Gigs of the week ft. Plato, The Shivas and Suave Martyrs

Alternative rock four-piece Plato headline Aatma to promote the release of their new single ‘The Edge’ (out 13 Dec). The Manchester-based band, who take their name from the Greek philosopher, seem eager to follow up on the success of last track ‘Why You’re Tired’ – their sound is ‘foals meets radiohead’, but with a charm all of their own. Support comes from There Is Colour Here.

Punk-rock outfit COUNTERFEIT return to Deaf Institute for another high energy and hot-blooded performance. Fronted by Jamie Campbell-Bower, the band combine poetry, punk, sweat, spit and confidence into their sound. Latest release ‘It Gets Better’ gives us just a teaser of their next LP.

Rock n roll from Portland, Oregon – The Shivas play Night People this week. For over a decade, the band have given us a pretty prolific release schedule – including this year’s album ‘Dark Thoughts’. With a blurry mix of surf influences and punk, The Shiva’s live shows are noted for being explosive, energetic as well as pretty damn sweaty! They are joined by local acts The 99 Degree & The Be Positives.

A slice of indie-folk comes to the Northern Quarter in the form of multi-instrumentalist Jesse Marchant. After the release of last year’s LP ‘Illusion of Love’, New York-based Marchant headlines an intimate gig at The Castle Hotel this week.

Manchester’s own Suave Martyrs mix indie-drenched guitars with 60s psychedelia as they headline the Academy 3. Hot on the heels of their release ‘Gimme a Reason’ last month, the four-piece definitely give us a reason to dance. Support comes from Reardon Love, JCK and The Bines.

Hometown favourites, Gathering of Strangers play their biggest headline gig yet at Soup Kitchen. Fresh from supporting Electric Six on their UK tour – the lads round off the year with this Manchester date – bringing us rousing riffs, anthemic vocals and an undeniable emotive sound.