Manchester-based, Berlin-born producer Mark Crawford – a.k.a. Macious – drops his brand-new single today. ‘Take My Light’ ft. F.A.R is an emotional reflection on the anxieties that the pandemic has caused. Sadly, that’s something we’re all too familiar with.
Like many DJs and producers, Macious spent the majority of 2020 writing and making new music. But being a visual artist too he even managed to squeeze in some projects with Camel Phat, Hot Since 82, Solomun and Solardo along the way.
But since moving to Manchester and working on his music productions, this release will be Macious’s first since 2019.
Inspiration for the new song came to him on a rainy train journey to Amsterdam from Berlin in the summer. It was a time when his head was full of COVID-19 stress and he was finding it hard to process the uncertain state the world was in. And so, the track is a defiant rejection of those negative emotions.
With an education in electronic music, Macious is a producer first and foremost. He prefers his music stripped back, falling neatly into melodic house and techno genres. With roots in Berlin – the techno Mecca of the world – he’s played some of Berlin’s most famed clubs before moving to the UK.
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Now residing in Manchester, he’s taken the opportunity to develop the Macious brand. He’s performed some outstanding sets and mixes recently. But his tracks such as ‘Simmer Down’ and ‘Islands’ in particular have received loads of support from BBC Introducing and Radio 1.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKgTFFkBs1g/
Speaking about the song, Macious said:“I wanted to release some thoughts and tension and turn them into a sound which really replicated the energy that was building up in me.
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“The song was already produced a few months before, but the lyrics came within seconds at this moment in thought. I intended to write the song to give the listener some energy to punch through their emotions and find a little clarity, or even just to groove out to the track.
“This has also shaped a new sound, which I have grown a big connection to over the last year and I hope this will with the audience too.”
So, we thought we’d mark the release with episode five of our Manc Mixtapes mix series – brought to you by Macious himself. It’s 30-minutes of vibey mellow beats to provide the ideal tonic to this crazy world we’re living in right now.
The mix series is designed to shine a light on Manchester’s up and coming DJs, producers and record labels. Previous episodes have featured the lads from Orange Records, drum and bass heavyhitter Boa and house DJ Liam Hyphen. Head over to our Mixcloud to catch up. Oh, and don’t forget to like, share and follow, whilst you’re at it!
‘Take My Light’ is out on 28 January and you can listen to episode five of Manc Mixtapes right here.
Stay up to date with music in Manchester with The Manc Audio.
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Rochdale Feel Good Festival announces headliners with MAJOR 90s act
Thomas Melia
The highly-anticipated Rochdale Feel Good Festival is returning to Rochdale Town Hall for a night of impressive live music.
Summer is fast approaching and one way the residents of Greater Manchester town Rochdale know this is the line-up for its major outdoor festival has just been released.
The festival has been running since 2007, taking place right outside the distinctive Rochdale Town Hall , this will be the shows grand return since its massive renovation.
This town centre music celebration is known for drawing in some of music’s biggest names like Cast, Scouting For Girls, Razorlight and most recently Heather Small.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival is coming to the main stage at Rochdale Town Hall this summer / Credit: Press Shots (Supplied)
Rochdale Feel Good Festival has continued this streak of securing some big pop stars and this time is no different as they’ve bagged a major 90s act with some equally notable bands on the line-up too.
Topping the bill is legendary pop-soul artist Gabrielle, known for chart-topping hits like ‘Dreams’ and ‘Rise’ as well as ‘If You Ever’, ‘Out Of Reach’ and ‘Sunshine’.
This phenomenal UK act has seen her 1999 LP Rise and 2001 compilation album Dreams Can Come TrueVol. 1 get certified platinum not once but four times.
Gabrielle is headlining Rochdale Feel Good Festival on Saturday 8 August / Credit: Press Shot (Supplied)
Gabrielle might be more familiar with Rochdale than we think, as she recently collaborated with Middleton born singer-songwriter for his single ‘Sad Song’.
Also announced is indie-rock band Ash, who have seen similar chart success by achieving 18 UK Top 40 hits such as ‘Oh Yeah’, ‘Shining Light’ and ‘Goldfinger’.
Another act joining the main stage is critically-acclaimed rock band Starsailor and with tunes like ‘Alcoholic’ and ‘Silence Is Easy’ it’s about to be a stellar night of performances.
Recognised rock bands Ash and Starsailor are also joining the line-up for Rochdale Feel Good Festival Credit: Press Shots (Supplied)
If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, Rochdale Feel Good Festival will be announcing more acts in the next few weeks making this line-up one of the best yet.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival is coming to the main stage at Rochdale Town Hall on Saturday 8 August with Gabrielle, Ash, Starsailor and more acts to follow – tickets and more info HERE.
Featured Images – Rochdale Borough Council / Press Shots (Supplied)
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Myles Smith announces HUGE arena gig in Manchester this year
Thomas Melia
Singer-songwriter Myles Smith has just announced his biggest headline tour and is set to play a huge arena gig in Manchester this year.
Quit ‘Stargazing’ and get ready to fight for tickets as Myles Smith has just announced he’ll be visiting Manchester later this year for his biggest arena gig to date.
Known for hits like ‘Nice To Meet You’, ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’ and ‘Wait For You’, this BRIT School graduate is now heading on the road for some headline shows across the UK.
Recognised for his folk-pop sound, Smith has built quite a name for himself just three or so years into his career, with solo efforts and a few collaborations under his belt.
Myles Smith is heading to Co-op Live, Manchester, on tour this year / Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Recently, the Luton-born artist collaborated with some well-known names like Shaboozey on their track ‘Blink Twice’ and even features on a new single from former One Direction member Niall Horan titled ‘Drive Safe’.
It was only last year that the ‘Stargazing’ songwriter visited the music capital of the North, bringing his high-energy hits to Manchester Academy back in February.
The star visited Manchester a second time, too, playing at the Co-op Live alongside some of music’s biggest names for Hits Radio Live back in November.
Now, Smith is ready to take to the Co-op Live stage again and is expected to raise the roof when 23,500 fans flock to the star’s show this winter.
Titled after his upcoming album My Mess, My Life, My Heart, Smith will be playing a variety of well-known and brand new hits when he makes his way up North.
Co-op members and fans who are signed up to the official artist presale can get exclusive access to tickets from Wednesday, 25 March at 10am, with the window closing on Friday, 27 March at 9am.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live by 10 am that same Friday (27 Mar).
Myles Smith is embarking on his ‘My Mess, My Life, My Heart’ tour this winter and visiting Co-op Live, Manchester on Sunday 15 November – tickets and more info HERE.
Hannah Starkie -
28th January 2021 
