As part of its 60th-anniversary celebrations, New Century Hall has announced a brand new scholarship opportunity for one student to attend the dBs Institute of Sound & Digital Technologies, located right within the building and their fledgling Manchester campus.
Located in the basement of New Century over in NOMA, which has quickly become one of Manchester’s best entertainment venues and food halls, the dBs Institute’s brand new state-of-the-art Manc campus offers a range of courses including Music Production, Sound Engineering, Sound Design, Game Development and more.
In this instance, the upcoming scholarship will see one person enrolled on their BSc (Hons) Live Sound degree: a full-time, three-year course designed to provide in-depth knowledge and practical application of all the skills required to design, build and operate professional sound systems at a range of live events.
Both organisations are particularly interested in hearing from prospective students who might not have felt able to apply for this or similar courses previously due to personal or financial reasons.
Credit: New Century x dBs Institute of Sound & Digital Technologies
Promising a jam-packed course full of exciting opportunities and access to various industry connections, as well as giving graduates all the skills needed to progress onto a successful career in sound, students will learn everything from current mixing technologies, acoustics and modern speaker systems, to sound system optimisation techniques, as well as analogue and digital live sound production.
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Alongside practical skills crucial to working in live sound, the course also includes guidance on what it takes to succeed in the industry, including how to set up your own business, work within a team, hone communication skills and more to give you the best chance of earning employment in the industry.
They aren’t just dumping a load of technical skills on your plate, the dBs Institute and New Century are aiming to provide the full package. Perhaps the best part about this collaboration is the fact that the course is studied in-house at the popular gig and events space.
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With the dBs’ £3 million Manchester base opening up in 2022, boasting four studios, four production suites and many more specialist facilities, not only will you be learning right in the city centre but you’ll also be gaining practical industry experience throughout the degree by simply heading upstairs.
The dBs x New Century scholarship goes far beyond teaching the Live Sound curriculum.
The venue isn’t just housing the course, New Century will also support the chosen student with mentoring sessions by working professionals, shadowing key industry events, industry connections, work experience and further career support.
Built in 1963 as a state-of-the-art dance hall before being reopened as the multi-purpose space we know and love today, New Century wants to continue to be at the forefront of the music and events industry — which includes helping burgeoning talents develop and establish their careers.
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Managing Director Abby Moore said of the scholarship: “We’re really excited to be able to partner with dBs Institute to offer this place – the student community located in our basement is a key part of our ecosystem at New Century… This scholarship feels like the perfect way to celebrate the city’s incredible live music history, and look ahead to its exciting future.”
As dBs Manchester, Head of Centre Dom Kane added: “We’re proud to be collaborating with New Century to offer this exciting opportunity for one student to join us on the Live Sound degree this coming September.
“dBs is all about challenging conventions and pushing the boundaries in terms of sound, music and digital technology and we’re always excited to hear from passionate individuals. Working in this industry is for everyone. If you have the drive and enthusiasm to work in live events, we want to hear from you.”
To apply for the scholarship, eligible students will need to submit an application statement which demonstrates their passion for live sound and their future career aspirations in the industry. As per the brief, the statement should be “original, engaging and provide a clear and concise insight into their motivation for pursuing a career in live sound.”
A selection committee will then review all application statements and create a shortlist of the most compelling and deserving applicants, at which point the remaining candidates may be invited for an interview or asked to provide additional information as part of the final selection process.
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The deadline to apply is 30 April 2024 and applicants can submit their application HERE. You check out all available courses on dBs Institute’s website.
Featured Image — New Century Hall/dBs Institute Manchester
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You can line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester
Thomas Melia
After a fun way to kickstart the New Year? Some people might suggest hobbies like ‘Tennis’, but how about a line dancing class playing Lily Allen’s new album in its entirety – we know which we’d rather do.
Grab your nearest ‘Nonmonogamummy’ or take ‘Madeline’, if you know one, because there’s a line dance class where you get to line dance to Lily Allen’s West End Girl in full right here in Manchester.
Hosted by Red Rodeo Club, a queer line dancing group based in Manchester, who have hosted monthly artist-inspired events city wide including Chappell Roan, Beyoncé, Charli XCX and more.
This troupe even managed to line dance all the way to one of Manchester’s most reputable LGBTQIA+ nights of the year, performing on the Archive stage at Homobloc just last month.
Now, Red Rodeo is returning with another special night that is sure to interest all the West Endand North West girls across Manchester, as it prepares a Lily Allen line dance spectacular later this month.
If you’re ‘Ruminating’ about attending this event, there’s absolutely no pressure or dance experience needed as the group prides itself on providing ‘classic boot-scootin tutorials with a party vibe’.
You’ll definitely be in good company regardless of your dance partners, as hosting the event is Violet Blonde, known for their extraordinary outfits and love of Country icon Dolly Parton.
We’re already onto a winner…
Your dance instructor for the night is the remarkable Shanika Sunrise, a rapper and producer, who boasts a seriously impressive roster of acts they’ve opened for, including Chappell Roan, Cupcakke and Moonchild Sanelly.
Opportunities like this aren’t always feasible for everyone, which is something this line dance group is aware of as they’re offering a ‘Red Rodeo Club Low Income Ticket’, suited for students, unwaged and disabled attendees.
Red Rodeo Club is bringing the ‘Lily Allen edition’ line dance class to Fairfield Social Club in Manchester on Thursday, 29 January 2026, from 7-10:30pm.
If you’re interested in grapevine stepping or electric shuffling your way to the Lily Allen West End Girl line dance event in Manchester, you can find tickets HERE.
The smash-hit daytime rave where you can still be in bed early is returning to Manchester
Clementine Hall
That’s right: Day Fever, the daytime rave designed to still get you tucked in at a reasonable hour, is coming back to Manchester city centre this year.
Following their biggest raft of shows across the UK and Ireland in 2025, the smash-hit night out that is very much aimed at those of us 30 and over – but fellow sleepy heads are obviously more than welcome – Day Fever are targeting big things in 2026.
Launched in early 2024 by actress Vicky McClure and Reverend & The Makers frontman, Jon McClure, Day Fever has become a cultural sensation.
From its debut in Sheffield to a tour that sees thousands of ravers hitting the dance floor each month, the message is clear: people want to dance and let loose, but still be in bed before 9pm – and let’s be honest, who can blame them?
The founders (L-R): Jon McClure, James O’Hara, Jonny Owen, Vicky and Chris McClure. (supplied)
Running from 3-8pm, Day Fever provides a proper night out that doesn’t completely write you off for the entire weekend.
“It started as a WhatsApp idea”, says Jon McClure. “Jonny just said, ‘A daytime disco, how good would that be?’ We’re all a bit nuts, so we just said, ‘Come on then!’”
“It feels like a massive house party at your nan’s,” laughs Vicky. “No drama, no egos, just people acting daft, getting dressed up, and having the best time.”
From here in 0161 and our mates over in Leeds, to Newcastle, Glasgow and many more, each Day Fever event has its own unique flavour.
There’ll be local DJs who know their crowds keep the energy high with a nostalgic mix of Northern Soul, disco, indie, and 90s classics. “Manchester goes mad for Oasis,” says Jon, “and if Vicky’s there, we have to play Whitney, it’s non-negotiable!”
For starters, just look at the turnout they got over Christmas:
Danny Jones -
23rd October 2023 
