With some time left until we can enjoy live music in Manchester again, Marylebone Records is supplying a fresh livestream series to keep us going – featuring the city’s best rising urban music stars.
The label, which is responsible for some of Manchester’s finest up-and-coming talent in rap and R&B, is launching a live urban music showcase tomorrow (Thursday 6 May).
The first event in the series will feature an impressive selection of artists, including a special guest performance from Tays. The Moston-born rapper is known for his cheeky lyrics and strong Manc accent and has rubbed shoulders with long-time best pal Aitch for years.
Tays will be debuting a brand-new track during his exclusive performance. His most recent release ‘Day 1’ with fellow Manc SVMI, released on Marylebone, has received tonnes of attention over the past few weeks.
August III is also set to perform. The Marylebone Records alumni is originally from Leeds but is a firm fave in the Manchester scene. Following the success of his tracks ‘Do My Dance’ and ‘Paaji’, the R&B and trap artist is ready to drop his EP ‘Hospital Talk’ at the end of the month.
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R&B singer Francesca will also provide some soulful vibes for the event. Her song ‘Easy’ features on our ‘Sounds from the Rainy City’ Spotify playlist – check it out here for a little taster.
But it’ll be Ragoloco who’ll be heading up the evening. The rapper was part of the winning Manchester team for Redbull’s Grime-A-Side clash a few years ago and he’s been killing it ever since.
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Marylebone Records, which also has Tyreezy and Shalamar Baker on the roster, prides itself on an artist development programme which supports up-and-coming talent in particular – providing local musicians with a state-of-the-art recording facility at their Northern home in Hulme.
The stream starts at 7pm and the link will be posted on Marylebone’s socials in the next few days. So, keep an eye out here.
Chase and Status are coming to Co-op Live on their massive UK arena tour
Danny Jones
Drum and bass giants Chase and Status are officially coming back to Manchester, announcing a massive gig at Co-op Live as part of their huge new tour.
Set to play a series of massive arena dates all over the UK, the kings of all things dance and electronic were only in Manchester this past March for a sell-out show at O2 Victoria Warehouse but they’re already confirmed they’ll be coming back next spring for more.
Not only will this be Chase and Status’ Co-op Live debut but they’ll be the first big act from within the EDM space to play the state-of-the-art arena which has already crossed some frankly gigantic names.
With recent releases like ‘Badadan’, the ‘Gunfinger (Salute)’ collab with IRAH and the latest single with Stormzy ‘BACKBONE’ – an unreal banger and return to their D’n’B roots – we’re more excited than ever to get our raving shoes on.
The London-born and bred duo, real names Saul Milton and Will Kennard, are arguably one of the most influential electronic artists to come out of the UK in the past two decades.
Even in speaking with fellow industry veterans like DJ Fabio, he described them as a “staple” of the scene who have helped bring electronic dance music back to the forefront and get “drum and bass tracks back in the top 40.”
With that in mind, the UK’s largest music-first indoor entertainment arena frankly just isn’t ready for the calibre of live performance these lot are about to drop but we have pure blind faith that it’ll be one of the gigs of the entire year.
Kicking off the huge 2025 tour in Glasgow before coming to Co-op Live on 1 May, with other noteworthy shows including the O2 in London, as well as Birmingham and Cardiff’s Utilita Arenas, these tickets are going to absolutely fly.
Chase & Status have today announced a major UK arena tour, coming to Co-op Live on 1 May 2025https://t.co/fzU6sqRZkU@CoopUK Members get first in line access to tickets
If any of you were at that Victoria Warehouse then you already know how much Chase and Status shows go off, so we won’t dilly-dally any longer.
Pre-sale for official Co-op Members goes live at 10am on Tuesday, 24 September, with general admission available from the same time the following Thursday (Thurs, 26 Sep).
You can be ready to grab yours HERE and if you don’t think we’re ready to fight you over them until we’re left ‘Blk & Blu’, then you’ve got another thing coming.
Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)/The Manc Group
Music
The Bridgewater Hall is hosting a free dementia-friendly music festival this week
Thomas Melia
A festival which is all about being dementia-friendly is happening at a renowned Manchester music venue this week.
The So Many Beauties Festival – which is presented by and titled after charity organisation, So Many Beauties – has been curated for the Bridgewater Hall, and will see 30 organisations, all of which offer support to people living with dementia across Greater Manchester, descend on the international concert venue for the special music event.
So Many Beauties was founded in 2016 with the goal of championing creativity and helping to make people living with dementia’s voices be heard.
Throughout the duration of the festival, visitors can enjoy many interactive opportunities.
There’ll be live performances, workshops, arts activities, and more – with the event even having support and advice provided by professional organisations who work in dementia care.
The main aim of this musical experience is to use music to better connections, creativity, and wellbeing for people living with dementia.
Visitors can try their hand at screen printing festival tote bags and making themselves a lovely flower crown, while there are also workshops and performances giving people the chance to sing, dance, and make their own music, or just sit back and enjoy some great live shows from professional musicians.
There’ll even be a showcase of new music composed by people living with dementia on the day too.
Speaking ahead of the event this week, Andrew Nesbitt, who is the Community Engagement Manager at The Bridgewater Hall, said: “Showcasing and celebrating the amazing creativity and music of dementia groups from across Greater Manchester is really special for us.
“We can’t wait to welcome So Many Beauties and the hundreds of participants, performers and festival-goers to The Bridgewater Hall”