A brand new documentary movie, Manchester Music Then and Now: Music Worth Fighting For, is set to take an in-depth look at how Manchester has become a global centre for music tourism.
All donations will go towards charities #OneGM and WeMakeEvents who have been supporting industry members affected by the pandemic.
Gillian Gilbert and Stephen Morris of New Order being interviewed for the film
Filmed over the past 18 months, Manchester Music Then and Now documents life three decades on from the Madchester era; exploring how a pandemic brought an industry to its knees.
The story will be brought to life with the help of those that carved the scene’s reputation – with appearances from The Happy Mondays, New Order, Elbow, Blossoms and Courteeners.
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Emerging talent Valve and DJ Olli Ryder will make appearances.
The producers, Marketing Manchester, originally had other ideas for the documentary. But what was initially intended to be a celebration of our city’s music culture soon turned into a stark reflection of COVID-19’s devastating aftermath.
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Shaun and Olli Ryder
Sheona Southern, Managing Director at Marketing Manchester, said: “Greater Manchester is known around the world for music and we’re excited to have made a film celebrating the many people and places that make us famous.
“Alongside people working across the leisure, hospitality and visitor economy, the live music scene has arguably been hit harder than any other by the pandemic. This film highlights the strength of spirit that surrounds Manchester music as we look forward to a time when visitors can return to our brilliant venues.”
Valve at Raise The Roof
Not only will we get insights from artists, but we’ll also hear from industry professionals. From promotors to technicians to booking agents, we’ll learn how the impacts of the pandemic ripple through every aspect of the music industry.
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Sacha Lord, Night-time Economy Adviser and Warehouse Project boss, has been a strong representative of Manchester’s music scene throughout the pandemic.
He said: “This film hears from many of the people who make Manchester music the envy of the world. It’s been an incredibly difficult time for people working in the sector and it’s brilliant to be able to celebrate the strength of spirit and resilience that has been so evident.
“With signs that an end to the pandemic might now be in sight, I won’t be alone in looking forward to being able to return to see brilliant live music in Manchester.”
Manchester is known for its strong resilience. This fascinating documentary captures that perfectly, proving our music certainly is indeed worth fighting for.
Stream Manchester Music Then and Now: Music Worth Fighting For, this Friday at 8pm here.
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Fast-rising rock band The Guestlist announce headline tour and landmark Manc gig
Danny Jones
Up-and-coming Manc rock band The Guestlist have announced some of their biggest shows to date with a full UK tour later this year, including a hometown gig right here in Manchester.
Having earned nods from BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins, support slots with Two Door Cinema Club, The Wombats, Inhaler, Blossoms, Seb Lowe and more
The five-piece made up of frontman Cai Alty, lead guitarist Tom Quigley, bassist Sid Wallace, drummer Angus Gilchrist and rhythm guitarist Leio Hunter are rapidly growing a cult following – hence why they’ve been able to book such big venues so early into their music career.
Manchester will be the best date, naturally, because there’s nothing quite like playing to a crowd on your own turf, is there?
Growing a strong presence online over the past 12 months or so, with 400,000 followers across all social media platforms and nearly 8 million likes on TikTok, their monthly listeners are creeping up.
And it’s no wonder why given their sound – which we can vouch for as recent fans ourselves.
We described them as “five mates making very good indie rock with a more old-school vibe that’s almost reminiscent of the early 2000s and a general swagger way beyond their years.”
It feels rather fittingly, then, that a year from publishing that quote they’ll be playing one of their biggest headline shows yet at none other than the wonderful New Century Hall. He’s a taster of the reception they got at Band on the Wall earlier this month:
With festival slots at the likes of Kendal Calling, NBHD Weekender, Truck Fest, Y-Not and more, it’s going to be a big year for the boys.
The Guest List make their way back to Manchester for what is sure to be a massive milestone show on Friday, 21 November and you do not want to miss seeing these lot live.
Tickets for the New Century Hall show and all other dates go on sale at 9am on Friday, 14 March.
Featured Images — Press Shot (supplied)/Audio North
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Anaïs, Molly and Gene Gallagher share the screen in a new phone advert
Danny Jones
The Gallagher kids have enjoyed a little reunion of their own as Noel’s daughter Anaïs, as well as Liam’s oldest and youngest children, Molly and Gene, have been doing a little bit of light acting in a new advert.
It’s been just over half a year now since Oasis broke the internet and British brains everywhere after confirming their comeback and ‘Live ’25’ world tour and we’re now just a few months out from seeing it in person a decade and a half since they last played together.
The family feud is one of the most famous in all of showbiz but one thing we’ve always wondered is how much of an impact it had on the Gallagher kids, especially now they’re adults.
Well, it turns out that since their dads have put their brotherly differences aside, their offspring look to have done the same.
The advert itself is for Samsung and their new Galaxy S25 Ultra model and, more specifically, its new ‘Auto Trim’ video editing feature.
Set at what looks to be a dinner party, the two previously estranged Gallagher daughters can be seen sending messages back and forth; meanwhile, Liam‘s youngest son Gene is merely in the background other than calling the whole thing “cringe”.
He’s already far too rock and roll for all this clearly.
After all, he and the rest of his Villanelle bandmates are starting to gain some traction and might have some of those reunion shows to get ready for. 25-year-old Anaïs still maintains he didn’t even hear anything about it from dad Noel until the announcement itself.
Either way, the main thing is that the gang are all back together. Wouldn’t ‘r Peggy be proud?
Yes, LG Jr. might be opening up for his dad as one of the support slots.
It’s worth noting that the advert isn’t the first time the Gallagher kids have been pictured with each other since the reconciliation, though.
Molly, Anaïs, Gene and Liam’s eldest Lennon – who wasn’t part of this cosy little commercial for whatever reason – were all spotted at London Fashion Week together back in September 2024.
Despite plenty of choice words having been shared across the family tree over the years, it looks as though all is said and done and now we just have to pray everyone stays friends until July. If the ‘plum story’ has taught us anything, it’s that is a very delicate ecosystem.
After a more recent and seemingly legit picture of the two seemingly getting on together surfaced online (they must have had at least one little spat by now, surely?), it’s feeling more and more real as the five nights at Heaton Park and all the other dates edge closer.
Not that half of us in the office even managed to get tickets, mind you…
Hannah Starkie -
16th December 2020 
