Book tickets: Shame at Manchester O2 Ritz in November 2018

In the nature vs. nurture debate, we could argue that Shame are a product of their surroundings: after spending their early years rehearsing at Brixton’s Queen’s Head pub, they acknowledge its grime has seeped into their sound. The product of that is a type of post-punk that is effervescent, thunderous and passionate. They cite The Fall and Wire as influences, but their music is also strongly evocative of Gang of Four, Magazine and the more recent adopters of post-punk, Preoccupations. Lyricist Charlie Steen’s songwriting is politicised and is delivered in a stripped-back roar that gives a nod towards Irvine Welsh, one of his primary literary influences. Their debut album Songs of Praise carries almost as much energy as their famously frenetic live shows – homegrown promoters Now Wave have just announced a second gig after April’s sold out with months to go. Don’t miss this.

Thu 22 Nov, O2 Ritz, Whitworth Street West, Manchester M1 5NQ, Tel: 0161 714 4140, £13, www.seetickets.com