MIF is offering £10,000 to local musicians and creatives in and around Manchesteras part of its MIF Sounds initiative.
Pledging £10,000 to support ten Greater Manchester music industry creatives and practitioners, the funds have been specially created to help local artists develop new projects across the region.
Manchester International Festival’s MIF Sounds Initiative provides financial help and talent development opportunities.
First launched in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, the first round of funding helped support the creation of new music, a series of production workshops run for women, non-binary and trans musicians, a sound artist collective to produce an installation in a church, and the launch of a new gig night promoting the best in Northern talent.
Now, the funding has been opened up for 2021 – meaning that each successful applicant will receive up to £1,000 whilst also benefiting from peer-to-peer support, access to MIF’s Talent Development activity and networking opportunities.
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MIF SOUNDS IS BACK! 🎶 Are you a music creative in Greater Manchester looking for extra financial support? Apply for MIF Sounds today, our programme designed to support you on your creative journey. Deadline: 12pm, Thursday 16 December https://t.co/FFL18pazNLpic.twitter.com/oOotp0WfOz
From recording music to presenting a gig, releasing a record or starting a new label imprint., people from all areas of the music industry in Greater Manchester are encouraged to apply with no restrictions on what they can ask to use the money for.
Jane Beese, head of music at MIF said: “I’m pleased to announce another round of MIF Sounds support, open to everyone who makes music happen in Manchester. MIF is committed to helping rebuild our sector following the impact of Covid*, in which tens of thousands of jobs have been impacted.
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“We encourage everyone involved in the local music scene to apply, artists, technicians, promoters, venues, labels, managers and beyond we look forward to hearing all of your brilliant ideas and proposals.”
Those supported through MIF Sounds so far have included: All Hands on Deck, Swing Ting founder Balraj Samrai, Jacob Connor, Loose Articles, Lone Taxidermist, singer OneDa, SAF-S2E, Sprechen, Vzion, and more.
Swing Ting founder Balraj Samraiexplains how the initiative helped him, saying: “The backing from MIF Sounds enabled me to commit to work outside of my comfort zone. There was support, feedback and encouragement from the rest of the Sounds cohort and MIF team throughout the creative process”.
On 23 November Balraj will release Someone Died Today, new work created with the support of MIF Sounds, which explores loss in a South Asian household during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The piece will be available to purchase on Bandcamp with money raised from sales going to Taraki, a non-profit working with Punjabi communities to reshape approaches to mental health.
People interested in applying MIF Sounds can attend an online meeting with MIF at 6.30 pm on Monday, 29 November to get advice from the selection panel on applying.
Applications for MIF Sounds should be submitted by video or in writing by midday on Thursday 16 December here. Successful applicants will be announced in January 2022.
Feature image – WHP
Manchester
Manic Street Preachers and Suede announce second co-headline tour, including huge Manc gig
Danny Jones
Beloved British bands Manic Street Preachers and Suede have announced another co-headline UK tour, booking a number of big gigs, including a massive Manchester date.
The two seasoned UK rock artists are teaming up for a huge run of live shows, booking nine arena performances so far. Time to do it all over again.
Each of the groups released their latest albums last year, with both now in double figures when it comes to studio LPs, and while each has taken their most recent records on the road at least in part, the pair will be playing tracks from both – as well as a fair few of the hits – at Co-op Live later this year.
Confirming the joint headline tour on Friday, 24 April, Manics and Suede fans alike will be absolutely lapping up the prospect of this special partnership.
JUST ANNOUNCED: Manic Street Preachers and Suede Saturday 31 October
Marking the biggest collaboration for both legendary bands.https://t.co/tNwdT7TxPZ@coopuk members get first in line for tickets. Co-op Member Presale: 09:30 Weds 29 April General Sale: 09:30 Fri 1 May pic.twitter.com/lqnqahls5D
Revealing the plans in a social media post, the Co-op wrote: “Two of the UK’s most pioneering and celebrated bands, Manic Street Preachers and Suede, have come together for a co-headline tour…
As the Welsh rock icons and the long-standing 1990s favourites from the London scene have more than 75 years of experience between them, with both outfits forming in the mid to late 80s.
The venue goes on to dub this “the biggest collaboration to date for both legendary bands and offers a unique opportunity to experience their renowned live performances.”
With Suede reaching their 10th album cycle this past September with Antidepressants, it’ll be one of the largest rooms they’ve ever played.
As for the Preachers, the 15th Manics record dropped back in February of 2025; this was also the first outing from bassist and lyricist Nicky Wire on vocals across the project.
The Blackwood act last played our city at the Apollo last May; however, the duo also famously co-headlined Castlefield Bowl together for the first time at Sounds of the City ’24; now they’re returning for a Co-op debut to do it all over again.
It remains to be seen whether they will announce more domestic dates this coming winter, but given this is such an exclusive one-off crossover, we wouldn’t be surprised if you see extra November slots added for the likes of London and Manchester.
Make no mistake, we expect tickets for this one to fly out the door.
If you want to go along, the official Co-op Member Presale will go live at 9:30am next Wednesday, 29 April, and fans can also sign up to the bands’ respective mailing lists for more early access opportunities.
General admission will be available from the same time on the following Friday (1 May); you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
They’re not the only homegrown veterans heading back out across the country this winter either…
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied via SJM Concerts)
Manchester
Manchester City announce freeze on season ticket prices and change ticket transfer policy
Danny Jones
In a welcome bit of news for Manchester City supporters, the club have announced another freeze on season card prices, as well as a change to a controversial policy surrounding ticket transfers.
A big bonus ahead of next term and what could still prove to be a blockbuster end to the 2025/26.
Confirming the news in a statement released on Friday, 24 April, Man City announced that they will be maintaining the current cost of season tickets for at least another campaign.
Sharing the information on social media, the update by and large has been met with a warm reception, with fan groups such as City Matters, various branches of the official Man City Supporters Clubs, and the likes of the 1894 Group welcoming the decisions.
Following extensive consultations with its fan engagement network, City Matters, Manchester City can confirm its approach to pricing for the 2026/27 season.
The post reads as follows: “Following extensive consultations with its fan engagement network, City Matters, Manchester City can confirm its approach to pricing for the 2026/27 season.
“Prices for renewing general admission season tickets and Premier League match-by-match tickets for junior and adult Matchday Members will be retained at the same rate for a third consecutive season.
“The Club has taken the approach in recognition of the extraordinary accumulated impact of the current cost of living pressures on fans and their families.”
City have also now informed Etihad Stadium matchgoers of the latest info regarding several other ‘significant’ choices and changes.
Besides paying the same price for their seat upon renewal, the cost of ‘match-by-match’ tickets will also stay at the same rate for juniors and adults, and they will also be introducing a new category for selected mid-week Premier League home games, starting from £25 for 18+ visitors.
Although annual adult matchday membership has increased by £3, juniors haven’t changed, and another 4,000 new ‘Flexi-Season Tickets’ – with 50% ringfenced for juniors – are set to be introduced as part of the home ground’s expansion and their “commitment to future generations of Cityzens”.
The 1894, who have been vocal against the club and mobilised as part of multiple peaceful protests in recent times, shared a lengthy response of their own:
Perhaps just as crucially, though, following extensive consultation with City Matters, the previously unpopular ticket transfer policy has been simplified. Ahead of next season, matchgoers will be able to list up to a total of 18 family members and friends, regardless of their membership status.
City fans will also be able to do this at any point throughout the year if they are unable to attend a match. You won’t hear any complaints when it comes to this one.
Reflecting on the productive discussions, fan representatives said: “City Matters is delighted with the Club’s ticketing announcement and the decisions that have been made, both in relation to Season Ticket and Match-by-Match prices as well as the simplified ticket transfer policy.
“Over several months, we have worked closely and constructively with the Club, taking part in positive dialogue with them, sharing a wide range of views from within our fan base on ticketing-related topics.
“The outcome that the Club and City Matters have delivered together demonstrates the real and positive impact that City Matters has as the Club’s official fan network.
“We would like to thank the Club for delivering on our priorities, showing once again that there is a clear understanding of the needs of fans and a commitment to acting in their best interests.”
There might still be somewhat of a bittersweet end coming very soon, but at least there’s stuff coming that can still be celebrated.
Georgina Pellant -
17th November 2021 
