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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
The BRIT Awards to return to Manchester in 2027 with ceremony date confirmed
Emily Sergeant
It’s official – the BRIT Awards are returning to Manchester in 2027, and the ceremony date has now been confirmed.
Well, technically we already knew they would be, as it was announced last year that for the first time in its illustrious 48-year history, British music’s most prestigious awards show would be leaving London and heading up to the capital of the North, as ITV confirmed the BRITs would be staged in Manchester for the next two years.
After nearly five decades in London, The BRIT Awards were hosted in Manchester at Co-op Live earlier this year, and (in our opinion) proved to everyone why it’s the best city on Earth.
The 2026 BRITs delivered its biggest audience ever worldwide and was said to have had a record-breaking reach on socials too, cementing the show’s status as a global stage for showcasing talent.
So it’s only natural that the iconic celebration of UK music would be back for more.
Continuing on with this ‘bold new chapter’ for the legendary event, it has been confirmed that the show will take place on Saturday 27 February, airing on ITV1 and ITVX in a prime-time weekend slot that will see fans all over the UK and the world come together to celebrate the biggest artists and most exciting music of the year.
2027 is also a big year for the BRITs too, as next year’s ceremony is celebrating 50 years since the very first awards were televised.
“This year’s BRIT Awards in Manchester were a huge success, with a global reach and massive local impact, and we’re excited and ready to help make 2027 the biggest year yet for The BRITs,” commented Cllr Bev Craig, the Leader of Manchester City Council, ahead of next year’s ceremony.
The BRIT Awards will be returning to Manchester in 2027 / Credit: The Manc Group
“The impact of the awards was felt across the city region, from the cash benefit for our economy, showcasing small local music venues, incredible opportunities for our up-and-coming young musicians and creatives, and engagement with Greater Manchester schools.
“We’ll be creating even more ways for local people and for visitors to get involved in next year’s awards, which look set to be another incredible celebration of music and our city.”
The BRIT Awards 2027 will take place on Saturday 27 February, and further announcements will be made in the coming months.
Keep your eyes peeled, Manchester.
Featured Image – BRITs
Music
A dedicated anime, movie and gaming concert with a live orchestra is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
Calling all self-proclaimed otakus, cinephiles and gamers: a huge concert experience will see dozens of musicians bring classic anime, film and gaming soundtracks and scores to life later this year, right here in Manchester.
The city is no stranger to events celebrating these beloved kinds of media, but you’ll struggle to find another bringing all of them together in one place.
Brought to us Mancs by KIN Music Entertainment, a locally founded arts, events and music label, this celebration of all things pop culture – and specifically, the music tied to it.
Entitled ‘The Kin & Fushigi Anime, Film & Videogame Orchestra’, this passionate collective serves as not only a platform for rising artists but also to hear some iconic sonic moments like never before.
KIN have created a large-scale live concert experience which will bring together a 25-piece pop orchestra made up of emerging professional performers and conservatoire graduates.
Aside from the impressive total of people behind this production to begin with, they also form an immersive hybrid orchestral and live band capable of bringing.
Speaking on the upcoming date, KIN Entertainment said in a statement: “We wanted to create the kind of live experience that many anime and videogame fans in Manchester have been waiting for — something cinematic, emotional and community-driven that brings these sound worlds to life with the energy of both an orchestra and a live band.”
Kin was founded by bassist, composer and ensemble performer Alejandro Urbina Diaz, who first brought his talents and wider interests over from Mexico to the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) here in the city centre at the age of 23.
Citing Manchester’s multiculturalism and cosmopolitan cultural fabric as a big part of his inspiration, he and his team have ended up carving out this niche for themselves, and now they’ll be playing this beloved music to Mancs at none other than the O2 Ritz.
Credit: KIN Music Entertainment (supplied via Academy Music Group Digital)
With new arrangements inspired by anime, cinematic and videogame culture, not to mention orchestral and even rock crossover twists – including both vocalist and rhythm sections, by the way – it’s set to be a highly unique experience that most will have never come across before.
This event itself is suitable for audiences aged 14+, although under-16s must be accompanied by an adult, and it’s taking place at the Ritz on Sunday, 26 July.
We’re not going to spoil any more details about the show for you, so which particular pieces of pop culture they reference will just have to be a surprise…
Hannah Starkie -
6th August 2021 
