Manchester’s A Certain Ratio, who recently announced a partnership with Mute Records, have announced a series of dates. The first, in May for Liverpool Sound City, will be followed by a London performance at Venue 229 on 24 June and a series of European dates through the summer, with more to be announced.

A Certain Ratio embraced the ethic and culture of the late seventies post-punk explosion, but sounded like nothing else around them and refused to fit in. Formed in 1978, the band had various members throughout their career, and a core line-up of Jeremy Kerr, Martin Moscrop and Donald Johnson.

Hailed universally as pioneers of what became known as “punk funk” thanks to the success of ‘Shack Up’ on both sides of the Atlantic, their sound is not easily pigeon holed and their influence can never be understated. The band introduced the avant-garde elements of funk, jazz, electronics, tape loops and technology to the pop song, wrapping it in a post punk aesthetic, adding great clothes and the coolest haircuts.

A Certain Ratio’s myriad influences created their uniquely eclectic sound, one that the band once described as “James Brown on acid”.  Some of these influences include Brian Eno, James Brown, Miles Davies, Tower of Power, Airto Moreira, The Velvet Underground, Kraftwerk and Wire, to name a few. They have gone on to influence generations of musicians - from Talking Heads, LCD Soundsystem, Happy Mondays, Franz Ferdinand, ESG, Factory Floor and Andrew Weatherall.

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Watch the short film Tribeca, directed by Michael Shamberg

LIVE DATES

25 May - UK, Liverpool Sound City

24 June - UK, London Venue 229

1 July - IT, Foligno Dancity

3 Aug - NL, Amsterdam Dekmental

Art pop duo Æ Mak's new single ‘I Walk’ will be available to stream from 3 April. An emotive anthem about self-belief and determination, the track follows the November release of their debut EP, I Can Feel It In My Bones. As you'll hear in their new single, Æ Mak 's dreamy soundscape, vivacious melodies and percussive vocal harmonies transport us to another realm.

‘I Walk’will be officially launched later next month at their headline show in the Sugar Club, Dublin, on 27 April as part of the duo's upcoming tour. Frontwomen Aoife and Ellie have collaborated with some of Dublin's top young designers to create some beautiful visuals for the special performance.

With synchronised dancing, a punk performance style, and backed by a five-piece band, Æ Mak has already earned a reputation as a thrilling live act. They recently supported Californian indie band Warpaint in Vicar Street and will be playing a number of dates in April and May.

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Æ MAK's tour will see them play:

The Chestnut, Birr (22 April),

The Sugar Club, Dublin (27 April),

The Macc, Belfast (13 May),

Róisin Dubh, Galway (24 May),

Liverpool Sound City , (27 May).