Growing up listening to 90s R&B and hip-hop, Lois recalls bopping to Snoop Dog as one of her first memories of listening to music as a toddler. But from the age of five she moved onto something a bit more dexterous – playing classical piano. It when then she knew she had an affinity with music.
Image: Lois Rae/Instagram
“Music is a universal language that everyone can understand,” Lois told Audio. “It has the power to make you feel every emotion.
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“I love the way it brings people from all walks of life together and allows people to express themselves however they want, when words alone simply aren’t enough.”
She’s right – nothing quite compares to the way music can make you feel. It’s a lifeline for so many people, even more so in lockdown.
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Lois’s love affair with music has grown ever since touching that piano for the first time. But although she’s moved away from Snoop Dogg and classical piano (not something you usually hear in the same sentence), Lois has taken her music down a pop route these days – and it suits her well.
Now, she takes inspiration from strong, independent female role models with powerful voices, like R&B icons Alicia Keys, J.Lo and Ashanti. But Lois explains how she often finds inspiration in everyday life too. Things as simple as looking out the window at the Manchester skyline, trying new food or meeting somebody new she says can spark ideas. Spoken like a true creative.
But over the last year, Lois has been no stranger to the effects of the pandemic on the music industry. Of course, that hasn’t stopped her though. Whilst finding ways of adapting, she’s still grown as an artist. “COVID-19 has decimated parts of our industry. But seeing how people have diversified has been inspiring and made me proud to be a musician,” she said.
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“The virus has shone a light on the versatility, creativity and fighting spirit that the music industry possesses, against all odds. I truly think Manchester has led the way.
“Personally speaking, it’s meant I haven’t been able to gig live. But it has definitely made me push myself to be more inventive in other areas such as with social media. I have a whole home studio set up now too and it’s also given me time to write more which is something I love doing.”
Lois’s latest song, ‘THAT’S ME’, shares the same liberating attitude as her R&B predecessors. It’s a tribute to her independence and her own relationship with herself.
“‘THAT’S ME’ is all about not relying on anyone else for your own self-confidence and success,” she said.
“Right now, a lot of people aren’t feeling their best. So, I wanted to release something uplifting and empowering to remind people how important it is to love and celebrate themselves and their successes. I want THAT’S ME to make people feel confident and capable of anything.
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“I’m really excited for my first big body of work to finally be out there for the world to enjoy. I can’t wait to engage and connect with everyone who hears my music too!”
Whilst Lois Rae’s debut EP is out this March, her new single THAT’S ME is out on all platforms from today. Go and support your girl.
Audio
Craig David announces huge outdoor gig at Barton Aerodrome in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Craig David is bringing his legendary TS5 party to Manchester for a massive outdoor summer show.
The legendary singer, songwriter and DJ will be taking over City Airport in Manchester, also known as Barton Aerodrome.
The special show will combine old school anthems with R&B, garage, and bashment, alongside plenty of contemporary hits.
Craig David, who rocketed to fame in the late 1990s, first launched his TS5 parties, where he sings, MCs and DJs, as an exclusive pre-party at his own penthouse in Miami.
Initially, Craig used them as a way to play his favourite music to the people he loved the most – but it proved such a hit that he started to take it on the road.
Craig David presents TS5 at Barton Aerodrome. Credit: Supplied
Guaranteed to be a great night out, Craig David Presents TS5 is now heading to Manchester for a summer show.
The star has sold more than 15 million albums, secured more than 10 top 10 hits, and achieved multi-platinum status in more than 20 countries around the world.
His TS5 shows now sell out at prestigious venues across the globe, and he’s even taken it to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury.
The unique live concert will take place at City Airport in Manchester on Friday 14 July, just outside the city – the huge space surrounded by lush green fields will be transformed with epic light and sound productions.
You can expect a night of sing-along hits, good time grooves and Craig David classics.
Tickets will go on sale from 9am on Friday 31 March with Skiddle.
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
Audio
Rockstock, one of the UK’s biggest and best tribute festivals, returns to Stockport this May
Danny Jones
One of the few pains of being a music fan is that no you can’t always manage to get tickets for the biggest bands in the world, certainly not if you’re looking to see them all in one place.
Moreover, not only is there only so many people you can fit on a big field, but tickets for the likes of Download, Slam Dunk, Reading and Leeds and so on seem to be getting pricier every year, meaning it can be harder and harder for some gig-goers to make it to all the shows on their list.
So, what’s the next best thing? Well, we don’t know about you but a super affordable tribute festival where dozens of acts play nothing but the biggest bangers from some of your favourite artists all weekend sounds pretty good to us.
In fact, we know it is: we’ve been to Rockstock before and we can well and truly vouch for this local cult favourite.
Rockstock… On Sale Now …Bank Holiday wouldnt be the same without what has become the very popular Rockstock .. Tickets are only an unbelievable £10 and only £3 for children.. Due to demand tickets are limited …. on sale Now click here https://t.co/y9OsvpJd2Hpic.twitter.com/3YCUUajS1C
Rockstock is the two-day Stockport-based tribute festival created by the same minds behind Festwich, the biggest tribute festival held just down the road in Prestwich‘s St Mary’s Park every summer for the past 11 years.
Copying the winning formula set out by its popular predecessor, Rockstock 2023 returns for its third year on May 27-28, with more than 30 different bands turning up to not just imitate the greatest rock bands in the world, but sometimes put them to the shame. No, not exaggerating.
The tribute act scene is one we’ve always had a real affection for — there’s nothing quite like going down to your local and watching a bunch of often middle-aged musicians giving it their all as ‘Metalicker’ or ‘Iffy Byro’ — and it doesn’t get much better than this.
Organised by UK Tribute Festivals, their ethos is all about sparing no expense in creating the best possible festival experience possible and delivering the same high production value you’d get if you were going along to any to see the real thing, as well as making sure there’s all the usual festival attractions.
AC/DC, The Killers, Linkin Park, The Madness, Mötley Crüe and countless others are among this year’s Rockstock lineup. It drew a massive crowd in 2022 and is sure to do the same again this summer.
Although there will obviously be plenty of sunny beers enjoyed, just like at any festival, one of the reasons we like this festival is that it has always proven to be an extremely fun-filled and safe family environment, not to mention serving as a great way for the little ones to go along to their first rock show.
Last but not least, perhaps the best part about this lovely and not-so-little festival is that despite promising to be bigger and better than ever this year, admission will only set you back a tenner, with kids’ tickets costing just £3. Absolutely ace.
You can grab your tickets for Rockstock 2023 HERE.