When: 7.30pm on Thursday 5 April 2018
Where: The Castle Hotel, 66 Oldham Street, Manchester M4 1LE

We’re delighted to be working with Brooke Sharkey for the first time!

One of London’s most acclaimed artists bring her unique sound to Manchester this spring.

2016 and 2017 were massive years for Brooke Sharkey. A critically acclaimed new album (Wandering Heart), a record deal with V2 Benelux, an album launch at the iconic Jazz Café, the Guardian tipping her as one of their Future 50 artists to watch, and a joint headline show at London’s Union Chapel with Blick Bassy, which was voted second best gig of the year 2017.

But it was also a transformative period for Brooke’s music. Just as she was about to tour her new album, she wrote a song called New Start (which later became New Star) that felt as though it came from a very different place. This song was to be the beginning of a new creative period for Brooke, giving her the impetus to experiment with new sounds, and to return to performing solo in a more stripped back set up.

As is always the case with Brooke, her songs are uniquely personal and her new show is a chronicle of her journey over the past 12 months.

This is song-writing in English and French, that inspires self-reflection, healing and acknowledge strength in vulnerability, shining a light on universal experiences in a searingly honest but ultimately positive way.

‘File her under folk if you have to, but her distinctive sound and strong narrative skills bring to mind Regina Spektor, French chanteuses such as Juliette Greco or even Tom Waits. The sparse fragility of Sharkey’s music and her intimate delivery mean that it gives up its charms slowly, but very surely’ – the Guardian

Tour support comes from James Fredholm. The Austin-raised, Zurich/London-based musician founded Honeybee Records in 2013, and has since released his long-player Love Is The Answer.

Local support comes from Kind Stranger. Kind Stranger are spoken word artist Ellaney Hayden with songwriters Brynn Chappell and Gareth Price. The newly -formed Manchester trio summon up a dreamy blend of Americana and country soul, which pays the tariff of debt to those Magicians who have come before while their songs relevant to the here and now. Kind Stranger are currently preparing to record their debut single.

Buy tickets now. Tickets are available from the bar (no booking fee), Piccadilly Records, Vinyl Exchange, WeGotTickets.com, Ticketline.co.uk and on 0871 220 0260.

Attend on: Facebook