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Two brothers from Oldham are beating out the likes of Taylor Swift in the iTunes charts

It's a David vs Goliath scrap in the single charts - and they're winning.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 20th February 2026

A pair of brothers from Oldham who simply go by Two Connors are now holding on to the top spot in one of the biggest iTunes charts, and they’re beating the likes of Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Bad Bunny and many more.

Stuff your global music stars, we’ll back a duo from Greater Manchester all day long.

Danny and Callum Connor, a couple of blokes from Oldham in their mid-30s, are currently number one in the iTunes singles charts with their latest song, ‘Familiar Faces’, but this isn’t the first time they’ve gone big with a release online.

Carving out their own little corner not only in the old Lancashire borough but a small pocket in the UK’s wider grime, drill, rap and hip-hop scene, they’ve only gotten bigger over the last 18 months or so.

After releasing their first two tracks back in 2024, Callum and Danny have been on a very gradual rise, but they quickly gained a cult local following in and around Oldham.

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Writing about life and around the area, with high personal and anecdotal lyrics that feel like niche references and in-jokes specifically for ‘Roughyed’ residents – it’s not just music by them but FOR them.

In addition to recording their own unique cover of ‘Bad Habits’ by Ed Sheeran, they also went fairly viral for releasing a music video featuring crowds of local children.

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Putting their own chant-based chorus slant on ‘Hi Ho, Hi Ho, “It’s off to Work We Go”‘, written by Mitch Miller and The Sandpipers (yes, as in the main theme from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), it was a fairly radio-friendly tune that was easy for kids and more to sing along with.

With various other natives getting involved in the music video, joining them on the town centre streets and lip-syncing the lyrics, it was circulated online all over Britain and beyond.

You can watch it in full down below.

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Fast forward to February 2026, and not only have they grown their following across the region, but even further afield now, as it turns out; currently sitting ahead of ‘Opalite’ from worldwide smash-hit album, The Life of a Showgirl, who needs big label backing, eh?

Bringing smiles to even more Greater Mancs by quite literally shining the spotlight on ‘Familiar Faces’ and punters from nearby pubs such as The Up Stepps Inn and former nightclub Sruples, it is a real tribute to their homeland.

Only time will tell how long they’ll cling to that iTunes top spot, but with nearly 73,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and counting, they might be one of the biggest music names to come out of OL in some time.

In other big news over in Oldham, on the sporting side of things, RLFC are staring down yet more uncertainty, with local hero Bill Quinn also wrapping up his time at the club.

Oldham RLFC chairman to step aside following ‘stadium ban’ and winding-up petition

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Featured Image — GRM Daily (screenshot via YouTube)

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Iconic Salford music venue and nightclub The White Hotel is closing

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Iconic Salford music venue and nightclub The White Hotel is closing

The White Hotel, one of Greater Manchester’s most cutting-edge and best-loved nightlife venues, is closing its doors for good.

The cult favourite nightclub will shut in January, The Guardian has reported today.

The White Hotel is a go-to haunt for Mancs seeking a late-night (or indeed, all-night) dance, with a packed programme of music running year-round.

The independent arts venue opened inside a former garage in Salford, just outside Manchester city centre and in the shadow of HMP Manchester.

Not only has The White Hotel defined Greater Manchester’s modern nightlife scene, but it’s become known globally as one of the best underground nightclubs on the planet.

Known for its raw DIY atmosphere and boundary-pushing line-ups, the Salford venue up there among the UK’s most respected club spaces.

But despite ‘continuing to draw full houses’, The White Hotel will close in January, according to The Guardian.

Ben Ward told the paper that the venue has found itself in a flood-risk zone, saying: “Basically, it’s a swamp.”

He added that it was better ‘to go out on our own terms, long before we became a museum’.

When The White Hotel opened in 2015, they planned to stick around for a year, then move to LA – but now a decade on, it’s cemented itself on Manchester’s club scene.

The area where The White Hotel stands will become a wetland park.

Neither artistic director Austin Collings nor Ward are ‘sentimental about losing the premises’, The Guardian wrote, quoting Ward as saying: “It’s come as a surprise that it’s lasted this long anyway.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze

Festival-goers have been warned not to take wheelie bins full of alcohol to festivals with them this summer.

The warning has come ahead of this year’s Download Festival, which takes place next month and kicks off the summer’s biggest run of festival dates.

But a major train operator has said there have been incidents in the past of passengers trying to travel to festivals with wheelie bins and luggage trolleys.

Passengers have had to be reminded that wheelie bins are not permitted on board, and they should instead only carry as much luggage as they can comfortably carry.

The warning comes from East Midlands Railway, one of the key services that will whisk people to Download Festival between 10 and 14 June.

Customers returning from the festival are also encouraged to use boot-cleaning brushes provided at stations to help remove mud before boarding trains.

Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We’re encouraging customers to travel light.

“Last year, some festive goers tried to board services with wheelie bins or festival trolleys full of beer. While it might seem like a great idea for getting your supplies to the festival, it just isn’t safe or possible to bring them onboard train services.”

Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze
Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze

EMR has also warned customers to plan journeys in advance, with engineering work taking place at various locations on the Midland Main Line, near where Download Festival takes place.

She continued: “We’re advising customers travelling to Download Festival to plan their journeys in advance and be aware that essential engineering work will affect services across the weekend.

“As a result, some services will be reduced or amended, and passengers should check before they travel and allow extra time.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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