Celebration #3: 1980 Forward (backwards)

4AD label events and showcases have a good tradition of featuring external (i.e. unsigned by 4AD) support acts - just think Heavenly Bodies, Medicine, Ether or the "Echoes from the Cross" ensemble. The 1980 Forward celebration in November 2005 again featured a few bands and artists not signed to 4AD:

Southern Records signing Todd ("London's most primal chaotic rock unit") have been a regular support for 4AD artists (The Breeders, Cass McCombs and Vinny Miller) before the Celebration/Wolf & Cub gig at the Water Rats. And again, unprepared listeners took immediate shelter at the bar. Strictly BYE (bring your earplugs)!
Official Todd site

Manchester-based Polytechnic joined The Breeders at Blackheath Halls on Saturday. The band have since toured extensively, played several radio sessions and released two singles on Transgressive.
Official Polytechnic web site
Polytechnic on MySpace

Singer-songwriter Jont supported The Mountain Goats and Emma Pollock at Bush Hall. On the occasion of his debut EP release "One Long Song" (Nov. 21, 2005 on Everybody's Records) AngryApe and Gigwise conducted interviews with him days after this gig.
Jont's official site "The Great Escape"
Jont on MySpace