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
A ‘disco for grown ups’ party is coming to Manchester this year
Thomas Melia
A disco party for ‘grown ups’, centred around 70s, 80s and 90s music, is making its way to Manchester this year.
The wildly popular Discos for Grown Ups will be heading to town in May, encouraging some serious boogie action with its playlist of soul, disco, pop and dancefloor from across the decades.
The night out has been created for those who feel ‘too old to go clubbing, but still love to dance’, with people your own age, and with a sensibly early finish time.
When the night is still young but you might not be, you can let loose under a light and laser show featuring the fabulous Discos for Grown Ups stage dancers.
Whether you’re a ‘Material Girl’ who craves the spotlight or or a shy dancer who comes out of their shell after catching a case of ‘Night Fever’, this night will be spoiling you with its array of tracks.
Credit: Supplied
Discos for Grown Ups was founded by Simon Stanford after discovering there was nowhere for a ‘grown up’ to go that played the music he loved.
Simon Stanford from Discos for Grown Ups says: “We are really looking forward to bringing our Discos for Grown Ups 70’s 80’s 90’s Disco Party back to the O2 Ritz Manchester this year.
“Our first show was an incredible night of dancing and sold out very quickly, so we can’t wait to bring our full production with dancers, lights and lasers back – it’s going to be another amazing night of boogie!”
Expect a night of fun-filled dancefloor bangers spanning three golden decades of music.Credit: Supplied
Self Esteem drops new single along with huge UK tour full of double headers
Danny Jones
Rising Northern star Self Esteem has just dropped the new single from her forthcoming new album along with a bunch of big new UK tour dates, including two nights right here in Manchester.
The singer-songwriter, also known simply as Rebecca Lucy Taylor, has seen her popularity skyrocket in the last few of years, winning BBC Music’s Introducing ‘Artist of the Year Award’ back in 2021 and being nominated for the Mercury Prize less than 12 months later.
Fast forward to 2025 and not only has she recieved plenty of critical acclaim for her first two records but her live presence on stage has also been heavily praised and now the 38-year-old is gearing up for her next album cycle.
Announcing her latest single, ‘If Not Now, It’s Soon’, which has quickly selected as BBC Radio 1’s ‘Hottest Record’, the new track has also dropped along with 14 major UK tour dates, with a string double headers in multiple cities.
Born and bred in Rotherham but with strong ties to nearby Sheffield, her journey began as one half of folk pop duo Slow Club. They formed back in 2006 but split in 2017 as both she and bandmate Charles Watson parted ways to pursue their respective solo projects.
Set to release her third studio LP A Complicated Woman on 25 April, these latest tour dates are some of the biggest she’ll have ever played – including a massive Yorkshire homecoming gig at the Utilita Arena which will be a momentous show for our friends The Sheff to make the most of.
Discussing the new project, Taylor says: “Personally, you have to wait and one day you’ll get somewhere less painful. But the world will hopefully get somewhere less painful too. It’s about hope, perseverance and patience.”
As for those who’ve been lucky enough to get an premature listen of the album in full, the early reviews are looking seriosuly strong.
Described by The Guardian as “her best yet”, it features the likes of Nadine Shah, Moonchild Sanelly and Sue Tompkins from Life Without Buildings; Meatball and even Lancashire actor, Julie Hesmondhalgh, best known for playing Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street. Now that’s what we call a feature.
Self Esteem comes for a two massive nights at Manchester Academy on Saturday and Sunday, 27-28 September later this year.
Her previous raft of dates for A Complicated Woman Live – an ambitious quasi-theatrical experience of the album in person and on stage at The Duke of York’s in London – sold out in a flash, and you can expect plenty of that same production value when it comes to her upcoming concerts.
Fans get an exclusive pre-sale code for all UK and Ireland dates by pre-odering the album before 1pm GMT on Tuesday, 25 March 2025, and as for general admission, you’ll have to join the queue like the rest of us when they go live (still TBC).
In the meantime, you can join us in being as obsessed with her other recent release as we are:
Hannah Starkie -
8th October 2021 
