The Pastels head up mini-fest at Islington Mill

Celebrating their 8th birthday with a weekend double-header of gigs at Islington Mill, Comfortable on a Tightrope have secured a rare Manchester appearance from art-rock legends The Pastels. A constant on the Glasgow scene since the mid-80s, the Pastels’ unaffected, inclusive approach has influenced bands as diverse as Nirvana and Belle & Sebastian with echoes of their freewheeling aesthetic heard in current Pitchfork darlings Real Estate, Ducktails and Vivian Girls. The weekend also includes appearances from former Electrelane frontwoman Verity Susman, Former Bullies, and the regional debut of Belfast’s Sea Pinks.

Fri 16 & Sat 17 Nov, Islington Mill, James Street, Salford, M3 5HW. From 6.30pm (Fri), 5pm (Sat), £20 for the weekend,  www.wegottickets.com