The beauty of dance music, more than anything else, is its power to bring us together.
The right mix, dropping at the right moment, can create a real sense of unity on the dancefloor, a moment of abandon where you dance side-by-side as one with people from all walks of life and feel free to express yourself without inhibitions.
Still, it’s surprisingly quite rare to see much about dance fans who live with disabilities – that viral video where Steve Aoki launched a cake into a crowd surfing, wheelchair-bound fan’s face aside.
It’s even rarer to hear about artists with disabilities enjoying life from the other side of the decks – but that’s exactly what 20-year-old DJ Jake Smith is doing.
Jake DJs in the VIP tent at Creamfields. / Image: Jake Smith DJ
Jake pictured partying with friends. / Image: Jake Smith DJ
A DJ for around about six years now, he’s played sets at nightclubs in Ibiza and at the legendary UK dance music festival Creamfields and even had national airplay for his track ‘So Real’ on Radio 1.
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“I used to dream about having one of my tracks played on BBC Radio 1,” he told The Manc.
“I listen to Radio 1 every week and it was an honour to have a track broadcast on one of the biggest radio stations in the world.
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“I won’t ever forget my first-ever play on Radio 1-the buzz will stay with me for a while haha. This just proves that if you have a disability, you can still achieve anything like anyone else.”
A student of music production at South and West Cheshire College, he doesn’t just mix – but makes his own tunes too.
He also lives with cerebral palsy, a condition that can affect movement and coordination that is caused by a problem with the brain that can develop before, during or soon after birth. Not that he’s letting that stop him from pursuing his dreams.
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Jake poses backstage with one of his biggest musical inspirations, techno DJ Patrick Topping. / Image: Jake Smith DJ
Jake tells us he has a team of PA’s and a supportive family who help him with daily tasks, whilst his dad and manager support him with attending gigs and festivals.
Having first fallen in love with dance music after listening to bangers in the car with his dad, he decided to give DJing a try for himself, only to find “a real passion and joy in music.”
Here in Manchester, he’s played some of the city’s coolest music venues – including Yes, Joshua Brooks and Stage & Radio, whilst in his hometown of Cheshire, he’s played the VIP tent at Creamfields, Nu Flava, and supported K Klass at Chester 7’s.
He’s also played nightclubs in Ibiza like Plastik and Ocean Beach, and had a number of his mixes played on Kiss FM radio – having initially won a 30-minute mix competition, he was soon invited back by the station to play again.
Video:Jake Smith DJ
Speaking to The Manc on how he feels when he plays out live, Jake said: “It’s like nothing else.”
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“I love performing live to an audience, the feedback you get from people is always amazing.
“To see the energy in the crowd and people dancing and having a great time to my mixes is really uplifting.”
Asked what he thinks of Manchester’s crowds in particular, he added: “The audiences in Manchester always bring so much energy to the gigs. The atmosphere is incredible.”
“Everyone is always up for a good time.”
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Inspired by artists like Danny Howard, Hannah Laing, Sorley and Patrick Topping, Jake tells us that he is currently working on some of his own new music which is yet to be released.
Jake poses alongside Manchester production and DJ duo Mark Richards and James Eliot, AKA Solardo. / Image: Jake Smith DJ
Asked what advice he would give to anyone else wanting to get involved in the music industry, he’s full of enthusiasm.
“Go for it! Work hard and if things don’t work out the first time… don’t give up. Most importantly have fun.”
Jake has created a mix for The Manc Audio‘s new weekly Mini Mix Friday series which you can listen to below.
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This summer, he plans to head over to Ibiza again and says that Creamfields ‘may also be on the cards’. To keep up with where he will be this season, make sure to check out his social pages – as this is where he’ll announce any upcoming gigs.
Feature image – Jake Smith DJ
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12-year-old busker wins Salford Foundation Trust’s Johnny Marr Award
Danny Jones
A 12-year-old from Manchester has won the inaugural Johnny Marr Award from the Salford Foundation Trust. Get in there, lad.
Salford schoolkid, John Denton, has played the guitar since the age of eight and has been developing his skills ever since, busking on the rainy streets of the city centre and even playing gigs at Salford Lads Club.
Now the aspiring teen has been presented with a prestigious honour by one of his musical heroes, as the foundation dished out their first-ever Johnny Marr Award to the dedicated young performer.
Having met the legendary Smiths guitarist and songwriter previously at a signing of his last album, Fever Dreams Pts 1-4, where he asked his idol for advice about starting a band, we dare say this latest development is up there with one of the highlights of his career so far.
I’m pleased to be announcing John Denton as the winner of the @TheSalfordTrust ‘Johnny Marr Award’. It’s a privilege to be supporting a dedicated young musician. Well done John. pic.twitter.com/HoYXIY0IVY
Issuing a message of support on the Salford Foundation’s website, Marr said: “It’s a pleasure and privilege to give some assistance to a young musician especially when they’re as dedicated as John. Well done brother.”
John has been delighting the streets of Salford and Manchester city centre for some time now and regularly pulls in sizeable crowds with his covers of songs by popular local bands — The Smiths being one of them.
With videos of his performances often being shared online and regularly gaining thousands of views across various social media platforms, he has already started to build a passionate following.
Come rain or shine, he still belts it out all the same:
The Johnny Marr Award is chosen by a panel made up of members from the trust which supports talented young people in the city. The scheme will run for three years, selecting another young musician from Salford each year for financial assistance, each of whom will be awarded £1,000.
Peter Collins CBE, from the Salford Foundation Trust, said: “There couldn’t be a more worthy recipient of the Johnny Marr Award. Even though John is only 12 he’s already proven he’s committed to making a future in music and we’re delighted the Trust can give him a helping hand on this journey.”
John has said he will be putting the funds towards more singing and guitar lessons and future music projects, as well as hopefully levelling up his performances.
Better still, after his first chat with Marr, John has since formed his own band called, The Height – named after an area in Salford near where he lives – and the group released their first single, ‘Go’ just before Christmas. Well in, boys.
John’s dad Phil said of his son’s award: “John’s ambition is to have a career in music. He will be using the funding to have music lessons to help both his guitar playing and his singing. In these tough times, it’s a massive help and means that he can progress in his passion.
“Music is not a hobby for John but just who he is and a creative outlet he hopes to enjoy for the rest of his life. He is incredibly grateful to Johnny and the Salford Foundation Trust who have provided this opportunity.
“It is a real privilege to get this award and he is determined to make the very most of the opportunity he has been given.”
Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester following the well-earned recognition, Denton told John Sweeney that after having started out asking cafes to let him play, “it’s going great now” and that he has another gig lined up in March.
“Not being big-headed but we hope to be like Johnny Marr and go on tour and get a big following.”
We wish you and your band every success, John — go out there and keep killing it.
We are absolutely loving how much this city is doing for its wonderful pool artists at the minute.
Featured Image — Johnny Marr (via Instagram/Twitter)
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Radio 1’s Adele Roberts to perform DJ set on Ladies Day at this year’s Grand National
Emily Sergeant
BBC Radio 1’s Adele Roberts has been confirmed to perform a DJ set after racing finishes on Ladies Day at this year’s Grand National.
The Southport-born DJ has worked for a number of Northern radio stations throughout her career, including Rock FM, Galaxy, and Hits Radio Manchester, before she moving to national radio and becoming a regular presenter of Radio 1’s Early Breakfast Weekend show since January 2021.
The 43-year-old first found fame in Channel 4’s Big Brother in 2002, and has appeared on ITV reality competition series I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2019, and won the sixth series of Celebrity Coach Trip in 2020 too.
Adele is also a bowel cancer survivor, announcing back in June 2022 that she’s now cancer free, and a passionate supporter of LGBT rights, having been named as role model of the year at British LGBT Awards last year.
But away from all of that, she is also a massive sports fan.
Ladies Day at the Randox Grand National 2023 is taking place on Friday 14 April / Credit: The Jockey Club
Also throughout her revered career, Adele has impressively competed in the London Marathon, and has formed part of BBC Sport’s coverage of the event – which is why getting to combine her love of sport and her love of music by performing a DJ set after racing finishes on Ladies Day at this year’s Grand National is something she “can’t wait” to do.
“I can’t wait to be at Aintree on Ladies Day to celebrate with everyone,” Adele said.
“I know how much the people of Liverpool turn out for that day, I’m excited to perform my DJ set and get everyone dancing, and as a Southport girl it’s a real thrill for me to be involved with the Randox Grand National Festival.”
Radio 1’s Adele Roberts will be performing a DJ set on Ladies Day at this year’s Grand National / Credit: The Jockey Club
Dickon White, Regional Director at The Jockey Club North West, says the Festival is “thrilled” to have Adele performing.
“Ladies Day is very much the day at the Randox Grand National Festival that attracts the strongest local crowd, and with Adele hailing from Southport it is the perfect match, so we look set for what should be a party to remember.”
The three-day 2023 Randox Grand National Festival at Aintree Racecourse runs from Thursday 13 – Saturday 15 April inclusive, with Ladies Day taking place on Friday 14 April.
Joining House of Cavani as The Jockey Club’s men’s competitions style partner, popular fashion retailer QUIZ has been announced as the Official Style Partner for Ladies Day this year, and is hoping to “inspire all women to look fabulous and feel confident on any occasion” by offering a constantly-updated choice of affordable fashion, both casual and formal, all with a touch of glam.
Ladies Day Style Awards prizes 2023 🚨
🥇 prize is ALL of this…
🏝 £5,000 holiday & £1,500 spends 🏇 2 Garden Club Tickets to Ladies Day 2024 🤝 £1,000 donation to your chosen charity 💆♀️ @RandoxHealth full-body Everyman/woman package
Of course, a huge part of Ladies Day every year is the style competition, which gives the best-dressed attendees at the Festival the chance to take home some incredible prizes.
Some of the prizes lined-up for first, second, and third place in this year’s style competition include a holiday worth £5,000 along with £1,500 spending money, £1,000 donation to your chosen charity, ticket bundles to next year’s Grand National, and a £500 QUIZ voucher, to name just a few.
Georgina Pellant -
28th May 2022 
