It’s a bleak time for the music and events industry – what with limited capacities, the rule of six, mandatory masks, and not to mention the ludicrous 10pm curfew.
An entire culture is being crippled – with livelihoods at risk.
Hospitality and music venues argue they’re not the problem, yet these sectors have been shackled more than most. Now, with a second hospitality closure on the horizon, it’s difficult to see how much good could come from it all. But in what’s been extremely hard period for the music scene, there is still a light that will never go out (cue a poor The Smiths reference).
As we were locked down at home, music became our lifeline. Not a day went by where we didn’t shove a Spotify playlist on and reminisce over bygone festivals and Covid-cancelled gigs. It kept us sane. But for many producers and DJs, lockdown became a sanctuary where they could solely focus on their craft. The result? Heaps of new music born.
We spoke to some independent Manchester-based music label owners about their experiences of Covid-19. And it seems they’ve had something of a creative epiphany. Demo submissions are flooding in. Sales are up. Creativity is high. And consumption is even higher.
Here’s what they had to say.
ANIMA
Jini Cowan. Image: Miriam Vaughan
DJ and producer Jini Cowan owns ANIMA, a Manchester house and minimal label which launched in 2016. Its releases have been featured in the likes of Mixmag and the Beatport Top 10. And it’s made a name for itself with a string of successful events around the UK.
But with all three of the planned ANIMA events this year inevitably getting cancelled, Jini has experienced disappointment like most in the music scene. But given everything, this year has proven an interesting time for her and the label, especially in terms of productivity.
“My workflow over lockdown has increased significantly,” she told The Manc. “My [mastering] business had the busiest two months since I started trading and I’d say that’s because producers have had spare time to focus on making music, which is great.”
Jini believes producers are feeling inspired at the minute, and rightly so. Emotions are running high and anger is accumulating. So, people are finding comfort and expression in their music. In her own work, Jini has tried to vent her own feelings into her music.
“I’ve tried channelling my anger and frustration into making music,” she said.
“I managed to get seven new tracks done over the lockdown period. If I can do it, then anyone can,”
So, like Jini, producers everywhere have been beavering away with all their extra spare time. This means plenty of tracks are getting dished out to prospective labels.
“I’ve had a lot of demo submissions. I’m looking forward to listening to these and scheduling some more releases.”
Jini teaching. Instagram/JC DJ Academy
Submissions have been coming in so thick and fast that Jini has taken on a new A&R (fellow DJ, Holly Why) to take care of them.
As well as the label, Jini owns JC DJ Academy which offers DJing and production courses, studio space hire and livestream equipment.
The academy has recently moved from inside Kable Club to expand to its own purpose-built studio in the Northern Quarter, so it now has more space to grow and be itself. And with a fully-booked diary every week, it’s encouraging to learn that business behind the music is booming – even after Covid.
If that isn’t motivation, I don’t know what is.
Do As You Please
Joe Roche (aka Niall)
Elsewhere in Manchester, online record store and independent record label Do As You Please (DAYP), tells a similar story.
DAYP boss, Niall Roche (who DJs under the name Joe Roche), thinks the music industry has been left to rot by the government in recent months. Sadly, Niall’s experience has been a predictable one.
“Due to Covid, I lost all of my DJ income, meaning all the money made from DAYP went onto my personal living costs and food rather than being reinvested back into the business,” he said.
“The knock-on effect of that really put the business in a difficult position. I couldn’t restock the record store, pay my freelance colleagues for their services, buy merchandise for the label releases and the list goes on.”
In the end, Niall had to take a DIY approach for DAYP to cut costs. He taught himself the technical skills needed in order to get his second release out. In particular, tasks he’d usually outsource to freelance creatives, like the graphics and visuals.
Now, he’s in a much better position. He has a solid group of people working with his brand, with some even offering their services for free. It’s inspiring to see how the music community is coming together to help one another.
Once upon a pre-covid time, DJing was Niall’s main source of income. Without that, he’s experienced personal challenges. However, DAYP is cracking on resiliently. “I’ve been really pleased to see DAYP have a steady stream of demos coming in, from the UK and even some from abroad,” he said.
“I’ve received a few from some younger artists which has been great to see. It’s been great to listen to what they’re up to and help, advise and feedback on their projects.
“The current signings on the label have been sending some really amazing stuff over, and we have some fantastic newcomers which I can’t wait to get releases sorted for. Overall, I’d say it’s been more positive than negative.”
Niall Roche
It’s determination that will ensure the industry gets through this dark time, though.
“I honestly think personal perseverance is going to be key for survival through this. Planning, networking and patience,” Niall said.
Last month, we reported that one-third of musicians are considering giving up their careers thanks to Covid-19’s impacts. And that may be so for indie and rock type music genres. But the underground music scene has flourished with creativity and resourcefulness. The influx of submissions coming into the DAYP inbox is a sure sign that nothing will stop this industry from dancing. And DJs and producers will not give up on their passions – despite what Rishi tells them.
When we asked Niall if he had anything else to add, his reply was simple: Support creatives.
“Buy an art print, download a track, unapologetically share everything you can and big up your friends work regardless of how many followers they have,” he said.
“Limit your screen time, talk to each other and stop throwing shit in the river Irwell!”
Don’t forget to follow The Manc Audio on Instagram to stay up to date on all things music in Manchester.
Audio
Manchester crowned one of the world’s best cities for music lovers
Emily Sergeant
Manchester has been crowned one of the world’s best cities for music lovers, even beating out New York along the way.
If there’s one thing Manchester is known and loved for over anything else, it’s music.
From Oasis and Joy Division, to Happy Mondays, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, The 1975, and even more modern-day acts, there’s no end to the amount of talented artists this city has produced or been home to over the years, all contributing to Manchester being one of the most prestigious music cities there is.
The city’s live music scene has always been thriving, and that continues right through to this very day, as you’ll see big-name musicians including Manchester as a destination in their UK tour schedules more often than not.
This summer is all set to be a sensational celebration of sound, as not only is an immersive art trail, Music for the Senses, taking over the city from this week, but this year’s annual Manchester Day will be music-themed too, marking one of the biggest years for Manchester music in a long time.
Manchester has been named one of the best cities in the world for music lovers / Credit: Manchester City Council | Eldhose Kuryian (via Unsplash)
Oh, and there’s also the small matter of Oasis reforming for a UK tour, including a run of gigs at Heaton Park this month.
So it’s no surprise that Manchester has been named one of the best cities in the world for music lovers, especially as the IFPI Global Music Report has revealed that the UK has the third largest music market globally – with the music industry’s contribution to the UK economy being £6.7 billion on average.
Taking this recent report into consideration, the experts over at SeatPick have collated data to uncover the best UK cities for music lovers, analysing factors such as the number of concerts, homegrown talents, music businesses, and the total number of music venues, to reveal each city’s overall music score out of 10.
Coming in at second place with a music scene score of 8.97/10 is Manchester.
2025 is all set to be a sensational summer of sound in our city / Credit: Supplied
“Manchester remains one of the UK’s most iconic music cities and with 1,204 concerts between 2025-2026, 116 live music venues, and 380 homegrown acts, the city’s live music offering is as strong as ever,” SeatPick said of its findings.
“2025 is shaping up to be a historic year for Manchester, with Oasis reuniting for the first time in over a decade, with a massive comeback show at Heaton Park – the very spot where they played their last hometown gig in 2009.”
While Manchester may have missed out on the UK’s top spot, with that title going to London, in the global rankings, our city has claimed an impressive sixth place, beating out New York’s influential music scene.
Liverpool and Leeds are two of the other northern cities in the UK’s top 10, taking fifth and sixth place respectively.
“Cities which have a larger number of music businesses are key in creating the perfect city for music fans, as this impacts the city’s cultural, economic, and social vibrancy,” explained Gilad Zilberman, who is the CEO of SeatPick.
“A thriving music scene within a city means it can provide more artistic expression, support a wider range of genres, and enrich the cultural landscape, as well as attracting creative talent.”
Featured Image – Alex Bracken (via Unsplash)
Audio
British rock and mod icon Paul Weller stars in advert for new Oasis x Bohemians football kit
Danny Jones
The music and football shirt crossovers just keep coming thick and fast – and that’s just Oasis alone, as Bohemians FC have released a new collaboration with the legendary Britpop band, looping in none other than Paul Weller for the grand unveiling.
Bohemians share a strong connection with the Gallagher brothers due to their Irish roots, as do Manchester and the ‘Emerald Isle’ in general.
However, it doesn’t get much bigger than Oasis and with the Live ’25 reunion shows now just days away (we can hardly believe it either), Bohemians have decided to hop on the bandwagon too and steal some of that ‘band with the three stripes’ buzz for themselves.
Not to be too keen, but can we have 10 of them, please?…
Is this another instant hit? We’d say so, yeah.
Shot by Jamie Goldrick to the sound of cult favourite Definitely Maybe track, ‘Married with Children’, the Oasis x Bohemians kit reveal video was filmed at Cross Guns Snooker Hall: the oldest snooker club in Dublin City, which still remains an important community cornerstone.
As well as starring UK rock and mod culture icon, Paul Weller, perhaps the best bit about the FAI Cup shirt and this whole partnership is the charitable element behind it.
Just like with their Fontaines shirt, which helped supply medical aid across Palestine, the limited edition jersey will help generate crucial money for two key causes.
The first of which is the domestic non-profit organisation, Music Generation Ireland, the country’s national music education programme, which helps children and young people access vocal and instrumental tuition locally.
Secondly, funds will also be diverted to the Irish Community Care Manchester, located along Stockport Road in Levenshulme – further strengthening the mutual support between us Mancs and our cousins across the water.
You can get a close look at the Oasis x Bohemians kit design down below.
A closer look at our 2025 FAI Cup Shirt, a very special partnership with Oasis.
— Bohemian Football Club (@bfcdublin) July 1, 2025
The special edition and highly exclusive shirt is already available, with stock already disappearing rapidly thanks to Bohs die-hards, Oasis fans and footy kit connosieurs alike.
With the Burnage boys getting their seismic comeback shows underway with two nights at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff this Friday and Saturday (4-5 July), before heading for a double bill at Croke Park in Dublin this August, the excitement across the globe is already palpable.
Every single teaser trailer and social media post sends fans bananas, and god knows what the scenes are going to be like when they finally head to Heaton Park for the run of five homecoming nights.
Hannah Starkie -
12th October 2020 
