More new to NA: Afflecks Palace and "Nu Madchester"

I don't know who coined the phrase "Nu Madchester" and I'm not sure it's entirely accurate, for Afflecks Palace are more Roses than Mondays. But the name has gained traction. The four-piece guitar band wear their influences proudly, and you can hear them in every song, and that works for me, I have to say. Am a bit less fond of bucket hats making a comeback, but singer J seems keen, wearing one (or something equally daft) in most videos I've seen. And if I tell you that the band's website is called The Spirit of Spike Island ... well, you get the picture. Oh, and for extra Manc kudos, the band are named after the former name of the alternative indoor market on Oldham Street, in Manchester's Northern Quarter. Here's a taster from J, guitarist Dan Stapleton, bassist Pete Darling and drummer Pete Redshaw, Carpe Diem.

A bit of a browse around that Spirit of Spike Island website reveals some other, like-minded bands. My interest was piqued by this track, Deeper Than Holy, by Pastel.

And if two bands ploughing the baggy Manchester furrow aren't enough for you, relax, there's a third: this is Come Out 'n' Play by Vega Rally:

I'm not sure about "Nu Madchester" though - quite apart from it being a terrible, lazy name, if I want to listen to music that sounds like The Roses, Mondays, Charlatans, Inspirals, well, I'll just get all my old CDs out. Whilst there's nothing wrong with championing your influences, I think these three bands need to forge their own identities rather than trade on the past glories of others. That said, from a day spent YouTubing them all, I think they all have the potential to do exactly that. And good news, the three bands are going out on tour together, so you can get to take in all three in one evening - just don't wear a bucket hat, please?