He spent his years as an undergraduate hanging around Manchester’s cinemas wishing his work would one day be displayed on the big screen – now it’s all coming true.
Manchester director KC Locke is already well-known amongst music fans for his breathtaking music videos, created for high-profile music industry A-listers like Ed Sheeran and Stormzy.
He’s already in high demand amongst A&Rs, and regularly flies around the world to take on shoots in exotic locations.
But it’s an accolade for a Manchester music video that has seen him return to his old place of work to be awarded this latest gong (and to see his film on the big screen).
Last night, his music video for Moston rapper Aitch’s track Learning Curve was recognised with an award at the Manchester International Film Awards – leaving the young creative from Urmston and his team feeling completely overjoyed.
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Reflecting on the journey that has brought him to this point, KC Locke said of the award win: “I used to work at the Odeon cinema while at Uni wishing one day I’d have my work on the big screen.
“Last night I collected the award for best music video and the feeling was mad!
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“Very proud of the whole team who have worked extremely hard over the past 2 years grinding daily pushing the vision and crazy ideas I keep dreaming up.”
KC Locke once worked at the Odeon, now he’s receiving awards there. / Image: The Manc Group
After amassing more than eight million views on Youtube, his music video Learning Curve was featured at the Manchester Film Festival in an opening screening of northwest short films – taking home the award for ‘Best Music Video’.
The short film shows Aitch speeding around in high spec cars and, most notably, laying in bed in a designer robe surrounded by an array of curvy ladies lounging in their underwear.
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Ahead of its release, a teaser shared by the rapper – real name Harrison Armstrong – saw him attract criticism and go on to row with a number of body-shaming trolls, who he termed ‘idiots’ after some called for ‘slim girls’ in the comments.
However, many more praised the music video for its inclusivity and presentation of ‘real’ women as it shows a mixture of different races and body shapes.
Image: Youtube
Now, the music video has been validated once again for its diversity with this new award win.
At the time of the teaser’s release, Aitch told haters objecting to his inclusive casting: ‘All the man hating on the girls on my new post are iiiiidiots [sic].
‘First of all you could never even come near these girls, they don’t want you. They’re too leng for you.’
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He continued: ‘Also, chatting this s**t ain’t gonna help you get the “slim” girls. It’s just gonna make everyone hate you more lol.
‘Furthermore you couldn’t even handle these ladies with your little d**k hating a*s energy. They need the reeeeeeeal suttn [sic].’
You can watch the full video created by KC Locke for Aitch’s track Learning Curve here.
Middleton to receive a cinema and Metrolink as part of regeneration plans
Thomas Melia
Greater Manchester town Middleton is about to undergo a huge facelift thanks to a new regeneration project, including a new cinema and Metrolink tram station.
Middleton is one of many bustling communities that make up the borough of Rochdale, and with these new plans, the town might receive a fair few new visitors who want to know what it’s all about.
The Greater Manchester town is undergoing a huge transformation with regeneration plans confirming that Middleton will receive a brand new cinema complex along with an extended Metrolink line as part of the Bee Network expansion covering this area.
This is all thanks to Middleton teaming up with the Mayor to launch the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which pushes forward regeneration plans for the town and future ideas.
Middleton Shopping Centre right in the heart of the town centre.Middleton Town Centre bustling as the markets take place.Credit: Steven Haslington (via Geograph)/@Rept0n1x (via Flickr)
The MDC considers lots of aspects of the town and even aims to create new homes and improve surrounding public spaces.
Middleton regeneration plans have been floated previously, but complications arose due to a lack of land and available funding, which ultimately brought these foundations to a halt.
Now it seems the green light has been lifted and Middleton is about to get a whole new facelift, which will not only improve the town economically but aesthetically too, along with the wider Rochdale region.
For many Middletonians, the idea of a cinema may have felt like a distant memory, with their last big screen location shutting down just over a decade ago.
This all-new high street regeneration will not only bring an array of shopping favourites back to the town centre but also the long-awaited return of a local cinema. Most importantly, the plans also include a slate of new housing, with an estimated 300 apartments set to be created in one building alone.
Early CGIs of the proposed Middleton regeneration plans.Grade II-listed Warwick Mill looks set to be turned into flats.Credit: Publicity Picture (supplied)
This all falls in line with the ‘Atom Valley scheme‘, which has been commissioned in order to generate over 20,000 job opportunities for people in Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.
The scheme also mentions how it aims to bring a combined economic boost of around £1 billion to these previously mentioned areas.
Rochdale Borough Council leader, Neil Emmott, said: “The development of 1.2 million square metres of employment space around the junction 19 area will help to generate 20,000 high-quality jobs and bring a £1 billion economic boost.”
Featured Image — Publicity Pictures (supplied via Rochdale Borough Council)
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Scouting For Girls announce stacked UK tour with Manchester date
Thomas Melia
British boyband Scouting For Girls are heading out on an extensive UK tour with dates up and down the country, including right here in Manchester.
If the first thing that pops into your mind when you read this headline is “I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know how we’ll make it through this”, then you’re on the right side of history.
Nearly 20 years since their single ‘She’s So Lovely’ reached catastrophic heights and had everyone putting on their best Roy Stride accent, Scouting For Girls are heading back on the road.
This UK tour announcement comes two years after their last project, The Place We Used To Meet, reached our ears and was coined by the band as “Our best work since our debut”.
It’s been 18 years since this Brit trio captivated our hearts with their eponymous debut album, which sold over one million copies and went number one on the UK official charts for two weeks.
Whether you know them for ‘Heartbeat’ or ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’, it’s clear to say this band had their fair share of smash hit singles throughout the noughties.
This tour, however, celebrates the sophomore follow-up: Everybody Wants To Be On TV, which went on to continue their legacy and secure them their only number one, ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’, back in 2010.
Now, the boys are treating UK fans to an array of live performances, and if you can’t make one date, fear not because there are 20 different locations for you to choose from.
The group will also be playing the likes of Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and a whole host of other Northern cities, so you have plenty of chances to catch them.
If you can’t wait all the way until March 2026 for your next Scouting For Girls fix, lead singer Stride has his own cameo account where you can get the star to read out a message or even sing you a song: “‘Michaela Strachan’ in full, please?…”
Scouting For Girls are coming to O2 Apollo in Manchester on 21 March 2026, with tickets going on sale next Friday, 2 May at 10am HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
21st March 2022 
