Mimi Webb is one of UK pop’s leading ladies right now and if her latest singles are anything to go by she will continue to be a staple for many more years to come.
The singer, who is 24, has been steadily growing her fanbase since 2020. Releasing her debut EP ‘Seven Shades of Heartbreak’ in 2021, then setting our homes ablaze with the smash hit ‘House On Fire’ in 2022, later releasing her debut album ‘Amelia’ in 2023, she is building quite an impressive portfolio.
Known for her endless pop roster like ‘Good Without’, ‘Ghost Of You’, ’24/5’, Webb recently visited our glorious city and has big plans on returning soon.
We sat down for a chat with the Canterbury superstar days after her Manchester gig at Co Op Live where she’s supporting the Jonas Brothers on the remainder of their European tour.
Mimi Webb | The Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
What is it like touring with the Jonas Brothers?
It’s going so well. I just love this show, because I’ve been able to sink my teeth into it and really go for it. I’m just happy that we’re being able to have the kind of opportunity to expand our own show.
ADVERTISEMENT
Manchester was one of the first dates on the tour, how did that set you up for the rest of the shows – How good was the Manchester crowd?
Manchester is just one of the main cities in the UK that just goes so hard for me at shows, I had the best time. It was such a cool, cool show. And I think it’s great to keep growing and growing the show every night and trying to figure out new things I want to do on stage and just kind of building the blocks of my performance.
So having played Manchester quite a few times now, do you have any favorite spots that you like to go to?
ADVERTISEMENT
My friend actually lived in Manchester for a bit, and she was always telling me about Blank Street (Coffee) so we popped in there, because I was like, I need to go and see it. We normally just go for a nice dinner and drinks, wherever we can. There was a really nice Italian called Fumo too.
You’ve played lots of Manchester venues, what did you think of playing Co Op Live for the first time?
Well, it’s crazy, because there they were telling me how new it was, and the backstage is gorgeous, you can tell it’s new, and they’ve really got into it. It was really cool to be there and be one of the first, among other artists to play that arena, it was so cool!
Now I know that you have a song called ‘Red Flags’, does Manchester have any red flags?
The traffic. I remember, I went out for a massage and on the way I was like get me there now, this is too long!
ADVERTISEMENT
‘Erase You’ is your latest single – Talk me through it?
I’ve been writing a lot of my new music in LA so it’s like a change of environment. And it was really cool to go into the room and just kind of write a song where it’s kind of the last farewell. I remember saying,, I just want to erase this person and have them completely gone. I wanted to write a song about that, but I don’t want it to feel too angry. I wanted to have that sassy fun to it too.
We really achieved that with this song. And it was fun to be in LA. And I feel like when I’m there I I’m the same person, but with a different energy. It’s perfect to tap into the feeling that you’re done with all the BS.
What can we expect from your second album?
I feel like I’m the 2.0 Mimi Webb. With house on fire, I loved the whole process of the writing, the recording, the video and then releasing it. That’s just the whole vibe. I want to write stuff that really locks me back into that feeling that I had when ‘House On Fire’ dropped. So a lot of the new songs are very upbeat pop, sassy, and they’ve also got a lot of darker meanings and emotions running through them.
ADVERTISEMENT
I’ve dipped into a little bit of country, writing country songs, it’s coming together really nicely, it’s a little album of everything I wanted all in one place. I’m coming into my popstar era.. I’ve always been the loudest one in the room and I feel like now I’m able to really show me, as a person and an artist.
You’re working with Ryan Tedder (known for Greedy – Tate McRae, Welcome to New York – Taylor Swift), he’s been involved on the past two singles, ‘Mistake’ and ‘Erase You’ – How did that come about?
So I met Ryan in Malta at an MTV show there two years ago. Me, One Republic, and a couple more artists were performing. It was so cool because I could just easily meet him. I went up and just said “Hi”. My mum was like “Go, and you can do it” . I was nervous, but I pulled through. And yeah, I was like, “Right, how are we doing? Can we,get a session in the studio?”. He was like, “Yeah, this is so cool. Like, nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you”. Then four months later, I got the call, we got the session, and I was like, “Oh my god”, I went to LA andthen we started writing.
When you’re in tour mode, what things do you have to bring with you?
My steamer, my hair products, makeup and I really love a robe and then a good tracksuit for sound check.
ADVERTISEMENT
After touring with the Jonas Brothers, what can we expect from yourself?
Christmas! Christmas shows. I might drop a new song before the year ends. Then next year, it will all just be about finishing up the album and tying it up, figuring out what we’re going to release next.
And finally, when can we catch you in Manchester again?
Hopefully, very soon! I loved it. Manchester was such a great show, it was a really good night.
Having a chat with one of the main artists who is currently leading the soundscape of the 21st century music scene is very fascinating. It’s great to see that Webb genuinely loves what she does and it’s noticeable through the songs she writes and the ability she has to command any stage. Bring on 2025 and bring on the sophmore project – you can never have too much Mimi Webb!
The 1975 and Charli XCX drop collab teaser in Manchester city centre
Danny Jones
Manchester, we might have a collaboration between two of the biggest British acts around right now as local lads The 1975 and pop sensation Charli XCX look to have just teased something big right here in the city centre.
It’s fair to say that if 2023 was the biggest year of The 1975‘s career to date then 2024 has very much been Charli XCX’s. In fact, we’d say it’s been a pretty great 12 months or so for pop music in general, which it feels like we don’t get to say that often.
That being said, despite the Cambridge-born singer having only just released her smash-hit BRAT back in June, is already ramping up for more new music to be dropped.
A massive new poster has appeared near Piccadilly and not only is it the bright lime green and plain black font now synonymous with her album but the words also read “the 1975” backwards.
It looks like this could finally be The 1975 x Charli XCX collab so many fans have been waiting for and there’s plenty of reason to believe it could be coming very soon.
For starters, rumours of the two working together have been running ever since the 32-year-old became partners with the band’s drummer, producer and co-songwriter, George Daniel, who has regularly appeared with her on stage at the likes of Boiler Room, not to mention sharing mixes of her songs.
She also came out as a surprise guest during their second-to-last visit to Manchester and the AO Arena back in January 2023 – much to the delight of the crowd.
Furthermore, Charli recently announced her next project rather straightforwardly called Brat and it’s completely different but still also brat.
While there are no other discernible clues to take from the rather large billboard, the title alone, George Daniel’s involvement and her own penchant for DJing of late quickly led people to piece together that she is planning to release a reworked version of her sixth studio album.
Moreover, Charli (real name Charlotte Emma Aitchison) has already revealed a number of feature artists on the remixed version of BRAT, including Addison Rae, Robyn, Billie Eilish and Yung Lean, as well as Troye Sivan and Lorde, who both joined her on stage recently for the ‘Sweat Tour’.
As already confirmed, whatever this new project ends up sounding like, it’s coming out next Friday, 11 October and if the collabs we already know about are anything to go by, then it’s a pretty safe bet that The 1975 will be also a appear on a tune or two. Who knows, maybe it could be something even bigger?
‘Bratty Healy’ is born, whether you like it or not.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press Image (supplied)
Music
Neighbourhood Festival 2024 Guide – tickets, lineup, stage splits and everything you need to know
Danny Jones
Manc music lovers and all those new to the city, feel free to do a cartwheel of sheer excitement because one of our favourite dates on the calendar just rolled around: Neighbourhood Festival is back for 2024 and we’re here to guide you through the jam-packed day.
The much-loved noon-until-night event is Manchester’s biggest multi-venue music festival and is returning after a year off and you best believe we’ve missed it like mad. Roll on Saturday.
With more than a dozen venues to be enjoyed and over 100 artists to choose from, the only problem you’re going to face is trying to cram all your favourites into 24 hours.
But don’t worry, that’s where people like us come in. We’ve put together a helpful guide full of important info about Neighbourhood Fest 2024; from ticket prices and those pesky stage splits to where you can pick up your wristbands, we’ve got everything you need to know. Let’s have it, shall we?
Are there still tickets left for Neighbourhood Festival?
First off, if you’re wondering if you can still grab a last-minute day pass to NBHD 2024 then you’re in luck because there’s still a wave of tickets left.
Early bird and the first tiers have inevitably sold out (it’s pretty popular this thing…) but if you’re willing to pay a few more pennies, you can still grab a third-tier wristband that will cost you just £43.45. Now that’s some seriously good value for money given the amount of talent on show.
You can pay an extra couple of quid to protect your tickets too and accessible passes also come with a plus one as part of the same price – a nice touch. You can grab your Neighbourhood tickets HERE.
NBHD Lineup 2024
Egyptian-born alt-pop phenom, NxdiaFast-growing indie rockers, The SheratonsTwo of the first and most exciting acts of the day. (Credit: Press Images – Supplied)
As for who you’re going to be seeing at this year’s city centre festival, the Neighbourhood lineup is just as good as any year.
With the likes of Sam Fender, Pulp, Sundara Karma, Paul Heaton; The Kooks, Self Esteem, The Wombats and countless other top names having played the event in the past, they always have a job on their hands topping the year previous.
Luckily, with local acts such as Corella, Seb Lowe and Antony Szmeirek all playing big stages, not to mention other favourites like The Academic, Red Rum Club, The Sheratons lot from Leeds, and the returning Brooke Combe bolstering the all-day music festival, they’re not exactly struggling for talent.
Even some of the newer up-and-coming names like Manc raised Nxdia playing The Deaf Institute, Salfordian Issy Sutcliffe at hidden gem Lions Den, and the now Phoebe Bridgers-signed Jasmine 4.T grabbing the Gorilla spotlight,
You can find the full Neighbourhood lineup HERE. We even got to chat with local headliners Pale Waves before the big day too:
As mentioned, music festivals might genuinely be one of the best things on the planet but one of the prevailing drawbacks is that you can’t see everyone and sometimes many of the most exciting names have to fall by the wayside to make room for another.
The lineup is a gift and a curse in a way because although it does get you excited for the big day to come around, it’s also followed by the dreaded stage splits and the realisation that a few of your favourites clash with each other – a torturous tale as old as time.
We can’t avoid it, sadly, but what we can do is make it as easy as possible for you to build the schedule that works for you the best and rather than list them all out, it’s easier to just point you in the direction of the official Neighbourhood Festival app for 2024 which you can download now.
Simply go through the lineup and the schedule on your phone, favourite the acts you want to see and then you can look through the set times tab to figure out which acts clash with each other. Simple.
But you should definitely come and spend most of the day at ours – not that we’re biased in any way.
If you were wondering which Neighbourhood stage is the best, it’s this one, obviously…
Neighbourhood 2024 map – venues and where to pick up wristbands
Now, with a whole host of gig spaces to shuttle between, it’s handy to get a lay of the land – especially if, say, you’re a first-timer at NBHD Fest or a student new to the city and not yet familiar with where you’ll hopefully be spending many more nights filled with live music.
You can find the full list of venues, all of which are only a short walk away from one another, down below as well as a little bit of information about each of them:
O2 Ritz – Audio North’s official stage, capacity of 1,500, sprung floor for proper dance vibes
Gorilla – Legendary small-cap venue that can squeeze in around 550, one of the favourites
Albert Hall – As legendary as its counterpart in London, two tiers and fits roughly 2,290 in total
The Deaf Institute – Spread across three floors, each with plenty of character. Max cap of 300 (The Music Hall – other rooms are smaller).
The Bread Shed – Just opposite Deaf; popular student spot which can hold 480 at a push.
Revolution – Oxford Road staple bar with a gig space suitable for more intimate gigs.
Lions Den – Tucked away in the somewhat hidden Deansgate Mews neighbourhood. Just great, even with only 200 people in the gaff.
YES – Another student favourite. Multiple floors but the basement and ‘Pink Room’ will be hosting 60 people and a further 250 gig-goers, respectively.
Mother Mary’s – The old Font site, now an Irish bar with the live stage still intact. State-of-the-art sound system and can hold up to 200 people standing.
Manchester Academy 1 + 2 – Hosting the headliners and some of the bigger acts over at the student union. The second floor holds 960 and the big room over 2,500.
As for the wristband exchange, you can present your e-tickets to receive your full day pass to all of these venues at the Symphony Park reception over at Circle Square on Oxford Road. After that, all you need to do is flash it on entry to access any of the above venues. Bob’s your uncle.
Albert Hall is one many iconic gig spaces taking part
And that should be just about everything you need to guide your way through Neighbourhood 2024; just make sure to keep your eyes on their socials as well for live updates on the day.
Whether it’s your debut festival or you’re a regular returning for the umpteenth time in a row (guilty), we can guarantee you one thing: you’re going to have an absolute blast.
Oh, and make sure to come say hello to us here at Audio North over in the Ritz – we’ll see you out on the dancefloor!
Thomas Melia -
23rd September 2024 
