Is this the gig of the year?

With so many gigs and festivals crowding the summer, deciding where to go or who to see can be puzzling, but, if you’re a discerning music lover looking for something different to investigate this year, Manchester Confidential has the answer. The inventive people behind Pineapple Folk – Manchester’s premier promoters of cutting-edge folk and indie – have just announced a double whammy of exciting events.

With Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse, James McNew of Yo La Tengo, Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub, Jad Fair of Half Japanese and Scout Niblett all providing support – then coming together as Daniel’s all-star backing band – it’s an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime line-up.

After last year’s sold-out shows at the Comedy Store, Texas’ Daniel Johnston returns to our fair city for an extra special gig at New Century House on 24 July, backed and supported by some extremely distinguished musicians. With Mark Linkous of Sparklehorse, James McNew of Yo La Tengo, Norman Blake of Teenage Fanclub, Jad Fair of Half Japanese and Scout Niblett all providing support – then coming together as Daniel’s all-star backing band – it’s an exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime line-up. Since the public and the press proclaimed last summer’s shows as ‘astonishing’ and ‘perfect’ (This Is London), An Evening with Daniel Johnston and Friends promises to be unmissable – one of those “I was there” moments.

If you’re hungry for more, New Century House sees a brand new festival make its debut on 2 August. A Day At The Races is an all-ages treat, featuring an inspired collection of artists old and new playing across two stages from lunchtime until the early hours.

Headlined by Four Tet (aka Kieran Hebden, pioneer of modern, blissful electronica) and hosting sets from Icelandic troupe Múm, London’s eccentric experimentalist Adem, Oregon’s folk forefather Calvin Johnson and New York’s wry storyteller Jeffrey Lewis – plus a multitude of up-and-coming talents - it’s the perfect way to spend a sunny Saturday. Where else could you picnic to the sound of your new favourite band, dance to the hyper guitar romps of Los Campesinos! and marvel at the grand finale of Hebden’s stunning, state-of-the-art visuals, all for £23? Nope, I can’t think of anywhere else, either. Full line-up and ticket details can be found at www.pineapplefolk.com

Pineapple Folk specialise in compiling unprecedented line-ups that other promoters wouldn’t dare to try, and these two events are no exception. Snaffle those tickets now, before they’re all gone…