Well that was SFTOC 2008, one heavy, heavy day indeed - hot as hell with the showers of the apocalypse thrown in for good measure.
Started off with an almighty spanner in the works when the Egerton Arms pulled out at the last minute. But in the true spirit of this event we decided to up sticks and set up camp across the road at Salford Central Train Station. Bring on the Dancing Horses brought all their dancing horses with them and it all cantered along marvellously until Performance bucked at the final fence and simply didn't perform.
Meanwhile the rest of the day lubed up nicely, the ale flowed, the sweat poured and the running times went completely to pot. All the while the atmosphere was absolutely lovely.
Highlights of the day included the sound of Talibam! filling the entire street from top to bottom, David Thomas Broughton using anything in the vicinity of Sacred Trinity Church as his own instrument, Man Like Me proving that you can be cool and still have a laugh, Howlin Rain proving that you can remain in 1973 and still be cool, Seaming To's amazing pink dress and similarly amazing songs, Elvis & Amy's benidorm karaoke marathon, The Black Lion's Sangria and the sweat dripping off the the door all day in the Salford Arms
For a little look at what happened in and around the edges take a look here . Pictures courtesy of Andrew Brooks.
The Line-ups went something like this
GOLDEN LAB @ THE BLACK LION
The A Band, The One Ensemble, Trembling Bells, Cath and Phil Tyler, Ross Parfitt, Beach Fuzz
LAMB & WOLF @ THE KINGS ARMS
Howlin' Rain (ex Comets on Fire), Cats in Paris, Gentle Friendly, Hot Bone, Gnod
CLUB BRENDA @ ROVERS RETURN
Magic Arm, Warm Widow, The Wave Machines, Cowtown, Tim and Sam's Tim and Sam Band
COMFORTABLE ON A TIGHTROPE @ SALFORD RESTORATION OFFICE
Rozi Plain & Francois, Talibam, Mayming, Matthew Taylor & Great Grand Sun, Nathaniel & Sir Yes Sir Band, Thomas Settle, Rozi Plain & Francois film set
HEY! MANCHESTER @ THE SALFORD ARMS
Last Harbour, The Bottomfeeders, David Thomas Broughton, Stranger Son of WB, Vinny Peculiar, The Declining Winter, Planet Earth
RED DEER CLUB @ SACRED TRINITY CHURCH
Sara Lowes, The Moulettes,The 1234's,Sophies Pigeons, Down the Tiny Steps, The Winter Journey
PROSTITUTES AND POLICEMEN @ THE MARK ADDY
The Badical,Man Like Me, Modernaire, Darlings of the Splitscreen, The Witches
BRING ON THE DANCING HORSES @ THE EGERTON ARMS
Performance, ddd, Lonelady, The Old Romantic Killer Band, ddd, the Man Amp
PLUS PLUS PLUS
Sunday Worship at Islington Mill
To get this year’s festival off to a saintly start, we’ve invited the congregation of Sacred Trinity Church to hold their Sunday worship at Islington Mill.
Adventures in Bootlegging at United Reformed Church
Listen to highlights from a remarkable archive of live recordings by Craig Wood. Dating from 1973 to present, it features many of Manchester's seminal gigs and venues as well as some obscure and long forgotten treasures.
Chairpersons at former Flat Iron Market (beside Sacred Trinity Church
A public speaking platform in the form of a chair will be open to members of the public between invited guest speakers.
Disco Opposite Tesco's karaoke downstairs at Black Lion
