetched than it might have seemed. After years of working on their music, in the late s they received an unexpected call from a German management company which discovered their songs online and wanted to set them up in the German capital for the summer.

Universal Records Germany offered a deal. Relocated to Berlin, their reputation spread fast, fueled by social networking sites and the buzz of the internet. Last month Matt Bigland , Mike Sheils and James Sacha released their sophomore effort Nature Nurture , an album that builds on the crisp, euphoric power-pop of their debut, but paints it in broader colors and a wider emotional range. While retaining what made the rock world fall for them in the first place, it revels in the rich history of British pop from the 60s and 70s with a distinct element of the 90s.

Vance Joy has an original voice which at first he kept to himself. Feeding on a diet of The Pogues , Paul Kelly , and whatever else was playing, he cut his teeth performing at open mic nights in Melbourne. It is folk music with pop influences. His songs capture the familiar pulse of everyday experiences in a unique and celebratory manner, while his lyrics will reach out to you and hold on for a moment.

The latest single is taken from their Change Of Heart EP Deluxe version that is currently available on iTunes Australia and from the band's website www. The eight-song limited edition release has hints of Led Zeppelin and Queens of the Stone Age, which draws from their blues and rock influences.

The unsigned rockers are getting ready to travel to Nashville to record their debut album next month.

Robyn , Tove Styrke and Veronica Maggio are successful singers from Sweden - and behind their voices are the musicians and band members who have stepped out on their own to form The Royal Concept. The infectious tune is already the No. Twenty-one-year-old Scottish singer-songwriter Rachel Sermanni is a storyteller who packs an almighty punch with her earthy folk melodies, dexterous fingerpicking and a voice to blow all others out of the water.

Listen to her voice. Produced by marvel Ian Grimble Manic Street Preachers , it showcases her unique talent through four beautiful tracks, which conjure a kaleidoscopic reverie of sights and sounds. Her first Canadian tour is already confirmed for September and her first Australian dates are secured for December. Rachel just had an amazing performance at the Go North Festival in Scotland, which resulted in immediate U. Their album title and band moniker were in place before a single note had been written or recorded. Falling Off Maps were a thematic concept in mind first--then came the music.

A widescreen, cinematic work. A thing of beauty. The guys have known each other since their schooldays and have been performing together from an early age. Spending her early childhood traveling around with her parents who were in the film industry, Kita Klane needed some company as she traveled in a different city every few months. After five years in Los Angeles, Kita returned to her traveling roots and spent time soaking up the culture and energy of cities such as New York and Paris.

Realizing it was time to take the life experiences and put them into songs, Kita returned home to LA where she rekindled a friendship with childhood friend, Frankie IV , who became her writing partner.

SEAN AND THE SINNERS

One night after performing a packed house at The Roxy, the two met Jeff Greenberg , long-time LA promoter, manager and owner of the world famous Village Studios. He invited them to the studio and offered to help them record their music. Impressed with their talent, Harcourt decided to head into the studio as a first time producer.

Kita is currently available for worldwide signing, booking, publishing, and licensing. Their melodies are addictive and simply brilliant. His performances center around crowd participation and collaborations with other skilled musicians, most frequently the lyricist Motheo Moleko , as well as Jamie Faull on the sax, which brings a completely unique and positive sound to new school world folk music.

Jeremy has been hugely successful of late, playing on the main stage at Oppikoppi, one of the biggest festivals south of the equator, to a crowd of 22, people. The critics have been quick to take notice too: By far the standout act of the festival, Jeremy Loops brought something fresh to the table. Very cool loops layered over each other, a good grasp of a range of instruments, loads of energy, loads of funk.

The crowd went completely nuts. The single has been certified Platinum in Germany, Sweden and Switzerland as well as being certified gold in Finland and Austria. Their amazing live show was shown in 14 movie theaters in Germany and Austria last year and they've performed more than a thousand shows in 20 European countries and Japan. The band are scheduled to make a special appearance in Los Angeles early May and have also been selected to perform at seminal UK festival The Great Escape in May, with their new UK team already working the band and adding more European dates daily and global interest spiraling at a rate of knots as a result.

Lots of touring around Australia gradually turned them into Triple J favorites and indie chart toppers. With their eponymous third release in , things shifted up another gear. With the addition of two new members, Glenn Sarangapany on keys and Ian Berney on bass, they consciously reinvented their approach to songwriting with a new Sydney studio space, plus time spent together in a remote French farmhouse helping to blaze new trails for the group. The band is currently available for signing, licensing and booking in various markets worldwide.

A true family affair, siblings and band members George , Amy and Emma Sheppard started performing together at a young age. The melodic tune may have been born in Australia but contains cool alternative pop music with the potential to cross over to a variety of formats. The single has also been successful with college radio, even charting on the CMJ Top Dido is no stranger to the music scene.

She has been featured on songs with Santana , Annie Lennox and was a part of the Band Aid 20 ensemble in Dido has sold over 38 million albums worldwide and is ready to return with a new album, Girl Who Got Away , next month. Rhaman , Jon Brion and Brian Eno. Moto Boy aka Oskar Humlebo is a Swedish musician who creates lush, romantic pop songs. With emotive pop and impressive operatic vocals, the result is hair-raising music that evokes feelings parallel to that of a Jeff Buckley song or a David Lynch movie.

Not only did Moto Boy create the soundtrack but he also acted in the play. Moto Boy is currently working on his third studio album. Listen to other tracks and find out more information, tour dates and more on Moto Boy at http: Available for signing, licensing, synch and booking opportunities, contact Gisela Sotomayor at ninteeen95 artist management gigi nineteen The Maneken is an electronic rock artist from the Ukraine. In his debut album, First Look , was released by the French label Somekind Records and was distributed throughout the Virgin Megastores, available in European countries and Japan.

After some of the tragic events that have happened in the world as of late, this song is a breath of fresh air and really makes the listener think. The Maneken is available for booking and licensing outside of the Ukraine and is currently in negotiations with companies from Germany and the U.

Contact Igor Tarnapolsky for more details at igor rfs. Formed by frontman Liam O'Donnell in London just two short years ago, Various Cruelties is an alternative indie soul incarnation. The four-piece outfit fuses classic British guitar pop with Stax grooves to create a form of shabby Motown pop. Their self-titled debut album has been made available through their own label, Almanac Recordings, which is climbing the iTunes Alternative charts and currently in the top 50 whilst climbing to No.

They are available for worldwide licensing, publishing futures and U. The band is managed by Jon Chapman jon radiatemanagement. Reach out to Jon for more information. Echotape was formed in mid by a quintet of like-minded individuals from the music scene in a small, off-the-map town in the South of England. Echotape just wrapped up UK support tour dates with one of Russia's most successful bands, Mumiy Troll and will continue to gig throughout the rest of this year. For available signing, licensing, publishing and booking opportunities, contact Andrew Sharland ASharland clintons. At the age of 19, he picked up the piano as his principal instrument and began crafting his own songs.

That journey took him on the best ride of his life by discovering new colors and sounds with his instrument of choice. Having done a variety of tours and support shows throughout the world, Valerius entered their studio last year to write their next album. Adding a keyboard player turned out to be the key to their new sound, with electronic synths and beats throughout the album, without leaving their signature funky guitar sound.

Their new album, Marilyn White , is due for release in early Although Makeshift Innocence was built around a live show , they remain one of the few Alberta-based acts that can expect to receive major commercial radio airplay. Growing up in a small town in the Netherlands, Thomas Azier focused most of his free time on making music because, frankly, there wasn't too much else to do. What started out as a childhood hobby, translated into a full-time career for Azier. Like many young musicians today, he began producing songs on his computer.

At the age of 19, he left the Netherlands and moved to Berlin on an ambitious whim. He is set to release the Hylas EP on October 22nd. Queensland is a state of Australia that is known for their outdoor lifestyle with world-class beaches, rain forests, national parks and waterways. Hoping to join that list is four-piece Brit pop outfit, Oceanics. Their love for similar music brought them together in and they've been able to turn many into bonafide fans. With Elliot guitar, vocals , Jackson guitar, vocals , Andy drums and Matt bass, vocals , the Oceanics have been gigging relentlessly in Australia, increasing their fan base one show at a time.

Leading that movement is The Kicks , a four-piece eclectic, indie rock outfit that bring massive melodies, epic guitar riffs, irresistible rhythms and lyrics that do it all without the hipster tag. Formed after meeting in college four years ago, The Kicks ended up being one of the most talked about non-Country bands in Nashville. French DJ, songwriter and producer Simon Delacroix has been creating music for the last five years under the stage name, The Toxic Avenger , as an ode to the cult horror film of the same name.

The Kumpnee is a five-piece hip hop, soul and funk band that originated in New Zealand but now calls Sydney, Australia home. Their sound has been described as an unpredictable blend of urban funk, soulful harmony and hip hop, combining electronic synth, live instruments and a raw feel to split genres and form a new sound.

Versives is Alan Matthews and Kevin J. So, one quickly tends to entertain themselves. That was the rationale of the four members of The Blue Van , who in sixth grade began jamming in the basement of a fortunately hard—of—hearing grandmother. After adopting the name The Blue Van Danish slang for the ambulance that transports patients to mental institutions , they relocated to Copenhagen and self—financed their first EP, A Session with The Blue Van , and backed it up with an acclaimed performance at the Roskilde Festival.

Their fourth album, Love Shot , was released two years ago, where Allmusic. Nova Delai real name Michelle Zarati is a Swedish recording artist, musician and writer. At age six, Nova Delai began to play classical music on the piano and started getting interested in playing guitar at the same age. She later attended Rytmus Music School in Sweden and is currently working on recording her debut album. The single will be available on Spotify and iTunes July 30th in Sweden. This eclectic, urban mix of music started in when the band originally formed. Produced by the legendary Neal Snyman David Bowie , Crowded House , Rollo , the five song EP is the perfect summer soundtrack and goes for an excellent price--absolutely free and available to fans on their website.

Formed only recently after they recruited the hottest rhythm section they could find in BBC Philharmonic bassist, Christ Curtis and young virtuoso drummer Shaun Lee. Since that appearance at Hackney Weekend two weeks ago, the band have since won prime slots at a string of prestigious festivals across the country and the buzz on this band is fast turning from a ripple to a wave.

They are downright lovable even to the skeptics as singer Lola raps and sings her way through three energetic, foot tapping, get up-and-dance tunes. The South London based quartet, Fractures , offer soaring and mighty rock that will immediately grab the attention of any die-hard Weezer fan. The kind of indie band that has become all but extinct in recent years. Imagine Kasabian but without the massive egos.

Kids On Bridges K. Fans will be very happy with both the original remix and the Dance Radio Edit remix. At age 23, he began studying dentistry. In order to be able to finance his college studies, Nwapa started making his own music. He began to build a name for himself while he would sing over the records he was playing.

Alban finished his schooling and even opened up his own dentistry practice, but kept the DJ gig as a lucrative sideline. Alban has made a return to music in with the single, " Freedom. Now they are called The Chevin--and they are about to shake the alt-rock world to its floundering foundations. Their upcoming diary is filled with a support slot with Franz Ferdinand and later this year, they'll be touring with MUSE. This is a band that you'll be hearing a lot from in the near future. When he was 19 years-old he dropped out of school to pursue music as a career with his band Kid Force ; they were offered recording deals but declined them.

He recently signed a label deal with the newly launched Slice Me Nice label and will be doing a number of upcoming shows in LA. Australian quintet Alibrandi mixes infectious melodies with hard-hitting riffs to create their own brand of alternative indie-rock. This debut is chock full of tight rock anthems reminiscent of Manchester Orchestra and Bloc Party with hints of Sparta. Additional information, tour dates and music can be found at http: Alibrandi will perform their first N.

Studios Hollywood for guest list information, E-mail info anrworldwide. Formed a little over two years ago in Dublin is five-piece pop-rock outfit, Keywest. The brainchild of childhood friends Andrew Kavanagh and Andrew Glover joined another duo consisting of Sam Marder and James Lock to form the band, making it complete with drummer Harry Sullivan. With a diverse selection of influences ranging from legends Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson , to more contemporary bands like, U2 , Snow Patrol and The Killers, Keywest have been building up a dedicated and committed fan base from all over the world.

Keywest have recently signed a global publishing deal with peermusic in the U. The brains behind U. The song is slowly finding its way onto specialty radio in the U. If this song is any indication of what U. The release is currently a free download at http: The singles and forthcoming album will feature production by Chemical Brothers collaborator Steve Dub , and K. Kid On Bridges recently supported electronic legends O.

Their music is an experiment of hip—hop, big beat, break—beat and down—tempo. Five years after the trio was formed, DJ Slow departed to pursue a solo career. JA—Jazz also left in , when Paul Malmstrom became an official member leaving the band performing as a duo. Sweden has consistently given the world some of the biggest names in the music business to date. Their influences range from The Black Keys to Kings of Leon and can be heard throughout their new album, Stress Me , but they shine with their own mode of expression and infuse an energy that the Swedes are known for.

Midnight Youth , a quintet formed in , had their first two singles achieve Top 40 airplay on New Zealand radio and TV and the group was deemed one of the top unsigned bands on MySpace in Alfred Hall is the band that has managed to find the perfect pop formula on their first attempt; something other bands spend years trying to figure out. The band has been working with the production company that originally developed pre-signing Ting Tings and Ida Maria. The most refreshing performance I have seen and heard from a Norwegian band in ages Such beautiful pop music is hard to come by.

Formed in mid in a small town south of England, five men in their early twenty's came together with a passion for creating music. As they began writing together about their life experiences and convictions, they teamed up with a series of left-field producers to record their first demos.

Youth was impressed with what he heard in the demos and could see the potential in Echotape. He called them in for a writing session and after just a few short meetings, decided he wanted to record the band's debut album based on his believe in the band the creativity that they had formed. The result will be heard in March next year with the release of Sky Above Quarley Hill , along with an extensive tour across the UK and dates in the U.

Within a month, her music was at No. Originally born in New York City but raised in the rocky Danish island of Bornholm, trapped in the waters between southern Sweden, Germany and the Baltic countries. The song reached No. Their live show is a ferocious, untainted and uninhibited rock and roll experience. Wolfmother had just come out and we adored The Black Keys. They are currently available for signing, licensing, publishing and booking ex-South Africa. Blonde On Blonde are an established Australian five-piece consisting of friends drawn together by a love of music, Jack Daniels and the burning desire to quit their day jobs.

Many months of mixing and mastering later, Blonde on Blonde unleashed the eagerly anticipated EP, Tease , upon the world. The Tease EP received rave reviews from street press and online blogs including whothehell. The EP was added to high rotation on local Brisbane radio station 4ZZZ , and reached the number one spot in the Top 20 charts, two weeks in a row. The Domino State is a five-member ensemble from London, which developed from the romantic indie-wave Band At the Lake.

Lead singer Matt Forder and the two guitarists Jim Machin and Tim Buckland formed the band, and added a new rhythm section by integrating the bass player Will Padley as well as drummer Richard Simic in their music project. The Domino State has created an epic and effect loaded sound that has a lot in common with the energy of the post-punk of the British Shoegaze scene but also a whole lot of pop potential. Additionally, the dynamic intensity of their live shows brought them a support slot for Coldplay in the O2 arena London before an audience of 20, in addition to gigs with M83 , Longview and The Boxer Rebellion.

The Domino State has also extended its reach to Germany, where they won over audiences in Berlin and Hamburg. The band is currently available for licensing, publishing, signing and booking in various markets. As with most musical undertakings, Redcoats started in a suburban living room four years ago. These are complemented by straightforward but handsomely portioned, keenly priced and beautifully presented home-made food. Such is the demand, the kitchen is currently being extended.

Amiable chat and gossip rule most of the time, with staff knowing many customers by name. Several groups meet there and the pub has its own darts team, but beware, they certainly have home advantage. The Champions Choice board is standard size and number layout, but has very thin double and trebles rings akin to a Manchester log end.

If you come from God's Own Country Yorkshire it will be easy as their board is similar, except without the trebles! If you really must watch football on the telly, a screen is available, tucked away in the back room. Finding this hidden gem can be tricky as it only really reveals itself over winter when the leaves fall off the trees. There is a useful pedestrian cutthrough not shown on Google running over Gore Brook straight to the front door. A number of buses can get you there, from some surprising areas, and 7 from Stockport; , , and from Manchester; from West Didsbury and 53 from Salford or Cheetham Hill.

Ryder Brow station is not far away either. The Ladybrook is a traditional pub built to meet demand from a growing suburbia in the s. Since current landlady Tracy Robinson took it over in November , she has transformed the beer selection and connected with her customers on several levels, delivering the concept of a community pub.

Both Tracy and owners Greene King should be applauded for the 11 cask beer options available at this Cask Marque Pub of which three are usually from Greene King's own stable. Tracy looks for guidance from SIBA to inform her choice of cask ales, and, if not unique, the Ladybrook is special in frequently having two dark beers available even in the summer.

The choice of beers is attracting a growing number of regulars whose own preferences Tracy is happy to reflect in the beers on offer.

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Expect to see Titanic, Rudgate and several more micro — breweries represented. There is a selection of good keg beers and lagers available, as are speciality gins and rums. There's a well laid out open bar area with a central space and two side wings. Mixed table and seating options in the three loosely distinct sections provide comfort for drinkers and diners. The menu offers a good selection of quality meals with special deal options available.

The Ladybrook is a popular football pub not to everyone's delight but one of the wings provides for a quieter area on match days. A completely separate 'vault' at the back has a pool table and its own bar. Very importantly, the pub has welcomed various social gatherings and interest groups including an orchestra and a chess club, and is currently leading a campaign raising funds for a local street-based defibrillator. The pub is on the bus route and is a three-minute walk from the Bramhall Green roundabout stop.

We hope that winning those awards reflects how hard we've been working to make Reasons To Be Cheerful a great place to drink really great quality beer! We're family owned and run, now with one other member of staff. Also, importantly, our lines are not tied to any suppliers or breweries so our selection is constantly changing and we are always on the lookout for new things.

The diversity and quality of the beer is really important to us because that is what we like to see when we go to other pubs and bars. We looked at cafes and cosy coffee shops and living rooms to get something that didn't look or feel like a typical bar or micropub. When we set up we knew we wanted to create a community hub, somewhere where everyone would feel welcome, and it's a pleasure to see that happen. We make an effort to get to know our customers and provide a friendly, personal service.

We want to make sure there is lots of buzz and energy about the bar and always something different going on here to attract new people and keep those we know coming back. We have made new friends and have been blown away by how supportive and friendly the people of Burnage and Didsbury are. This is a very welcome addition to the South Manchester pub scene, in an area where pubs are thin on the ground.

The award will be presented on Thursday 23 November from 8. Reasons to be Cheerful is close to Burnage Station and the 50 bus route. A whitewashed, detached pub set in a conservation area, the Crown is one of the oldest pubs in Stockport, dating back some years. Robinsons bought the pub in and it remains in their ownership today. For the past 10 years it has been run by experienced licensee Tom Gibbons pictured below right , who had previously spent 30 years in the trade as a relief licensee.

His sure and steady hand is very apparent at this well-run pub. It is set back from the busy Didsbury Road and looks to have no front door — the entrance is round the side on the picturesque Vale Close, and in the summer months is resplendent with flowers and hanging baskets. Inside there's very much a country pub feel with a bar area to the right, nicely split up into two smaller areas, while to the left is a larger lounge-cum-dining room. Food is available every lunchtime except Saturdays but isn't allowed to dominate. The Crown is very much a pub with food and not the other way round.

Obviously there have been alterations over the years the pub retains its traditional feel with wooden beams and pew-style seating. The whole effect is cosy and welcoming. On the bar there are four Robinsons' beers available — Wizard, Dizzy Blonde, Unicorn and the current seasonal. Quality is invariably high. All four will be enjoyed on the presentation night, Thursday 26 October, so do come and join us when we present Tom with his award. The Crown is well served by buses — numbers 42, 42A, 23, 23A and will drop you almost outside.

A most welcome addition to the town centre's real ale scene, the Petersgate Tap, run by Alan and Chris Gent pictured below , opened late September last year in the premises of an old betting shop and has been dispensing a wide variety of well-kept beers and ciders ever since. Set on two floors, downstairs is a modern, minimalist, continental-style room with the bar on the left-hand side and recycled oak-topped tables amongst the seating.

A growing display of artwork adds to the atmosphere and a variety of beer magazines is available to browse as you drink. Upstairs is a function room with table seating and comfortable settees. Six handpumps are on the bar with Hawkshead's Windermere Pale being the house beer. A further five ever-changing beers from local, regional and national micro-breweries are available regulars are from the premier league of modern cask breweries such as Titanic, Dark Star, Thornbridge and Abbeydale with one or two pumps usually reserved for a stout or porter.

In addition, there are four keg fonts including one dedicated for Hawkshead Lakeland lager. A recently introduced loyalty card scheme rewards nine purchased pints with a free tenth — this applies to both cask and keg beers. A cider fridge containing three or four ciders and perries on rotation sits alongside an excellent selection of bottled and canned beers from around the world. A wide range of gins and wines is also available. Recent successful innovations have been "pop-up" kitchens and live music including "open mic" nights.

The Petersgate Tap has been a welcome addition to the "Stockport Old Town" beer and pub scene bringing even more choice and variety to the area. We hope that you will be able to join us on Thursday 21 September from 8pm when we present this well-deserved award to Alan and Chris. The pub is on Petersgate at the junction with Etchells Street in the town centre. Hazel Grove's first, and so far only, micropub opened its doors in December since when it has made steady progress in bringing additional variety to the local beer range. This has been a project by Kevin and Tina Clarke no relation!

Together with their son they carried out the work themselves using a good deal of recycled timber for many of the fittings although the quality of the finish is such that you'd never know. For many years the premises were well known as an outlet for Tittertons butchers although it was latterly a computer shop. Being a former shop, the size of the place is as modest as a good-sized living room.

The layout is L-shaped with a bar in the right-hand quarter. A fixed-bench seat is along one side of the pub, while six tables and accompanying chairs make up the total furniture in there albeit there are some barstools too. Beyond the bar, a corridor gives access to the toilet, and also a door to the smoking area out at the rear. Five handpumps adorn the front of the bar, and boldly face the window enabling the customer to see the cask offering before anything else.

They try and have a stout, a hoppy beer, and something less hoppy from a single brewer as much as choice will allow. As with many places these days, flights of third measures of three different ales can be bought. Three real ciders are also available. During its relatively short life the Grove Alehouse has built up a loyal following of regulars and established its place in the local community. Join us on Thursday 24 August when we present this well-deserved award to Kevin and Tina. The pub is on the main road and is well-served by the bus.

This charming old pub has been in the Bromley family for about 40 years and is currently run by general ganager Ed Bromley — the third generation to be involved. The Church is noted for good food, with tried and tested favourites throughout the menu, but with an ever changing range of specials, served until 9. But of course it's not just about food. The quality of the Robinsons beers is equally high with Unicorn, Dizzy Blonde, Wizard and one other changing beer from the range available.

In the winter months a small cask of Old Tom can also be seen on the bar. The comfortable, oak panelled lounge bar and rear restaurant room have real fires in winter. There is also a well-used vault where the darts, dominoes and crib are often played. The building is unspoiled though small but good changes have been made like refurbishing the toilets and improvements to the garden. There is plenty of room inside, a covered area with large screen TV at the rear and an extensive beer garden for if the weather is fine. There is a large car park on the opposite side of the roundabout at the junction with Ack Lane West and Church Road.

Our congratulations go to the Ed, his family and staff who maintain a very high standard of quality. We hope that you will join us on 27 July from 8. Bus runs hourly and returns to Stockport after The pub is also a 15 minute walk from Cheadle Hulme Railway Station. However three pubs have remained constant. Entering the Crown the first thing you see in front of you see is a window.

This gives you a chance to see any friends who may, or may not, be in the main bar. It also gives wives a chance to see recalcitrant husbands - or so the story goes. This window also takes the eyes off the door to the right which hides the pub's hidden gem: Outside is a newly refurbished beer garden providing an excellent area for a summer's drink with B-B-Qs a regular occurrence. Presiding over the Crown is mine host, Tony Robinson. Tony has been in the pub trade for over twelve years, the last two as leaseholder of the Crown.

He is determined to keep the pub as a typical local. Decoration is kept to a tasteful minimum and the TVs in the pub are only on speaker when there are major sporting events taking place. Tony has been awarded Cask Marque accreditation for the last three years, testimony to his well kept beer and lines.

So come along to this well run local on Thursday 29 June at 8. The pub is a short five minute walk from the A6 along Heaton Moor Road and slightly less from Heaton Chapel railway station. The 42A bus stops nearby. When the moribund Hope was bought by Martin and Samantha Wood in late so desperate was it that many thought they had committed financial suicide.

How wrong these doubters were because with their transformation of the pub into a modern, easy on the eye pub for a relaxing drink, married with a range of excellent beers it's a regular entry in the Good Beer Guide the couple have hit on a winning formula. They have now successfully used at their second pub, the Spring Gardens in Marple Bridge.

There are two rooms, to left the vault, with a small games room to the rear, and a comfortable lounge with raised-seating area to the right. The Hope offers 11 cask ales, usually six of which are brewed at its very own micro-brewery in the basement. The name 'Fool Hardy Ales' is a reference to the past history of the Hope which started life as a Hardys' Crown Ales house as is shown by the mosaic signage along the top of the pub.

Martin describes his beer as 'cracking beer that sells itself' and such is demand he has taken on an assistant brewer, Katie Bromley. Also regularly on the bar is a beer from Bury's Outstanding Brewery along with changing ales from breweries across the country, foreign draught and bottled beers and a real cider. So effective was the transformation that the Hope won the Stockport and South Manchester Pub of the Year award for but now we thought that it was high time that the continuing excellence and growth of the pub was recognised again.

So why not join the local CAMRA branch to celebrate the award which will be presented to Martin, Samantha and their staff on Thursday, 25 May when, I am sure, a great night and great beer will be enjoyed by all. The Blue Bell is an imposing pub tucked away a short walk from the A6, in Levenshulme. While Levenshulme is slowly recovering from its "real ale desert" role, the Blue Bell has been a cask ale outlet for some years now with well-kept Sam Smith's Old Brewery Bitter on handpump. The pub is managed by Mark and Mary Dunn, who has worked for the Samuel Smiths for well over 20 years now.

Not all Sam Smith's pubs sell cask beer and that was the case with the Blue Bell until Mark pushed the company to install cask beer seven years ago. The pub itself is very smart, having undergone one of Sam Smiths classy refurbishments a few years back. On the right is a spacious vault and to the left three additional rooms - a large lounge with parquet wraps itself around the bar counter and off this is a smaller carpeted lounge and also a small snug.

It's really at the heart of the community with a variety of groups using the pub. Events are held to raise funds for community projects to improve local sites and walkways, there are other regular events, a quiz night, a knitting club and trips out. There's always a warm welcome from Mark, Mary and their staff.

This well deserved award will be presented on the night of Thursday 27 April. We hope to see a good crowd along to celebrate the success of a pub in an area where so many others have failed. It's easy to get to on the - just walk down Cromwell Grove to its junction with Barlow Road and the pub is there on your right.

DAMIAN LYNN

Sited at the junction of Kingsway and Wilmslow Road, this large inter-wars roadhouse was struggling and so in mid Hydes Brewery sold it to Wetherspoons. However, all did not go well as the public saw insufficient reasons to cross the road from the leisure complex opposite. Indeed, for a while despite the obvious investment in new carpets, half-height wooden panelling, improved toilet facilities, exterior lighting and new kitchen facilities it looked like they might have bought a pup.

However, they had an ace up their sleeve in the form of manager Kevin Muldoon. Since he arrived, the public has responded and the pub is now vibrant and highly popular. It is often said by critics that many Wetherspoons do not feel like proper pubs but whatever the truth in this argument that can never be levelled against the Gateway under Kevin's tutelage. Both beer quality and service are excellent and like all good licensees Kevin knows his customers and his customers know him; this most definitely is a proper pub with a proper pub licensee!

As a result, it is not just perceived as a prelude to a trip across the road to the cinema or bowling but as a destination in its own right. Kevin is very interested in his beers and stocks many from local up-and-coming breweries and such is the quality that the pub has been a regular in the Good Beer Guide since The house beer is from Brightside and a good real cider is always available.

So why not join us when the Pub of the Month Award will be presented to Kevin and his hard-working staff on Thursday, 23rd March from 8pm onwards. The pub is on one of the UK's busiest bus corridors with amongst others the 50, , 42, 42A, 42B, 45 and from the city centre, 42, , 23 and 23A from Stockport, 42A from Reddish and the Heatons, 44 and from Cheadle and beyond, finally the 42B from Bramhall and Woodford. It is only one shop front wide but goes back quite far and is on two floors, having a basement drinking area that gives a view of the cellar, below the ground floor bar area.

There is also a small outdoor seating area at the rear. The pub is on the site of a blacksmiths or farriers. The stone referred to was for mounting horses and is still to be found further up the road towards Woodford. Craftsmen's tools on the timber boarded walls provide an interesting interior theme and hint at the history of the site.

Drinks are from local suppliers as far as possible. With six well-kept real ales, two from Bollington Brewery and four others, one of which is usually a stout or porter, there is always an excellent choice but there are also keg beers, an extensive range of wines and spirits, and a real draught cider. Andrew and his wife's cousin Dan came from the Chiverton in June and are aided by a team of young, knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff who always give a friendly welcome. They sell pies but customers are invited to bring in their own food.

Another innovative service is offered on a telephone app: Telephone It's a stylish conversion of two modern shop units in the historic Market Place which has bedded in well since it opened almost a year ago. The bar is at the rear but part of the former dividing wall between the units remains in situ to break up the quite large interior and so prevent everything being that bit too open-plan. The decor is loosely steampunk-inspired with exposed pipes and ducts, mix-and-match furniture, and bare light bulbs.

The floor around the bar is an eye-catching mosaic made of one penny coins. Simon is also co-owner of a brewery installation business so Remedy also acts as a showcase for the smaller pub breweries that his firm will install. The small litre kit can be seen behind a glass wall and while brewing has so far been irregular this is expected to step up with the arrival of a permanent brewer in the near future. At the moment there is a changing range of half a dozen cask beers supplemented by some interesting kegs and bottles.

As you might expect there is also an impressive food offer to soak up all that beer. Join us on Tuesday 31st from 8pm onwards when we present this well-deserved award. There has been a pub on this site on the A6 since the old days of coaching, when there were stables for the coach horses at the back. Stockport Council has recognised its iconic status by including an image of the pub on the location signs at the Northern and Southern boundaries of Great Moor.

It has enjoyed a succession of good licensees over the years, the names Pete Flaherty, Diane and Francis McDonald who obtained the Pub of the Month award in , and Dennis Davies come to mind. The pub is currently in the safe hands of Mark Taylor, who together with his partner Sharon has been running it for the last three years. Mark has continued and enhanced the reputation of the Crown as a first-rate community pub which can be relied on to provide a good range of beers.

Live sport from Sky Sports and BT Sport is available, and high quality karaoke and live music are a regular feature at weekends. Darts and pool are available in a separate sports room, and the pub is regularly booked for family events such as birthdays. The most noticeable change since Mark took over is the increased visibility of the cask beer range. The original five handpumps have increased to six, and have been re-arranged so that they now occupy the most prominent place on the bar, leaving one in no doubt as to which cask beers are available.

Normally there are never less than four handpumps in action, the current "core" range being Unicorn, Wizard, Cumbria Way, and the Seasonal, while Double Hop has recently also been regularly available. All six pumps can be in action at busy times. Most importantly, the beer quality is also impressive, to the extent that the Crown has qualified as a Robinsons "Perfect Pint Zone", and proudly displays a banner proclaiming this over the front door.

You can sample these excellent beers on the Presentation Night on Thursday 29th December, which promises to be a great night! Over the last few years there has been a quiet revolution happening at the Olde Cock. In Manchester Metropolitan University's infinite wisdom it decided to close the student halls of residences that surround the pub. The result was a collapse in trade. So what do you do? The answer is that you employ a knight in shining armour to build up the trade again.

Enter Tony Wadeson, a licensee on a mission. Tony set about introducing quality cask conditioned ales. He revamped the food menu by introducing a great range of dishes together with some unusual one-off snacks. Does anyone fancy the beer jelly or a dish from the beer and meat menu? He employs quality chefs and has a team of cellar staff to ensure that the beer that is served is always in the very best of condition. Tony has made sure that the people he employs are friendly and customer focused ensuring that customers return to the Olde Cock over and over again.

In difficult economic times some pubs have been struggling. On that basis the beer served must be good otherwise people would not drink it. With up to six cask beers and at least three craft keg beers on sale where can you possibly go wrong? Tony and his staff have put in a huge amount of effort to support and grow the trade of the pub in very challenging circumstances.

Quality has remained high throughout and so it is fitting that their efforts are rewarded. If you are a CAMRA member don't forget to show your membership card to receive a discount on the price of your beer. It could be said that at this time the Blossoms doesn't need any more publicity.

The local indie band named after the pub topped the official album charts over the summer and the pub was in the papers for selling a unique beer named after the band's first successful single, 'Charlemagne'. This historic 18th century coaching house there is reputedly an escape tunnel leading from Bramall Hall to the pub was designated by Robinsons as one of their 'Ale Shrines' after its makeover in and it now sells almost the full range of Robinsons cask beers including Old Tom all the year around Charlemagne may have been discontinued by the time of the presentation.

There was always the danger however that being designated as such might result in an elitist focus on the beer but as well as keeping all his beers in top condition Jerry has ensured that the longstanding welcoming, community nature of the pub has not only been maintained but really enhanced. From lunchtime meals to quiz nights to knitting circles to music sessions the pub has it all and Jerry must be applauded for the achievement.

Stopfordian Jerry has, as he puts it 'progressed through the ranks' at the Blossoms from bar staff to assistant manager to landlord in November and his commitment and dedication to the pub is there for all to see. So to join us to celebrate the award to this colourful character at the time of writing his hair is all colours of the rainbow! The Railway has had various owners over the years. Both Wilsons and Greenall Whitley have vanished into history.

Punch Taverns may be still with us but has been beset by well-documented difficulties. One way out of those difficulties was to sell off numerous pubs - and one of those was the Railway which was purchased by Ray and Pam Ford. Since then it's not looked back. Now a true free house the Railway has Holt's Bitter as its permanent beer and this is accompanied by up to four changing guests.

Very often these are new and unusual finds for the area as Ray has developed a talent for sourcing obscure beers from around the country. The pub's place in the national Good Beer Guide testifies to the quality of the beer. But the Railway has more strings to its bow then just beer important though that it.

There's its enviable reputation for live music for one thing. Live jazz is a speciality but this is supplemented by other live music nights and the rockabilly weekends have seen the pub drunk dry of draught beers and lagers. The bulging trophy shelf also pays tribute to successes of the large number of teams based here. There's a pool team, a quiz team and no fewer than six darts teams including two in the Super League.

The pub is also undergoing extensive building work, mainly concentrated upstairs where years of neglect under previous owners are being put right. Downstairs there are three well-appointed rooms - at the back is a substantial games room while at the front are two comfortable lounges with that on the right often used for darts and music.

This well deserved award will be presented on Thursday 22nd September and will effectively launch Stockport Beer Week. The White Hart stands proudly at one end of Cheadle High Street, next to St Mary's church, representing the historic - and iconic - heart of the village. Since then the pub has had a chequered life, passing through the hands of a succession of owners, often of little benefit, to either the pub or its clientele.

Now, however, the most recent transfer of ownership from the now defunct Spirit Group to whisper it Greene King, seems to be reaping benefits. Greene King undertook a sympathetic makeover, keeping the dark wood panelling and fireplaces, but introducing a clean, fresh look with new floor coverings, some bright tiling, and new furniture There are televisions, but usually with the sound turned down and it's possible to find a seat where they can't be seen if sport isn't your thing.

Food features throughout the day, but the biggest - and best - change has been on the beer front Although two beers on the bar must always be Greene King, the remaining four can be guest beers, most of which are drawn from the SIBA list. When we called in, this included two from Brightside Brewery and, praise be, a very drinkable Tetley Bitter.

There is also a house beer brewed by Greene King. So, plenty to enjoy, why not pop down on Thursday 25th and show your appreciation to Matt Jones and his team. Buses 11, 11A, , and X57 will all drop you nearby. Until then, real ale was non-existent in this part of the Heatons. The lines were sorted out and decent beer put on, the three pumps being increased to five over time, with the possibility of another in due course. The pub's policy with the other pumps is to promote and support Manchester and Stockport beers as well as those from 'outside'.

The management and staff are proud of the cellar and have worked hard to ensure beer quality and choice. Gradually food was introduced and the menu, served from 12 noon until 8. The pies and pizzas are made in-house and are of very good quality, as are the burgers, platters and salads. A new head chef has recently been appointed and we await developments with interest. The interior is spacious and comfortable and the pub is dog-friendly, while outside there is a comfortable seating area.

Often there is live music at the weekend and there is a weekly quiz night. Fans of Social Media can find the Moortop on Twitter and Facebook; comments are welcomed as there is a real commitment to making this pub the best in the area. Join us on the evening of Thursday 28th July when we present this well-deserved awad. You'll find the pub opposite the Savoy Cinema and it can be reached by buses 22, 42A, 84 and Perhaps here, though, we were somewhat tardy given the stellar success of this bar opened by Damien O'Shea the 'Aleman' and his partner Charlotte in April last year.

They clearly knew the area was ready for such an innovative project having run a stall selling their interesting range of bottled beers at the monthly Heaton Moor market and found a great thirst for new beers. These bottled beers are still very much part of their business. Heaton Hops, based in converted shop premises with just two small rooms the second is downstairs and an outside drinking area, is an intimate but hospitable place to have a drink.

Along with the bottled beers from the UK and around the world there are two changing cask beers, traditional cider and keg beers. The aim is to promote local beers as far as possible although not to the exclusion of high quality products from around the country. To say that the place has captured the imagination of local drinkers is an understatement with the place packed out almost every night don't go on Mondays though as it's shut. Get there early to join the local CAMRA branch to celebrate the award which will be presented to Damian, Charlotte and their staff on Thursday 30th June when I'm sure there will be great beer and a convivial welcome.

The pub is on the and 84 bus routes, the stops nearby and Heaton Chapel train station is only 5 or 6 minutes away, so there is no excuse to miss the night. It is run on a day to basis by Dan English and Guy Potter. It is spread over two floors with the upper floor being one for relaxation on one of the sofas while you take in the easy-going atmosphere.

There is also a mezzanine balcony where you can gaze down on the proceedings below. Downstairs on the ground floor you'll find the bar which is notably well stocked with wines as well as featuring an impressive 13 handpumps. In the 18 months or so since opening the customers have really taken to the cask beers and there are usually eight available with an emphasis on local producers such as Brewsmith and Brightside.

CAMRA members get a discount of 40p a pint, too. There are also plans to establish their own brewery and indeed joint manager Guy has already test brewed some beers at Brightside Brewery in Bury. Join us when we celebrate this success on Thursday 26th May from 8. It's a short walk from several bus routes 23, 23A, 41 and is across the road from West Didsbury Metrolink stop. For a long time real ale was thin on the ground in Levenshulme — many pubs closed down and few of those that remained offered anything but keg beers.

That was particularly the case with those pubs on the main road that divides this inner city village into two. Fred's Ale House, which opened at the end of January last year, bucked that dismal trend and from the start offered a choice of cask beers — and traditional cider as well.

There are no fewer than six cask beers available with Thwaites Wainwright the regular and five changing guests. CAMRA members get a 30p discount, too. Fred's operates over three floors and hosts numerous events including live music, quiz nights, comedy nights and there's even a board games competition on Sundays. Not only that, but the bar also operates as an art gallery, often displaying the works of local artists. If you want a bite to eat then Fred's offers pies from Life of Pie , panini, sandwiches, cakes and pastries.

Coffee comes from the Ancoats Coffee Company and is first class. All of this is overseen by manager Mike Nuttall and his staff who work hard to make sure all of their customers, both old and new, get a warm welcome. Join us when we present our award on the evening of Thursday 20th April. The pub is near the junction of Albert Road so it's just a short walk from Levenshulme Station and of course Stockport Road is well served by the bus.

Landlady Veronica Bell known to everyone as Ronnie says that her pub is something of a contrast between inside and out. From the outside it can look a little forbidding - not helped by the very shabby sign which owners Joseph Holt really ought to do something about - but walk through the doors and you're in a warm and friendly local. Holts are also responsible for replacing most of the original inter-war fittings with a mock Victorian interior and for once this really seems to fit the bill with pride of place going to a spectacular s bar back. So what you have now is a warm interior with lots of dark wood plus red, brown and cream fixtures and fittings adding up to a classic "traditional pub" feel.

To the right is a cosy lounge and behind that bigger rambling room complete with a small stage. To the left is a spacious and well used vault. Ronnie and her husband Harry have been there on and off for most of the last 16 years. Four years ago she retired and was tempted back for six weeks - and it still there! Harry looks after the cellar - the cask beers are Holts Bitter and the current seasonal - to such good effect that he's entered in this year's Best Kept Cellar competition being run by Holts. So come and join us on the evening Thursday 31st when we present Ronnie, Harry - and their hardworking staff - with this very well deserved award.

The Chiverton Tap was opened in May by like minded local residents who are passionate about their real cask beer, draught cider, perry and good bottled beers and wines. The three partners Bob Ellis, Mary Ellis and Andrew O'Shea, aimed to offer warm hospitality coupled with high quality drinks and simple bar snacks in convivial surroundings. Undoubtedly they have been enormously successful in achieving their stated aim of welcoming customers, inviting them to share some good times and create fond memories.

The original proprietor of the building was Arthur Chiverton whose name is in the mosaic step at the central doorway into the pub. As you sit and relax you constantly notice some new, slightly quirky feature. There is a large, vertical yellow tape measure near the shop window. This motif is continued in the shelf edges behind the bar that are edged with standard size, white dressmaker's tapes. Note also the light fittings over the bar and elsewhere in the room, formed from bottles with the bases removed. The front of bar has recessed displays of old cotton reels and items associated with the drapery trade.

Furniture is an eclectic mix of dissimilar chairs and tables from all periods from the s through to the s. There is a booth enclosing an area, while other parts of the room have a variety of groupings so that there is the traditional feature of intimate and semi-private spaces but overlapping in a friendly way that allows for easy intermingling if desired.

A blackboard gives information about the beers on offer, usually six on handpumps. A notice at the end of the bar offers Titterton's pies with mustard or chutney. So why not squeeze in on Thursday, 25th of February, when the presentation will be made. We normally gather from around 8. Mellor Road is opposite the front of the railway station. The and X57 buses stop on Station Road or the train takes five minutes from Stockport. If, in these days of micro pubs and multi-beer ale shrines, you are not sure what a genuine street corner community local looks like, and why such pubs are so important to the fabric of many communities, you need look no further than the Grove in Clayton.

This classic multi-roomed Holts pub, oozing with history note the war memorial on the wall is an oasis in a pub and cask beer desert; it's nearly two miles from the city centre and this is the first pub you will come across! The licensee, Sandra Billings has worked diligently to enhance the community spirit in the pub and her efforts are clearly paying off as it is very much at the heart of social life for many in Clayton.

Sandra has been behind the bar in pubs from Sheffield to Middleton and her experience certainly shines through. Towering over Clayton is Manchester City's Etihad Stadium complex and while the Grove is a great watering hole for cask beer loving fans on match days Sandra is very keen to ensure that fans of both all teams and none are welcome. On one of the walls of the vault is a football montage with badges from numerous teams from across the country disappointingly nothing from Port Vale This was corrected in time for the presentation!

The all-important beers are Holts Bitter and the seasonal and Sandra ensures these are on good form. So why not join the local CAMRA branch to celebrate the award which will be presented to Sandra and her staff on Thursday, 28th January when I'm sure we will all be given a real East Manchester welcome by these very friendly people. The pub is on the , , bus routes the 53 also stops nearby but your best mode of transport may well be by tram as the pub is very conveniently next door to Clayton Hall tram stop on Ashton Metrolink line from Piccadilly.

Webmaster - read more about the Grove in page 8 and page 9 of the July back issure of Opening Times. The Governors House premises date from ; originally called the Ravenoak Hotel, the name was changed to the Oakley Manor in the s. In , the brewery was taken over by Greene King and it became part of their sprawling estate. For the next eight years, the place trundled along under a number of managers, flirting with guest beers from time to time.

Enter new managers Liam and Michaela Ward in October , fresh from running a wine bar in Knutsford. Liam immediately spotted an opportunity to improve the cask offering to give a wider range of styles and tastes, so three additional handpumps were installed, meaning eight good quality beers are now on offer at busy times. Beers are sourced from the SIBA list and several local breweries' products will be found on the bar; in fact Cryptic have now started to supply their Tip of the Tongue bitter as a regular.

Greene King offerings often include their experimental one-off beers. Liam is grateful for the advice and assistance that has come from other GK pubs such as the Taps in Lytham and the Freshfield in Formby. To promote local breweries, a regular meet the brewer evening has been introduced on the first Wednesday of each month and a beer festival was held during National Cask Ale Week.

Good value food is served all day and nine en-suite bedrooms are available. So why not come and join the celebrations with Liam, Michaela, Sam, Jamie and the strong team on Tuesday 29th December from 8pm? What better way to beat those post-Christmas blues - and get your Winter Warmer Wander sticker too! The bus from Stockport and X57 from East Didsbury will drop you outside but check the Christmas timetable or it's only a 10 minute walk from Cheadle Hulme railway station.

You never know, you might enjoy yourself so much that you stay the night! The Crown sells up to seven hand pulled beers, which include offerings from Hydes' Beer Studio and two guests which have recently included beers from Batemans, Jennings, Adnams and Wychwood. The beers sold are always in excellent condition which is down to both attention to detail in the cellar and a regular turnover.

Good value lunches are also served every day apart from Mondays. The Crown has the outside appearance of a small shop, however inside the pub opens out at the back into a larger 'L shaped' lounge with a pleasant smoking area outside. The pub is spotlessly clean and is decorated with subdued Victorian style lighting and plenty of mahogany period furnishings. Around the walls are some fascinating photographs of Victorian Cheadle and the surrounding area.

The person behind the success of the Crown is Karen Williams who has now been the licensee there for ten years; eight as a tenant and two as a manager. So successful has her tenure become that turnover has steadily increased with some customers travelling some distance to be regulars one man travels all the way from Denton to frequent the Crown. The Crown Inn is a warm and welcoming pub that sells a range of good local and national beers in a clean, friendly and safe environment.

The presentation will take place on Thursday 26th November from about 8: Since Sue and Vince Mathers have been working hard to keep the Railway on the map. Between them and their team of knowledgeable bar staff they have done a great job. The Railway is situated opposite The Peel Centre on Portwood and looks like an average street corner pub and as our picture shows there is currently no name outside. However, upon entering it is apparent this is not the case.

James Bond Unmasked

On the bar there are ten hand pulled ales permanently available from breweries such as Outstanding, Moorhouses, Rossendale and Thornbridge to name but a few. In addition there's a rotating guest mild and an additional is available at the weekend. With an array of German, Belgian and other world beers available by the bottle and on draught there is something for everyone. A real cider and perry can always be found via Merrylegs , along with a great choice of bottled cider. The pub has a warm and friendly atmosphere and can get very busy at times - it has the feel of, and indeed is, a proper community local.

The bar billiards table is well used and is great fun. There is a model railway that runs above the bar, if you ask Sue or Vince nicely enough they may start it up for you to see. On every other Sunday there's a pub quiz and there are regular music nights and acoustic jam sessions. Notices around the pub say who is playing and when. In the past Sue and Vince have held several successful beer festivals and cider festivals, while tutored cider tastings are starting to become a feature on the pub's calendar.

So why not come and join Sue, Vince and the staff on Thursday 22nd October when we present this latest addition to the Railway's award collection. It's also one of the most appealing as what is essentially one large room exudes a particular warmth and character. For many years these premises have been occupied by a variety of restaurants, of varying degrees of quality, but it's newest, and arguably best, incarnation is the project of Mike Swann and Duncan Lanser who opened for business in September last year.

It's comfortably furnished with sofas and low tables at the front great for people watching on the road outside while there are more conventional tables and chairs elsewhere. At one end there's a small stage area which is used for popular live music nights and the weekly comedy club. On two of the walls is some striking three-dimensional artwork by local artist Rob Shaw which adds to the appeal. Mike acts a mine host and being a Devon man has made sure that alongside the beers, traditional cider and sometimes perry is available too he was born opposite a famous cider pub in Newton Abbot.

As for the beers - well there are three cask ales on handpump including a house beer from Tatton Brewery , with an emphasis on local brews, the occasional craft keg and a very interesting selection of bottled beers. It's a well thought out selection with something for everyone.

Home-made food is available all day and includes pub staples, sandwiches, home-made soup and cakes. Soft drinks, tea and coffee are readily available too. The presentation will be made on the evening of Thursday 24th and this event will also mark the public launch of Stockport Beer Week.

Everyone is welcome to join our celebrations. His background is in IT but as he moved into retirement he sought something that would not only occupy his time but could be combined with his long-time interest in good beer. However the Beer Shop has turned into more than a full-time hobby. While it's situated in a row of shops in a tucked away position the business is thriving with a 30 per cent year on year increase in sales. A one room affair, with a bar at the back, shelves of bottles to the left and fridges to the right, the Beer Shop is a convivial place to have a drink. The red walls add a warm touch and there's plenty of seating pus a big screen TV for major events.

Cask beer is a major feature with between four and six available and the useful website at www. These can either be drunk on site or taken away in three, five, ten and twenty litre bag-in-box containers. While the cask beers are mainly local-ish, the bottled range features not only local offerings but also those from further afield in the UK as well as choice offerings from overseas.

There is a notably good range from the two great European brewing nations of Belgium and Germany including sour lambics from the former and smoked ales from the latter , while craft beers from the USA also feature. The Beer Shop isn't in a location where good beer is thick on the ground - it's something of an oasis in the desert so come and join us on Thursday 27th August when we present this well deserved award.

Buses 22 and will drop you nearby from both the Stockport and Manchester directions. The Old Monkey was brewer Joseph Holt's first ever new-build house in the city. Built on the site of the Queens Arms beer house, it opened in to great acclaim. She is a woman with great ideas that have been brought to fruition in the pub; her friendliness, bubbly personality and charm really come through. Set on two floors where the downstairs is seldom anything less than abuzz with custom and is definitely the main engine of trade it is popular with tourists who venture here from their nearby hotels.

There is fixed seating round the edges of the room, but this is mostly a standing drinking area. Meanwhile upstairs has its own bar, and serves food and drink in a more relaxed, comfortable and intimate environment. The upstairs windows provide you with great views of the bustle of the Princess Street junction. On the first Monday of each month it also hosts "Mope music evening", this is described as three hours of musical misery.

Food is served every day when a menu of home-made dishes is the staple fare. You are welcome to attend the presentation night Thursday 23rd July from 8pm , and see Stacy and staff receive this much-deserved award. A pub of genuine character, managed by a genuine character of a landlord Steve Brannan , ably supported and complemented by his long-term partner Jo together with a fiercely loyal band of regulars, many of whom help run the pub and are very knowledgeable regarding the ales on offer.

Six hand-pulls offer an ever-changing selection of ales from brewers both near and far, plus real cider. Whilst the emphasis tends to be on lighter hoppy beers, darker ales have recently become more evident, including the very popular Sarah Hughes Dark Ruby Mild. The ale quality is right up there with the very best in our region. No wonder Steve is celebrating 16 consecutive years in the national Good Beer Guide. The Olde Vic is a genuine hidden gem of Stockport.

I typically drop in about a quarter to Thursday - yes, time really does seem to go slower once you're inside I mean 6pm Wednesday, by the way. It's a veritable Aladdin's cave, with a vast array of hats, bizarre equipment from days gone by, games, musical instruments, scientific apparatus, books and baffling puzzles, which Steve is more than happy to demonstrate, particularly to newcomers. The emphasis is very much on good conversation and witty banter sometimes veering off at random tangents for no logical reason. However, if this isn't your thing, then simply immerse yourself in the quiet sanctuary that Vic can offer - let time slow down or even stop in front of the open fire, or whilst taking in the pump-clip covered ceiling.

You're all welcome to attend the presentation night Thursday 25th June from 8pm to check out what you've been missing. Steve and Jo are kindly providing some gruel and fusty bread to mark the occasion, so gird yourselves! This large, open plan s pub is often overlooked, being away from the main drag on the way out of Cheadle Hulme towards Cheadle, It has an emphasis on pub games, quizzes, occasional karaoke, football on TV and quality, good value food. So the fact that the Kenilworth also serves quality cask beers, often from local micros, can go unnoticed by some perhaps less perceptive CAMRA members.

This is a mistake because landlord John Powell knows how to run a good pub and there are usually three well-kept cask ales from which to choose. As a result this ultra-friendly hostelry is absolutely thriving! John and Annette have been at the pub for 14 years. Originally John was the manager but latterly he has leased the pub from Spirit who themselves have a long term lease from a property company the machinations of big business!!

Having reintroduced real ale into the pub he is passionate about his cask beers and often has beers from Mobberley Ales one of the brewers lives nearby and is a pub regular.

This year John jumped at the chance to join Mild Magic such is his enthusiasm. So why not join the local CAMRA branch to celebrate the award which will be presented to John, Annette and their staff on Tuesday, 26th May NB note the change from the normal date due to the Stockport Beer and Cider Festival when I am sure we will all be made royally welcome by these very friendly people. Come along for a great night as we congratulate them on an outstanding job well done!

Cheadle Hulme station is less than 10 minutes walk away. In the seven months since it has opened the Baker's Vaults has grown to be quite a fixture on the Stockport real ale scene. The pub has grown from strength to strength, bringing drinkers and life back to one of Stockport's most picturesque areas, the old Market Place. Under the guidance of Robinsons Brewery the pub underwent a huge transformation to make it much brighter and more welcoming a little known fact is that the bar is made up of doors salvaged from the recently closed Stockport pub institution, the Tiviot.

The transformation appears to have worked; the pub is generally bustling with drinkers most nights of the week, no mean feat in Stockport on a wet Tuesday night in January! What better way to spend a Sunday than with a pint, some live music and a snack from the pub's own range of gourmet hotdogs? The beer selection doesn't disappoint - unusually for a Robinson's pub there are four hand-pumps for guest ales, supplied by Stoke on Trent's Titanic Brewery. Cider drinkers are catered for too, with Weston's Old Rosie on permanently. It's rare indeed to see Robbies beers and guests co-existing together, a feat only seen elsewhere at the Castle Hotel on Oldham Street in Manchester it isn't a coincidence that both are run by the same owners.

Quality of beer is also good, the pub having recently received a Cask Marque accreditation. Looking at the bigger picture, the new-look Baker's Vaults has brought life back to Stockport Market Place. Anything that attracts both regular pub-goers and newer younger drinkers back into the heart of their town for a night out must be a good thing.

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