It’s a tale of two Cities at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow, as the impressive Norwich come to town to play league leaders MCFC. We’ve cornered another one of Manchester finest bands (strange how all the good ones support City isn’t it?) to pick out some of their favourite tracks that they like to listen to before a big game.

Martin Finnigan is the singer and guitarist in The Rainband, an anthemic Manchester band that have spent 2011 supporting the likes of Simple Minds and building up a loyal fanbase, which includes some iconic Mancunian musicians such as Liam Gallagher and Tim Booth. Here, Martin picks out his favourite moments that bring music and City together…

Born of Frustration – James

I had major affiliation with the title growing up as a blue. The line “I don’t need a shrink but an exorcist”, always reminded me of all that talk that Maine Road had a gypsy curse, hence the lack of silverware. James have always been a favourite since I was a kid. We played with them this year, which was jaw dropping.

Acquiesce – Oasis

This song documented a time where the team might not have been world beaters but in the world of music Oasis were. They took the world by storm and were wearing the shirt with pride wherever you looked.
A few years later, I remember hearing this before the Derby in 2002 when United were top and we were along way down the table and thinking “If theyplayed that in the dressing room before the game, we’d beat’em”. We beat United 3-1 when Goater robbed Neville. In an interview with a city fanzine, Goater confirmed Acquiesce was on the dressing room playlist when asked about Oasis.

Lucky Man – The Verve

Ashcroft may be a red but he writes from his soul and for me there is no club with a soul like city. When I think how many lows we’ve took in the old division two and then down to three, it took a certain breed to still believe. This song documented being two nil down to Gillingham in ’99 at Wembley on 90 minutes and still ‘somehow’ winning the game. I remember a guy singing this at the top of his voice after the game and telling anyone who’d listen “Those Reds are finished”….United had just won the treble and we’d scraped out of the third division……but everyone agreed.

Pounding – Doves

This is the City anthem that gets every blue on the balls of their feet every match day. Doves are a band that have massively influenced us and with this track, whenever or wherever I hear it, I think of City.

AKA What A Life – Noel Gallagher

I remember being behind the goal at York away and we went one nil down after one minute. As Nicky Weaver picked the ball out of the net the Man City fans were bouncing singing “We’re not really here”. We sang that on 90 minutes when we beat United at Wembley in the semi. I remember thinking then, “what a life” and shaking my head in disbelief. In one chorus, Noel has summed up the journey of being a blue and so this tune is for whats been before and the high times to come. Come on City!

Thanks to Martin for taking the time to pick out his favourites. The Rainband are performing at City Square before tomorrow’s game against Norwich, and release their new single ‘The Prodigal’ on December 12th. For more information on the band take a look at The Rainband’s website.