The Eccentronic Research Council featuring Maxine Peake at 2022NQ

Marking the 400th anniversary of the trials of the Pendle Witches, The Eccentronic Research Council’s debut album of spoken-word and experimental pop, 1612 Underture, is released this month on Finders Keepers affiliate Bird Records – and it’s already getting support from the likes of BBC 6music’s Stuart Maconie. This new collaborative project sees Sheffield-based producers Adrian Flanagan (Kings Have Long Arms) and Dean Honer (All Seeing I and I Monster) perform their new album at 2022NQ, with Salford-based actor Maxine Peake (pictured, with Adrian) narrating live (as on record) a contemporary journey to Pendle, undertaken by a Catholic nun and priest. Expect kraut-rock and synth-folk, with supernatural field recordings designed to draw you back to the time of the witch trials. The LP launch party also features label boss Jane Weaver performing a live re-scoring of Eiichi Yamamoto’s 1973 animation Belladonna, plus DJs Andy Votel, David Orphan and DJ Luke.

Fri 17 Aug, 2022NQ, 20-22 Dale Street, M1 1EZ, 7pm, £6 from www.skiddle.com, @The_E_R_C, theeccentronicresearchcouncil.tumblr.com