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
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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.
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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?
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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!
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‘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.
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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.
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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 best Northern music artists of the month | June 2026
Danny Jones
It’s that time again: we’re back with more fantastic musical artists from across the country’s incredibly creative and talented Northern reaches.
Yes, in case you missed the switch-up in our last edition, with our Audio North team’s work only ramping up by the minute, we’re no longer just sticking to Manchester acts.
After last month’s edition, which saw us gather five different recommendations from all over the North, we’ve got five more bands and artists for you.
Whether it’s an up-and-coming act or one you’ve just forgotten about – maybe they’ve got some notable new material for the first time in a fair while – so long as they’re from up this direction, we’re trying to give props wherever we can. Let’s get stuck in, shall we?
Names from the North we’ve been listening to lately
1. Aaron Dinning
First up, of course, we most certainly will be starting with our official Audio North Artist of the Month for June: Aaron Dinning – a wonderful singer-songwriter who straddles roots in the North East, Yorkshire and now Greater Manchester.
A fast-growing LGBTQIA+ figure, this Durham-born solo artist reflects plenty on what it was like growing up gay on Wearside, as well as how he’s begun to carve a career path of his own thus far, studying and finding his feet in Leeds before moving to 0161.
There’s simply so much both we and, more importantly, HE has to say about his work: which is why you can read our full write-up about this talented young artist right HERE.
In at number two is a name who’s been steadily growing in popularity and who also has her foot in more than one camp; the Glasgow-born adopted scouser that is Brooke Combe is someone we think is only one or two big moments away from blowing up, so enjoy her as ‘your new thing’ while you can.
From seeing her live at the since-closed Canvas (now Ambers) in Manchester city centre as part of Neighbourhood Festival years ago, to catching her playing one of the bigger slots at 2026’s Weekender version in Warrington, the momentum is building.
So much so, we even saw her opening up for showbiz star Jeff Goldblum earlier this year – she even got him to drink IRN BRU. ‘Are You With Me? is the first song we ever heard, and we’ve been hooked ever since, be it ‘How Can I Tell You? (To Love Me More)’ or her new single ‘Tears Won’t Lie’.
Just by chance, a few years ago, we came across a unique gig series by INNSide North UK and Meliá Hotels, where budding artists were being invited to play intimate stripped-back sets from a bedroom: it was here that we first stumbled upon the Geordie charmer, Andrew Cushin.
We think this lad has the voice, lyricism, style and kind of soon-to-bloom following to go to the next level, especially with the right support shows and festival stages; having his song feature on the BBC’s World Cup 2026 coverage certainly hasn’t hurt.
Recommendation-wise, ‘Where’s My Family Gone’ never gets old and we enjoy the upbeat, summery rock energy of his latest track, ‘Goodbye’, and we love the passion locals show for the cult favourite ‘Wor Flags’ in honour of beloved Newcastle United and the dedicated supporters group of the same name.
4. Keyside
Another Liverpudlian entry, rising quartet Keyside have a fervent and super-engaged fan base that’s developing much faster than most recently formed four-pieces you’ll find within this already oversaturated genre; having only been around since 2022, they’re already doing bits.
Whether it be the somewhat high-pitched and perfect level of nasally vocals, the often folky-sounding style of guitar, or at least three out of four haircuts reminding us of The Kooks, there’s something very attractive about their particular jangly brand of indie revival.
I promise that my own personal passion for anything citrus-related isn’t the only reason I enjoy ‘Lemon And Lime’, and as for other standouts, we’d recommend trying out ‘Angeline’ and ‘Runaway’ from their upcoming self-titled debut album in just a few weeks’ time.
See us live on our UK Instore tour
06 Aug – Bury – 5pm sold out – 9pm show just added ‼️ 07 Aug – Leeds – low tickets ‼️ 08 Aug – Liverpool – selling fast ‼️ 09 Aug – London 10 Aug – Nottingham 13 Aug – Glasgow 14 Aug – Edinburgh – low tickets ‼️
Last but not least, we want to heap some long overdue praise on West Yorkshire‘s very own Embrace, a.k.a. the eternal underdogs of domestic alternative rock but one for which our soft spot will never go away. Call it post-Britpop, ‘dad rock’ – call it whatever you want, all we know is we still love these lot.
Perhaps a slight victim of breaking through right after one of the golden eras of guitar-driven music this country has ever seen, it feels like five-piece has never quite been given the plaudits they deserve for consistently putting out beyond solid studio material for the best part of three decades.
We’ve found that they sometimes fall into the category of band where you know their tracks even if you don’t know it’s the – think ‘Gravity’ and ‘Ashes’ – but we’re still eagerly awaiting the day we get to hear the likes of ‘Road to Nowhere’ and our new obsessession, ‘Funny’, in the, at times, genuinely anthemic stadium rock setting they deserve. Just watch them celebrate another top 10 album this month.
There’s something very charming and old-school about this music video.
Sadly, that’s all she wrote – at least until next month anyway.
As always, we sincerely hope you enjoy our picks, and please do drop in any suggestions of what we should listen to next ahead of July’s round-up.
We’re already totting up a few names, and truth be told, we’re still listening to plenty from May’s list, too.
Andy Burnham has revealed his 13 favourite albums and some Manc classics are included
Emily Sergeant
Music lovers, gather round… fancy finding out what the could-be Prime Minister’s favourite albums of all time are?
Well, we’ve uncovered a list of 13 of them, and there’s some proper Manc classics included.
Right, in case you need bringing up to speed, let’s just get the politics bit out of the way first. After it was announced last month that Andy Burnham had clinched the victory in the crucial Makerfield by-election, winning 24,927 votes (54.8% vote share) and a majority of 9,231, he then went onto announce his intention to run for Labour Party leader, and therefore Prime Minister, after Keir Starmer confirmed he would be stepping down.
This week, Burnham delivered his first speech as part of his ongoing campaign, addressing how he plans to take the country in a ‘new direction’.
He declared that he wants to bring the ‘Greater Manchester way’ to Westminster… but who knew that meant his music taste too?
Uncovered from a couple of years ago now on Quietus – an independent music and cultural criticism online publication – Andy Burnham revealed his 13 favourite albums as part of their ‘Baker’s Dozen’ series, and alongside some famous critically-acclaimed records, there are also a few unexpected gems in the mix, and (of course) some Manchester classics too.
Picking 13 albums for this was apparently ‘really hard’, Burnham said, and not because it’s a lot to choose but because ‘it’s just so few’.
“A disclaimer” he went on to add, “these are not necessarily my favourite 13 albums, but instead these are the ones that had an impact on my life or were significant moments in my life. I tried to use that as my guide.”
On the list you’ll find, in no particular order, selections from some iconic bands like The Beatles’ popular compilation album 1962-1966 – also known as ‘The Red Album’ – Radiohead’s 1997 project OK Computer, often considered to be their magnum opus, and The Strokes’ debut album Is This It?
You’ll also find some of the most revered albums by Manchester bands on there, including The Stone Roses’ self-titled album, The Smiths’ Hatful of Hollow, and New Order’s Power, Corruption and Lies.
Andy Burnham’s 13 Favourite Albums
The Beatles – 1962-1966 (The Red Album)
The Smiths – Hatful of Hollow
The Pogues – Rum, Sodomy And The Lash
The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses
The Wedding Present – George Best
The La’s – The La’s
Billy Bragg – William Bloke
Radiohead – OK Computer
Doves – The Last Broadcast
The Strokes – Is This It?
Big Thief – Capacity
New Order – Power, Corruption and Lies
Courteeners – Falcon
Andy Burnham has revealed his 13 favourite albums of all time / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
It’s not just the so-called legendary Greater Manchester bands that have been given a shoutout on Burnham’s lineup, as there’s also the inclusion of Courteeners’ Falcon and Doves’ The Last Broadcast.
As well as the more-expected picks, there’s even a couple underrated choices on his list too like The Wedding Present’s George Best, and Big Thief’s Capacity – the latter of which also happens to be one of my personal favourite albums of all time too, and has one of my favourite songs on there as well, so I have to say, I was very (pleasantly) surprised to see it included.
For each of his thirteen picks, Burnham has explained why he’s chosen the albums, where he was in life when he discovered them, and what they all mean to him.
One particularly interesting anecdote he told in relation to Courteeners’ Falcon, Burnham wrote: “There’s a song on there called ‘Take Over The World. Early on in my failed Labour leadership campaign in 2015, I went to see them with my mate Steve Rotherham, now mayor of Liverpool City Region but then my campaign manager.
“We went to see them at Heaton Park, we were in the early days of this campaign where I thought we might win, and we were arm in arm belting out ‘Take Over the World’ together.
Thomas Melia -
23rd September 2024 
