When: 6.30pm on Thursday 15 May 2014
Where: Central Library, St Peters Square, M2 5PD

We’re delighted to be presenting a rare concert in the Central Library’s reading room.

As part of Manchester’s Museums at Night programme on Thursday 15 May, we’re presenting a rare musical performance in the recently re-opened Central Library. Featuring film footage from the library’s local archive plus a set from Manchester-based trio the Montgolfier Brothers, this early evening event promises to offer a unique experience of this Neoclassical building – taking in both its brand new performance space and the magnificent, historical reading room.

The Montgolfier Brothers recorded their first album, Seventeen Stars, in 1998, and released it in spring 1999 on Vespertine Records. Seventeen Stars was re-released on Alan McGee’s post-Creation label Poptones in 2000. Gigs in the UK, Spain, Italy, Sweden and Japan followed, featuring Otto Smart as an extra guitarist. A second album, The World is Flat, was recorded in 2001, and released via Poptones in 2002.

The band’s third album, All My Bad Thoughts, was released towards the end of 2005 – preceded by the Journey’s End EP. Gigs and tours followed including an extensive tour of Spain, as well as appearances on Spanish radio and television, and dates in Denmark and Sweden. Gigs have continued sporadically ever since, and the band were invited to play the Moscow International Book Festival in June 2009, for which they performed as a 4-piece with Sophia Lockwood on cello.

As well as working together in the Montgolfier Brothers, Roger and Mark both have solo projects. Roger initially released records as Quigley, before adopting the name At Swim Two Birds. The most recent At Swim Two Birds album, Before You Left, was released on Vespertine & Son in September 2009, featuring contributions by Sophia and Otto alongside Roger.

Mark used to record as gnac, and has released several albums under this name. In 2010 Mark went to Rome to record a new album with Italian classical pianist, Alessandra Celletti. The album, Mark Tranmer & Alessandra Celletti: The Red Pages, is now available in a variety of formats, including a double CD with follow-up album How Scarlet The Leaves (2012).

Otto Smart has recorded as The Otto Show, and has released albums on Vespertine & son and Annika Records of Spain. He also performs as part of Ears In Excellent Condition.

‘Sometimes the best bands feel like a well-kept secret’ – Alan McGee on the Montgolfier Brothers

The first part of the event features footage from the library’s local archive, chosen in collaboration with the Montgolfier Brothers, and will be followed by the band’s performance in the reading room. The event is due to end at 8pm, and a paid bar will be available.

This event is now fully booked up.

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