Local band 4Square to play 10-year anniversary gig in Bury

Littleborough band 4Square are playing a 10th anniversary concert at The Met in Bury

Local band 4Square will be returning to Greater Manchester on their 10th anniversary tour with a gig at The Met in Bury on Friday 29 September.

Since their formation in a freezing farmhouse above Littleborough, the band have released four full-length albums of fiery, inventive and virtuosic alternative folk, plus a new EP, aptly titled ‘X’.

Described as “simply stunning” by the legendary John Tams the quartet’s trademark live show features the spectacle of Nicola Lyons’s simultaneous fiddle playing and clog dancing and virtuosic mandolin from Michael Giverin, galvanised by the driving sounds of Jim Molyneux’s piano and Dan Day’s percussion.

Despite their billing as ‘Manchester’s ferocious folk foursome’, both Michael and Jim originally hail from Rochdale.

The band is currently on a large tour spanning the length of the UK in support of their latest studio album, ‘Fuel’ and to showcase ‘X’, a collection of five tracks from previous albums that have been re-recorded to show how the songs, and the band, have evolved over the last decade.

For the first seven years of their touring life, 4Square balanced education against gigging, with Nicola, Jim and Dan all studying music to a high level at University. Their first two albums, ’20:20 Manchester’ and ‘Chronicles’ were released in 2008 and 2010, respectively.

The band turned professional after graduation took place around the release of their third album, ‘Hearth & Home’ in October 2013.

In early 2014, the band had a line-up change with Michael adding his skills on the mandolin.

As well as formidable chops on their chosen instruments, singing plays a large part in any 4Square set with the lead parts shared between Jim, Dan and Nicola. When one is taking lead, the others provide harmony creating a rich tapestry of gorgeous three-part harmonies, hand in hand with their instrumental prowess.

4Square’s previous visit to The Met in March 2014 was a resounding success and their second night of modern, exciting music promises to be even better.

Tickets are available online.