For any softies out there who enjoy the experience of watching a sad man or woman bare their soul and play pretty folk songs while onlookers wear berets and stroke their oiled goatees, nodding in muted agreement and sipping on craft beer - look no further than The Castle Hotel's Songwriter Circle on August 11, where our kid Calan Mai will be taking the stage with five of Manchester's finest troubadours: Dom Major, Runah, Robbie Cavanagh, Tom Kay and Megan Dixon-Hood. This is sure to be an evening of collaboration, improvisation and dissonant six-way harmonies that will act as a séance, awakening the spirits of the dead within The Castle's dusty walls and ceiling.

Side note: four of these six performers have taken part in a Canvas Sounds OAW Session. Good company.