Manchester-based collaborative orchestra The Untold Orchestra, are aiming to redefine classical music with a modern twist by reimagining the music of widely-popular artists.
For this special project, Bowie: An Orchestral Rendition, they will deliver a musically explosive journey through some of Bowie’s greatest hits.
Taking place at Hulme’s legendary NIAMOS on Friday 15 and Saturday 16 October, a 25-strong collective of violinists, saxophonists, guitarists and the likes will reimagine the Bowie classics.
It’ll be the first time the group have performed together as a full 25-piece since 2019.
As a pioneer for individuality, Bowie was renowned for his eclectic and innovative approach to creative expression. To represent this, the music will be brought to life not only by the orchestra, but through dance too.
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Dancer and performer Finley Letchford Dobb – well-known in Manchester for his work in the LGBTQIA+ community – has been running a series of dance and movement workshops over the past few weeks.
These workshops have been designed to explore the themes of identity and freedom of expression that are found in Bowie’s music. Visuals and videos generated from these sessions will be presented on the night to accompany the orchestral renditions.
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Co-producer, Sam Davies, said: “With our icon show projects, we are always keen to see how we can play our role in understanding and celebrating the diversity of Manchester.
“It’s a constant privilege to work with so many different performers, creatives and partner organisations in curating these projects, and we’re already excited about our plans for next year.
“We’re also very excited for the two performances at the NIAMOS concluding this project – they’re already set to be a real celebration.”
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It’s the first time the collective will perform as a full 25-piece since 2019. Credit: The Untold Orchestra/IG
In a series of shows across Greater Manchester, the orchestra have been giving a selection of music icons their signature classical twist, including covers of Beyonce, Tina Turner, Paul Simon and more. Over the past couple of months, they’ve had mammoth run of up to 60 shows.
With more than 100 freelancers on their roster, the collective generates opportunities for all kinds of creatives. From musicians and sound engineers to venues and communities, they are constantly reaching new audiences.
For the full Bowie experience, head here for tickets.
NIAMOS Radical Arts & Culture Centre | 15-16 October | Chichester Road, Hulme, M15 5EU | 7.30pm
Everyone’s favourite musical siblings are heading back on tour – and for once, I am not referring to Oasis.
HAIM have just dropped details of a huge UK arena tour later this year, which includes a gig right here in Manchester.
The rock trio of siblings will be playing six dates in support of their upcoming album I Quit.
HAIM will be performing at the biggest venue in Manchester, the Co-op Live arena, this October, alongside shows in Nottingham, London, Glasgow and more.
The Los Angeles sisters, Alana, Danielle and Este, haven’t performed here since 2022, when they played the much smaller O2 Victoria Warehouse.
HAIM are best known for hits like The Wire, If I Could Change Your Mind, and Falling, with three already-released chart-topping albums.
They announced their fourth studio album on stage last week at a set of surprise shows in LA, promising classic rock inspiration that’s been crafted for live performance.
It follows their 2020 release, Women in Music Pt. III, which earned them a Brit Award for International Group as well as two Grammy Award nominations.
Fans who pre-order the album will be able to access a pre-sale from 10am on Wednesday 30 April, ahead of general sale on 10am on Friday 2 May.
Stereophonics lead singer Kelly Jones has graciously revealed to music fans that new Gallagher tunes could be on the way, as he confirmed that Noel has been back in the studio and working on new material.
The big question is, has Liam been in there with him?…
Broken rather nonchalantly in an interview with NME, Jones didn’t so much let the news slip as much as he seemingly just casually dropped it into conversation, mentioning that he bumped into the older Gallagher brother recently.
As he puts it – frustratingly briefly, might we add (sorry, fanaticism will do that to you) – the Oasis icon and High Flying Birds frontman has been doing some songwriting, but the details were scarce.
The 50-year-old ‘Phonics frontman, who was discussing the release of their 13th studio album as well as his own solo project last year, was asked his thoughts on the legendary Britpop band’s upcoming reunion shows and the impact they had on his own career.
“Funnily enough, I found some old pictures of me and Noel rehearsing when he used to have a studio down in Windsor recently, just before we toured America”, said Jones. “We were having a laugh about them and I asked him what he’d been up to and he said he’d been doing some writing in the studio.
The unmistakable Welsh vocalist went on to add: “I’m assuming he’s doing some writing for either his stuff or if they’re [Oasis] gonna bring out a couple songs, I don’t know.”
It seems the pair are still more than friendly, though he gave little away about his relationship with Liam Gallagher; the two British rock groups did share somewhat of a rivalry in the 90s and 2000s, with Stereophonics making no secret of Oasis inspiring their own music.
Describing the band in their heyday, Jones described the period “kind of chaotic and mayhem but it was all very joyous”, insisting that things are very different nowadays but that he is not the less excited than a whole new generations of fans are going to be able to see them live for the first time
As for whether he and his bandmates will be able to find the time, he revealed in a subsequent chat live on Radio X that their own tour clashes may mean they’ll miss out on the Live ’25 tour experience.
Further reflecting on the age of streaming, content overload and what some would argue is an overabundance of media, Kelly said of art and music in particular that “people need it now more than they’ve needed it in a long time.”
We don’t know whether or not Noel’s return to songwriting is for the next High Flying Birds record or whether the rumours are true and new Oasis music really is on the way.
As much as we love his solo stuff, PLEASE let it be the latter.
We do know that the siblings are said to be getting on swimmingly so far and even spent some of the Easter break together, according to LG himself. Here’s hoping they were throwing around ideas for another instant hit.
Hannah Starkie -
8th October 2021 
