The Loft, original Creation Records legends, play Manchester Gullivers as part of a UK tour next March in support of their forthcoming, ‘debut’ album.

The band plays Gullivers on Thursday 13 March – their first Manchester show since playing the legendary Hacienda club with Terry Hall’s Colourfield back in May 1985.

The original line up of Pete Astor, Dave Morgan, Bill Prince and Andy Strickland, embark on their first ever UK club tour, 40 years after the classic ‘Up The Hill And Down The Slope’, topped the indie singles chart.

Since their infamous onstage split at London’s Hammersmith Palais in ‘85, their status as one of the UK’s most influential guitar bands of the 80s continues to grow and to influence a host of younger artists.

“We have great memories of Manchester and the Hacienda – you could get your haircut in the club,” says guitarist, Andy Strickland. “We also made our only TV appearance from the old BBC studios in Oxford Road and went back to do a Marc Riley 6 Music session there in 2011.”

“It’s incredibly exciting to not only be setting out on tour again, but now with a brand new set of songs to play alongside some of our, ahem, ‘greatest hits’, says drummer, Dave Morgan. “The Loft has always been just the same four people and it’s a real thrill to be playing across the UK with the band again. We’re sounding better than ever…”

“Seminally seminal…” – Steve Lamacq