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.”
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“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.
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.
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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.”
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.
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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
Doves announce first hometown gig for 15 years in Manchester on UK tour
Daisy Jackson
Doves have announced a massive homecoming show – their first Manchester gig in 15 years – on their upcoming tour, but without frontman Jimi Goodwin.
The Manchester-founded band are heading out on a full UK tour in support of their sixth studio album Constellations for the Lonely.
Doves will be heading to Aviva Studios for a huge show, along with dates in Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and London, to name a few.
The new tour dates are in addition to the already sold-out intimate dates in Stoke, Birkenhead and Hebden Bridge.
Lead singer Jimi Goodwin will sit out the live tour to focus on his health – the band had previously cancelled their 2021 tour to protect his wellbeing.
He has said that his current circumstances are ‘not compatible with a mad, city-to-city schedule’.
Instead, Andy and Jez Williams will alternate on vocals and are promising a ‘one-of-a-kind experience’.
In a heartwarming statement about their Doves bandmate, they said: “This tour is incredibly special as Jimi is stepping back from live to focus on his well being.
“Mental health has always been central to Doves, and we fully support him in his decision.”
Doves announced their new album Constellations For The Lonely last week, shortly before confirming their UK tour and Manchester homecoming gig.
The band have recorded tracks, including recent Goodwin-fronted single Renegade, through a patchwork of in-person and remote recording sessions.
Doves UK tour dates in full
Tue 25 Feb – Glasgow, SWG3
Wed 26 Feb – Edinburgh, La Belle Angele
Thu 27 Feb – Newcastle, Boiler Shop
Sat 1 Mar – Leeds, Beckett SU
Sun 2 Mar – Sheffield, Leadmill
Tue 4 Mar – Liverpool, O2 Academy
Fri 7 Mar – Manchester, Aviva Studios, home of Factory International
Sun 8 Mar – Birmingham, O2 Institute
Mon 10 Mar – Nottingham, Rock City
Tue 11 Mar – Norwich, Waterfront
Thu 13 Mar – London, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Fri 14 Mar – Bristol, SWX
Sat 15 Mar – Southampton, Engine Rooms
Mon 17 Mar – Brighton, Chalk
Tue 18 Mar – Oxford, O2 Academy
Tickets for all dates go on general sale on Thursday 21 November at 9.30am HERE.
Robbie Williams announces massive Manchester show next summer and ‘new music’ coming soon
Danny Jones
British pop royalty Robbie Williams has just announced a massive Manchester show coming next summer and has teased that new music is “coming soon” – the scramble for these tickets is going to be unreal…
The former boy band favourite turned chart-topping solo star is back at the forefront of the public consciousness once again after revealing the trailer for his upcoming biopic that has caught plenty of people’s attention.
Set to release on Boxing Day 2024, we think it’s fair to say this is no ordinary retelling of a famous musician’s career as it will see Williams reimagined as a CGI monkey, with Robbie lending his voice for the singing and narration sections.
As if that recent unveiling wasn’t eye-catching enough, the 50-year-old has followed it with the sudden announcement of a huge European tour, where it has now been confirmed that songs from the Better Man film and some new stuff will be played.
Sharing details of 28 dates, Robbie said in an official statement: “This tour is going to be my boldest yet – I can’t wait to see you next year.”
He also went on to add, “There will be songs from the movie Better Man and some new music too…but more on that soon.”
Although it’s unclear whether this is the first hint at what would be his 13th studio LP, with previous records including everything from the bread-and-butter pop that made him a household name, to swing, old-world big band covers and even a Christmas album.
Williams’ last outing was the XXV greatest hits compilation album, marking 25 years of his highly successful solo career since leaving fellow 90s icons Take That, who he returned to for a short spell after 15 years back in 2010 before parting ways once again.
He’s also roped in some Northern help from none other than Leigh’s very own The Lottery Winners for all dates but one, meaning the Manc vibes will be immaculate. Huge for the much-loved local band.
Known for his legendary live shows, Robbie Williams is considered one of the UK’s greatest entertainers of all time and previously held the Guinness World record for feats such as selling more than 1.6 million tickets in a single day, not to mention playing to over 375,000 across three nights at Knebworth.
Put it this way, these shows are in very high demand and will sell out quicker than you say ‘Rock DJ’.
Set to play Manchester and make his Co-op Live debut on 11 June, fans can secure early access to tickets for the ‘Live 2025’ tour from 10am this Wednesday by pre-ordering the Better Man movie soundtrack or by downloading the Co-op Members app.
As for general admission, tickets for Robbie Williams’ Manchester date and all other UK and Ireland gigs go live at 10 the same time on Friday, 15 November.
Given his connection to this city, this is as close to a homecoming show as you’re going to get until he headlines Stoke one of these days, so you don’t want to miss it. You can get ready to grab yours HERE.