Eclectic line up at The Vale offers an international mix

Autumn's live music line up at The Vale in Mossley promises an eclectic international mix, with Congolese and Cuban fusion, ska, punk and energetic soul.

 Festival favourites Grupo Lokito launches the season on Saturday, September 21, with its glorious cocktail of original songs telling stories of life, love, wisdom and the joy of dancing. The vocals of Congolese frontman Iddo Donnatella soar over the guitars of Shama Shah and Dan Waldman.

The lilting keyboards of Sara McGuinness and solid foundations of bassist Jimmy Martinez pair perfectly with Lilli Ahvenian on congas and Ernesto Marichales on drums. Grupo Lokito is famed for its wild moves that wow audiences and fill dance floors everywhere they play. Supported by the Global Grooves Youth Bloco.

 On Saturday, October 12, Manchester’s Jeramiah Ferrari will bring its blend of indie, alternative rock and reggae to The Vale. Ryan Paul Mario Barton (lead vocals and guitar), Chris Sykes (lead guitar), Hanson Pollitt (bass and vocals) and Paddy Monaghan (drums and percussion) are seasoned performers who supported The Wailers on their UK tour and have shared international stages with legends including Madness, UB40, The Selecter, The Beat and Level 42. Expect a calypso-ska dance party. Naomi Kalu supports.

Singer Natu Camara continues the season on Saturday, November 2, as part of her 12-month UK tour.

The New York-based Guinean performer mixes West African soul, rock and pop to weave a tapestry of musical stories and create musical visions of her beloved home.

Described by critics as “a force of musical nature” with “mesmerising” songs and “a haunting voice that will draw you into her colourful experiences,” Natu’s shows are packed with energy and joy and promise a truly inspirational evening not to be missed. Support is from Shirley May and Clive Hunte (aka Busha Mann), influential figures in the Manchester cultural scene, known for their collaborative work that intertwines poetry and music.

 Winner of the 2023 Glastonbury emerging talent competition N’famady Kouyate takes to the stage on Friday, November 22.

The talented multi-instrumentalist fuses Mandingue African and Western jazz, pop, indie and funk to create a mesmerising sound. Born in Guinea, N’famady’s primary instrument is the balafon – the traditional wooden xylophone sacred to West African culture. He’s now based in Cardiff, but N’famady’s performances are deeply rooted in the rhythms of his West African roots and guaranteed to create an amazing atmosphere. Support is from kora player John Haykock, who has trained with Gambian griot and kora master Jali Nyonkoling Kuyateh for over 10 years.

And finally, on Friday, December 13, Baked A La Ska promises a super-charged rampage to get the party season well and truly started. The Manchester collective is, in its own words, “a band of assembled oddballs and pranksters fronted by an unholy trio of singers: Frank ‘The Skank’, Tommy Robot and Kuntri Ranks. Support is from the unpronounceable but danceable DJ Fflyffilyfbbl.