Manchester Music Trail: Aatma

About

Located down a distinct alleyway in the Northern Quarter, Aatma (formerly Kraak Gallery), established itself as a site for DIY culture for the region. Just next door sits the Peer Hat, a popular gig venue and bar continuing in a similar vein as Aatma, as a home for local promoters and bands. Both venues have managed to retain their dive bar charms, and Aatma has an electric atmosphere. Experimental local bands are at home on the stage here, including the likes of Locean, who mix the spoken word of Roy Fisher Prize winning poet Lauren Bolger with powerful psychedelic sounds. Notably though, is the work of a much-missed musician, performer and leader of local DIY culture. Louise Woodcock was  Kraak’s first curator, and was a bedrock for institutions like Islington Mill and Fat Out. She shook up the music scene of Manchester from the early 2000s and was a role model and instigator for queer music, women, and noise.