There’s a special shelf in grime and rap reserved for genre pioneers; the people credited with bringing a new blend of music to the masses.
Dizzee Rascal and Wiley are known as the guys who got grime going in Britain.
Skepta and JME’s loud and proud lyrics are what helped push the genre outside of the M25.
And Aitch and Bugzy Malone have received important recognition for giving rap a Mancunian tongue.
These seminal artists started the shows. But they didn’t set the stages. Peer closer at the rich history of British hip-hop; and you’ll find figures in the prologue.
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Before Dizzee and Wiley gave grime its own identity, Rodney P and Roots Manuva were clearing the path for the first wave of authentic national rap with their unmistakably English lyricism.
Before the BBK brothers were waxing lyrical, Akala was speaking out about the streets.
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And before Bugzy and Aitch put Manchester on the map, a young lad from Moss Side called RIO was helping to lay the local groundwork.
Now, this member of Manchester’s old guard is making a triumphant return to the scene.
“The king is back,” RIO tells The Manc, revelling in a resurgence he’s been threatening to make for half a decade.
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“These are my fans’ words, not mine.
“I love what the likes of Bugzy and Aitch are doing right now. They’re geniuses. They’ve taken things up a level and I think that’s fantastic.
“But there’s a vacant throne beside them that’s mine. I’m coming back for it.”
The hiatus has been a long one, but the name RIO will ring a bell among music fans who were there when the Manchester grime scene was first taking flight.
At the turn of the ‘10s, RIO was being touted as “one to watch” by the media, and the hype in his hometown had reached fever pitch.
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He’d refined his rhyming in neighbourhood road huddles as a teenager and relentlessly peddled CDs on Market Street; making a few quid on rap shows he helped to set up across the city (Wiley starred on one).
But when he hustled his mixtape into HMV – where it sat alongside iconic genre records like Boy In Da Corner – things snowballed.
Suddenly, RIO was getting shout-outs from record spinners right at the top, including MistaJam, DJ Target, Tim Westwood and DJ Q. He was out on the road with legends like Nas, Rick Ross, T-Pain and Julez Santana. Local Premier League stars Rio Ferdinand and Mario Balotelli were even stepping in to star in his videos.
Manchester had seemingly spawned the next big star. But the journey struck a bump.
Trouble began brewing when RIO’s label, IMA, began gawking enviously at the pop rappers selling six figure albums in the charts. They wanted their signing to do the same.
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“They were desperate to turn me into Tinie Tempah or Tinchy Stryder,” RIO sighs.
“Y’know, they were trying to put the sunglasses on me and make my music like those guys.
“I watch some of my videos from back then and just think – ‘that’s not real’. They’re pop records. Why did I do that?
“I got to do some big things with the label – they got me on Soccer AM and took me to the MOBO Awards. But I wasn’t connecting with my fans.
“I didn’t know any better. I was a kid.”
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Things eventually reached a point when RIO just couldn’t do it anymore. He decided to duck out.
Within four years, he’d gone from rising star to sinking ship; cast adrift from the rap scene where the heavy weight of his mental health threatened to drown his once-promising career.
He briefly came up for air on a few occasions (releasing sporadic singles online). But it wasn’t until recently he felt in the right place to reclaim the reputation he left back on dry land.
“I’ve always known I was good enough,” RIO explains confidently.
“Ability wasn’t what forced me to keep dropping out. It was my mental health.”
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Whenever it looked like RIO might be about to re-emerge, the underground scene would react with excitement. But the rapper would invariably abandon his comeback due to a deep-seated anxiety.
On one occasion, he spent days preparing a return show at Dry Bar, and when the time came to publish the tickets, he hovered his cursor over the “sell” button for several minutes straight, terrified to confirm the event in case nobody showed up.
The gig sold out.
Demand was so great, in fact, RIO had to hastily arrange on a second show to fit in all the fans.
Still, despite the fierce loyalty of his core audience, RIO continued to find reasons to avoid a full-time return.
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“Fear was dominating me,” he says.
“I’d just make excuses – I’m busy with work, I’ve got too much on, whatever. Anytime I teased a return DJs would get excited, but then I’d disappear again and they started to ignore me.
“I don’t blame them. It was like The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”
“For a long time, whenever there was an opportunity, I was like a deer in the headlights, afraid of failure. I actually go out looking for failure now; it’s just another challenge that helps you to grow.
“I thought: How can I teach my sons about courage and adversity if I don’t take this shot?
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“I could see the Manchester scene was moving and I wanted to get involved.
“Now I’m here to stay. I’m on a mission to get back to my rightful spot.”
Other artists in RIO’s position would recognise the past few years as tumultuous. But he doesn’t see it that way. RIO believes the choppy waters have stirred new creativity within him; resulting in the rapper producing the “best music he’s ever made”.
“Artists often reveal the most when they’re at their most vulnerable,” he says.
“This comeback has nothing to do with money. I’ve got my own business where I earn. This is about change. It’s for my fans. Now, they finally get to hear my story.”
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Given how his territory is home to some of the top artists in rap right now, RIO is often asked about his fellow residents lighting up Manchester.
“The game’s as good as it’s ever been up here,” he says.
“But some people need to learn what the real history is.
“A lot of younger rap fans will think the current guys started it all in Manchester.
“But with ‘The Lost Archives’, we’ve been documenting the history and started dropping a track from my back catalogue every Thursday at 7pm, all available for free download, so that will settle that. It will end the conversation of who came first.
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“These guys in the game now… they know who I am.
“My city’s got the best artists in the country as far as I’m concerned. There’s been a whole host of talent come through in the last four years, and rightfully I couldn’t make a return without paying homage.”
“I’m not here to tear things down. I’m here to get involved again.”
RIO describes his style as being in the mould of artists like Dave or Kano; with a renewed focus on adding strings, choirs and brass to his compositions.
He’s been recording his new EP – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly – during socially distanced sessions at a local studio with fellow Manc producer JSD, and he says the music is very different to what his fans have heard before.
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“My latest music is authentic, original and relatable,” RIO tells us.
“Plus, it tells my story. Most of my fans will have never actually heard my story before.
“People know I’m good with lyrics and flows, but I’ve never had the courage to tell them exactly who I am.
“I don’t talk about having a knife in my bag, or cooking and selling drugs. I don’t have videos featuring loads of girls and jewellery.
“I talk about what’s truly happening in my life. I’m a dad; I’ve matured as a person and as an artist.”
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RIO has already expressed his excitement at the buzz his second comeback is generating with his old clique of fans. Now, he’s attacking the scene on nostalgic and new fronts.
By releasing The Lost Archives singles produced in the noughties, he’s prompting fans to go looking deeper into the genre’s roots; whilst his upcoming music is aimed at taking things to a higher echelon.
He’s already made a start on another EP, with high hopes for all of his new material.
“People will always naturally gravitate to something if it’s got quality,” RIO says defiantly.
“I’ve been doing this since ‘05 – so I know good music and I know bad music.
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“This latest stuff I’ve been doing… I’m confident it will change the game in Manchester.”
Listen and watch RIO’s journey through the ‘The Lost Archives’here.
Keep up to date with RIO by following him on his socials.: @rioowyamean
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Moovin’ Festival 2024 – full line-up announced for Stockport’s much-loved festival as it hits major milestone
Daisy Jackson
Stockport’s proudly independent Moovin’ Festival is back on the farm this summer for its 10th anniversary edition.
The beloved local music event, which takes over Whitebottom Farm in the picturesque Etherow Country Park, has announced its full line-up for this year’s celebration.
Moovin’ Festival 2024 will include headline performances from Leftfield and legendary DJ Laurent Garnier, plus Sampa the Great, Erol Alkan, Crazy P, David Rodigan, Souls of Mischief, Mr Scruff, Greg Wilson, Jaguar Skills, Congo Natty, Ray Keith, DRS, Nicky Blackmarket, Nubiyan Twist, K Klass and many more innovative bands, DJs and live acts from across the spectrum.
Taking place over the August bank holiday weekend, Moovin will also bring together up and coming local performers and events like circus performances, yoga sessions, holistic treatments, and ethically sourced cuisine.
Widely considered one of the region’s best music events, Moovin has gone from being ‘Manchester’s best kept secret’ to a staple in the calendar every year.
The festival pitches itself as an ‘exceptional celebration of sonic brilliance, eclectic music, and quirkiness, set in a beautiful and intimate environment’.
The packed line-up will take places in the stunning surroundings of the eco-friendly Whitebottom Farm, where spaces to be discovered include a hidden oasis adorned with lush trees, serene lakes, and a captivating gorge plus stages like the iconic Barn Stage, a spacious cow shed with cosy hay bales for relaxation.
The ‘adult playground of music and magic’ features state-of-the-art sound systems and a relaxed ambiance.
French techno legend and scene hero Laurent Garnier will be among the headliners – a rare chance to catch this pioneering artist who isn’t frequently touring these days.
He will be joined by Leftfield, fellow icons in the scene who have put out seminal albums, lay down heavy techno beats and have endless classic hits in their arsenal.
Iconic hip-hop group Souls of Mischief and reggae legend David Rodigan, along with Afro beats pioneer and global star Sampa The Great are also on the bill for Moovin’ 2024.
Moovin regular and Hacienda legend Graeme Park makes a welcome return to celebrate 40 years in the scene, Congo Natty celebrates 30 years as a pioneer of the jungle revolution, Erol Alkan brings his raucous mix of indie dance sounds, Crazy P will play a DJ set that explores all forms of disco, and Prince Fatty & Horseman will lay down their dub sounds.
The line-up continues with the captivating sounds of Nubiyan Twist, the infectious beats of K Klass, and the mesmerising performance artistry of Oh My God It’s the Church and their unique gospel sound.
Dub FX is set to deliver an electrifying performance that will keep the crowd moving, while Moovin residents DJ Paulette, Mr. Scruff, Krafty Kuts, Greg Wilson, and Jaguar Skills are back to showcase their unparalleled talents on the turntables as they traverse the world of disco, funk, hip hop, breaks, soul, jazz, and plenty in between.
Fans of drum & bass and jungle music are in for a treat once more with heavyweight offerings from DRS, Ray Keith, DJ Randall, Nicky Blackmarket, Mark XTC, and many more.
DJ Paulette says: “Whenever I get to play Moovin Festival it’s a highlight of my festival calendar. As soon as I see the waterfall I feel like I’m home.The crowd is just beautiful and tech energy is electric.”
Groove Armada said: “At the bottom of a tree lined valley, a hay barn with a fat sound-system. A freewheeling crowd, no VIP red ropes, no hassle , just music and good vibes. 90s free party? No its the brilliant Moovin’ festival.”
And Graeme Park commented: “I absolutely adore DJing at Moovin’. It’s truly a unique and magical experience with totally incredible vibes!”
A guide to the brand-new Co-op Live Arena: drinks prices, how to get there, capacity and more
Danny Jones
The brand spanking new Co-op Live Arena finally opens this week and while it might be a touch later than expected, it’s still a huge deal for Manchester and the region as a whole.
While the inaugural pair of shows by British comedy legend Peter Kay might have been postponed due to unexpected power supply problems, that’s exactly what test events are for and Co-Op Live is still due to open its doors to the public later this Saturday as they welcome The Black Keys.
Boasting a jam-packed and ambitious programme already, with shows lined up well into 2025, there’s a lot to take in and as always with new venues, it can be helpful to know all the important details before your first visit – and we’re all in that boat in this case.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you sorted with a whirlwind guide to the Co-op Live.
Everything you need to know about Co-op Live Manchester
Let’s start with why everyone’s getting so excited. Well not only is it going to become the UK’s biggest indoor entertainment venue and one of the biggest in Europe full stop, boasting a maximum capacity of 23,500 people but, like the newly opened Aviva Studios, it’s also set to bring huge revenue into the city.
All told, the total cost of the venue has clocked at approximately £365 million, making it one of the most expensive buildings to ever be erected in the region.
Attracting not only huge artists, comedians and other live acts but now even the likes of the UFC later this year, it really is poised to be an all-purpose entertainment space.
It's official, the @ufc is finally coming back to Manchester! 👊
So who exactly is behind this huge new addition to the city? Well, there are a few big names involved, first and foremost the City Football Group (yes that one – they are neighbours after all).
Man City owner and UAE royal Sheikh Mansour has put forward the lion’s share along with the Oakview Music Group, co-founded by American music mogul and ex-Ticketmaster CEO, Irving Azoff.
Thirdly, another key investor who has played a big role in the marketing for Co-op Live, in case you haven’t already seen him in the promos, is Harry Styles.
Putting in an undisclosed amount into the building as a minority equity shareholder along with Emma Spring, co-director of his record label Erskine Records, Emma Spring, his brand alone is set to help rake in big sums for the venue.
We know that you've been waiting to hear from him…
The former One Direction star speaks ahead of Co-op Live opening to the public.
Those drink prices…
Yep, a lot of you will have surely heard about them already and if you haven’t about Co-op Live’s drinks prices yet, you might want to sit down for this one.
As confirmed by many accounts on social media, the cheapest pints available at the flashy new arena are £8.35 for a Grolsch, with Guinness, Asahi and Salfordian brewers Seven Brothers‘ IPA all setting you back £8.95. Double pints are priced at £16.35 and £17.45.
If you’re looking to save money with bottles or cans, you’ll still be paying around seven quid and wine will cost you £8.95 or £9.25 for 187ml or 200ml servings, respectively. A bottle of vino clocks in at £35 and sprits range anywhere between £9.50 and a whopping £17.40 for a tequila. Yikes.
You’re better off sticking to a soft drink at £4.80 for a pint and that way you can still save money in case you need a bite to eat, as pies are £8.25 and you’ll have to cough up £11.50 if you want a burger. We’ll let you draw your own conclusions on this front, though we’re sure we could make an educated guess.
Seating chart and venue map
Seated for Peter KayStanding and seated for Olivia RodrigoCredit: Ticketmaster
You’ll find the typical arrangement for seated events and standing gigs above but, like most modern event spaces like this, the ‘top-in-class’ venue will likely be able to shuffle into different configurations where needed.
As you can see, there a three main tiers – the ground floor standing area in the lower bowl, level one seating and the upper tier – and there are a total of 32 bars, restaurants and various lounges wrapped into the entire complex.
When it comes to how you get into the arena itself, guests are encouraged to consult their gate (A-G) allocation through their tickets on the dedicated Co-op Live app, which also includes all info regarding shows and the latest announcements from the venue.
Here’s a wider look at the lay of the land:
A rough guide to getting around Co-op Live (Credit: Supplied)
How to get to Co-op Live, parking and more
Tram
Now, as for how you’ll get to shows at Co-op Live, luckily it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad Campus stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
If you want to take another new and improved arm of the Bee Network public transport system, not only is there a whole host of routes that drop you off close to the venue but there’ll also be a free shuttle bus from the city centre to and from events between 20 April-30 June 2024.
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live.
Better still, as part of Manchester City Council and TfGM embracing the new addition to the skyline, they’re also helping cover the costs of people’s journeys when using public transport.
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue but this must be pre-booked ahead of time. Parking will be released up to 4 weeks before the event and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the Etihad Campus is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day – though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, it’s also just a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the boke all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
It's official, the @ufc is finally coming back to Manchester! 👊
While times will obviously change depending on the show, you can expect doors to open around the standard window between 6-7pm.
That being said, the venue is urging visitors to arrive at evening events in the main bowl no later than 9pm. As for curfew, Co-op Live gigs are due to finish by 11pm unless otherwise stated.
Accessibility info
One thing they’re taking very seriously at the Co-op Live is accessibility and after teaming up with disability charity Attitude Is Everything, you can find a full guide to access the arena HERE.
Having installed lowered service counters, step-free access to all floors, a designated respite room, support for assistance dogs, hearing loops for those with aids/implants, ambulant seating and plenty more, they’ve got it covered so all you have to do is come along and enjoy the show.
And that just about wraps up everything we can think when it comes to what you need to know ahead of Co-op Live’s grand opening at the end of this month.
It’s set to be a world-leading venue and we can’t wait to see it lit up in its full glory when the first acts roll through the doors of big shiny black box this weekend.
Speaking of, once the action is underway, there’ll be a lot of acts coming thick and fast. It’s a new era for Manchester’s live music and entertainment scene.