The 2020 Manchester Music Scene

The 2020 Manchester Music Scene

‘Madchester’ most famous for its astonishing music talent. In the last 70 years the mancunians have given us, Joy Division, The Happy Mondays, Oasis and the Stone roses. Not forgetting the Hacienda night club which brought us the uncontrollable craze of the rave culture in the late 90s.

Some say the success of this city is down to the legend that is Tony Wilson, the late boss of Factory Records and owner of the Hacienda. Tony Wilson was said to have an amazing sense of pride and passion for his city and the potential it had. Factory Records started in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus, when the music industry was still very London-centric; Factory slowly grew and supported so many small unknown bands into the iconic legends they are today. Four years later was the birth of the Hacienda so many huge names graced the stage and the DJ booth: Madonna, The Smiths, James, Mike Pickering, Dave Haslam. Tony Wilson really did make his mark in the history of his city and helped establish the culture we know and love today.

So, is Manchester music still alive? During lockdown we spoke with two bands and local DJ and they gave us an insight on what it’s like to be part of the Manchester music scene in 2020.

The Stocks

‘We started a band because we love music and the creative freedom… also the sweet times.’ Meet The Stocks, a new and upcoming band made up of four lads looking to put their mark on the Manc music scene, just like their inspirations. Cal, Oliver, Griff and Ethan all explained what its life is like for them in and around Manchester as a band. The Stocks formed around a year and a half ago, they started performing at an open mic night at their local cricket club every month. They explained how their music was very different to the rest of the performers at the club, as they played ‘loud heavy music.’ Oliver said: ‘we once had a woman put ear plugs in when we played.’ The lads have just released two new singles and want to write some more for iTunes. The Stocks now have listeners worldwide, in Mexico, France and Australia this is a huge achievement for them ‘its mad we have people outside of Manchester digging us.’

The Stocks on Manchester

‘Manchester is the best city there is’ 17-year old Cal said. The Stocks have been inspired by a real mix of Manchester born artists, Oasis, Stone Roses, Peter Hook. Being from Manchester is somewhat a bitter sweet experience for these young lads they explained: ‘because of the number of bands it’s easy to make friends and network. It’s also a challenge because of the competition. ‘There are a lot of sounds so it’s hard to stand out’ Oliver continued. This strong competition has made the lads more determined on their music journey ‘…it just makes us hungrier’ Cal told us. The Stocks want to ‘grab’ Manchester by the head and ‘unite’ their listeners and make it feel like the ‘madchester’ 90’s music scene. With goals of working with big names like Johnny Marr and the Buzzcocks and on the long road to success, The Stocks said their advice to any new band starting off in Manchester would be to ‘Take every chance you can get. Just be down to earth. Be catchy and stand out.’

Bauer

‘We love getting up on stage and expressing ourselves, we have a great chemistry and we never stop writing.’ Greg Matthews, Michael Reed, Neil Treppas and Lee Bradbury make up the Manchester based band Bauer, who have been together since 2006. After starting off gigging in the ‘usual’ places in Manchester, Bauer have now gone further afield, but they lads expressed their love for Manchester Academy venues ‘there have been quite a few memorable shows at Academy 2 throughout the years.’ Bauer explained how they have always been very indebted to a lot of 80’s elctro and alternative music , the likes of Depeche Mode and New Order ‘ Mikey and Greg were lucky enough to work with John Lever from The Chameleons a couple of years back on his Red Sided Garter Snakes project, so that’s also had a big effect on the way we put tracks together nowadays.’

Bauer on Manchester

‘It’s made us very independent and single minded… we have walked our own path for write a few years now’ Bauer explained the effect the Manchester music scene has had on them as a band over the years. Bauer discussed how they think new artists like The Courteeners have revived the iconic Manchester music scene ‘it sometimes seems like we are in a very laddish 90s indie time warp where people are still walking around in parkas and beanie hats.’ Big manc inspirations for Bauer were James, The Smiths, New Order, Joy Division and The Chameleons, these bands have helped them form their ‘own unique sound.’ Due to the coronavirus outbreak Bauer’s summer plans have been postponed but they hope to put out a best of compilation either this year or 2021, along with some gigs to celebrate their favourite tracks. But Bauer’s advice to any artist or band who wants to start their music journey in Manchester is: ‘Do it because you love it. There’s nothing worse than careerist bands that are only ding it to try and make it as a corporate product.’

Tom Knott – DJ

‘There’s no better feeling than making people dance to the music you love.’ Tom Knott took his time during lockdown to tell give us an insight on the life of a DJ in Manchester. Tom has been putting together sets for about 8 years, and it all started with his ‘passion for music.’ Tom explained:’ I've always had a knack for sourcing what we would call ‘gems’ in the industry unheard music, fresh tracks, old music lost in archives etc, mixing these helps you stand out.’ In 2020, social media plays a big part in DJ’s lives Tom told us: ‘Soundcloud, Facebook and Instagram are the three standout platforms that I would day helped me out the most.’ Tom Knott has played at a number of big clubs both in and out of Manchester, South nightclub, Sankey’s, Mint Warehouse in Leeds, Cargo London and Domain in Blackpool. His current residency is at a club called HQ in Glossop, Tom said: ‘Once every few months the owner brings some of the biggest names in the industry to the club and gives me the opportunity to play under these names. ‘

Tom Knott on Manchester

‘Unfortunately, I didn't get to experience the rave scene in the 90’s but that’s the music I grew up listening to. I think that’s where my love for house and techno music stems from.’

Tom Knott has been lucky enough to share the stage with some of the hacienda DJ’s but he said ‘The Hacienda isn’t all Manchester is famous for. Some of my favourite bands such as Oasis, The Stone roses and blossoms are Manchester born and bred and that is definitely something Manchester has to boast about!’ Tom was taught by Mark Barbury also known as ‘Rudosa’ a well-known name amongst producers and has released on some of the biggest labels in the house and techno industries. We asked Tom if the music scene had challenged him in any way he explained: In an industry that’s completely oversaturated it can be hard to stand out. It can sometimes feel like a popularity contest too and I think that’s one of the downsides to social media.’ But he continued to express how the big music scene in Manchester has given him a lot of opportunities ‘to play under some huge DJ’s and even just meeting some amazing musicians and people has been a big part of my life.’ When we asked him what his advice would be for any aspiring DJ he said: ‘Never give up!Be original, make and play the music you feel is right for your sound, you have to trust your own taste.’

So, it is quite clear the Manchester music scene is still very much alive and kicking, there is definitely some great things coming from all over these guys after this global pandemic!