A-Bound Festival at Islington Mill: Unorthodox Easter celebrations

Anastasia Connor

Fat Out Till You Pass Out are doing splendid things at Islington Mill – and A-Bound Festival over the Easter weekend looks to be no exception.

A-Bound is a new collaborative project masterminded by Fat Out Till You Pass Out, a local experimental promoter resident in Salford’s creative hub Islington Mill. The opening (free, sold out) show – a joint venture with Manchester’s Now Wave – serves up Dutch Uncles’ special brew of math-rock infused uplifting pop with the darker bluesy starter of Bernard & Edith.  The second installment of the programme is a partnership with Bristol’s Cacophanus Sarcophagus, whose showcase includes drum-centric improvisational collective WERK and curator/interpreter of ethnic minority music from South East Asia Kink Gong.

A-Bound is a new collaborative project masterminded by local promoter Fat Out

Good Friday and Saturday herald the arrival of Glasgow’s legendary DJ duo JD Twitch and Jonnie Wilkes (aka Optimo Music) who spring into Easter with a 28-hour bounce of events joining forces with Islington Mill Pot Luck Film Night (IMPLFN), purveyors of early analogue games Tech Noir, vegan kitchen Mother May I and London/Manchester genre-melting party makers High Hoops.

Tracing its history back to an artist-lead initiative started in 1995, Supernormal is the antithesis of large headliner-driven commercial events associated with the festival business. Their Easter Sunday service brings together multi-instrumentalist superheroine Serafina Steer’s latest project Bas Jan,  two-man everything machine Gum Takes Tooth, experimental noise provocateurs Consumer Electronics and custodians of degenerate rhymths and bastardised electronics Circuit Breaker. More workshops and film screenings are yet to be announced.  Aimed at encouraging visitors to evaluate their role in the proceedings, Helmut Lemke’s sound/art commission will run alongside the music events.

Mother's Day in Manchester and the North
Spotlight on

Mother's Day in Manchester and the North

From bespoke bouquet workshops and poetry royalty to slap-up Sunday roasts and gin tastings, check out our guide of things to do with your mum this Mother's Day.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Poet Imtiaz Dharker. Photo by Ayesha Dharker
Literature Events in the North

It's like the Woolies pick'n'mix counter this month in live literature land – so much choice, we're not sure where to start digging in.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

DaDaFest’s 40th anniversary line-up, contemporary reimaginings and outlandish fringe, check out our top theatre picks for spring onwards.

We shelter here sometimes promo image. Featuring My Dog Sighs inside and abandoned building.
Cinema in the North

David Lynch, International Women's Day and Manchester Film Festival are amongst our cinematic highlights this March.

Mohair Man, 1991, by Dave Swindells
Exhibitions in the North

Cinematic sets, 90s nightclub photography and even new gallery - we have a great mix of exhibitions for you this month.

GROVE
Music in the North

We’re championing all things underground this month, with a selection of gigs and festivals that embrace the strange.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.