'Dr Dee'

Not a band, but rather Damon Albarn and director Rufus Norris's feted contemporary opera, which made its debut at the Manchester International Festival last summer. Based around the life of Tudor mathematician, astronomer, cartographer, philosopher, occultist, alchemist, courtier and spy, John Dee, it's revealed itself to be visually very impressive, and features a sparse and melancholy score by Albarn, who sings live onstage with a band – playing pop music on 16th century period instruments – and orchestral accompaniment. Sixth of eight performances over seven days.