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Startup owner rejected for grant because of £2 discrepancy wins £7.5m for businesses

The Manc - 6th May 2020

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The K’s kick off Manchester’s BRITs Week celebrations early with jam-packed intimate gig

The Manc

The K's War Child charity gig at Gorilla Manchester BRITs 2026 review

If you were ‘Hoping Maybe’ to see The K’s at some point this year, this is your sign do it, as the rising indie band did not let the occasion of playing an intimate BRITs-backed gig get to them – they were buoyed by it.

Beloved city centre venue Gorilla was overflowing for The K’s last night, hosting an unreal small-cap set as part of Brits Week ‘26 for a very important cause: War Child.

It’s one of many performances being carried out on behalf of the charity all over the country, with multiple here in Manchester.

The sold-out venue held the masses with eagerness to scream their favourite lyrics in their broadest North West accents.

jamie from the k's — Credit: **Lucy Wagstaffe Photography** (supplied)

war child charity gigs mcr — Credit: **Lucy Wagstaffe Photography** (supplied)

Perfectly teed up by fellow nearby band, Florentenes from Bolton, The K’s took to a familiar stage many years on from their debut, and instantly had the crowd ready and raring for an hour of pure tunes and some very, very sweaty brows.

Earlestown’s finest certainly carried that Northern charm and energy throughout the whole night; their indie and almost nostalgic lyrical storytelling has you moshing one minute, whilst grasping your mate and ascending into live music heaven the next. There really aren’t many feelings like it.

Sobbing and swaying in the vast ocean of shoulders whilst screaming the lyrics to ‘Helen. Oh I’, I questioned how any compliment will ever compare to launching “thousand ships every time” from a kiss.

The K’s were yearning before Wuthering Heights made it vogue (again).

Musically, the band were seamless and a well-oiled machine, and so were the audience as they
wholeheartedly echoed every lyric back at the lads and bounced it off the walls.

the k's gorilla gig brits week 2026 — The K’s have come a long way since their first visit to Gorilla (Credit: Lucy Wagstaffe)

Every primary school assembly proudly led us to this moment, and it did not disappoint, displaying their increasingly seasoned and successful career, which I can only imagine is going to go from strength to strength this year.

I don’t think we even one more fan could have squeezed one more passionate fan into Gorilla on the night; it was heaving with people and pride; the sweat dripping down the walls indicated things are big for these local lads, and we couldn’t be prouder.

They are another prime example of shining a deserving light on Northern artists! And having the 2026 BRIT Awards up here with us is a testament to that.

Viva La K’s.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Lucy Wagstaffe (supplied via War Child UK)

Feature

Audio North’s Artist of the Month: Roukaya B | February 2026

Thomas Melia

The North is full of amazing artists, and we’re spotlighting one every single month – get ready for Roukaya B to bring the ‘Heat’.

Salford soulstress Roukaya B needs no introduction, but we’re giving her one anyway, as you might not be aware of her sheer musical power.

Self-proclaimed “soul enlightener” and ‘Manchester’s Queen of Soul’, this artist has been uploading music to streaming platforms since 2022.

Rou doesn’t conform to one genre; instead, she deliberately fuses them, blending R’n’B, soul, rap, afrobeats and even jazz to create some of the freshest sounds.

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Now, Roukaya B sits down with Audio North after discovering her ‘Artist of the Month’ title to discuss exciting projects, personal stories and her artistry.

An interview with Roukaya – Audio North’s Artist of the Month

What has your journey in music looked like so far?
My journey has been quite hectic, but in the best way. I’m a singer-songwriter and all-around creative, and I’ve learned a lot about myself and what my voice can do. I’ve developed my writing and ability to perform on stage, throwing myself into collaborations too.

I’m constantly evolving just like the music I’m putting out.

“Singer, writer, rapper, dancer, actress, drama queen, you can’t compete here” – We couldn’t put it any better ourselves.

Where did you grow up, and what music were you listening to?
I was raised in Salford, and music for me was very different as I come from a multicultural background. My Dad is Algerian, my Mum is Jamaican-English; they met in the South and settled up North [great choice] to have a family.

I grew up on a lot of ‘raï’ music – a North African genre with really cool drum patterns, reggae and 90s hip hop. My Mum loved that soul tune, ‘I Believe in Miracles’ by Hot Chocolate, and my Dad absolutely loved M People, especially Heather Small; they made some iconic classic anthems.

I was raised on lots of different genres, and I think that’s showcased in my music today.

When did you realise singing was something you wanted to pursue?
I’ve always known that I wanted to be a singer from a really young age. It’s what I said I’d do in primary school, it’s what I wanted to do in high school, and I did it in college.

Roukaya B - Audio North Artist of the Month Interview — Salford singer-songwriter Roukaya B claims our inaugural ‘Artist of the Month’ title (Credit: **Audio North**)

When I was growing up, it wasn’t accessible to the younger generation to see it as a viable career, so I was sort of teased and laughed at for it, so I never really dived into it. I could sing, and I studied music in high school, but I missed my opportunity on YouTube when it was fresh.

It was only after college that I decided to post covers to my Instagram, where people engaged, and it was cool for people to find and discover me. So I did college again as a music student, and the rest is history. All of this has become a part of my musical journey, and everything happens for a reason.

How did you come to this realisation?
In short, the realisation was that I wasn’t focusing on my inner drive and trust me, it wasn’t just calling me, it was essentially shouting at me: ‘Hi, babes. Use your voice, whether it’s spoken, whether it’s singing, just use it. This is a healing tool and healing force.’

What is your ultimate dream as an artist?

I want to do a ‘Tiny Desk Concert’ or ‘COLORS’ show, and I’d love to make music with Sasha Keable – if you’re reading this, Rouyaka B wants to collab, haha!

Being true to myself and remaining authentic as I progress in my career is part of that dream. I don’t want to bang out a tune every single month; I want to make sure my work is always consistent. Being a genuine artist is my ultimate dream.

Are there any fellow up-and-coming artists you’re listening to?

Remée, or ‘That Remée Girl’, as she goes by on socials. She’s a Liverpool-based alt-grunge act and let me tell you… She. Is. COOL. There are some festival dates lined up, so if you get the chance, go see her.

What’s next for you in terms of your music career?

There’s a handful of live shows coming up, and they’re going to be very experimental. I also have a collection of work coming out in the future, which I can’t say too much about just yet.

There’s even a youth music project which I’m really, really, really excited about. So much is coming!

It was a pleasure chatting with Rou, and we have every faith that big things are coming for her in 2026 and beyond.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – The Manc Group/Press Shots (supplied via Liam Heeley)