By now, it’s no secret that the music and events industry is on its knees.
The report, Music by Numbers 2020, found that 65% of musicians’ income would be lost in 2020. But that figure increased to 85% for the ones that rely on live performances and events.
We know that the Culture Recovery Fund has provided £1.7 billion in grants from the government, supporting venues, festivals and 75,000 jobs. But whilst some financial help has been available, the industry as a whole remains at a standstill. As we see venues announce their permanent closure on a weekly basis, we’d be fair to question how sustainable government grants are.
Plus, with major festivals like Glastonbury already announcing their cancellation, it’s clear the issues are more long term. We can expect more to follow suit in the coming weeks as it’s just not feasible to go ahead with their plans for the summer festival season.
On a more local level, Manchester’s music scene has experienced the same upheaval. Venues are in a state of despair and many musicians are losing faith.
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As emerging talent is finding it near impossible to break into an already tough industry, concerns have been raised about the future of music here. Not being able to perform live can massively limit an artist’s visibility and opportunities. COVID-19 is ultimately preventing an entire wave of new artists from pursuing a music career.
So that’s why Business & IP Centre Manchester (BIPC) are coming up with ways to inspire and motivate new and existing musicians.
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They’ll be hosting a virtual event on 27 January, hosted by Inspiral Carpets’ bassist Martyn Walsh. From 6pm, there’ll be talks and live Q&A.
A panel of Music Industry luminaries featuring David Gedge, DJ NikNak, Mix-Stress, Jay Taylor & Lola Mitchell, hosted by Martyn Walsh in a full & frank discussion on the future of the UK's live music scene in 2021 & beyond
They’ve invited a panel of industry experts to chat about the future of music in 2021. They’ll also explain how they’ve adapted their own music careers to overcome COVID-19 challenges – aiming to restore some much-needed hope back into Manchester’s music.
The panel of speakers will represent a variety of areas of the music industry, from artists to booking agents. Joining will be DJ Mix-Stress, DJ NikNak, Night and Day Café’s Jay Taylor, Lola Mitchell from booking agency 13 Artists as well as musician David Gedge.
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Image: Mix Stress/Instagram
Organisers know how important it is for us to understand how different the music scene looks now. In doing so, they want to uncover new ways of approaching a music career and provide inspiration for those struggling to keep their current ones afloat.
Titled ‘Reset. Restart: Live Music in 2021… Where do we go from here’, the event forms part of the Reset. Restart programme run by the BIPC; which supports small businesses in their struggle through the pandemic by providing business future-proofing advice and training.
So, if you’re interested in learning how the music industry will look in 2021 or want some COVID-19 advice, get yourself signed up for the event here.
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James Blunt announces huge Manchester gig on new European arena tour
Daisy Jackson
Singer-songwriter James Blunt is heading back out on tour next year, and has announced a massive Manchester gig as part of his run of arena shows.
The singer, perhaps best-known for his iconic 2005 pop ballad ‘You’re Beautiful’, is hitting the road again in 2027.
The newly-announced European tour is in celebration of his new album Airplane Mode, which is set for release this autumn.
James Blunt will kick off his tour in Leeds next spring, before heading over for a night at the almighty Co-op Live in Manchester.
Then he’ll head to more cities including Newcastle, Birmingham and London.
His new album, Airplane Mode, is being released on 6 November and will, according to his press release, be ‘exhilarating’.
James has already released the first single, ‘Tastes Like Summer’, and ‘Weight Of It All’, with 10 more songs to come on the record.
Airplane Mode was recorded with James’ brilliant long-standing live band, who’ll be back on tour with him next year.
Speaking of the new album, and recording in Pig Music Studios, he said: “Somewhere back there, I lost my way, but found it again in a studio in Banbury.”
James Blunt will be at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on 3 April, 2027. Tickets go on sale from 10am on 9 September.
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Hannah Starkie -
25th January 2021 
