The Beautiful Mancs

The Beautiful Mancs is a tribute act that performs the songs of Paul Heaton rather than Heaton themselves, presenting a live set at Alexander's Live in Chester.

The Beautiful Mancs is a tribute project built around the music of Paul Heaton, and the band does not present Heaton in person. It began with Ben and Jakki, who met at a Paul Heaton concert at Co-op Live and then played a single gig to raise money for the charity Manchester Pug Thing. The name was chosen quickly for a poster and is meant playfully, whereas the music is treated seriously. The aim is an authentic sound rather than an exact copy, so the focus falls on details such as a particular word, a sustained note or the way two voices answer each other.

The line-up has since grown, with Gaz on bass, Dave on drums, Tom on guitar and Shaun on keys joining Ben and Jakki. The band raises money for charity at many of its gigs, including for Manchester Pug Thing, The Hope Hub and Jak's World, and it takes song requests when the room asks for them. The set closes with Caravan of Love, which everyone present sings unaccompanied.

Alexander's Live is a concert and performance venue in Chester, and this act's evening there brings the Heaton repertoire to a live audience.