ONE of the challenges of the lockdown was finding something productive to do while being stuck indoors for extended periods.

And that is how Slow Readers Club's latest album, 91 Days in Isolation, came about. The Manchester band had just released their previous top 10 album, The Joy Of The Return, in March – just when the coronavirus crisis was coming to a head. Their tour, including a Parr Hall date, was cancelled but the four-piece wanted to remain creative so they crafted a follow-up record while all working remotely from home.

Aaron Starkie said: “This collection of songs was written remotely during the Covid-19 lockdown.

"With each band member sharing ideas over the internet, the songs were pieced together at home. When the lockdown lifted we took the songs to Edwin Street Recording Studios in Bury and recorded this album with our producer Phil Bulleyment."

It was one of many ways the band stayed connected to their fans during the pandemic. They held 'listening parties' of previous albums and shows and played an acoustic session surrounded by 21,000 vacant seats for Manchester Arena's 25th anniversary celebrations.

91 Days in Isolation comes out on October 23 and Slow Readers Club have rescheduled their Warrington show for March 21.