This should be an exciting Freedom Principle session with 3 contrasting acts for you to enjoy!

1st of April, Mint Lounge, Oldham st
7:30pm
Tickets £10 – available from www.skiddle.com

Polar Bear are a post-jazz band led by drummer Seb Rochford, who also features in the lineup of Acoustic Ladyland. They cite Deerhoof, Pit Er Pat, Thelonius Monk, Beethoven, Radiohead and Bjork among their influences and the music they make borders on drum and bass, electronica and dance music. In 2005 they were nominated for the Mercury Prize for their second album, Held On The Tips Of Fingers (Babel), which was also deemed one of ‘100 jazz albums that shook the world‘. Their eponymous new album on Tin Angel has received unanimously favourable reviews, including in the Indepedent (4/5), the Guardian (4/5), Uncut (8/10) and on DrownedInSound (8/10).

New York’s Dirty Projectors are quite simply one of the best live bands we’ve seen. Fronted by Yale graduate Dave Longstreth, they have released three albums including 2007’s Rise Above, an album that completely reimagined Black Flag songs. Earlier this year Dirty Projectors signed to Domino Records – and it is rumoured that they will release two albums in early 2009. They were last in town supporting Wire during this year’s Futuresonic festival, meaning this will be their first appearance in a year. They’re expanding their lineup from a quartet to a six-piece for this show.

Finally, Los Angeles-based experimentalists Lucky Dragons make what we believe is their Manchester debut. The duo of Luke Fischbeck and Sarah Rara have been making music for ages (18 releases and counting) and are currently signed to London label Upset the Rhythm. We’d file them close to Black Dice, Ariel Pink’s Haunted House, YACHT, High Places, Mt Eerie and Panda Bear. Catch them live to decide for yourself.

This very exciting event is a co-promote with Hey! Manchester www.heymanchester.com