Born from a desire to inspire, The Honest Youth (THY) have been making their way around the country in a restored Bailey caravan – providing an innovative way of enjoying and creating music.
Founder, George Carson, launched THY back in 2015 after having to rethink his dreams of owning his own bar. Following a long, hard graft saving enough money to buy a venue, he realised he didn’t quite fancy being tied down.
So, in 2017 he used the savings to buy an old caravan instead – transforming it into a little pop-up festival stage, offering the ideal music venue for any occasion complete with sound-system, lighting and (perhaps most importantly) a fully-stocked bar with beer pumps.
Soon enough, THY were getting hired to do small local festivals and events. They even got to host Blossoms’ ‘Cool Like You’ album signing which George says was a pinnacle moment.
Then came lockdown.
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But not all was lost. Over the past year, George has been able to put the caravan to good use to keep spirits up at home.
“In the caravan we would have people round on a winter night, wrap them in fairy lights and have mini gigs on my drive,” George told us.
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“I have such good memories of this time. Everything was so new and exciting the talent was unreal and I wouldn’t have to pack up and drive home so I could have a drink with everyone and relax.”
The Honest Youth stage
As so many of us found ourselves with a little extra time throughout the pandemic, George used it to develop and future-proof his THY concept.
He admits the journey hasn’t been easy. George had to hone and grow his skills from starting as a bartender to becoming a jack of all trades.
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Now, THY is on a new venture to offer a mobile recording studio. With the hire comes delivery, set-up, PA, equipment and live sound engineering. It’s the full package – and for a very reasonable price, too – starting from just £70.
“I took to the opportunity this year to adapt my skills and equipment and start doing mobile recordings,” George said.
“Really, my goal has always been to surround myself with creative people learn from some maybe teach some others.
“I have learned so much – I thought this would be easy. ‘Build it and they will come’. I started almost 10 years ago as an experienced barman looking to open a bar and since I have had to become a sound engineer, a joiner, an advertiser, a roadie, a cameraman, an accountant, a cleaner, the list goes on – I just need to learn how to be a businessman now.”
Not only does THY allow George to fulfil his own career ambitions, but it provides musicians all over the city with the opportunity to create music wherever they are. Be that in their living room, a field or by the beach.
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George says the studio aimed at people like him – people who are bored of stuffy and windowless studios and rehearsal rooms and for people who get to the studio and their mind goes blank with a lack of creativity.
By taking the studio to wherever people want, he wants musicians to feel comfortable and inspired by their surroundings. So, he’s created a space that adapts and works for everyone.
“There is a big thing in recording where people are judged by the size of their desk and equipment and it’s easy to think that the million-pound studio will get the best from your song because they have it all.
“But studios are like hairdressers sometimes. You can go in, tell them everything you want and get the same short back and sides as the five people before you. You want to find the one that will listen to you create something with you and share the passion you have for your own music.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CNHpPcChTQ3/
George wants anyone who is considering hiring THY studio to just get in touch for a chat. Over the years, he’s spent too much of his own time deliberating over lyrics he’s written, too scared to perform them for fear of someone telling him he’s got it all wrong.
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“If you have a passion for something that’s sick, even if you just have a few lyrics written down and no idea how you want it to sound, or if you don’t play any instruments or are just sick of the same four chords on every song, just ping us on Facebook or Instagram.
“I love what I do – and the advice is always free. A lot of music is deeply personal to people and sharing can be difficult. I have written some dreadful songs, but there is no right and wrong in music.
“So, don’t be shy!”
Find more information about hiring The Honest Youth studio or pop-up venue via their website.
Music
Don’t worry if you didn’t get Oasis tickets, one of the UK’s best tribute bands is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
Didn’t get tickets for Oasis? How about we all just go see one of the best tribute acts in Manchester instead? Sounds like a plan, let’s do it.
Yes, unfortunately, one of the biggest downsides to one of the greatest bands of all time returning for a worldwide reunion tour is that, rather ironically, pretty much everyone on the entire planet wants a ticket.
The reality is that many of us Mancs and Oasis fans all over the country and the globe will sadly be missing out on the comeback gigs this summer. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on listening to the same iconic tunes as everyone else in a room full of other Britpop lovers.
After all, as we all know, seeing bands live is great and all that – but half the fun is jumping up and down like a loon with hundreds of other people, and these lads can certainly sort that.
🐝 Missed out on Heaton Park tickets? We've got you covered! (quite literally, this one's indoors 🌧)
That’s right, hailed as the UK’s ‘best and most authentic Oasis tribute band’, Oasi-is will be coming to the legendary Manchester Academy complex to give us locals the next best thing.
Not only that but the highly celebrated impersonators and soundalikes will be playing the 950-cap venue on Friday, 11 July, i.e. the same night as Oasis‘ first of five hometown Manchester shows at Heaton Park.
To make things even more interesting and appealing to the die-hards who can’t be there for the real deal this summer, Oasi-is are the only tribute act to the 90s rock and roll stars that can boast using official Oasis equipment in their sets.
Gig-goers will also be treated to authentic visuals and footage projected on the big screens behind them, and dedicated tour DJs to drum up an unrivalled recreation of their heroes, as well as shades and ‘Wellend’ haircuts so convincing you’ll soon forget it’s not the actual Gallagher brothers.
Aiming to mirror the ‘Live ’25’ tour shows as best as possible, you can expect all the classics and even a few curveballs from Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants and Dig Out Your Soul. Who knows? All we can guarantee is that we’d rather be here than just sit enviously watching clips of it at home come July.
We’re not forcing that familiar ‘no-Glasto fever’ on ourselves, we’re just going to make the best of it, thanks to Oas-is.
As if it wasn’t already a pretty great value-for-money gig, with general admission priced at just £20 (plus booking fees), you’ll also get to see an equally brilliant tribute band as well as a local legend for the support slots.
Warming up the crowd will be the world’s premier Arctic Monkeys tribute act, Arctic Numpties, along with Manc DJ legend, Dave Sweetmore. That’ll do just fine.
Tickets are already on sale and it won’t surprise you to learn that, the genuine article or not, it’s selling really well because let’s be honest: we just want to spend the night singing our hearts out whilst jumping up and down to the hits with all our mates.
You can grab your tickets for the Oas-is’ ‘Same Hits. Same Night. Same City’ tribute show at Manchester Academy 2 HERE and, in the meantime, you might want to check out these fellow Oasis obsessives over in Japan too…
Volbeat set to play massive arena gig in Manchester later this year
Thomas Melia
Veteran Danish rockers Volbeat are crossing the English Channel to play their first Manchester gig in over five years.
Volbeat formed in 2001 and have seen worldwide acclaim, especially in Europe with hits like ‘Still Counting’, ‘Die To Live’ and ‘Last Day Under the Sun’.
The band last stopped off in Manchester in 2019 performing to a rapturous crowd at O2 Apollo capping at 3,500, and no matter the years that have gone by, their fan base hasn’t gone anywhere.
Now, they’re hoping to impress AO Arena’s mighty 20,000 crowd which is sure to be filled with avid metal heads this winter.
This should come as no surprise to anybody as this upcoming announcement will mark the second time the Danish lads have played at this phenomenal indoor music venue, last visiting in 2016.
Volbeat’s music can’t be boxed into any category as it fluctuates and flows between different musical styles, however, they do tend to mix lots of heavy metal elements with contemporary rock, pop, jazz and even electronics into their work.
They’ve often been described as ‘psychobilly’ or groove metal act – all we know is they’re class and since they’ve been back in the studio of late, we can’t wait to hear what they come up with next.
Denmark may be ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world but Volbeat’s song titles seem to tell a different story with examples such as ‘The Devil’s Bleeding Crown’ and ‘Black Rose’.
As for the gig itself, they won’t be visiting one of Manchester’s biggest arenas alone either, bringing along not one but two support acts.
As you can see London-formed rock band, Bush, are the first to join forces with the Danish natives and they’ve got an equally large list of potential setlist staples to warm up the crowd.
But before that, American hardcore outfit, Gel, are also set to support Volbeat; these New Jersey punks may only be a decade or so into their career, but they have a number of EPs and albums that have seen them grow a cult following – the only dilemma will be condensing everything into an opening slot.
Volbeat are set to play AO Arena in Manchester on 8 November with two staggered pre-sales on 12 and 13 March. Meanwhile, general sale will start from 10am on Friday, 14 March.
This is going to be a belter.
You can find out more information and you can get ready to grab your tickets HERE and roll on that new album…
Hannah Starkie -
16th April 2021 
