Proper songs.
Properly done.
The Beautiful Mancs are Ben and Jackie - two Manchester vocalists with a shared obsession: the back catalogue of Paul Heaton. From the sharp-tongued jangle of The Housemartins through to the wry, bittersweet pop of The Beautiful South and Heaton's acclaimed work with Jacqui Abbott, they cover the full sweep of one of British music's most distinctive voices.
In just over a year they've built a reputation for shows that feel less like a tribute act and more like a proper night out - the kind where people who came for Rotterdam end up staying for everything. Heavily booked from the off, with reviews to match.
Currently performing as a duo with backing tracks, the format is flexible, punchy, and suited to everything from weddings and private parties to pub nights, corporate events, and festivals. They're also actively looking to grow into a full live band - watch this space.
Ben
Lead vocals. Handles the Heaton side of the dual-vocal tradition - the sardonic, quickfire delivery that made songs like Rotterdam and Song for Whoever land so hard.
Jackie
Lead vocals. Brings the warmth and power that defined the female vocal in The Beautiful South - think Jacqui Abbott on A Little Time or Prettiest Eyes, but unmistakably her own.
Keep up with
the band
Gig announcements, behind-the-scenes, and the occasional opinion on the correct ranking of Beautiful South albums.