Golden Lab’s Manchester Contemporary Underground Art and Music Festival

For the past few years the Chorlton-based label Golden Lab Records have comfily established themselves within the city’s artistic circles. Since March, they have expanded their horizons – offering studio and space not just for  musicians, but also for visual artists of all kinds. Their studios, set on the fourth floor of a nondescript postwar office block, will be opening its doors to coincide with The Manchester Contemporary events at Granada. Over twenty exhibiting artists, working in all mediums, will be showing their wares with musical performances from Yes Blythe, Human Heads, Chalaque and The Piss Superstition. As well as providing exhibition space for a band of up-and-comers, they also mark the opening of their new shop: Selling art, books and records encompassing the full breadth of world underground culture. The full-day event also offers free food and a limited supply of everyone’s favourite Scottish craft beer, Brewdog’s Punk IPA – equally gratis. So go ahead, pull a sickie and spend your Friday at Mauldeth House. When careerist’s guilt sets in, you can always tell yourself that it was all in the name of culture.

Fri 26 Sep, Golden Lab Studios, 4th Floor, Mauldeth House, St Werburgh’s Rd, Chorlton, Manchester, 10am-5pm, FREE, www.facebook.com