Support slots for Ocean Colour Scene, The Kaiser Chiefs, and Steve Cradock, to name but three. A headline grabbing guitar auction in aid of The Marco Simoncelli Foundation, a disabled charity set up to honour the motorcycle racer who died in a Grand Prix accident. Needless to say, these are hardly average activities for a rising rock outfit.
But then nothing about The Rainband is very average at all. Formed back in 2009, their ascension through the ranks has been notable. From being the first act to perform in Liam Gallagher’s Covent Garden clothes store, Pretty Green, to Jim Kerr’s personal invite to join Simple Minds on tour, it’s safe to say their big sounding indie output has garnered attention in plenty of the right places.
All of which means when lead singer Martin Finnigan, himself an ambassador for community foundation Forever Manchester, guitarist Paul Rainey (former member of Peter Hook’s Monaco project), bass player Joe Wilson, and drummer Steve Irlam play The Ritz, in their native town of Manchester on December 22nd, it should be quite the homecoming event. A prestigious venue that’s a perfect place to round off another critically acclaimed 12 month, at the same time it’s also a sure fire sign of this quartet’s clear upwards trajectory.
