With the dust settling on the 2020 band battle (you can find a full report and photos on page 28), we can have a look at a couple of choice gigs happening around the isle this week.

First up we have the return of prog rockers Kvarken.

The group features the talents of singer Dave Brew, who also fronts the bands In The Blood and the Radiohead tribute group OK Computer, guitarist Kevin Cleator, who has, in the past also graced the tribute groups DC/AC, Lost Dogs and Ed Force One, Pigs On The Wing drummer Steve Leach,bassist Dave Callaghan and keyboard player Ian Wright.

They have not been gigging that much over the past few years, but are well worth checking out if you are a fan of Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd, Rush, Marillion and any other prog rock giant you could think off.

Over the lockdown the members added a couple of videos to YouTube, including a cover of Firth of Fifth by Genesis which is pretty spectacular.

Kvarken are performing this weekend at Bar Logo, in Ramsey on Saturday from 9pm.

Sunset Jet are not resting on their laurels by any means.

Fresh from last weekend’s efforts, the indie pop-rock three piece are set for a night at Jaks tomorrow night, from 9pm, with a trip down south planned for Saturday night, when they will be appearing at the Haven, in Port Erin.

If last week’s gigs are anything to go by, they will both be rammed to the hilt, so it might be worth getting down there early.

All this talk of Sunset Jet leads me neatly on to the ’Made In Mann’ series of gigs at the Villa Marina.

Organised by the Isle of Man Arts Council, the free monthly concerts are being held at the Promenade Suite to help promote local bands to a wider audience and got under way last month with a pretty-much sold out show from local surf-rockers Voodoo Bandits with guests the Getaways and A Stone’s Throw.

Next week sees folk-pop group Biskee Brisht appear for a Hop Tu Naa-themed night, on Friday, October 30.

The gig starts at 7.30pm with support coming from the Soundcheck graduates Spaghetti and the Hoops.

Sunset Jet will appear with a few support acts in tow during November and it also looks like the concerts will be continuing for the foreseeable future too.

Local rock *’ roll punks Mad Daddy, have just been confirmed to headline a night on Friday, December 17, along with the mighty doomsters Man In The Woods.

Mad Daddy are currently working on a new album and have released a handful of videos on YouTube, namely ’Give It To Me’ and ’Just You Wait’, featuring their all-new line up, featuring guitarist Liam Callow and drummer Matt Twist, to give you an idea of what you can expect.