Manchester music agency Sounds of Manchester (SoM) has launched a raffle to raise money to continue supporting local artists – and there’s tonnes of Manchester music memorabilia and merch up for winning.
A jack-of-all-music-trades agency, Sounds of Manchester provides local artists with affordable studio space, production services, videographers, and lighting and sound hire.
You name it, this lot can sort it out.
But before the pandemic, Sounds of Manchester was hosting events and putting on gigs around the city. Last year, they turned their attention to livestreams, as a way of keeping videographers, lighting and sound engineers, and of course artists in work throughout the pandemic.
Matt Jones, Director of SoM, told Audio why he set up the company in the first place and why it’s important to get behind the local music scene during these times: “I hate seeing people struggle when their music is outstanding. It really isn’t fair. Sometimes you look at a singer on the radio and think ‘if it wasn’t for money, they wouldn’t be where they are right now’ and that’s not the way it should be.”
“Musicians struggle these days to get their music out there, even if it’s better than some of the stuff we hear on the radio on a day-to-day basis. That’s why we wanted to help.”
Included is everything you’d need to professionally record three tracks and film the BTS action too. But they can also provide full promotional material, and social media and marketing assistance.
Image: Will Francis/Unsplash
Matt says the low price doesn’t compromise on quality, though. Instead, they work with freelancers and college students to keep the costs low but the standard high, whilst providing everyone with the experience.
But in order to maintain these cheap studio packages, there needs to be a pot of money available for the future. Mainly, this will allow for new equipment, upgrades, giveaways and ensure they can still pay freelancers a decent cut.
So, the team have set up a raffle to help raise a bit of extra cash to go towards the maintenance of Sounds of Manchester.
“The raffle was an idea that came to me during lockdown,” said Matt.
“[After] seeing people on Facebook raffling wax melts, candles, chocolate hampers, I thought ‘there isn’t anything like this for music fans’. So, we set out to contact some larger bands, artists, photographers, painters, DJs and loads of other industry professionals to see if they’d be in a position to contribute.”
SoM raffle prize
There are more than 30 prizes up for grabs, which have been donated by contributors such as Callow Youth, Shed Seven, The Lottery Winners, Trust a Fox photography and artist Frank Rimmer.
Tickets are only £1 – and you can buy as many of them as you like to maximise your chances of winning.
The prize pot includes signed band memorabilia, tour tickets, prints, exclusive tour posters, limited edition vinyl, CDs and loads more.
So, go on what ya waiting for? It’s only a quid – you’d find that down the back of the sofa.
Audio
Royel Otis add second Manchester date due to massive demand
Danny Jones
Australian indie pop group Royel Otis have announced a second Manchester date ahead of their upcoming UK tour due to a huge demand for tickets.
The Aussie duo, who have blown up in the past couple of years with tracks like ‘Oysters In My Pocket’ and two viral covers of Sophie Ellis-Bextor and The Cranberries, are due to play a massive Manchester gig later this year.
Set to make their O2 Victoria Warehouse debut this winter, the ‘Sofa King’ singers saw their ticket allocation sell out quicker than you can say ‘Going Kokomo’.
As a result, there was only one thing for it:
Due to demand, @RoyelOtis have just added an extra date at Manchester @O2VicWarehouse in November! 🔥
For anyone still unaware of the rising alt-pop outfit led by frontman Otis Pavlovic and Royel Maddell (hence the name), they began breaking onto the scene around 2022 after having released a couple of tracks the year prior.
Although they quickly gained support back in their home country, their presence over here and indeed around the world was helped no end after their tripleJ take on ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ and stripped-back version of ‘Linger’ for SiriusXM hit the internet.
They even managed to land a feature on EA FC 24 – formerly known as FIFA – and we all know how getting on that soundtrack can transform careers.
Since then, their following has grown exponentially, and the rising double act has booked major festival slots such over the past 12 months or so, playing the likes of Kendal Calling, Glastonbury, as well as Reading and Leeds, just to name a few.
Regardless, fervent fans haven’t seen their clamour disappear, and now the band have announced an extra date at Victoria Warehouse.
Now set to play the venue on Friday AND Saturday, 28-29 November 2025, they will be supported by an opening act with a cool UK connection: Still Blank.
The transatlantic outfit is made up of Jordy is from Hawaii, and Ben, from right here in Manchester; the two come together to make what Stereogum has described as “sullen folk-grunge” – yet more reason for locals to be interested in the gig.
Once again, while the first gig has sold out, you can grab your tickets for Royel Otis’ second Manchester show HERE.
There’s a VR K-pop experience coming to a cinema in Manchester
Thomas Melia
A VR experience dedicated to a much-loved K-pop group, ENHYPEN, is making its way to a cinema screen in Manchester this Autumn.
After a stellar performance at AO Arena in Manchester earlier this week, a VR experience dedicated to K-pop group ENHYPEN is coming to a cinema screen in the city centre.
This upcoming experience with the fitting name ‘IMMERSION’, will mark the K-pop group’s first ever VR concert and is premiering across the globe, including right here in Manchester.
Featuring all-new performances, this pre-recorded concert experience allows you the chance to immerse yourself in never-before-seen content that has been specifically produced for VR.
This cinematic concert concept allows fans the chance to watch their favourite live bands and acts up close and personal without having to break the bank.
Made in partnership with Amaze, one of the world’s leading immersive concert creators, previous performers include fellow K-pop acts Aespa, Tomorrow X Together and KAI, as well as rap megastar Megan Thee Stallion.
Get ready to sing your heart out or ‘Scream’ as loud as you can when ENHYPEN take to the screen as they’re expected to perform all their usual classics, including ‘XO (Only If You Say Yes)’ and ‘Bad Desire (With or Without You)’.
If you’re worried about missing your chance to get ‘Loose’, don’t worry, because these seven K-pop stars will be on cinema screens for nine consecutive dates throughout September.
K-pop boy band ENHYPEN took to the AO Arena in Manchester earlier this week (Credit: BELIFT LAB)
This exclusive ENHYPEN VR concert experience is coming to none other than international cinema chain Odeon, which will be screening this event at one of its prime Manc locations: The Trafford Centre.
ENHYPEN are bringing ‘IMMERSION’, their first-ever VR concert experience, to Odeon Trafford Centre in Manchester from 19 September until 28 September.
You’ll catch us there ‘No Doubt’ – more information HERE.
In the meantime, why not read our review of ENHYPEN’s recent Manchester show, which served as yet more proof that we need to get properly into K-pop.
Hannah Starkie -
9th February 2021 
