Here we have another list of highlights from our ‘New Manchester Music’ playlist.
Amongst our favourite releases this week is a huge arena-filler from an emerging Manchester band, a track from Mike Dignam’s one-release-a-week project, and the perfect summer road trip anthem.
To listen to them all plus loads more new stuff – including last week’s top picks – head to our Spotify playlist here.
Rosellas – Before the Storm
Rosellas are back with a new track, ‘Before The Storm’.
Since being selected to support Shaun Ryder’s Black Grape at their London show a while back, Rosellas have gone from strength to strength. And with a string of plays from XS Manchester and support from Clint Boon on their last release, the lads have become well respected by the city’s scene.
Now, Rosellas return with another one to catch our attention. With the help of award-winning producer Oliver Shillito, ‘Before The Storm’ has turned out to be a hugely uplifting and atmospheric stadium-ready track.
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Naturally, the band take inspiration from the 90s Manchester bands they walk in the footsteps of. And since they cite The Stone Roses and The Verve as particular influences, you can definitely hear that familiar ferocity in ‘Before the Storm’.
Mike Dignam – Killer
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSKaSr1gOg4/
Soul-pop singer Mike Dignam has been very busy.
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In January of this year, the Manchester-based artist set out on a year-long mission to release a new song every Friday of 2021. And so far, he’s been smashing it, with a full music video to accompany each song, too.
Solid effort, Mike.
Now, he’s well past the halfway mark with this week’s track ‘Killer’, a collab with fellow northerner Liam Craig marking number 32 of 52.
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Singer-songwriter Liam spent some time away writing music for Emile Sande and Naughtyboy, and even touring with Little Mix. But now, he’s back doing his own thing and joins Mike with vocals over this neo-soul beat.
Patrick Saint James – Begging
Patrick’s music is known for its open and frank tone.
Manchester-based singer-songwriter Patrick Saint James was born with a hearing defect. Amazingly, he hears mainly through vibrations and has been using this to write songs ever since he was 15-years-old.
Typically, Patrick’s music falls within the pop genre with influences lying with the likes of Years & Years. He regularly draws on topics of destructive relationships and loves to tell personal stories from his own experiences, adding to his genuine and relatable character.
His new track ‘Begging’ is no different. It’s an up-close-and-personal account of the challenges he faces with bipolar disorder and explores themes of being accepted for who he is.
Recently Patrick signed to Lovers Music ahead of his debut EP which is to follow later this year. So, we can expect to hear more from the Irish-born singer very soon.
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The Covasettes – Before the Storm
The ‘Sun Struck’ artwork was designed by @carltai.
Indie-rock outfit The Covasettes have had an incredible couple of years. And with two sold-out shows this weekend alone, the boys are clearly doing something right.
The newest one from the four-piece, ‘Sun Struck’, gives off a lovely summer vibe, ideal for your road trip playlist.
Their previous tracks have received plays from BBC Radio and XS Manchester, and we imagine this one will follow suit, too.
StreamGM and The Manc have teamed up to show some some serious love and support to the region’s renowned theatres, nightclubs, and live-music venues with the launch of SeeGM – a digital campaign to shine a bright spotlight on many of the amazing events, club nights, gigs and shows in our region.
Pulp announce full UK tour with massive Manchester date
Danny Jones
Britpop legends Pulp are well and truly back, with the Yorkshire band confirming a whole new raft of domestic dates, including one absolutely massive gig here in Manchester.
The alternative, art rock and indie pop tastemakers of the 1990s originally booked in a run of summer shows last year after announcing an official reunion along with a first return to North America in more than a decade back in March, and now the Sheffield stars are making it a proper tour.
With Jarvis Cocker, Candida Doyle, Nick Banks and Mark Webber all set for a proper UK and Ireland comeback, we can’t wait to see them up on stage again.
And as far as Manchester venues, it quite literally doesn’t get bigger than this.
While their long-waited homecoming appearance at Tramlines Festival at Hillsborough Park already nailed on as a sell-out, especially after having handpicked the 2025 lineup, we’re all in with a chance to see them back in the North.
Pulp enjoyed a short reunion back in 2011 and couldn’t resist playing a number of special performances in the summer of 2023 either; it looks as though the reception from the fans who’d been patiently waiting for them to grace us once again.
Informing the masses on socials, Cocker wrote, “You deserve more – and we have more. In fact, we have More – (but that’s a whole other story… you’ll have to wait a little more time to hear that one). In the meantime: see you this Summer!”
Make of that somewhat cryptic middle bit what you will but yes, sir: you will indeed be seeing us and we can’t wait to scream ‘Do You Remember the First Time?’ in perfect pitch, we promise.
Scheduling their return to Manchester as what is now not just the biggest indoor entertainment arena in the city but one of the largest and most state-of-the-art in Europe, Pulp will be heading to Glasgow and Dublin before a double bill in London and a stop off in Birmingham before their Co-op Live debut.
Jarvis Cocker on IG:
"we have more to tell you – but that's another story, you'll hace to wait a little more time to hear that one"
General sale tickets to see Pulp in Manchester at the Co-op Live arena will be available from 9:30am next Friday, 21 February, but pre-sale for the gig will be available to those on the mailing list on Tuesday (18 Feb). Official Co-op members can also access it the following day (Wed, 19 Feb).
The sensational summer date is set for Saturday, 21 June – get ready to grab yours HERE.
Now is probably a good time as any to ask that fateful question: which is the best Pulp song of all time? I think you already know our answer.
Featured Images — Lauren Krohn (press shot supplied)
Music
Moovin Festival announces 2025 lineup for much-loved Stockport event
Danny Jones
The much-loved Moovin live music festival over in Stockport is back for 2025 and the lineup is looking udderly brilliant.
Sorry…
In all seriousness, the increasingly popular festival is one of the Greater Manchester borough’s biggest dates on the calendar and we can’t wait to mosey back on over to Whitebottom Farm this summer.
Set to return for it’s 11th year, Moovin Fest is shaping up to be one the best yet, as proven by every single one of the early bird tickets being snapped up in a flash – here’s the lineup:
Moovin Festival lineup 2025Last year was a stormer
Taking place at the idyllic and eco-friendly outdoor space located within Etherow Country Park in the villahge of Compstall, Whitebottom is often used for weddings and other special events – but none quite as big as Moovin.
It may have started out with a little over a few hundred people back in 2014 but since the flag-flying Stockport music festival has grown to a capacity over more than 5,000; while it’s still a fairly modest affair compared to other Northern contemporaries, its just as rich in culture and entertainment.
As you can see, the 2025 lineup is headlined by the revolutionary jazz-fusion ensemble, Ezra Collective, whose innovative sound has garnered international acclaim.
Fresh from their awe-inspiring Wembley show, a Mercury Prize win back in 2023 and a four BRITs nominations thus far, Ezra’s music is a masterful blend of jazz, afrobeat and soul, characterized by infectious grooves, intricate melodies – music you simply have to dance to.
Joining the festivities will be the French house maestro and WHP favourite, Folamour, renowned for his soulful and emotive sound, as well as his captivating onstage charisma, making his performance an absolute must-see.
The lineup continues to impress with the inclusion of drum and bass pioneers Fabio and Grooverider as well as Roni Size; local funk and soul luminary Craig Charles, Manc legends Graeme Park and DJ Paulette, hip-hop royalty in The Sugarhill Gang and MANY more.
Be it rising stars or old-school Hacienda icons doing what they’ve done best for the past few decades, there’s something for everyone.
They’ve welcome everyone from Orbital and Groove Armada to De La Soul, Basement Jaxx, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Lee Scratch Perry and countless others in the past and we’ve never heard bad word about this lively but equally family-friendly weekend.
Speaking ahead of this year’s return, the organisers said: “Moovin Festival is an exceptional celebration of sonic brilliance, eclectic music and quirkiness, all set within a beautiful and intimate environment.”
“Attendees can expect a lot of quirkiness and a host of amazing DJs and bands playing across cutting-edge sound systems alongside holistic healing treatments, yoga sessions, and captivating circus performances, all infused with a warm and welcoming vibe.”
As they go on to add: “There are no VIP areas, no overbearing security teams—just a hint of 90s free party magic and a close-knit community of music lovers who welcome everyone with open arms.”
Spread across six fantastic stages, including the aptly named ‘Barn’, the next Moovin Festival takes place from Friday, 13 to Sunday, 15 June 2025.
Meanwhile, Stopfordians are being forced to wait a little longer for their fist taste of festival season as another cult favourite has sadly been postponed.
Hannah Starkie -
6th August 2021 
