The Manc Group has launched a new Audio North platform, created to showcase the music scene across all cities and towns in the North of England.
Through video-led content, Audio North will deliver artist interviews, backstage venue secrets, concert highlights, music-inspired vox-pops, live-streamed events and much more, bringing the thriving music scene in the north of England to life on social media.
Through The Manc Group’s websites, Audio North will also bring readers gig announcements as they happen, venue updates, festival line-ups, music reviews, artist stories and more.
We’re already behind pages including The Manc, The HootandThe Sheff, covering cultural news from Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and the surrounding areas.
With a combined 2.3 million followers across our social media platforms and a million website users each month, the group is now dedicated to showcasing the best of the music scene up North.
Audio North is all about championing local and visiting talent to the Northern region, including The Manc Group’s home cities plus neighbouring icons like Liverpool, Newcastle and beyond.
It’s about celebrating the region’s rich musical histories, from Oasis and The Beatles to Pulp, Take That, Pulp and more, while demonstrating to the world that the North is still king of the music industry.
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Building on existing partnerships with the UK’s leading venues including the AO Arena in Manchester and the First Direct Arena in Leeds, as well as smaller grassroots venues, plus a long-standing partnership with StreamGM, the new channel will celebrate and amplify British Northern music.
Video series that will launch with Audio North will include ‘Short Stuff’, 60-second videos delving into the histories and origins of local music scenes; ‘On The Street’, chatting to music lovers on the streets and in the queues outside venues; and ‘Audio Meets’, where rising stars and established artists will give their own insights into the music industry, plus an ongoing partnership with Spill The Sound.
Audio North at the First Direct Arena LeedsNight and Day Cafe in ManchesterSerge of KasabianCredit: The Manc Group
Abbie Bartlett, head of brand at The Manc Group, said: “We’re so proud of our northern roots and our home cities, and especially the world-famous music scenes that exist here.
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“From The Leadmill to the AO Arena, Night & Day Cafe to the First Direct Arena, The Cavern Club to Brudenell Social Club, we can’t wait to show off all the places and events that make the North such a vibrant and lively place to live.
“Nothing can compare to the buzz of seeing live music, but we hope through Audio North we can provide the next best thing to being inside an actual concert.
“It’s about time we change the London-centric narrative around the UK’s music scene and bring all eyes up North.”
Here’s an example of the kind of exclusive content you can expect from the newly unified entertainment brand and music outlet:
Laura Graham, StreamGM’s Producer said: “The North has always produced a rich source of incredible music, and StreamGM has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with The Manc Group because we share an innate passion, pride and dedication to the region’s music scene.
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“Having worked with The Manc Group on a number of very successful music and cultural campaigns over the years, StreamGM is thrilled about the launch of Audio North, and we are here for it!
“Together, StreamGM and Audio North will promote the diversity and global acclaim of our local music and culture. This will include exclusive, collaborative content with two of StreamGM’s biggest online music series: Spill The Sound – a northern indie music show presented by Louise Schofield that platforms renowned and breakthrough talent, and MainRoom; our live-streamed underground clubbing series that brings grassroots northern dancefloors to living rooms across the world, featuring exciting new DJs and club nights from across the region.”
Audio North launches on Thursday 18 July – you can follow it on Instagram HERE.
For more information and to share local music news, email [email protected].
Transformational plans set to be approved for ‘major’ new Manchester city centre park
Emily Sergeant
‘Transformational’ plans to regenerate an underused Manchester city centre site are set to be approved next week.
Following ‘overwhelming’ public support for proposals set out in a public consultation earlier this year – where more than 90% of respondents supported the key principles – Manchester City Council says its executive is expected approve an ambitious vision for the Water Street neighbourhood at a meeting next week (Weds 8 July).
The Water Street Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) is set to create a city centre district developed around a new urban park.
The SRF is described as being a ‘high-level blueprint’ for future investment that will guide development through the planning process.
The plans are comprised of a new landscape-led neighbourhood that combines homes – including 20% of them being ‘affordable’ – improved public spaces, enhanced walking and cycling connections, and ‘significant’ new green infrastructure centred around the River Medlock.
Sustainability was highlighted as an area of importance to local residents in the consultation, and to meet these demands, the plans include increased biodiversity, sustainable drainage features, and a largely car-free neighbourhood to support Manchester’s zero-carbon ambitions, as well as the new urban park being at the heart of it all.
The new neighbourhood will also offer plenty of new jobs, skills, and investment opportunities.
“The wider Water Street area has seen major regeneration in recent years with world-class investment at St John’s and Aviva Studios on its doorstep, alongside impressive residential developments,” explained Cllr Gavin White, who is Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration.
“This renewed regeneration framework will help guide investment to bring this area up to the same ambitious level with new housing, including affordable housing to create an inclusive new neighbourhood, complemented by a brand-new city centre urban park.”
Featured Image – Manchester City Council (Supplied)
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Shoppers warned of huge queues as £6.2m P.Louise beauty megastore opens at Trafford Palazzo
Daisy Jackson
The P.Louise City megastore will open its doors in Manchester this weekend, and shoppers are already being warned that it will be BUSY.
The cult beauty brand launches its world-first immersive makeup destination on Sunday 5 July at the Trafford Palazzo.
Founder Paige Williams has set out to create a retail space that mimics the childlike wonder you feel when stepping into a Disney park.
Expect elaborate pink zones like a P.Louise City supermarket, a girly tiled bathroom, a hair salon, a pharmacy, and even a cinema.
Shoppers will be able to visit a petrol station where you can make a beauty driving licence and pose with petrol pumps, a florist where you can design your own scented body mist, and a bank vault with giant golden keys hanging from the ceiling, where top members can unlock exclusive gold Bad Bitch Energy lip kits.
There’s an entire section of the store dedicated to those hit Bad Bitch Energy lip kits, with shelves and shelves of flavours and scents, and the chance to make your own custom lip oil complete with charms.
As you get lost in the huge 19,000 sq ft space, there are cult products to discover in every corner like foaming cleansers, Juicy Drip lip care sets, setting powders and liquid blushes.
The entire P.Louise City shop is decorated with details like flower-filled phone boxes, giant bubbles, heart-shaped traffic lights, mirrored benches, and postboxes, all in dizzying shades of pink and gold.
P.Louise founder Paige Williams in P.Louise CityIt’s a 19,000 sq ft, two-storey megastoreThe P.Louise cinemaPhoto opportunities like a skate rampThe P.Louise florist, where you can customise a body mistInside the ‘pharmacy’The P.Louise petrol stationA bank vault at P.Louise CityTop members can unlock a gold Bad Bitch Energy lip kitThe girls’ bathroom at P.Louise CityThe P.Louise City salonThere’s even a supermarket inside
Going well beyond retail, P.Louise City has bookable VIP party rooms, a cafe serving coffees, ear piercing, and photo opportunities like a skate ramp, as well as a packed programme of events and masterclasses.
Founder Paige said she wanted to create a space so over-the-top, other-worldly and glamorous, it feels like it’s been created by AI.
Signs are now up around the Trafford Centre and Trafford Palazzo ahead of the P.Louise launch predicting large queues, with extra crowd management measures in place.
The first 250 customers through the door who spend £20 or more will receive an exclusive gift box, and queues will open from 6am.
If you’re planning to brave the crowds, you can see all the launch day info you need HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
18th July 2024 
