post-punk · new wave · manchester

A Certain Ratio

post-punknew wavemanchesterfunk

4 992

Deezer fans

213 293

Last.fm listeners

upcoming dates

4 992

Deezer fans

213 293

Last.fm listeners

Listen on Spotify ↗Listen on Deezer ↗

Keep listening

About

A Certain Ratio (aka ACR or A.C.R.) is a post-punk/funk band from Manchester, UK, formed in the late 1970s by Simon Topping, Jeremy Kerr, Martin Moscrop, Donald Johnson and Pete Terrell. Revitalised by their 40th anniversary tour, the band returned to the studio to record their first album in 12 years - Loco - released on Mute on 25 September 2020. Along with Gang of Four and The Pop Group, ACR are recognised as one of the first exponents of punk-funk, a style which fused the energy and aggression of punk rock with the rhythms and musicianship of funk and soul. In 1979, ACR released their debut single "All Night Party"/"The Thin Boys" on the late Tony Wilson's and the late Rob Gretton's Factory Records, Manchester's legendary DIY collective/record label. ACR's early sound consisted of repetitious, effects-heavy guitar lines over a funky rhythm section with Latin percussion and ethereal electronics, over which lay Simon Topping's dark, moody vocals. Examples of this can be heard on tracks such as 'Do The Du', 'The Fox' and 'Winter Hill'. The band were initially criticised as being 'style over substance', as much attention was paid to the band's stage clothing and album artwork, all carefully orchestrated by Factory boss Tony Wilson. But ACR nevertheless gained a large following. They completed visits to the US, where their music was popular particularly in the clubs of New York. Early albums include "To Each..." and the studio/live album "The Graveyard And The Ballroom". During the early 80s, the band's personnel changed as Pete Terrell and Simon Topping left, the latter to study percussion in New York. Jeremy Kerr took over vocal duties, while keyboardist Andy Connell joined.

Source: Last.fm

Upcoming dates

Wed, 7 Oct 2026
A Certain Ratio
The Castle And Falcon · Birmingham
Tickets ↗
Tue, 13 Oct 2026
Renegade Communications presents A Certain Ratio
The Cluny · Newcastle Upon Tyne
Tickets ↗
Thu, 15 Oct 2026
A Certain Ratio
Oran Mor · Glasgow
Ticketmaster ↗

Never miss a date

Use “Follow” at the top of the page to get an email alert as soon as a date is announced near you.

Latest tracks

SpotifyOpen ↗

Keep listening

A Certain Ratio

You may also like

Latest tracks

You may also like