Manchester International Festival (MIF) has announced two initiatives to support the city’s music scene – which is still reeling from the devastating aftermath of COVID-19.
The first of the initiatives is MIF Sounds – which will pledge £10,000 to ten Manchester music creatives in producing new work.
Since lockdown, Manchester’s music scene has received very little governmental support. Creatives and musicians have been left without work and venues are in despair.
Two kingpins of the city, Gorilla and Deaf Institute, were even on the brink of total shutdown a few months back only to be saved by the skin of their teeth by Tokyo Industries. But the risk of closures elsewhere remains high.
Manchester artists Children of Zeus performing at MIF 2019
This financial support from MIF will provide some much-needed hope and encouragement to keep the city’s musical spirit alive. MIF organisers are open to ideas and want to hear from musicians, producers and creatives alike that have been hit by the pandemic and need help finding their feet.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jane Beese, Head of Music at MIF said: “MIF want to support the next generation of Manchester’s music industry who have been affected by the pandemic, to continue to create work.
“Maybe you need help to make or complete a recording project or you are a label promoting new releases or you are working in production and have a new piece of technology you want to advance.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Perhaps you are a promoter looking for support to present a socially distanced gig with a small audience with a live stream, or you just need some headspace and some time to make new music. We want to hear from you”
Festival in My House and Yours in action
The second initiative is funding for MIF’s online series Festival in My House and Yours: A programme launched during lockdown.
The idea brings together local people online to host digital micro-festivals in their own homes.
ADVERTISEMENT
It will offer six artists £1,800 to develop projects for the series.
Punam Ramchurn, Talent Development Manager at MIF said: “We’re really excited to offer these opportunities for creatives to develop and create work in these current times.
“From financial support, mentorship and learning new skills, we’re investing in artists across Greater Manchester, and passionate about building long lasting relationships as we head towards MIF21 and The Factory.”
Festival Square at MIF
MIF is one of the biggest dates in the city’s music calendar – bringing together people from all over Greater Manchester whilst introducing new art, music and theatre.
In the past, work displayed at the festival has gone on to reach worldwide audiences. Take a look back at previous festivals here.
ADVERTISEMENT
This is an amazing opportunity to play a part in maintaining Manchester’s world-renowned music heritage.
The deadline for proposals for MIF Sounds andFestival in My House and Yours is midday on Monday 5 October, and you must be a Greater Manchester resident to be eligible.
Good luck!
Audio
Gig tickets, signed merch and more up for grabs in important Headstock charity fundraiser
Daisy Jackson
Some huge music-related prizes have been announced as part of a major charity fundraising campaign for the music industry.
Headstock, a Manchester-based music and mental health social enterprise, is running a Crowdfunder campaign with prizes including tickets to huge arena shows, signed merch, and loads more.
Headstock has announced the campaign to raise funds for the support of MUSIC 85258, a 24/7 confidential text support service launched last year to support those working in the music industry.
The text support service is run in partnership with Music Minds Matter and delivered by Shout.
Headstock’s mission since its inception has been to deliver music-led solutions to tackle the growing mental health crisis, both within the music industry and beyond.
The dedicated mental health text support service has already drummed up loads of support, including being signposted back-of-house in key venues like the AO Arena, Co-op Live, and Warehouse Project.
Now, Headstock is running a fundraiser campaign to keep this vital service thriving, pulling together some major prizes across multiple prize draws.
These prizes have been donated by local Manchester bands and venues, and include VIP Parklife tickets, VIP to shows at the AO Arena and Co-op Live, season passes for WHP, and signed merch from the likes of Elbow, Courteeners and New Order.
To enter each prize draw, make a donation to the Crowdfunder – the bigger your donation, the more entries you will receive.
You can see all the prizes up for grabs and make a donation below – or you can just donate to Headstock HERE.
All the prizes in the Headstock fundraiser
Aitch – A pair of tickets to see Aitch’s headline show at Mayfield Depot + 4x signed albums – HERE
Parklife – 2x pairs of VIP tickets to Parklife 2026 – HERE
All money raised will be donated to mental health charity, Shout, who deliver MUSIC 85258 – a free, confidential and 24/7 text support service for anyone working within the music industry.
MUSIC 85258 is a de-escalation service for anyone working in the music industry who is struggling with their mental health. It is a partnership between Headstock, Music Minds Matter and Shout, with Mental Health Innovations providing the underlying service through Shout’s network of trained volunteers. To use the service, anyone that is struggling simply needs to text the word “MUSIC” to 85258 to connect with a volunteer for in-the-moment support.
Richard Ashcroft announces all-North West lineup of support acts for Alexandra Palace headliner
Danny Jones
Wigan’s finest, Richard Ashcroft, has announced an all-North-Western lineup for his upcoming headline show at ‘Ally Pally’.
The former Verve frontman is not only riding a fresh wave of popularity thanks to supporting Oasis on their incredible Live ’25 world tour, but also recently released his long-awaited new album, Lovin’ You.
Not just a Manc music icon but one of the biggest names to have come out of his borough, specifically, the legendary lyricist is finally getting more like the kind of recognition he deserves, and is making sure to pay that exposure forward in the best way possible.
He could have picked from all manner of big British acts as supports at Alexandra Palace, but Richard Ashcroft has chosen to keep flying the regional flag by picking a group he’s spent the last few months with, as well as a fellow Greater Manchester act.
That’s right: as well as signing up Liverpool’s very own Oasis Live ’25 openers, Cast, as one of the warm-up acts, the 54-year-old has also chosen another native Wigan artist in the form of The Lathums to join him for the momentous headline show.
Much-loved not only in their hometown but across Manchester and beyond, the indie favourites – who also released their latest studio LP, Matter Does Not Define, back in February – the young band are only getting better and becoming more established as time goes on.
Having already played the likes of the AO Arena here in Manchester and booked numerous big festival slots of the past few years, we reckon you can pretty much bank on them headlining this historic and bucket list venue for themselves in the future.
In terms of Cast, the scousers continue one of the busiest years for touring in their career by supporting ‘King Richard’, having followed up supporting ‘LG’ in 2024 to both Gallagher brothers over the summer.
As for Ashcroft himself, we’re glad to see him back releasing new music, and can confirm his seventh record is a great listen.
By no means our favourite, but just a taste of his latest sound.
Now, if you were wondering why we’re talking about this show over any of the other gigs (namely the Northern ones) on his upcoming UK run, it’s because most of the tour has now sold out.
His Co-op Live date was obviously the first to go, with Cardiff’s Principality Stadium going shortly after, and extra dates being added in the likes of London, Liverpool and over in Leeds.
If you do happen to be in the capital already or are willing to make a trip to London for the show, there are still some tickets left for Richard Ashcroft at Ally Pally in July 2026.
Cannot wait to hear how this sounds in that storied room:
Hannah Starkie -
9th September 2020 
