Manchester’s inaugural Festival of Libraries, which took place virtually and in-person across the city-region last week, was a sprawling patchwork of events representing what libraries can be.
From virtual artist residencies and talks by famous writers to interactive activities for children and tours of Manchester venues, the five days of the Festival proved to be a glorious celebration of libraries and all they provide us.
A central theme flowing through the events was curiosity: Not just about what libraries are, but what they provide and what they mean to us.
For celebrated children’s author Michael Rosen – who starred at the Festival – libraries are essential given how they provide us with two of the most powerful tools of life: Reading and writing.
“We make comparisons between the stories we’re reading and the story of me.”
Rosen spoke as part of an ‘Inspired by Libraries’ series, where notable figures in the creative world were paired with a Greater Manchester library service.
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Radzi Chinyanganya, a children’s television presenter and debut author, also talked to a group of children in person at Altrincham Library, where he explained how libraries helped him with his GCSES, and enabled him to learn about Karate.
For children, libraries are such a magical place, and the lectures really emphasised just how formative they can be. I saw this in action when I went along to Central Library’s ‘Sunday Funday’. Greeted by characters from Alice in Wonderland, it was wonderful to see young faces light up as they recognised the Mad Hatter and Captain Hook.
Children were able to take part in an interactive story with children’s author Kristina Stephenson, playing with puppets and learning about the fantastical world of Stephenson’s best-selling series. Upstairs was the chance to create a pop-up inspired by books and libraries.
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Whilst the sessions themselves were creative and enjoyable, it was the ability for children to be creative and imaginative that brought an excitable fizz to the air.
Another strand of the Festival was a series of artist residencies, where local musicians, poets, and creatives worked together with youth groups in a series of workshops facilitated by libraries across Greater Manchester.
James Holt, a singer-songwriter from Bolton, worked with ‘Us Girls’, a youth group in Stockport, on a song and music video based around what libraries meant to them. He told me how, when he brought his ukulele along in the last session, one of the girls learned some chords and was thrilled by having been able to learn something new.
He says it’s those “little moments” that might encourage people to check out the library, come to a group, or maybe pursue music as a result of the Festival.
One noticeable element to the festival was its broad range of artistic mediums and formats. Hawk Dance Theatre, a Manchester-based contemporary dance company, performed ‘Getting From A to B’ in several of Greater Manchester libraries during the week.
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Choreographed within libraries themselves, it proved to be an adventure around the library, examining the choices and decisions we face in our lives.
Stephen Holland, UK comics laureate, spoke to a live audience at Altrincham Library about the power of visual storytelling and Guy Garvey, lead singer of the band Elbow, talked about his love of libraries with Chetham’s Library.
As a UNESCO City of Literature, Manchester has partnered with artists in other cities of literature across the world. Kate Feld talked to Alicia Sometime, writing from Melbourne, Australia, and Anna Polanyi, in Iowa City, via Instagram Live about their projects and experiences of working with Manchester’s libraries from half-way across the world.
“Librarians are the glue that holds the world together,” Alicia said.
The whole Festival was put together at lightning speed, and the quality and quantity of events demonstrated the passion that each of the libraries hold for celebrating themselves and each other.
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Martin Roberts, Libraries Liaison Manager for Stockport Council, told me that library staff are effective at pivoting to new events and activities as required, managing the jump between digital and in-person events with ease.
He hopes the Festival will particularly inspire young people, such as ‘Us Girls’ who worked with James Holt.
“A large part of my view about libraries is also that we want to make sure we bring cultural opportunities for young people who otherwise might not experience them,” said Martin.
“Not only do I believe that this free resource is a space that people should use, it’s this space where they won’t be challenged when they come in, they won’t be expected to buy anything, but it’s a space where people can gain knowledge and gain independence.
“I think they’re all opportunities for people in society, especially those starting out.”
Photos: Anna Willis, Festival of Libraries
Art & Culture
StreamGM launch brand new livestreamed DJ series, ‘Room Two’, at The Yard
Emily Johnson
Starting this Friday, 8 November, StreamGM and Audio North are bringing the next big names in dance music directly to fans through ‘Room Two‘ – a weekly DJ series broadcasting from StreamGM HQ, The Yard, over in Cheetham Hill.
This new initiative champions the freshest talents from Greater Manchester’s dynamic underground dance scene, giving viewers worldwide a chance to experience exclusive, high-energy sets across house, garage, jungle, techno, dubstep, bassline and more.
Every Friday at 7pm for the next six weeks, you can tune in for an hour-long, genre-defying mix featuring six standout artists and collectives — all handpicked for their unique takes on the UK dance scene.
Here’s their debut lineup:
For fans of raw talent and boundary-pushing beats, Room Two promises a weekly showcase of Manchester’s most exciting rising stars — completely free to watch on StreamGM’s website and social channels.
Let’s get to know the talent.
Meet the artists taking over Room Two
Shimrise
Kicking off the series, Shimrise is the female duo who’ve made waves in Manchester’s house music scene, known for their fearless high-energy performances and risk-taking setlists.
Recently featured at Parklife and supporting the likes of Tarsza (NTS, 6 Music), Vanessa Maria (Foundation FM), and Kennedy Taylor (Capital Xtra), Shimrise’s sets blend dance classics with unexpected twists, creating a nostalgic yet electrifying vibe.
Prepare for a captivating opener as they set the tone for Room Two. You can watch our interview with the impressive pair of DJs down below:
Renowned for his mastery of grime, garage, bassline and house, Oldboy merges authentic UK sounds with modern twists, capturing the gritty energy of pirate radio and evolving it for today’s club scene.
His sets, steeped in UK bass culture, showcase explosive productions on labels like Untitled Dist. and his own Front Toward Enemy, making him a perfect choice to bring the classic Manchester rave vibe to Room Two.
A top talent well worth keeping your eyes on.
Lapalace
With dreamy synths and classic drum breaks, Lapalace’s ambient dance project combines nostalgia with cutting-edge soundscapes.
Since launching in 2020, this Manchester-based artist has built a loyal following, recently crafting a new EP that expands her sonic palette beyond breaks, ambient, and jungle, creating an introspective yet powerful listening experience.
Genre-bending and certainly one to watch.
Credit: Supplied
Ghoulish
Speaking of which, as one of UKF and Mixmag’s ‘Ones to Watch’, Ghoulish is also setting the UK club scene alight with genre-blurring productions and intense DJ sets.
From euphoric dance to core-rattling dubstep, he blends a broad spectrum of sounds, recently earning a release on Skream’s label I FEEL and a spot on Warehouse ProjectRecords.
Expect a high-octane set that defies genres and pushes boundaries.
Credit: Press Images (supplied)
Me Gusta Collective
Taking fans on a global musical journey, Me Gusta Collective brings a rhythmic mix of Latin house, reggaeton, broken Beat, Gqom, afro-techno and house.
Known for uniting diverse sounds and creating an inclusive dance floor atmosphere, Me Gusta Collective’s sets resonate with anyone looking for beats that transcend borders.
Also, goes without saying but… great f***ing name, isn’t it?
Credit: Press Images (supplied)
Finn
Inspired by both Manchester’s electric dance scene and US West Coast influences, Finn has cultivated a reputation for soulful, high-energy tracks.
With hits like ‘Keep Calling’ and ‘Do What You Want Forever’, his releases have become dancefloor staples.
A regular on NTS and a curator at SOUP and A Party Called, Finn’s sets are a celebration of Manchester’s underground energy with global appeal.
Finn rounds out the first wave of Room 2 acts set to play for StreamGM at The Yard (Credit: Supplied)
Join the launch this Friday, 8 November, at 7 pm with Shimrise, and catch all upcoming sets on StreamGM’s website and the Facebook pages of The Manc and StreamGM.
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With an exhilarating line-up set to redefine Manchester’s underground scene, Room Two is where the future of dance music begins.
Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)/The Manc Group
Art & Culture
One of the world’s greatest music photographers to exhibit at Manchester Art Fair this month
Emily Sergeant
One of the world’s greatest music photographers is set to make her debut appearance at this year’s Manchester Art Fair.
Having grown up in the music industry alongside her father, Led Zeppelin guitarist, Jimmy Page, legendary photographer Scarlet Page is definitely no stranger to life on the road, and has travelled across the US with bands such as Smashing Pumpkins, The Beastie Boys, and more throughout her illustrious career.
Her photography has also featured in album artwork for iconic Manchester band The Verve, and she’s also had the pleasure of shooting some of the biggest music names in recent times like The Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Lady Gaga, and Foo Fighters.
Manchester Art Fair arrives in the city centre for 2024 next weekend / Credit: Supplied
But now, in a first for the North of England, Page’s work – which has featured in Kerrang!, Rolling Stone, The Guardian, Mojo, The Times, and many more publications – will be available to see exclusively at Manchester Art Fair next weekend.
Set to be presented by The Art Hound Gallery, Page will unveil a number of exclusive fine art photographs for sale.
Expect to see her iconic stills of people like Amy Winehouse, David Bowie, and Keith Richards, alongside a selection of carefully-curated and completely-unseen new releases, including Courtney Love, Public Enemy, and more.
If all of that wasn’t brilliant enough as it is, Page will also be leading an artist talk at the Fair on Saturday 16 November from 1pm.
“I am deeply honoured to showcase my work, hosted by The Art Hound Gallery, alongside such extraordinary artists at Manchester Art Fair,” Scarlet Page said ahead of this year’s event.
“Celebrating 30 years as a photographer, it’s a privilege to reflect on the intimate moments I’ve captured of some of the world’s greatest musicians.”
Legendary music photographer Scarlet Page will be exhibiting exclusive works / Credit: Supplied
Sophie Helm, who is the Director of Manchester Art Fair, added: “Scarlet is widely-recognised as one of the greatest music photographers of all time, and we are immensely proud to have her join us at this year’s Manchester Art Fair to provide art and music enthusiasts with the opportunity to hear from Scarlet on some of her most memorable photoshoots and collaborations of the last three decades.”
Manchester Art Fair 2024 will take over Manchester Central on Friday 15 November from 5pm until Sunday 17 November.