Giant ants, folk ballads, bangin' hard tunes, vampires and a bit of rumpy pumpy too. It's your week in Manchester!
The Unthanks, The Ritz, Wed Mar 11, £18
Making folk even cooler than it had become already, the family led band bring their beautifully haunting melancholic sound to The Ritz. There won't be a mosh pit...
Lets Talk About Sex, MOSI, Wed Mar 11, free unless you take part in the speed dating (£5)
This 'late night at MOSI' evening event looks at what science has to say about subjects such as why we fancy people, why we feel jealous and, as Howard Jones once asked in pop, what is love, anyway? Sexperiments in touch and taste, scientific speed dating and aphrodisiacs abound.
Claudia Brucken, Ruby Lounge, Wed Mar 11, £20
The former lead singer with one of the greatest synth pop bands ever, Propaganda, celebrates the release of a new solo album with a short UK tour. The voice, the German accent, the steel look - she's unmissable.
Idlewild, The Ritz, Thu Mar 12, £20
They're back after five years away, with a new album to boot. Welcome to Manchester, boys!
Stephen King Season, Dancehouse, Thu Mar 12, £6.50
This great little season of films inspired from the books of the horror master brings us the full length TV scary as all hell 'Salem's Lot'. How many children lost endless nights of sleep as a result of that dead boy floating, tapping at his brother's window with long sharp nails? What, just me?
Underworld, Albert Hall, Fri Mar 13, £28.50
The band catapulted to even greater fame because of a dead baby crawling across a ceiling (that's the 'Trainspotting' sound track thank you) makes a visit to Albert Hall for a quiet tea dance type affair... Nah. Bangin'!
Casa Tomada, The Lowry, until Sun Apr 26, free
Giant ants swarm The Lowry gallery in tribute to the struggle of displaced and migrant communities. No, it's nothing like the Joan Collins film, 'Empire of the Ants'...
The Vintage Home Show, Victoria Baths, Sun Mar 15
Joy of joys, a design lover's paradise of gorgeousness in the unique setting of Victoria baths. From kitsch to retro classic, Sunday's don't get more stylish.
Suite Francaise
Romance between a young French girl and a German soldier in WW2 occupied France. It doesn't sound like a smooth ride... The film adaptation of the popular novel sees great performances from stars Michelle Williams and Kristen Scott Thomas.
Mother's Day, Sun Mar 15
Take your Mum out. Here's a guide to the best restaurants in Manchester.