The worst possible news for festival fans arrived quickly this year. Just 21 days in.
Fresh optimism had filled the air at the turn of 2021 – with the worst year for live music finally behind us and hope for better times ahead.
But on the third week of January, the red hot excitement for the rejuvenation of the gig scene was doused with a bucket of freezing cold water – as Michael and Emily Eavis’ announced that Glastonbury Festival would be cancelled for a second successive year.
The ‘new chapter’ for the events industry had gotten off to a dreadful start.
Still, some music industry personnel urged people to take the news with a pinch of salt.
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Glastonbury, by all accounts, is a different beast to many UK festivals – and there were arguments that festival season could still go ahead if the government offered its support.
That remains to be seen, and there are still hopes that some events could proceed during sunnier (in every sense of the word) days.
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But in the meantime, smaller local events are beginning to go bump.
Sounds From The Other City
Sounds From The Other City – the hyperlocal music festival that sprawls right across Salford’s Greengate and Blackfriars areas – confirmed this week that it would also be suspending its 2021 edition.
The beloved May Bank Holiday event has been a fixture of festival season and firm underground favourite for 16 years – championing local promoters, celebrating Salford, and providing a platform for innovative artists to showcase their talents.
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The likes of Barney Artist, James Ferraro, Marina, Alt-J, Slowthai, GoGo Penguin, Black Midi and IAMDDB have all appeared on the SFOTC bill since 2005 – with the previous seven editions of the festival completely selling out.
But, after pulling the highly-anticipated fifteenth party last spring, organisers have now taken the “painful” decision to cancel 2021, too. Four months before it was due to take place.
SFOTC 2021 may be regarded as an unfortunate victim of circumstance in that it simply arrived too early in the festival calendar – with events in late summer still hopeful of a return (Parklife, for example, has moved its ordinary dates back by three months to buy themselves more time).
But with no confirmed lockdown exit roadmap coming until at least February 22, there’s no guarantee (or even likelihood) that tight restrictions on mass gatherings will be lifted in spring. The process of putting social distancing arrangements in place for the 23 venues within the festival – all of which are different sizes – has also proven completely unfeasible on a DIY budget.
Gambling on 2021 was a risk that SFOTC organisers decided they simply could “not afford” to take. But the major driving factor in culling the fest was a realisation it would be “impossible to recreate the true, sweat drenched, hands-on, DIY spirit” that made it so popular.
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Sounds From The Other City
Rivca Burns, Creative Director for Sounds from the Other City, said: “We always want to do something we’re super proud of.
‘Sounds’ has always been an opportunity for artists/promoters to let loose – we give them the stage and they put on whatever they’re passionate about.
“We realised that restrictions and limitations this time were too complicated and it would completely take away the enjoyment.”
But Sounds From The Other City isn’t dead yet. Not by a long shot.
The festival is already making hopeful plans for a return next year – but it’ll need the help of its supporters to do so.
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Organisers have officially launched the SFTOC Lifeline appeal – inviting music fans to make a contribution to help keep the festival afloat.
A brand new newsletter publication, The SoundsTown Gazette, is also being published to update the community on progress, as well as featuring interviews, listings and offers from artists, promoters and partners.
Rivca stated: “The festival has always been this lean machine – and all the donations that come in will be used to pay the freelancers and people who make it possible.
“We recognise we’re not the only ones who are in this boat. There are some shocking figures across the industry. But it’s so good to see communities coming together to help one another.
“We’re hoping to use this time to make ourselves stronger as a business.”
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Sounds From The Other City
SFOTC has always been operated on a shoestring – run entirely on volunteers, freelancers and goodwill.
The festival was born out of two local siblings’ innate desire to prove that Salford – ie the ‘other’ city in Greater Manchester – was as musically eclectic and exciting as its famous neighbour.
The very definition of a grassroots event, SFOTC has kept its core aim intact during its 16 years of existence: Celebrate what’s happening on the doorstep and invite the community to come and join in.
The fanbase (which has ballooned from dozens to hundreds since 2005) has been the lifeblood of the festival since the beginning. But more so now than ever.
Support is flooding in for SFOTC – and thanks to music fans, it might just have a fighting chance.
“If just 250 people donated a tenner, that would go a long way to helping us stay alive,” Riva explained.
“Then hopefully we can prepare for the future.”
The heart of this little Salford festival is still beating yet. Music fans are doing their best to make sure of it.
Learn more about the Lifeline Appeal and what you can do to help save Sounds From The Other City by visiting the official website.
Audio
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist, and more for tour
Thomas Melia
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe are bringing their Together At Home tour to Manchester, here’s everything you need to know for their AO Arena gig.
The boys are back in town, and by the boys we mean multi-million selling vocalists Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, who are heading to Manchester this month.
This duo are no stranger to each other’s company making six collaborative albums since 2016 covering songs from The Greatest Showman, The Lion King and New York, New York.
Their latest release ‘Together At Home’ which doubles as the name for the tour sees the pair back to their good old tricks covering hits like ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ and ‘Ferry Cross The Mersey’.
These two powerhouses know how to sing in style and that’s why they’ve chosen the impressive AO Arena to host their brand new show.
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe UK tour dates
Sat 29 March – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
Sun 30 March – Bournemouth, UK – International Centre
Tue 1 April – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
Wed 2 April – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena
Fri 4 April – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
Sat 5 April – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
Mon 7 April – Aberdeen, UK – P&J Live
Tue 8 April – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Thu 10 April – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
Fri 11 April – Birmingham, UK – BP Pulse Live
Sun 13 April – London, UK – The O2
Mon 14 April – Brighton, UK – Brighton Centre
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe tickets for AO Arena gig
Anyone looking at tickets for Michael Ball and Alfie Boe’s upcoming tour have plenty of opportunity to see these two singing their hearts out.
Fans of the duo better act fast as these tickets are very limited, starting from a reasonable £47.75 and reaching £98.75.
If you want to go all out on this occasion tickets are also available for The Mezz, which is the arena’s fine dining experience covering you before and throughout the show at a fixed price of £206.25.
What are the stage times for Michael Ball and Alfie Boe in Manchester?
AO Arena has a curfew of 11pm meaning you’ll still be able to make it home and pop the kettle on before you get your forty winks.
Their support act comes in the form of another duo, however these two mighty performers are magicians rather than singers.
The Conjurors are a worldwide renowned act famed by audiences and A Listers for their talents which they will be showing off in Manchester on the night.
How to get to AO Arena
Tram
For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily it’s in Manchester Victoria Station and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Train
Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena wherever they are.
Bus
A variety of buses cover AO Arena andVictoria Station on their route such as the 2 bus which stops a one minute walk away from the venue.
A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.
Getting there by car and parking
The Arena have their own official parking partners CitiParkwith 958 spaces including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.
Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.
Walk/cycle
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.
About the AO Arena
The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirements carefully before you travel.
For example, only one small bag per person is allowed, and bags like backpacks, travel cases and laptop bags are not permitted inside the arena.
All bags are scanned on entry to check for prohibited items like laser pens, flares, projectiles, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and even selfie sticks.
Band on the Wall buys adjoining The Rose and Monkey pub
Danny Jones
Beloved Manchester music venue Band on the Wall has announced that they have bought the equally popular Rose and Monkey pub and hotel next door.
The two Great Ancoats St favourites on the edge of the district and the Northern Quarter have both served as reliable, entertaining gig spaces for years now, not to mention a great spot for a drink, and their business models have always aligned so perfectly, with visitors heading from one into the other for years.
With that in mind, and in a concerted effort to support the local music and hospitality industry, Band on the Wall have decided to turn that long-standing relationship into an even closer collaboration.
Confirming the acquisition of The Rose and Monkey earlier this week, Band on the Wall and its next-door neighbour are now official partners.
Speaking in an official statement on their website, the latter wrote: “This exciting development marks another step in Band on the Wall’s mission to support grassroots music and enhance its role within Manchester’s vibrant cultural scene.
“The Rose & Monkey (formerly The Burton Arms) has a long and chequered history dating back to 1783, but in recent years has been transformed into a beloved destination for music lovers and locals alike.
“Known as one of the city’s oldest public houses, originally built as part of the original Smithfield Markets and over the road from what was the ‘New Cross’ area of the city, the venue boasts an intimate atmosphere and commitment to live music.
“The pub is now a vital part of the Northern Quarter’s creative fabric with unique features, including a beer garden, small music stage, and even Airbnb accommodation upstairs; the venue perfectly complements Band on the Wall’s (BOTW) ethos of fostering community through music.”
As it turns out, the deal to take over The Rose and Monkey was actually agreed upon a while ago and fully finalised last 2024.
With backing from Figurative – a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in ‘impact investment’ throughout the cultural and creative sector – this most recent development follows the £3.5 million refurbishment of BOTW, which was finally completed back in March 2022.
Audio North was still ‘The Manc Audio’ back then, but Band on the Wall was busy being reborn first.
Gavin Sharp, CEO of Band on the Wall, said: “We are delighted to welcome The Rose & Monkey into the Band on the Wall family. This acquisition allows us to expand our footprint while preserving one of Manchester’s most cherished independent venues.
“Together, we aim to create even more opportunities for emerging artists and provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.”
As for the pub and lodging house itself, The Rose and Monkey Hotel, to use its full name, will still remain its own bar and live music entity but will now work closely with Band on the Wall to achieve better and more diverse programming.
In addition to a place to stay on the first floor, the pub now features a newly installed ‘Wurlitzer Jukebox’, too, which has been curated by none other than American alternative rock band Pixies, BBC 6 Music DJ Chris Hawkins and the in-house team.
Finally, Band on the Wall went on to add: “The Rose & Monkey is ideally positioned to become an even greater hub for Manchester’s thriving music scene.
“Visitors can look forward to an enhanced calendar of events as well as continued dedication to inclusivity and creativity, and a jukebox specially curated by several high-profile friends and supporters of the venue.”
The Manc -
29th January 2021 
