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
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is returning to Greater Manchester next month
Thomas Melia
The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is coming back to Manchester once again, and they’re bringing yet another phenomenal lineup with them.
National radio station and overall upcoming music connoisseurs, BBC Radio 6, are back with their music festival, and just like years previous, it’s taking place across Manchester.
Over the years, the festival has brought some of music’s biggest names to lots of local venues, putting on an array of brilliant live performances.
Last spring saw the arrival of rock band Gossip and Irish singer CMAT, both taking up residency in O2 Victoria Warehouse, Lily Fontaine of English Teacher at Band On The Wall, while DJ Seinfeld went B2B with Salute in Depot Mayfield.
Leading this glowing roster of performers is Ezra Collective, a Mercury award -winning band known for their brilliant jazz productions, and then from one Mercury-winning band to another, Lily Fontaine won’t be riding solo this year, instead she’s bringing all the crew with her, as English Teacher are set to perform at this huge festival.
Fat Dog, whose debut album is titled ‘Woof’, are joining in on the fun with Scottish band Mogwai also making a feature too.
There’s even a chance for an exclusive first listen too, as Kae Tempest will be debuting new material right here in Manchester.
Ezra Collective are performing at BBC Radio 6 Music Festival.English Teacher make a return to Manchester for this special event.Fat Dog are also playing the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival.
All performances will be taking place at a multitude of venues, like the previously mentioned O2 Victoria Warehouse, Depot Mayfield, and Band On The Wall, as well as loads of other events at entertainment bar, Yes.
Every highlight, alongside live and recorded live performances, will be taking place at MediaCityUK in Salford, in order to keep everything Manchester central.
BBC Radio 6 Music Festival is happening from 26 – 29 March 2025, with tickets going on sale from 6 February at 10am here.
Cyndi Lauper at Co-op Live, Manchester 2025 – tickets, times, setlist, and more
Thomas Melia
Cyndi Lauper is visiting the music capital of the north this weekend, and is bringing her lorry load of hits with her too.
Lauper is an absolute legend in the music industry and has established herself as a leading figure in dance and pop music, especially in the 80s, but now, the American musician is gracing the Co-op Live stage as part of her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun Farewell Tour, and it’ll surely be ‘A Night to Remember’.
The support act for the UK dates is still yet to be announced, however if the previous US shows were anything to go by, pop stars like Aly and AJ, Elle King, and GAYLE have all had the honour of the opening slot.
Are tickets still available for the Manchester show?
There are still a number of tickets left, and luckily enough, your options aren’t that limited either, so whether you feel like dancing on the sidelines, or being in the middle of the action, you’ll be able to have fun wherever you find yourself in this remarkable venue.
Tickets start from £57.50 each, and can be bought from Ticketmaster’s official website here.
What is the expected setlist?
She Bop
The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough
When You Were Mine
I Drove All Night
Who Let in the Rain
Iko Iko
Funnel of Love
Sally’s Pigeons
I’m Gonna Be Strong
Sisters of Avalon
Change of Heart
Time After Time
Money Changes Everything
Shine
True Colors
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Cyndi Lauper is playing at Co-op Live this weekend / Credit: Flickr | The Manc Group
What are the stage times for Cyndi Lauper in Manchester?
Doors will open at 7:30pm, and Co-op Live is known for having a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning concert-goers can be safe knowing they won’t be pulling an all nighter to hear all the legend’s biggest tunes.
Although the venue hasn’t yet confirmed stage times just yet, it’s expected that Cyndi Lauper will take to the stage in Manchester around 9pm.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, luckily it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop, so you’ll just need to head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
If you’re driving, the postcode for your SatNav is M11 3DU, but limited parking available at the venue, and this must be pre-booked ahead of time.
Also keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide for event day – though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions) – Plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound) – Expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound) Plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post event to help safely manage crowds.
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walking or cycling
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through Beryl – with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination, and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner on the Co-op Live website.
In the meantime, you can also read our review of Kinky Boots, the musical with music by Cyndi herself, HERE – it certainly left us with a standout memory…