Salford’s only new music festival returns to Chapel Street for the fourth year running. Acts like Howlin Rain, Man Like Me and Talibam! at the helm of the sonic vanguard will play live venues hosted by eight of Manchester’s finest promoters. Here’s the lowdown for this year’s sonic explosion.

Red Deer Club @ Sacred Trinity Church The three year old folk night bids farewell to its live incarnation. Hosted by the inimitable Dunk Le Chunk RDC presents the folky softness of Sophies Pigeon from the bowels of Moss Side alongside perky parpings by the 1234s, Sara Lowes 60stronica and the glorious reverberations of Lincoln’s Los Grecos. And a tombola, of course. www.reddeerclub.co.uk

Hey! Manchester @ Salford Arms Impassioned local promoters specializing in romantic indie musings, past sell outs include Jens Lekman and Vetiver and their Sounds contribution is no less seminal with a cast that includes the one man male voice choir of David Thomas Broughton and portentious folk-pop from Last Harbour. www.heymanchester.com

Golden Lab @ The Black Lion In love with NOISE, the enigmatic rock duo, Nick and Fliss have released records by Cowtown and MV+EE and as well as hosting alt-heros like Parts&Labor and Pit er Pat. The Lab line up is in equally fine fettle with The Wire magazine hot tips, The A Band headlining while sick kicks include Astral Social Club and audio enemas from Beach Fuzz and Phil&Cath Tyler. Awesome. www.myspace.com/goldenlabrecords

Lamb and Wolf @ The King’s Arms Taking on the ecclesiastical upper floor of the Kings, the creatures behind this live night love power-packin sounds. Japanese rock and noise are passions (think Boris, Earth, The Thermals), and they’ve recruited America’s Howlin Rain to their cause, assisted by Kill Rock Stars stars Panther and local next big things Cats In Paris. www.myspace.com/lambandwolf

Club Brenda @ Rovers Return This SFTOC stalwart shifts into a new live gear this year after moving to Moho Live. With his delicate future anthems Magic Arm headlines the brave cohorts like Leeds’ Cowtown, plus aural kisses from Tim and Sams The Tim And Sam Band and Warm Widow’s face-smashing post-rock. www.myspace.com/clubbrenda

Comfortable On A Tightrope @ Salford Restoration Office Comfortable On A Tightrope polish the sonic gems that others over look, specializing in indie and folk with soul (think Anni Rossi ,Simon Joyner&Diane Cluck ) Expect stringprovisisation from ex-Homelifers MayMing, Thursten Moore’s new favourite band, Talibam! And new Fence Records signing Rozi Plain. www.myspace.com/comfortableonatightrope

Prostitutes and Policemen @ Mark Addy A fabulous name with contacts to match, Mixmag Club Of The Month P&P has starred Sebastian, Switch and MSTRKRTF. Expect fucked up dance sh*t from Man Like Me, local heroes Modernaire, bleeps from Darling of the Spiltscreen and rising remixer The Badical www.myspace.com/prostitutespolicemen

Bring On The Dancing Horses@Egerton Arms Where art meets music, this live showcase has already brought the likes of Elle S’Appelle to Manchester fans of late, and whats up ere… only (We Are) Performance, feat now novelist Joe Stretch, a PJ Harvey for today Lonelady and Sons And Daughters favourite pop-folksters, The Old Romantic Killer Band. www.myspace.com/bringonthedancinghorsesuk

PLUS PLUS PLUS

Adventures in Bootlegging @ United Reformed Church Listen to highlights from a remarkable archive of live recordings by Craig Wood. Dating from 1973 to present, it features many of Manchester’s seminal gigs and venues as well as some obscure and long forgotten treasures.

Chairpersons @ former Flat Iron Market (beside Sacred Trinity Church) A public speaking platform in the form of a chair will be open to members of the public between invited guest speakers.

AND

Disco Opposite Tesco karaoke downstairs at Black Lion!

PLUS

One-off performances, collaborations and random get-togethers in Salford Central Train Station.

3pm til late, £10 from www.quaytickets.com