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
— BIPC Manchester #LibrariesFromHome (@BIPCManchester) January 25, 2021
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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The Killers to play THREE huge gigs in Manchester next summer
Daisy Jackson
The Killers have announced three massive arena shows here in Manchester for next summer on their Rebel Diamonds Tour.
The Las Vegas indie rock legends have announced the tour to celebrate 20 years of hits together, and will release a brand new compilation album of the same name next week.
The Rebel Diamonds Tour will mark the first time The Killers have played arena shows in the UK since 2017, though they wowed huge crows with their summer show at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground last summer.
The Killers will be at the Co-op Live arena for three nights in June 2024, with other shows announced in Dublin, London and Glasgow.
The group, consisting of Brandon Flowers (vocals), Ronnie Vannucci Jr. (drums), Dave Keuning (guitar), and Mark Stoermer (bass), are behind massive hits including Mr Brightside, When You Were Young, Read My Mind and Human.
They’ll bring together some of those huge hits from their back catalogue into the new Rebel Diamond album.
It will feature at least one song from each of the band’s seven studio albums, from their groundbreaking debut Hot Fuss to the band’s latest release Pressure Machine.
Brandon Flowers said of the record: “See it’s been said that what’s remembered lives, and we’ve racked up stadiums full of memories the past twenty years, enough to fill lifetimes. Twenty songs for twenty years – Rebel Diamonds.”
The Killers will perform at the Co-Op Live in Manchester on 18, 19 and 21 June 2024.
Tickets will go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 8 December through See Tickets.
Troye Sivan announces huge Manchester gig on European tour
Daisy Jackson
Pop superstar Troye Sivan has just announced a massive gig in Manchester on his upcoming tour.
The Rush singer shared the news with a video posted on his social media, saying he is ‘so nervous’ to announce the tour.
The tour will come in support of his third studio album Something to Give Each Other.
Troye Sivan, who is nominated for two Grammy Awards this year, said he’s created the show to be ‘the best night of your life’.
The Australian singer’s tour dates will take him to cities including Berlin, Prague, Amsterdam and London, kicking off in Lisbon on 29 May.
He will reach the Manchester AO Arena on 22 June 2024.
In a video posted on TikTok and Instagram, Troye said: “When we wrote ‘Something to Give Each Other’, we wrote it as a live show. And I’ve been so nervous to announce this because I want this to be THE pop show.
Hannah Starkie -
25th January 2021 
