Manchester recently hosted the fifth annual Future Perfect fundraising event, bringing a fantastic line up to the Castlefield Arena with bands and artists such as The Rain Band, Supajamma and Rowetta appearing along with comedian Russell Howard.
This year’s event, led by Garth Brooks and Graham Massey, was given an added poignancy as those gathered helped to raise money for Christie’s Cancer Hospital in the name of one of the original Future Perfect organisers and DJs Lee Wyatt, who lost his battle with the disease last year.
Always happy to support a good cause as well as championing local bands, XFM presenter Clint Boon was on hand to play the event’s DJ stage:
All profits today in aid of Christies which is great, I guess you get involved with a lot of local music charity events?
Yeah, I get asked to do a lot of charity stuff and I can’t always do it, but more often than not I usually find a way of getting involved with it one way or another. With it being Saturday daytime and right before playing my club night at South it was perfect, so I’ve come down with the wife and kids and we’re really enjoying the vibe here today.
Castlefield Arena has seen some great gigs through the years hasn’t it?
New Order have played some great shows here and so have other Manchester acts like 808 State. Some of my best moments as a DJ have been at Castlefield; a few years back I was here DJing, and when I put on ‘Pounding’ by Doves it turned into one of them moments – great stuff.
What a great venue as well here under the viaduct and next to the canal, this area is actually where Manchester as a city was established and it explains why the canals, train tracks and roads all meet-up here – industrial but also a very beautiful setting and makes a great place for an outdoor gig.
…and anyone on the bill today you’d recommend watching?
There’s a few actually. If I could mention a couple; The Jesse Rosie Trip – I think ten years from now she will be the biggest artist out of Manchester ever, bigger than Oasis or New Order in terms of what she doe. She’s so talented and possesses world class potential. Supajamma, who are brilliant, Martin Merchant is an amazing frontman and I really like that band a lot.
Along with other bands like The Rain Band and Bright Kicks it’s a great line up today.
The Rain Band put on a fantastic performance on the main stage, talking to Live4ever this is what they had to say:
Really enjoyed your set and though you lads have been busy with your current EP you’ve still found the time to play FP2.
Yeah well we’re quite involved with Manchester Radio Online and through them we got asked to play. We’ve played a few times for Future Perfect and once we heard it was Christie’s we definitely wanted to be here. I think everyone in a way has been affected by cancer and there’s no better charity than Christie’s really is there?
Good times for The Rain Band right now with reviews for the ‘Prodigal’ EP, wouldn’t you say?
I’d say the next couple of months are crucial because now we’ve built up some momentum we’ve got to make sure we capitalise on it like the recent gig with Simple Minds which went down really well.
We have some big dates over the summer and we’re looking forward to them but its also about doing it for the right reasons as well, the same reasons why we put the band together in the first place and not losing sight of that.
How did the recording of the ‘Prodigal’ EP go, are you a band that enjoys the studio and recording process?
Definitely. We all love the studio and sitting down with the producer going through ideas and visions of what you want to do. Rehearsals are great as well and we’re always coming up with new material, but the studio is a place we all feel really comfortable in and we can’t wait to get back in there and get an album together.
The talented and hotly tipped Jessie Rose Trip played at Future Perfect to show their support to the cause, and local girl Jessie stopped by to talk about the new album:
How’s Perfect Future 2 going for you today?
It’s been a fantastic today and think it’s wonderful everyone coming down to the Castlefield Arena and showing their support for Christie’s and the work they do. I’ve always been into charity events and even as a kid I used to love getting involved and raising money, so yeah I’m loving Future Perfect today.
…and how’s 2011 been going for you up to now?
We’ve just recently signed for a worldwide deal with a label that’s under the Universal umbrella, which to us is a massive deal. Plus recently we’ve been in New York recording, but the main thing over the next few months is getting the album together; I’ve been writing like a trojan lately and can’t wait to get started.
Writing and recording in New York, did the city influence you or the music in anyway?
Actually no not really, but saying that the response we got over there was amazing and they really get what we do. I think we have quite an international sound and they never guessed we’re from Manchester.
Today is actually the first time we have played in a while because we have been so busy and it’s got me feeling like ‘God I want to do some more’ you know, as far as names for the album and things like that we’re still working on it and I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag just yet but I’ve got some good ones, can’t wait to get it out there.
Donate to Future Perfect at futureperfectmanchester.co.uk
(Carl Stanley)
