Boasting two decades of experience, Sounds From The Other City (SFTOC) are pioneers when it comes to discovering new artists, giving everyone involved a chance to showcase their work to the masses.
As this esteemed festival is turning another year older and reaching its monumental 20th anniversary, what better way to kick off the celebrations than with over 100 of the freshest artists in the industry?
Although every act that has been selected is truly phenomenal, there are a few standouts that should hopefully pluck your interest…
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Good vibes and good times in Bexley Square.Crowds gather for Sounds From The Other City 2024.Credit: Breige Cobane
Ever heard of a triple threat? How about a quintuple threat? Du Blonde is a musician, composer, artist, animator and video director.
This English star has caught the attention of music lovers with their loud and proud punk/ rock instrumentals and their infectious personality to match – Salford is up next.
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Alternative singer and producer, Grove, knows how to put on a show and we have no doubt they’re set to deliver considering their recent roster of events.
Last year saw this outspoken vocalist at Burning Womxn – a feminist festival held in Paris that coincided with the 2024 Olympics – and even a Boiler Room show in partnership with fashion giants, Levi’s.
Halifax talent, The Orielles, teased they’re working on more of their indie-avant pop goodness and now they have just the stage to do it on as they’re set to play Sounds From The Other City too.
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Du Blonde is ready to wow the Salford crowd.Grove, who is set to play Sounds From The Other City 2025.Credit: Rob McGee/Josh Cohen
In case you needed any more convincing when it comes to how big these names go on to bed after being given the nod by SFTOC, you only have to look back at the acts that have played the festival in the past.
Some of the talents that have graced this festival in years gone by include Greater Manchester locals, The Ting Tings; the Mercury Prize-winning Sampha, rising alt-rock and indie outfit, Black Country, New Road, and many more.
Sounds From The Other City is coming to Salford on Sunday, 4 May 2025 and tickets are on sale from 7 February or right now if you’re a registered subscriber to SFTOC HERE.
In the meantime, you can also check out some of the names playing Castlefield Bowl this summer as part of the festival’s twinned event in Manchester city centre. They’ve already notched some big ones…
Featured Image — Breige Cobane/Press Images (supplied)
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Olly Murs cancels Manchester gig after walking off stage six songs into huge arena show
Daisy Jackson
Olly Murs has now officially cancelled his show in Manchester tonight, a day after walking off stage just six songs into a huge arena gig.
The Heart Skips a Beat star had been performing in Glasgow last night when he abruptly stopped the show, apologised to fans, and left the stage.
The gig was cancelled around 30 minutes into his show, which is part of a huge UK arena tour that was meant to be heading to Manchester tonight.
A tearful Olly said that he was seeing a doctor last night and would update fans of the rest of his shows ‘as soon as I know anything’.
It’s now been confirmed that his gig at the AO Arena will not be going ahead.
Olly Murs said in a statement: “30 minutes into my set in Glasgow I lost my voice & unfortunately had to leave the stage midway through the show. This has never happened before and not something I take lightly.
“I’m sorry to all the fans who came out to the show last night and am forever grateful for your support.
“To everyone in Manchester and Birmingham I’m deeply sorry, but am unfortunately going to have to cancel my shows this weekend. I have contracted a respiratory infection and have been instructed to go on a strict 48 hour voice rest by the doctor to ensure no further damage to my vocal cords.
“I have been enjoying this tour so much, and am so sorry to let down my fans – but have to put my health first. I’m hoping to be fighting fit in a few days to finish this amazing 15 year celebratory tour with a bang.”
In a video he shared to Instagram last night, Olly Murs said: “Firstly I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry I had to walk off after six songs and cancel the show. I’ve never done this in 15 years.
“Most of the time as singers you can kind of get through it if your voice isn’t 100% – I walked out tonight thinking my voice was great, I maybe felt a little bit run down but I didn’t think I couldn’t do the show. I wouldn’t have come out there otherwise.
“So to walk off after six songs, as I said, I’m so sorry. As you can probably hear from my voice, I just sounded rubbish and it’s unfair for you guys that spent all that money to come and see me. You deserve the best show and me being at my best, and I’m so sorry from the bottom of my heart.
“Hopefully I can recover from this.
“I’m actually going to see a doctor tonight which is great, so I’ll give you guys an update as soon as I know anything. Obviously I wanna try my absolute best to make these shows possible at the weekend.
“So yeah, so sorry for everyone tonight, apologies from the bottom of my heart. Gutted.”
Major star pulls out of Parklife festival due to ‘scheduling conflict’
Daisy Jackson
One of the biggest attractions of this year’s Parklife festival line-up has pulled out just weeks before the event.
Rising star and TikTok sensation Lola Young will no longer be performing at the huge Manchester festival.
She’s the voice behind ‘Messy’, that song you can’t get out of your head (or off your For You Page), and has already earned herself two BRIT Award nominations.
Lola Young was one of the biggest names announced on this year’s Parklife line-up, which has headline slots from Charli XCX, 50 Cent, Jorja Smith and Peggy Gou.
She was set to perform on the Saturday of the festival, taking place on 14 and 15 June.
But Parklife has now confirmed that Lola Young has dropped out of the lineup owing to a ‘scheduling conflict’.
In a post on Instagram they wrote: “Due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict Lola Young will not be performing at Parklife 2025.
“We would like to apologise for any disappointment.
“Full set times will be published at 5pm Tuesday 20th May on the PL25 App where we will also be announcing some surprise additions to the weekend in the run up to the festival.”
Parklife will be taking place next month in Manchester – you can keep up with the latest HERE and grab final tickets HERE.
Thomas Melia -
4th February 2025 
