Here we have another list of highlights from our ‘New Manchester Music’ playlist.
Amongst our favourite releases this week is a huge arena-filler from an emerging Manchester band, a track from Mike Dignam’s one-release-a-week project, and the perfect summer road trip anthem.
To listen to them all plus loads more new stuff – including last week’s top picks – head to our Spotify playlist here.
Rosellas – Before the Storm
Since being selected to support Shaun Ryder’s Black Grape at their London show a while back, Rosellas have gone from strength to strength. And with a string of plays from XS Manchester and support from Clint Boon on their last release, the lads have become well respected by the city’s scene.
Now, Rosellas return with another one to catch our attention. With the help of award-winning producer Oliver Shillito, ‘Before The Storm’ has turned out to be a hugely uplifting and atmospheric stadium-ready track.
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Naturally, the band take inspiration from the 90s Manchester bands they walk in the footsteps of. And since they cite The Stone Roses and The Verve as particular influences, you can definitely hear that familiar ferocity in ‘Before the Storm’.
Mike Dignam – Killer
Soul-pop singer Mike Dignam has been very busy.
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In January of this year, the Manchester-based artist set out on a year-long mission to release a new song every Friday of 2021. And so far, he’s been smashing it, with a full music video to accompany each song, too.
Solid effort, Mike.
Now, he’s well past the halfway mark with this week’s track ‘Killer’, a collab with fellow northerner Liam Craig marking number 32 of 52.
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Singer-songwriter Liam spent some time away writing music for Emile Sande and Naughtyboy, and even touring with Little Mix. But now, he’s back doing his own thing and joins Mike with vocals over this neo-soul beat.
Patrick Saint James – Begging
Manchester-based singer-songwriter Patrick Saint James was born with a hearing defect. Amazingly, he hears mainly through vibrations and has been using this to write songs ever since he was 15-years-old.
Typically, Patrick’s music falls within the pop genre with influences lying with the likes of Years & Years. He regularly draws on topics of destructive relationships and loves to tell personal stories from his own experiences, adding to his genuine and relatable character.
His new track ‘Begging’ is no different. It’s an up-close-and-personal account of the challenges he faces with bipolar disorder and explores themes of being accepted for who he is.
Recently Patrick signed to Lovers Music ahead of his debut EP which is to follow later this year. So, we can expect to hear more from the Irish-born singer very soon.
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The Covasettes – Before the Storm
Indie-rock outfit The Covasettes have had an incredible couple of years. And with two sold-out shows this weekend alone, the boys are clearly doing something right.
The newest one from the four-piece, ‘Sun Struck’, gives off a lovely summer vibe, ideal for your road trip playlist.
Their previous tracks have received plays from BBC Radio and XS Manchester, and we imagine this one will follow suit, too.
StreamGM and The Manc have teamed up to show some some serious love and support to the region’s renowned theatres, nightclubs, and live-music venues with the launch of SeeGM – a digital campaign to shine a bright spotlight on many of the amazing events, club nights, gigs and shows in our region.
Co-op Live went ahead with a test event with Rick Astley last Saturday, albeit with a capacity that was reduced at the eleventh hour.
But the huge venue was hit with ‘power supply issues’ and took the ‘difficult decision’ to postpone Peter Kay.
It’s now gone one step further and pushed back The Black Keys – meant to be their first proper live music event – as well as Peter Kay AGAIN.
In a statement shared today, the Co-op Live said it has been ‘undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans’.
It said that the shows are being rescheduled to ensure they can ‘run safely’.
The 23,500-capacity arena said this will give them ‘the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly’.
The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May, and Peter Kay on 23 and 24 May.
As for the Bolton-born comedian, he sounds somewhat in disbelief himself:
Co-op Live’s statement reads: “Since making the difficult decision to postpone the live shows at Co-op Live due to take place this week, we have been undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans.
“To ensure that we can run all shows safely, regretfully we have now had to take the decision to reschedule the planned The Black Keys and Peter Kay shows.
“Both The Black Keys and Peter Kay have graciously agreed to reschedule their shows. The Black Keys will now perform on 15 May 2024, and Peter Kay will now perform on 23 and 24 May 2024.
“All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend.
“We deeply appreciate the impact this will have on excited fans, and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause.
“Rescheduling Peter Kay and The Black Keys will give us the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly.
“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size to ensure that our fans, artists and staff have the safest experience possible.”
Co-op Live boss resigns just days before venue’s official opening
Daisy Jackson
The boss of Co-op Live, Manchester’s enormous, ground-breaking new arena, has resigned from his position just days before the venue is set to open.
The enormous music-first arena has been taking shape beside the Etihad Stadium for several years, and was due to welcome its first official audiences this week, but has been hit with last-minute challenges.
And now Co-op Live‘s boss Gary Roden has quit the mammoth project, with the news of his resignation announced late Thursday evening.
Oak View Group, which Co-op Live is part of, said in a statement that they would like to ‘thank Gary for his help bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans’.
Stepping into his shoes as interim general manager will be Rebecca Kane Burton, who previously ran the U.K.’s highest-grossing venue, London’s The O2 arena.
Gary has previously come under fire for saying that some grassroots music venues ‘poorly run’ – a statement that OVG has now distanced itself from.
A separate statement said that ‘neither Co-op Live nor Oak View Group share the sentiment expressed by former Co-op Live General Manager Gary Roden regarding the grassroots industry’.
It continued: “As OVG Chairman and CEO Tim Leiweke has repeatedly stated, Co-op Live remains committed to grassroots music in Manchester and beyond, including teaming up with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham on the Artist of the Month campaign, and as a founding partner of Beyond The Music.
“Co-op Live also donates over £1m a year to the Co-op Foundation to support communities and empower young people to take social action through its new Young Gamechangers fund.
“Oak View Group and Co-op Live remain happy to meet with grassroots organisations once the venue is fully operational.”
The news of the venue’s boss stepping down comes at a time when all eyes are on Co-op Live, the opening of which has been delayed.
The venue did host a test event with Rick Astley last weekend, but even that faced difficulties, with thousands of tickets cancelled to reduce capacity just hours before showtime.
It’s now set to officially open this Saturday 27 April with a performance by rock group The Black Keys.
The full statement from OVG about Gary’s resignation said: “Gary Roden has decided to resign. We’d like to thank Gary for his help bringing the UK’s newest arena to live entertainment fans and wish him the best for the future.
“Rebecca Kane Burton has been named Interim GM, effective today. Rebecca is a seasoned veteran of venue management and live entertainment in the UK having served as VP/GM of The O2 from 2012-2016 and CEO of LW Theatres from 2016-2021.