A new mini documentary will take a deep dive into the personal experiences and stories of Manchester’s musicians over the past 50 years – putting focus on one particular musical instrument.
Each musician taking part in the Manchester’s Guitar Project movie is being invited to play a track using the custom-made one-of-a-kind guitar as they share their stories – and there are already some huge names involved.
Peter Hook, Buzzcocks’ guitarist Steve Diggle, Badly Drawn Boy, Happy Mondays’ Rowetta, Slow Readers Club and The Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim have all played a tune with the strings whilst being interviewed.
Co-founder of Joy Division and New Order, Peter Hook, playing the custom-made guitar for the project. Image: Trust A Fox
The project’s manager, Dan Pinder, told Audio: “It’s been great working with some of the legends from the Manchester music scene – and we’ve been amazed by the support we have received to help put this project together.
“Many of these legends have been interviewed by Phil Brennan from our team and the stories that have been told give a great insight to their backgrounds and what has shaped them into the people they are today.
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“There will also be plenty of great music included and a very special cover of an iconic Manchester song to close the documentary.”
The guitar itself has been hand crafted by Martyn Heeks using six different types of wood and has taken more than 300 hours to put together. It was then donated to the project by Graham at the Manchester Scooter Centre – there’s even a silhouette of a scooter on the back of the guitar, too!
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Badly Drawn Boy being interviewed for the documentary. Image: Trust A Fox
Following the documentary’s release, the guitar will be given back to Manchester for museum display as a token of the music scene.
The whole project is in aid of n:gl, a not-for-profit community organisation based in Stockport which works with vulnerable teenagers and young adults who have fallen through the cracks in the system.
n;gl provide support, advice and mentorship to young people, and with facilities like a martial arts centre, recording studio, photography studio and a gym, they’re offering a fresh start for youngsters with the opportunity to develop new skills and discover a new hobby.
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The aim is to open up a n:gl centre in each of the ten Greater Manchester boroughs. This’ll mean the whole city can benefit from the great things the charity does.
People are also being invited to donate whatever they can through the n:gl’s donation page where proceeds go directly to charity.
Whilst there’s no release date for the documentary yet as it’s still a working progress, you’ll be able to catch snippets of it so far at the vinyl fair that they’ll be hosting. This’ll take place at Factory on July 18. Plus, you’ll be able to see the guitar up close and personal there too!
Head to Manchester’s Guitar Project’s Instagram to find out more.
Featured image by Trust A Fox.
Music
Rochdale Feel Good Festival announces headliners with MAJOR 90s act
Thomas Melia
The highly-anticipated Rochdale Feel Good Festival is returning to Rochdale Town Hall for a night of impressive live music.
Summer is fast approaching and one way the residents of Greater Manchester town Rochdale know this is the line-up for its major outdoor festival has just been released.
The festival has been running since 2007, taking place right outside the distinctive Rochdale Town Hall , this will be the shows grand return since its massive renovation.
This town centre music celebration is known for drawing in some of music’s biggest names like Cast, Scouting For Girls, Razorlight and most recently Heather Small.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival is coming to the main stage at Rochdale Town Hall this summer / Credit: Press Shots (Supplied)
Rochdale Feel Good Festival has continued this streak of securing some big pop stars and this time is no different as they’ve bagged a major 90s act with some equally notable bands on the line-up too.
Topping the bill is legendary pop-soul artist Gabrielle, known for chart-topping hits like ‘Dreams’ and ‘Rise’ as well as ‘If You Ever’, ‘Out Of Reach’ and ‘Sunshine’.
This phenomenal UK act has seen her 1999 LP Rise and 2001 compilation album Dreams Can Come TrueVol. 1 get certified platinum not once but four times.
Gabrielle is headlining Rochdale Feel Good Festival on Saturday 8 August / Credit: Press Shot (Supplied)
Gabrielle might be more familiar with Rochdale than we think, as she recently collaborated with Middleton born singer-songwriter for his single ‘Sad Song’.
Also announced is indie-rock band Ash, who have seen similar chart success by achieving 18 UK Top 40 hits such as ‘Oh Yeah’, ‘Shining Light’ and ‘Goldfinger’.
Another act joining the main stage is critically-acclaimed rock band Starsailor and with tunes like ‘Alcoholic’ and ‘Silence Is Easy’ it’s about to be a stellar night of performances.
Recognised rock bands Ash and Starsailor are also joining the line-up for Rochdale Feel Good Festival Credit: Press Shots (Supplied)
If that wasn’t enough to tempt you, Rochdale Feel Good Festival will be announcing more acts in the next few weeks making this line-up one of the best yet.
Rochdale Feel Good Festival is coming to the main stage at Rochdale Town Hall on Saturday 8 August with Gabrielle, Ash, Starsailor and more acts to follow – tickets and more info HERE.
Featured Images – Rochdale Borough Council / Press Shots (Supplied)
Music
Myles Smith announces HUGE arena gig in Manchester this year
Thomas Melia
Singer-songwriter Myles Smith has just announced his biggest headline tour and is set to play a huge arena gig in Manchester this year.
Quit ‘Stargazing’ and get ready to fight for tickets as Myles Smith has just announced he’ll be visiting Manchester later this year for his biggest arena gig to date.
Known for hits like ‘Nice To Meet You’, ‘Stay (If You Wanna Dance)’ and ‘Wait For You’, this BRIT School graduate is now heading on the road for some headline shows across the UK.
Recognised for his folk-pop sound, Smith has built quite a name for himself just three or so years into his career, with solo efforts and a few collaborations under his belt.
Myles Smith is heading to Co-op Live, Manchester, on tour this year / Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Recently, the Luton-born artist collaborated with some well-known names like Shaboozey on their track ‘Blink Twice’ and even features on a new single from former One Direction member Niall Horan titled ‘Drive Safe’.
It was only last year that the ‘Stargazing’ songwriter visited the music capital of the North, bringing his high-energy hits to Manchester Academy back in February.
The star visited Manchester a second time, too, playing at the Co-op Live alongside some of music’s biggest names for Hits Radio Live back in November.
Now, Smith is ready to take to the Co-op Live stage again and is expected to raise the roof when 23,500 fans flock to the star’s show this winter.
Titled after his upcoming album My Mess, My Life, My Heart, Smith will be playing a variety of well-known and brand new hits when he makes his way up North.
Co-op members and fans who are signed up to the official artist presale can get exclusive access to tickets from Wednesday, 25 March at 10am, with the window closing on Friday, 27 March at 9am.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live by 10 am that same Friday (27 Mar).
Myles Smith is embarking on his ‘My Mess, My Life, My Heart’ tour this winter and visiting Co-op Live, Manchester on Sunday 15 November – tickets and more info HERE.
Hannah Starkie -
8th June 2021 
