The Walkmen to play tiny Manchester show as YES announces bumper fifth birthday celebration

New York legends The Walkmen will play their first UK show in nearly a decade as part of Yes' birthday celebrations later this month.

Their intimate performance will kick off a specially-curated catalogue of events to mark the Charles Street venue's fifth anniversary. It will be the first time the band has appeared in Manchester since selling out The Ritz in 2012.

The Walkmen will play to the 250-capacity Pink Room on August 20, before returning to the city the following weekend (August 26) for a show at Now Wave's 1,300-capacity New Century venue.

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The group has been out of action since declaring an 'extreme hiatus' in early 2014. To mark the occasion, a stairwell at the venue has been painted in honour of the band's 2004 single The Rat - its wall emblazoned with the lyrics 'you've got a nerve'.

Yes was opened in 2018 by Now Wave promoters Wes Jones and Jon Wickstead, together with Ruth Hemmingfield, formerly of Gorilla and Deaf Institute. The trio transformed an old auction house into a 'four-floor temple' - comprising of two live and club spaces, food offerings, and an outdoor roof terrace.

The August 20 show will be the New York band's first UK performance in nearly a decade ahead of a full tour of the country.

Yes and Now Wave's Wesley Jones said: "It's like a dream come true. The Walkmen are one of our all-time favourite bands and we're delighted to have them back to help celebrate our fifth birthday.

"it's going to be a long time since The Walkmen have played a venue of this size. They're an incredible band and it'll be an honour to have them play."

A full line-up for Yes' birthday celebrations will be announced later