Manchester's Finest // issue 05

ISSUE 05 FREE

The man behind Manchester's first Michelin Star in 42 years • Whalley Range's living room supper clubs Manchester's 7ft supermodel drag queen • The battle rapping granny of Afflecks The Reno Club: Moss Side to the Whitworth • Larkins front man, Josh Noble • Abnormal Sleepz

@MCRFINEST | MANCHESTERSFINEST.COM

IN THIS ISSUE 6

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The living room supper clubs in whalley range

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The man behind Manchester's first Michelin Star in 42 years

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Behind the scenes with Manchester's 7ft supermodel drag queen

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The Reno Club.

Moss Side to The Whitworth.

Luke Passey; Gifts for the Northern Quarter

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Food & drink: coming soon

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Manchester's best neighbourhood dining spots

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The Sunday roast that feeds fifteen

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Ancoats' newly restored 200 year old boozer

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Mutters. A refuge, a family and a building.

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Independent shopping in the Northern Quarter

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Arts: coming soon

102 Mayfield Stories, Sketchbook 1 106 Box N Lock 114 Abnormal Sleepz: Kaleidoscope 116 Upcoming gigs 122 Manchester's longest running club night

24 hours in Manchester with Ste Wing

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The battle rapping granny of Afflecks

Interview with Larkins front man, Josh Noble

124 Underground Heroes: Danny Fahey

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The Adelphi Lads Club EP

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FOOD + DRINK 4

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Pippy Eats Noodle Workshop

French speaking brunch

No Such Thing: Curry + Conversation

Sat 30th Nov 2019 Chaat Cart

Sat 7th Dec 2019 Cultureplex

Wed 15th Jan 2020 Kabanamy 2

Manchester Beer + Cider Festival

Journey Through Spain: Noroeste

INTO THE GATHERING DUSK Bar TAKEOVER

Wed 23rd - Sat 25th Jan 2020 Manchester Central

Thu 30th Jan 2020 La Bandera x Manchester's Finest

Mon 3rd Feb 2020 Cultureplex

Manchester Gin Festival

Plant Based Cuisine Masterclass

Pasta Masterclass

Fri 21st Feb 2020 Manchester Cathedralmy 2

Thu 12th Mar 2020 The Walled Gardens with Eddie Shepherd

Sun 15th Mar 2020 Noi Quattro

coming soon 5

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The living room supper clubs in Whalley Range that serve a modern take on the traditional dinner party

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has this memory - one of parents and their friends in smoke-filled dining rooms, with grown-up chatter spilling out of the door as I tried to catch a glimpse through the bannister at all the fun I was missing out on.

It recalls memories of parents’ frequent dinner parties, a popular evening ritual that permeated households throughout the 80’s, 90’s and right into the Noughties. But as ‘Come Dine With Me’ has made way for ‘Gogglebox’, has the humble dinner party become a thing of the past?

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Has ‘Netflix and Chill’ and Deliveroo replaced all of this? Are work commitments and the popularity of eating out to blame? The idea of a large group of friends meeting up on an evening and eating together seems a rather rare occurrence in our lives nowadays, as communication through social media replaces the more traditional meet ups.

However, there’s still one man keeping the art of conversation alive, and he’s doing it with the help of food. A multi award-winning vegetarian chef in Whalley Range has managed to reimagine the almost lost experience from his own home - and we are all invited…

‘The Walled Gardens’ is the brainchild of Eddie Shepherd, and he serves up a contemporary 12 course tasting menu straight from his front room to just 8 diners each night. As soon as I heard about it, I just had to go and discover just what Eddie has created and whether he’s managed to capture the unique atmosphere of a ‘proper’ dinner party.

First of all, I should lay my cards on the table and say that when looking for The Walled Gardens – I got lost. Not hideously lost where you end up having to make a new life for yourself on a desolate farm, but lost enough to end up late and looking a little bit flustered.

That’s because The Walled Gardens isn’t sign posted and it’s not advertised – it truly is Eddie’s house and as such – a little hard to find. Riding my bike down a quiet street in Whalley Range, I couldn’t for the life of me imagine that I’d be walking into a gastronomic dining experience, but as I entered the enclosed courtyard of the estate in which the restaurant is – I started to get excited.

On the far end of the courtyard is an unassuming flat, and as I walked my bike closer, I managed to make out a small sign next to the door. Nervously knocking (nobody wants to be at the wrong place) my fears were quickly alleviated by Eddie’s warm welcome and huge smile.

With 15 years’ experience as a professional chef, Eddie has taken his unique style of modern vegetarian cooking all around the world with him, operating pop-up restaurants, designing menus and offering consultancy and training in contemporary plant-based cuisine.

The Walled Gardens provides a unique dining experience, where guests taste and learn all about plant-based dishes which are not only innovative but also exciting. And I must say Eddie certainly delivers on the food front.

I should say that as someone who was vegetarian for 9 years, I’ve never been as excited or as impressed by a vegetarian menu as I was with what Eddie created. Each dish manages to utilise plants and vegetables in ways that I’d never seen before - resulting in a truly unique dining experience all round.

To divulge too many details about the food would be a disservice to the surprise of the experience, but I will pick out a couple of my stand-outs, of which the Marinated Halloumi with rhubarb molasses comes first.

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It was unlike any halloumi dish I’d ever had before and came packed with flavours and textures that will knock your socks off. Eddie is certainly experimental when it comes to his food and as such this Halloumi is as far removed from the squeaky, rubbery stuff as you could possibly imagine.

strong smoky kick that will make you think twice about the need to buy a steak ever again.

Dish after dish came out and each one impressed and dazzled myself and the other diners.

As we all got to know each other and opened up (the BYOB booze helped!) we almost all forgot that we weren’t sat with friends in our own house. The only clue was the continual welcome interjections

by Eddie who would explain his dishes with genuine enthusiasm and pride - infectiously passing this on to everyone sat around the table.

The cheese itself is fermented with rose water beforehand, using an ancient Japanese technique called ‘koji’ - which breaks down the structure of the halloumi and leaves it with a unique texture and mouthfeel, alongside the delicate rose flavouring throughout. It is then fried in a striking charcoal batter that leaves the outside crispy and the insides slightly gooey and tender.

It was certainly a diverse mix of diners that night, including two women from Sweden who’d heard about Eddie’s project online, and two couples who had been friends and worked together for around 40 years.

Similarly, the Cured Mushrooms are certainly unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before too. Perfect for anyone who doesn’t like the texture of mushrooms, Eddie cures them, dries them, smokes them and then cooks them - finally drizzling over a beetroot and vanilla jus to bring it all together.

By the end of the evening we were all on first name terms, we’d been invited to holiday homes and weddings and we all knew exactly what each other thought of Brexit.

What you’re left with are some of the meatiest and tastiest mushrooms imaginable, and a distinctly

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And to be entirely fair to Eddie and The Walled Gardens, he’s managed to create something that is not only truly unique in Manchester, but also something that’s especially difficult to capture at any time.

By using his love of food and presenting a series of stunning dishes to complete strangers, we all managed to come together and forget that we didn’t know each other just an hour before.

Check walledgardensfood.com for upcoming dates

FOLLOW @eddiesheps

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Manchester's best neighbourhood dining spots

After some serious debate, a bit of back and forth and a few close calls, the Finest team have finally agreed on our favourite neighbourhood spots in Greater Manchester.

With regards to what constitutes a 'neighbourhood' spot though - the jury is still out. It's somewhere you regularly visit. It's somewhere you'll find regulars. It's somewhere you can go for drinks with mates one day and a sit down meal with your mum the next. Hard to categorise, yes, but these places certainly fit the bill...

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Wolf At The Door Bringing innovation to the Northern Quarter with a heavy focus on food and drink both informed by seasonality and the best available produce. Spread over three floors, this place is a relaxed restaurant and bar with fine-dining at a cost that won’t break the bank. In the basement you’ll find their ‘Innovation Room,’ a creative space for both their chefs and bartenders to develop and explore new flavours with guests. If you’re a true foodie make sure you check this place out.

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Cottonopolis A polished and considered Japanese inspired menu with award-winning cocktails, and a buzzing atmosphere from day to night. The interior takes influence from Manchester’s industrial past but offers it up with a Japanese twist in a casual dining environment. You can grab a bento box at lunch time throughout the week for just £9, at the weekends they’re renowned for their bottomless brunch, and on Sundays you’ll find it packed out from 4pm when they’re serving up all you can eat dim sum from their Yum Cha menu.

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Common A real neighbourhood spot in every sense that satisfies all your brunch needs alongside a decent pint or two. Common boasts a great selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes and a happy hour that cannot be missed. Pop in for a coffee during the day or drop by in the evenings for the Common Knowledge Quiz, regular DJ sets or get your shop on at the Loot Art Market.

Northern Quarter favourite amongst Manchester’s creative scene.

A social eatery and coffee spot that rolls out a full brunch service seven days a week with all your egg-based classics & smashed avocado needs catered for. This sits alongside a lunch menu that’s available until 9.30pm and a huge selection of craft ales served from a mere 15 beer lines. Pop by at any time and you’re sure to find an ever-changing exhibition, a DJ set, art workshop or musical performance.

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Ancoats

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Erst With hundreds flocking to Levenshulme every weekend to try sister site Trove and its legendary sourdough, Erst was born out of a desire to push beyond brunch. With a focus on simple seasonal food from the grill, including naturally leavened flatbreads made in house, their small plates are designed to share and evolve week by week. This, coupled with an impressive small-batch natural wine list, means no two trips to Erst are ever the same. Staff are not only knowledgeable but passionate about what they do, with unparalleled attention to detail from the ingredients used, right down to the presentation and plating.

Erst can be exactly what you make of it, whether it’s for casual after work drinks, a few small plates to share with a date at the bar (with a view of the kitchen - chef’s table style), or a special evening meal with friends and family.

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The Counter House A true neighbourhood eatery and bar that has quickly made a name for itself and has certainly livened up Cutting Room Square since opening last year. Fantastically laid back with a light and airy interior, The Counter House is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving the best in comfort classics and health-inspired dishes.

Nutritious food is at the forefront of what’s on offer here at any time of the day, with an awareness of well-being and the importance of good ingredients.

Their Sunday roasts have well and truly made a name for themselves in the city. Stacked up high and topped with massive Yorkshire puddings and lashings of gravy, this could well be the newest contender for the best roast in town.

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Trove

Nordie

A firm favourite of ours for breakfast and brunch, Trove is a collection of talented artisans that make food from scratch, by hand, and have a central focus on organic ingredients and locally sourced produce. It’s the perfect spot for a lazy Sunday morning with friends and is swarming with artists, creatives, families and of course, little dogs.

Previously a repairs shop, Nordie is small but perfectly formed with a stripped back, simple interior with bright pops of colour. Just a short walk from Levenshulme station, this place has a beautifully curated cocktail menu complete with a rotating natural wines and craft beer list.

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Another Heart To Feed / West Village

Volta Owned by Luke Cowdrey and Justin Crawford (aka the Unabombers), Volta is known for its small plates inspired by the DJ duo’s travels all around the world. This is the ultimate suburban neighbourhood spot with friendly faces and a welcoming charm you can only find when you head south of the city.

Starting the day out as ‘Another Heart To Feed,’ this little slice of Melbourne manages to rustle up quite possibly one of Manchester’s greatest brunch menus.

Their dishes have the potential to break Instagram at any moment, with the likes of sourdough, granola, avocado, poached eggs and hummus all making an appearance. This spot then gears up for the evening from 4pm as ‘West Village.’

West Didsbury

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Chorlton

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Bar San Juan Who'd have thought that some of the best tapas you will ever eat could be found on Beech Road in Chorlton? Well, the answer to that is simple - anyone who has ever been to San Juan, that's who. Offering up a tiny (as in this place is very small) slice of Madrid in the suburb, it has been a clear neighbourhood favourite for years now. The aforementioned out-of-this-world tapas is served alongside a fantastic range of wines and a sangria that will blow your head off. It's always busy in here and the atmosphere electric.

The Creameries With a heavy focus on three of life’s greatest gifts; bread, cheese and wine, The Creameries is the gift that keeps on giving! Expect freshly baked bread, cocktails, bar snacks and seasonal menus that comprise of carefully curated dishes using locally sourced ingredients fresh from the market. The Creameries have created a menu and laid-back vibe perfect for you to just drop in for a casual gathering over a few glasses of wine.

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Prestwich

All The Shapes A relaxed eatery and bar with wine and craft beer in the evenings and plenty of coffee throughout the day. All The Shapes is the go-to spot in the area with a rolling arts programme, live music each week, guest DJ spots and monthly foodie events.

It’s effortlessly cool and chilled out. They’ve got an eclectic menu of small and large plates plus a selection of nibbles, and is perfect for a quick bite to eat while you put the world to rights with your mates over a few drinks.

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Altrincham

Blanchflower

The Con Club

Slap bang in the centre of Altrincham, Blanchflower is a café turned restaurant that serves up a delicious evening menu with an ingredient list you can count on just one hand.

The idea is to take things back to basics with good food and good drinks that can be enjoyed come rain or shine. There’s a full in-house bakery for daytime treats, and a large menu for evening dining. There’s also a large wine list so there’s definitely something for everyone.

Packed full of everything you could possibly ever need, including a restaurant, sushi kitchen, bar, microbrewery, rooftop terrace and to top it all off, a DJ every Friday and live music on Sundays. Celebrating their travels in the comfort of their suburban home, the owners curated a menu with a nod to the world’s cuisines all while using local suppliers.

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Ramsbottom

Hearth of the Ram

Baratxuri

Set within a 200-year-old building, this award winning restaurant has gained many accolades since its opening in 2012, including a Michelin Bib Gourmand Award.

Offering up all-day food and drink with an emphasis on local sourcing and seasonality, the menu changes daily and promises to reflect British style and cuisine. Be sure to get a table in their stunning conservatory when you can!

Serving up an ever-changing menu of Northern Spain and Basque delights; Baratxuri is relaxed, comfortable and above all - absolutely fantastic. Set down a little side street, this place has wowed locals for years and has, in recent years, been the driving force behind an influx of 'foodie' visitors to the town.

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The man behind Manchester's first Michelin Star in 42 years

Words by Ben Brown

After ending decades of 'exclusion' from the infamous food awards, Simon Martin sat down with us to chat about what it meant to win, what’s next for Mana, and how he thinks the food scene is set to change in the city.

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One of the burning questions that most people want to ask is just why it took over 40 years for Manchester to get a star, and Simon's answer is refreshingly straight and honest; "It's not a negative outlook on any of the other restaurants in Manchester but it's just that [Michelin] have very specific criteria and we've met them and other people haven't. I think that's all it really comes down to."

Any mention of agendas or Manchester being ‘overlooked’ for so many years is quickly quashed -

"Anyone who thinks there's any sort of political agenda against the city, I'm almost certain that they're wrong."

So it’s clear from the get-go that Simon feels his approach to the whole menu is a key driving force in Mana’s success. A menu and concept that stems from the idea of keeping things simple.

All the way back in April we were lucky enough to review Simon’s gargantuan 19-course menu, and what impressed us most was how he managed to deliver a dining experience that was both high-concept and contemporary, but also homely at the same time.

Chatting about our experience, Simon explains how, "sometimes I actually laugh at what we did when we first opened," and that he has, "probably learnt the most in this first year than at any time during [his] career."

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The early structure and concept of Mana was based heavily on working with the four seasons, but this quickly dropped off as it was too restrictive for the restaurant and indeed the customer. Restrictive because the staff would be "making the same dishes every day for three months, and for guests because they’d feel that they couldn’t come back for another three months."

"So now it’s just a naturally evolving menu in terms of the seasons," creating a much more fluid experience and ensuring that ingredients are at their very best. Simon proclaims that "the amount of improvement in this first year has been massive" – something that certainly impressed the judges at Michelin.

In the aftermath of such success, Simon is keen to highlight that this improvement is set to continue, without the obvious pressures of operating a restaurant in its first year. With a more established concept and a strong team

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behind him, he promises there will be much more time for him to experiment, allowing him to enter into a "creative space" where more magic can happen.

So, how does it look for Mana going into the new year? Well, first of all there’s a brand new menu, one that has improved the flow and hopefully "creates more of an experience for the customer."

The flipside of this is that the menu price has also increased, although Simon is keen to stress that this is in no way a "reaction to any sort of success."

The simple truth is that to provide a better menu, with more luxurious ingredients – the price will have to increase and indeed it’s still true that Mana is "nowhere near the most expensive one-star menu in the country" – not by a long shot.

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A look at the impressive new menu confirms this, with a myriad of gastronomic delights like wild trout roe, oysters poached in chicken fat, monkfish liver and a caviar and sea urchin chawanmushi, which after a quick Google is a kind of Japanese egg custard dish.

"I’m a stickler for luxury ingredients," Simon explains, "because that’s what

I like and that’s what I want to cook. I want everybody here to work with the very best ingredients."

So 2020 looks set to be a period of continuous improvement for Mana, but how is this success and recognition set to change the food and drink landscape in the city as a whole? How is the food scene set to change in light of such a momentous jolt to the system?

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"I definitely think it’s a very positive thing for Manchester," if not for the existing venues but also for new ones that may be more inclined to head to the city. "Those operators and chefs who actually (wrongly) believed there was a political agenda from Michelin, and so strayed away from Manchester, will be more inclined to move up and set up here."

In addition, the back end of 2019 will see Tom Kerridge open up The Bull & Bear in the new Stock Exchange Hotel, and Simon is excited to see what he can do.

"From what I know it’s a similar concept to The Coach in Marlow (Tom’s one-star gastropub), so with a strong team and a tried and tested formula, hopefully we’ll be joined by another restaurant next year."

And current operators in the city?

Well, of course there are still many people out there who believe that we still don't need Michelin to tell us what makes a good restaurant

or not. And, the argument that has raged for years still stands - does the city even need recognition from Michelin?

Obviously the recognition has many benefits for the city, but could it have changed the restaurant scene entirely? Are restaurateurs now solely going to concentrate on trying to appeal to the powers at Michelin instead of providing something for a city that has traditionally rejected the concept of high-end dining and more formal experiences?

With many outstanding restaurants in and around the city; The French, Wolf At The Door, Erst, Enxaneta, Where the Light Gets In (Stockport), The Creameries (Chorlton) - have the doors now been swung open for the city to get more recognition next year or are they still stopping short?

Only time will tell. In a post-Mana + Michelin landscape it’s difficult to ascertain where things are going and how the industry will react.

Simon is keen to highlight just how much the city has changed in recent years; "It’s a very different city… people want a progressive and ever-changing food scene here," and with Mana they’ve got that. Can the city’s other operators step up to the mark and provide the same? Only time will tell.

FOLLOW @manamcr

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The Sunday roast that feeds fifteen

The Whole Stuffed Lamb at Zouk may very well be the largest feast on any menu in Manchester. Requiring 48 hours notice, this whole lamb is ordered in especially for guests wishing to tackle it. The reason they need the notice? To prepare it of course!

Indian technique that cooks the meat slowly at a very low temperature. Once cooked the meat is then stuffed with jewelled rice and served with cumin-spiced roast potatoes.

Brought to the table, the whole lamb is carved by the chef in front of you, after pouring on lashings of their homemade signature gravy. This gravy is so special that only one chef knows the full recipe!

Lucky lad.

First the lamb is massaged with sea salt and lemon before being marinated in mustard oil, locking in all the flavours and juices within the meat. It is then seasoned with Zouk’s special blend spice mix before being rested for 24 hours.

Perfect for special occasions, this is certainly the biggest Sunday Roast we’ve come across, easily feeding up to 15 hungry people. It’s also absolutely delicious.

Cooking takes up to 8 hours using an airtight method known as ‘dum pukht,’ a North

FOLLOW @zoukteabar

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Words by Isy Muir

Ancoats' newly restored 200 year old boozer “It should be the heart of a community and be everything to everyone.

We said early on that Edinburgh Castle should be a pub you can't walk past without wanting to pop in for a swift half.�

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As said by manager Gethin Jones, the pub should be the very heart of an area and after being left derelict for 15 years, Edinburgh Castle is set to be yet another welcomed addition to Manchester's coolest neighbourhood. The crumbling site has been restored and refreshed by the same team at Cottonopolis in the aim of representing the area's once rich industrial past. The pub which first opened in 1811 was once the afterwork boozer for journalists and printers from The Daily Express along with factory workers. A true local hub to the working people in the area.

The ever-increasing regeneration of Ancoats has seen bars and restaurants appear like a Baader Meinhof phenomenon. The newfound popularity of the area has meant the population has rocketed and in 2016, the Office for National Statistics said Ancoats and Clayton ward saw the largest increase in its population of all 215 wards in Greater Manchester. The stats showed that the population of the area increased by 8.1 percent over a year, growing from 17,528 to 18,943.

Though change is said to be good, there has been a distinct lack of traditional boozers left standing, leaving the area feeling shiny and new but without it’s much wanted ghosts.

The abandoned pub's original design was sadly non-existent by the time the distasteful 80’s hit, with purple carpets, plastic surfaces, pleather seating and engineered wood concealing the entire space.

Today, the appearance is sophisticated, traditional and warm under an all-day candlelit glow. A large lantern above the front door glistens on the weathered, gold leaf signage, reading ‘Edinburgh Castle, Public House & Dining Room.’

Local Manchester tattoo artist, Gre Hale designed the signage and teamed up with gold leaf artist, Lei Lemaow who has painted and designed projects for clients such as JD Sports, Manchester International Festival and Nike. Lei hand painted the 24 carat gold sign and aimed to keep the appearance as traditional as possible whilst remaining striking and impressive.

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The sandblasted brickwork held onto parts of the original scripture and after photos of the painting process appeared online, controversy arose as locals labelling themselves as the natives of Ancoats feared the artist was covering up the area's beautiful and little remaining history. Comments on social media platforms soon popped up, and people such as Matt Spencer said “I was sad when I noticed they’d painted over the old sign the other day - but I'm glad they’re redoing it in a traditional style” and Natasha B on Twitter said: “How can you promote #Ancoats as quirky and then cover over its past, the thing that makes it so special? You marketed the #EdinburghCastle as a ‘historic pub’ so why hide its history?”

On site, looking up, Lei said “I wouldn’t have dreamt of painting over it if I didn’t think it was worthy of taking the originals place. The new sign reminds me of an old whiskey bottle label, simple but so eye catching you just really want to drink it all in.”

Gre agreed and said: “Yes, as for covering up history, it’s always sad to see old ghost signs gone, but the same way you’d fit new and functional, yet stylistically period correct window frames into an old building, signs have to function for a business to thrive. So, I’d draw a parallel between functional elements of an older building that need to work, rather than that of the more decorative antique features.”

Walking in the front room, the bar is a huge central feature with timber curves topped with white marble, and behind, two towering cabinets are stacked with spirits.

The dark wooden floors are reclaimed from an old saloon in Devon adding even more history. Dark green booths surround the room and various curiosities are carefully placed, such as taxidermy ducks, a shipwreck bell, antique mirrors and colonial-style ceiling fans.

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Behind the bar awaits an intimate, dark, mirrored snug designed for whiskey tastings.

Gethin Jones said all these details were intended to try and bring back some authenticity and age.

“The design of Edinburgh Castle is high quality but not flashy or gimmicky. The goal was to create a genuine pub without being able to rely on any original features and avoiding a clichéd idea of what a pub is.”

To achieve this effortless look, he explained everything was hand-picked and to a high standard.

Running his hand along, he said: “The marble bar and tables, the sapele wood used throughout, the leather etcetera, it's filled with understated antiques and painted in classic pub tones. It’s this considered, high quality but understated design of the pub that is mirrored in our food and drink and fits with our ethos.”

Moving up the hand-crafted marble and timber staircase, a much lighter room juxtaposes. Eight windows enable light to shine through giving an airy, open feel and on the off chance that it’s not raining, the windows can be opened allowing the floral scent of the boxes to flow through giving the room a fresh, earthy smell from the kitchens home-grown herbs.

Head Chef, Julien Pizer said he wanted the open kitchen upstairs to provide ambience and energy.

“I like that customers can have some form of knowledge of knowing where their food is coming from, you have nothing to hide in an open kitchen. It brings a sense of demeanour, you have to be on it, there's no leeway for sloppiness and if none of that, I like seeing the customers reactions. I want us all in it together.”

Even with a long list of aged nods to the past, Edinburgh Castle feels distinctly of-the-moment and different to anything Manchester has. With the city gradually losing its days of old, the pub's corner stance is enough to remind all of us what Ancoats once was.

FOLLOW @ec_ancoats

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LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

life is short.

Escape the everyday and explore the best of what the world can offer. @editsbyexodus

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24 HOURS IN MANCHESTER WITH

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Director of creative agency Visionarism and visual stylist to clients that stretch around the globe, he's lucky if he gets more than three days at a time back in the city.

But when he’s back, he makes it count.

Inner city born and raised with the North Manchester accent to match, avid sneaker collector and proud Mancunian Ste Wing says there’s no better feeling than being home.

This is his latest 24 hours…

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4:00am: Back in 0161

6:00am: OCD Routine

I’ve just landed back into Manchester Airport, fresh from shooting a campaign in L.A. Jet lag is a myth for me these days, but sleep when you’re dead right?

Getting in an Uber I catch up with the driver on United’s latest performance and how it’s been raining non-stop for 4 days. I look out the window, and he ain’t lying, it’s pissing it down!

I get back and my OCD routine kicks in. Unpack and repack, as I’ve only got 24 hours before I have to shoot a campaign with my business partner and team in London.

What sneakers to pack? What’s on the agenda for the next few days? Styling kit, scrap book and putting my phones, camera and laptop on charge. It’s strange how it all runs like clockwork when it’s been your life since you can remember.

Everything’s where it should be, and if, what I thought I needed ain’t there, then I don’t need it.

Knowing I’ve got a mad busy day ahead of me, the cogs in my head are going 100mph.

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7:30am: The selection Jump in the shower and decide what I’m wearing for the day.

Sneaker choice is essential. I go through the process of lining up 5 pairs and then go with what my mood suits. It’s easy when you’ve got 5 pairs… not so easy when you’ve got over 500 pairs in the archive!

9:00am: Catch up with creatives and clients My working day starts in my home office with Manchester’s very own Children of Zeus playing in the background. A candle’s lit and the kettle is on ready for a brew. I catch up with emails and touch base with our creatives from all over the world, all on different time zones. Making sure all of our clients are up to date and going through a list of new creatives who are all eager to work with us is my priority. There’s nothing more exciting to me than coming across a new creative that wants to work with us and especially one that’s a home grown talent!

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11:00am: The barbershop Clients are booked in at the barbershop (Close Male Grooming, Bridge Street). I’ve been cutting hair for about 15 years now, won all the awards I needed to win and now do it to stay in touch with everyone. I have a client base that are not only loyal to me, but they also understand my lifestyle - that I’m only able to cut hair one day a month (sometimes even every two months). It’s always good to see the lads and there’s nothing quite like barbershop chat. We’re all mates in there and clients join in with the piss taking.

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My OCD is a running joke in the shop. My stuff has to be laid out in a certain way and the weirdest thing of all… I CAN’T STAND HAIR! I’ll clear it mid-way through a cut and make sure there’s no strands of hair on my client’s shoulders or face.

3:00pm: The walk through town I’m done at the shop, and head up towards the NQ. There’s something about growing up in the city that never changes and that’s the love of walking through the different parts of town. We have so many characters in the city, from buskers and Big Issue sellers, to the market traders that have been hustling for time!

They’ve watched me grow up and I’ve seen them grow old, but what hasn’t changed is the hustle and their cheeky smile whilst doing it.

You will always hear "Yes Ste mate, not seen you for timeeee lad! All sound yeah?"

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3:30pm: Bags of Flavor Passing the back streets and through to Tib Street I find it mental how back in the day you wouldn’t dare walk this route, but now it’s buzzing with cool independents, alongside the long-standing picture framers and sex shops that seem to have been there forever.

I drop in to see my good mate and vintage legend, Dicki. Owner of Manchester’s go-to spot for vintage sports and outdoor gear, Bags of Flavor, he’s been doing his thing for like 19 years and is still the plug for vintage connoisseurs from all around the world. He knows his shit, honestly, the knowledge and stories he has on the pieces are insane.

I used to shop here quite a lot when I was younger, but now I see it as an archive of my youth and Manchester’s fashion scene. I still spot the odd piece though in there that makes me want to get my hustle on and bag a bargain!

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4:30pm: Interview with END The guys at END Clothing got in touch a few weeks back wanting to shoot and chat about the agency and the plans we have for the future. So whilst I was back, I made sure I locked in their interview. I love what these guys are about so was a pleasure to spend time with some like-minded peeps and show them around the city. It’s mint to be the only guy from the north to be asked to shoot this feature alongside guys in Paris, L.A. and N.Y.C, showing the END team some of my favourite spots in town.

6:00pm: Face to face I’m definitely old school when it comes to business, and I try to work with my clients face-to-face as much as possible. There’s no better feeling than throwing around ideas and creating moodboards that then help them bring to life their concepts in the digital world.

7:30pm: Boy in the corner I head to Corner Boy to meet my mate Ste P from Manchester’s Finest for a coffee and a catch up. I love hearing what new concepts and businesses are about to make noise in town, and of course, see what gig tickets I can blag from him!

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He’s been trying to lock me down for like 6 months to do this feature and I really wanted to make sure I gave you guys a proper insight into how I move and show that my love for this city goes far beyond that swanky new bar in Spinningfields or the hipster beer house that’s just popped up by Piccadilly.

LIFESTYLE & CULTURE

8:30pm: Keeping it real at Viet Shack Time to grab a bite. With so many spots to choose from and with Manchester being such a multi-cultural city, you can find any kind of food you’re dying for.

Since I’ve not seen me mam for a while, I’m craving a good Vietnamese, so there’s only one spot in town and that spot is Viet Shack. Owned by my good mate Nelson, he’s taken Vietnamese street food and given it a twist. Keeping to traditional flavours, he’s used his creative kitchen skills to make his own signature dishes and the result… a mint menu.

I’ve gone for the Remix Pho, Bun Thit Nuong, Shack Fries and Summer Rolls.

I love seeing my friends do well and places like this are not just great for the city, but for the ever growing number of people visiting and moving here.

9:30pm: The mood switches The sun’s gone down and the mood in town switches. There used to be a time when the city would be dead after 6:00pm. But now... there’s like a change of people, the 9-5’s leave the city and the ones that reside in the city come out and create a different kind of buzz. Whether you’re out for food, having a chilled drink or if you’re like some of my guys (you know who you are) you can find, or even create a party any time of the week!

But that’s what I love about this place. We’re all like a big family, you can walk into any bar, restaurant or cafe and bump into someone that you know, or even better, a new face, and as us typical Mancs (not a shy bone in our body), we’ll be straight over with the… "Easy mate, where you from? And what are you doing in the best city in the world!"

A saying that I’ll always remember from back in the day – "If you come to Manchester for 48 hours, you’re most likely to leave with a best mate or even your soul mate!"

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11:00pm: Back to where it all started Shock… it’s pissin’ it down. I grab an Uber up the road to a place that means more to me than most around the world. It’s HOME. I’ve had this spot for years wedged between the city and the rawness of real Manchester. It’s an area that’s now pretty much classed as ‘in town’.

This place still hasn’t lost its charm or the characters that have lived here for years. It still has the family homes passed down through the generations, the mams and grans sat out having a brew and a cig, chattin’ over the garden fence - the dad still working on the old motor he’s had since the 70’s and the kids that have grown up playing footy on the streets, to now pulling up at their mam’s in a brand new Merc or a blacked out Range.

It’s stuff like this that makes leaving here hard. This lift has seen more drama than any Netflix box set. Not always pretty, but the memories will never fade.

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12:30am: The restless mind This is when I’m most active. With having friends and clients all over the world, it’s the perfect time to catch up with them all and get as much done as I can. I’m listening to a mix of Sade, Nas, Wu-Tang, Lauryn Hill and Frank Ocean.

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FOLLOW @ste_wing

2:00am: Nothing beats this view Sat looking out at Manchester’s skyline. It’s a view that no other place in the world can beat. This city has shaped me, given me the life skills and DNA to be the person I am today. I might not be here as much these days, but I’ll tell you this, there’s nothing better than coming back here and feeling its energy.

I’ll try get my head down and rest for a few hours.

Night Manchester. Peace.

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Mutters. A refugee, a family and a building.

Words by Richard Morris

We’ve all walked past 33 Thomas Street a thousand times without, I guess, a thought about the history of the building or the history of the Mutter family who’ve been in and around the Northern Quarter for almost 140 years.

So where to start? With the family or the building?

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I’ll start with the family and a refugee from the wars of the Hapsburg, Austro-Hungarian Empire towards the end of the 19th century. At that time the Mutter family had lost two sons in combat and packed off their youngest son Alfred to America in despair. Passage to America was via Liverpool Docks, but the youngest Mutter, at 15, failed to disembark at Liverpool and was found on a ship in Manchester docks. He was taken into an orphanage and then taken in by a local clockmaker to, "light the fires for when the workers came in," as possibly the last of the Mutter dynasty Neil, told me. The premises were in Fennel Street at the bottom of Withy Grove (although it was then called Lancaster Avenue).

It’s here that shades of Mrs. Linnaeus-Banks’ famous 1876 novel ‘The Manchester Man’ emerge. Because – with similar enterprise to that novel’s hero Jabez Clegg – the young, ‘orphaned’ Alfred Mutter established his own clock making business in 1884. Neil paused as he counted out the generations on his fingers, finally arriving at, "that was my great, great grandfather."

In the Manchester Blitz of December 1940, bombing killed almost seven hundred people, injured more than two thousand. And, although not directly hit, the Mutter’s clockmakers and jewellers stock was destroyed by the vortex caused by a near miss. Premises on Back Lever Street were rented and the business continued.

The great grandson of the original Hapsburg refugee fought at D-Day with the Middlesex Mortar Bomb Regiment – he was 17 - and during subsequent battles was wounded and repatriated twice, before being demobilised in 1947 and, then in his very early twenties, went to work in the family business. That was Neil’s dad.

Back Lever Street must have seemed very quiet.

"There have been a lot of changes just in my time," Neil continues. "But this building – and the pub next door – were originally workers cottages. There’s evidence that workers at Arkwright Mill, which is where the CIS building is now, were housed in the cellar here. That was about 1790. Sir Oswald Mosley sold the land in 1846 and a merchant’s family moved in. When they left it became a pub and was separated from this building.

In the 1970s I remember that the pub had been closed by Watney’s Brewery and it was being used as a warehouse for a wholesale clothing company. About ten years ago the pub reopened, we were still here renting our part of the property and so we bought it."

In 1954 Mutter’s moved to where it still is now.

33 Thomas Street, with Neil carrying on the family tradition and joining as an apprentice in 1972. There was ‘an umbrella stick man’ on the floor above… repairing umbrellas.

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The building itself has attracted a lot of attention, with a major report produced by The Manchester Industrial Archaeology Society, featured on Tony Robinson’s ‘Time Team’ and part of a David Dimbleby series ‘Buildings That Made Britain.’ Neil showed me the Archaeology Society report, now very faded, with records and photographs of objects retrieved from the cellars. Many are clear relics of a business there making weighing scales, no doubt a key requirement In Manchester’s industrial history.

So there we have it. A story that started over a hundred and forty years ago in the Austro-Hungarian wars, came through two world wars in the last century and was begun by a fifteen year old, fleeing to America and missing his stop in Liverpool. So what of the future, I asked Neil?

"Well my wife keeps mentioning the ‘R’ word. But I can’t convince her, why would I retire from something when I really love doing it? Nobody wants to be an apprentice in this trade. Anyway, most watches and clocks are quartz – dead easy to repair. But the old ones, where you had to cut wheels and staffs, make springs… I’ve been doing it for nearly fifty years and there aren’t enough hours in the day to teach somebody how to do it. You just have to learn through trial and error.

If I do retire I guess I’ll just sell it. Bring five generations of the Mutter family to a close. A hundred and forty years of family history. But that’s just progress. Things change."

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A guide to independent shopping in the Northern Quarter With a history of fierce independence, the Northern Quarter has gained a reputation for creativity and innovation unmatched elsewhere in the city.

The streets are full of hidden gems and little treasures, many of which even the most dedicated Manc might not know exist.

Whether it's a work-space doubling up as a gallery or a full craft and design centre in the middle of a housing estate, the Northern Quarter has everything.

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Deadstock General Store A collection of useful and interesting things; a carefully hand picked selection of “fancy goods.” Opposite to what the name suggests, the store isn’t really general at all. It’s a little like stepping into an edition of Monocle Magazine and being surrounded by all the things you wish you had. The owner, Liam, has crafted a balance between the useful and the beautiful with every thought for material, design and sustainability – mixing more familiar brands like Kinto from Japan or P.F. Candle Co. with more obscure finds. The perfect place to find a gift nobody else will be giving.

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Nola Describing themselves as a lifestyle store, Nola are just that. Stocking womenswear pieces and beautiful homeware from design focused brands. Nestled on Port Street the store is a calm space which evolves to reflect the season with the pieces stocked. With a strong focus on working towards sustainability, they're now producing their own label pieces. They encourage customers to buy less, buy better.

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Manchester Craft & Design Centre A space where artists come together to create, Manchester Craft and Design Centre enables makers to sell straight from their working studios. It’s fiercely independent and champions designers of all kinds. Take a walk inside and find jewellery, ceramics, fine art and illustration from some of Manchester’s most talented creators. A treasure trove of one of a kind pieces.

Rivet & Hide Experts in denim, this Thomas Street store offers the very best of raw selvedge denim imported from the best denim mills of Japan. They pride themselves in giving customers the opportunity to source clothing, accessories and footwear of premium craftsmanship with the knowledge to match. Looking for premium denim or somewhere to get your jeans hemmed?

This is the place.

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Beaumont Organic Manchester’s most sustainable womenswear store. Luxury fashion with contemporary design, using responsibly sourced materials and fabrics. An oasis of all things minimal with a nod to the Mediterranean right in the centre of the Northern Quarter. Pay a visit for womenswear, accessories, homeware treats and in-house events.

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Kula An independently run gallery that supports local designers, artists and makers, giving them a platform to sell and showcase their work. Situated on Oak Street in the centre of the NQ, they try to support as many makers as possible. Kula stocks a wide range of products available including ceramics, jewellery, textiles, prints, original artworks, candles and more. Perfect for picking up a little slice of original art from Manchester.

Northern Flower Brightening up Tib Street with their shop front display, Northern Flower, is of course the place to go if you fancy a little something to add a splash of colour to your day. Make sure you head inside and downstairs into their wonderful world of horticulture heaven.

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Oklahoma A Northern Quarter gem for everything you never knew you needed. Filled with the weird and wonderful, Oklahoma is the perfect place to pick up something for the person that has everything. A treasure trove of colour and surprise you’ll certainly find something you weren’t even looking for.

Form Lifestyle Store Tucked away on Bradley Street, Form Lifestyle Store supports independent makers. With regular pop-ups from designers, this minimalist shop proves the perfect backdrop for simple but beautiful homeware and gifts.

Beermoth

Oi Polloi

Specialists in beer, they stock independent brands from throughout the UK and further afield, championing the weird and wonderful, encouraging you to try something different.

A Manchester institution, arriving on the scene 17 years ago and sculpting the menswear trends in Manchester ever since.

Found on Thomas Street, the store stocks a plethora of contemporary brands and gets involved in the occasional collab.

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Bags of Flavor All your vintage needs in one place, jacket specialists and maker of reworked bags from damaged clothing. It's the place to go for Manchester-proof outerwear.

Piccadilly Records Opening in 1978, the same year Factory Records was founded, it's been described as "the gatekeeper of all musical genres beyond mainstream culture" and came in at number 1 on the Independent's Top 50 Record Shops.

Note The go-to spot amongst skateboarders stocking workwear, sportswear, streetwear, trainers and of course skatewear; spread across two sites round the corner from each other in the NQ.

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LIFESTYLE & CULTURE Interview by Alex Watson

Behind the scenes with Manchester's 7ft supermodel drag queen Manchester's long and ostentatious gay history has always been a major factor in the city's cultural and artistic identity, one that has helped create an LGBTQ+ scene today that is much more inclusive and acceptable than most other cities.

As a result, the city's drag scene is also the envy of many, with a formidable level of representation and diversity, ensuring lots of opportunities and evenings of fantastic cabaret, comedy, music and art.

Looking to get an insider's perspective on all of this, we met up with Manchester drag royalty, Banksie, as she prepared for an evening performance - posing the questions that you've always wanted to ask...

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If you could describe the drag scene in Manchester in three words what would it be?

Diverse, high energy, artistic.

The level of art in this city is incredible. Not even from ‘the look’ perspective, artistically as a community we bring such new and different things to the world of drag. This city has massive amounts of representation too. That is the difference, the more representation and diversity you get, the more varied the story arc is you get a completely different one each night depending on who is there.

If you have a group of people who are very similar in your space, every night for five nights a week, every single week, you’re not going to get that amount of variation or that connection with your audience that Manchester has because only about five percent of the audience will understand and relate.

How does Manchester differ from other cities to perform in?

It depends on how the city itself accepts drag. We’re very lucky in Manchester to have a very dedicated gay scene so we do have a lot more opportunities and I think that is ingrained in Manchester culture now. We’re kind of like a gay epicentre because of Canal Street and the history behind it.

London has a big gay scene particularly if you go to Soho and areas like that. But in Manchester it’s more relaxed, we have a more relaxed sense to drag, we can sort of do whatever we want. In London for instance, you have to have the money to put on a night and with it being London – how much is that going to cost you?

It’s a lot more corporate down there.

In Manchester we have the opportunities. For instance I started my cabaret from nothing with just the help of one shop who wanted to open up their space to a queer audience. I think that’s the difference, Manchester wants to see artists grow. And I love that.

How important do you think it is that the drag scene is entering mainstream entertainment in Manchester?

There are pros and cons. For example, Drag Race has happened and we’ve got more recognition – we’ve sort of come out of the shadows. And it’s positively impacted people who don’t live in big cities like Manchester.

I got shown drag by watching the US version of Drag Race. That’s what made me into a drag queen. I’m not going to sugar-coat it, it’s a very beauty competition answer, but I literally watched it in my little town in Wigan and thought, you know what I want to do that.

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So has Drag Race done mostly good or bad?

Oh see – I’ll get in trouble. I won’t get on the show now will I? I think mostly, it’s helped people who don’t have any gay representation in their towns.

They see something on mainstream TV and they realise “yep, that’s me and that’s who I wanna be” or “that’s how I’m feeling inside.” I literally came out after I watched Drag Race, it didn’t make me come out but it made me realise “OK, there are more people out there who are like me, who are gender confused, who are less educated.”

The show educated me on the bits my school missed out because school never taught me anything about gender or sexual studies.

In the drag world, it can sometimes put the queens who are on the show into the mainstream quickly but leave all the locals out. Sometimes you can go to a club and Danielle from Scunthorpe will come up to you and ask if you’ve seen Drag Race UK and that you should go on it. And it’s like, well, no we’ve been doing this, we don’t need to go on Drag Race, we’ve got our own scene.

I don’t think people need Drag Race. That’s the issue, as it becomes more popular and more brand-able, clubs will pay the higher fees and only book the Drag Race girls, whereas before, the girls that weren’t on Drag Race were getting great incomes and were able to work really, really well.

And that’s what upsets me. Drag Race UK said it was the most diverse (I’m really going in, I’m sorry). I don’t think they are the most diverse. You should see how diverse this city alone is in the fact that we have gender non-conforming queens, queens who identify themselves as female, transqueens, trans-kings, everything – we have everything! That’s the issue, Drag Race don’t show that because they don’t believe that’s drag.

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Do they have their own definition of Drag?

Yeah exactly that, they have their own definition.

RuPaul made it very verbal. A tweet along the lines of making a comment that trans women can’t be drag queens. Even if they’re drag queens before they transition and during their transition, working hard in the circuit. But in reality, anyone can be a drag queen.

He does say a good quote though, “you’re born naked and the rest is drag”. If society wasn’t there we’d all be walking around naked and having a great time and not feeling shame. Drag is like you putting on a costume to make yourself feel more acceptable or it’s what we do by putting on a societal costume and making a different narrative about it.

If society wasn’t a thing we’d all be wearing drag, there wouldn’t be girls and boy’s clothes.

Shame is learnt, when did you start feeling embarrassment? You didn’t feel embarrassment when you were 5 running around the garden naked.

You felt shame when you were in school and being forced to go in the girls or boy’s toilets just because of your genitals. That’s crazy. Some guy was like “your genitals look like that guys so you go in those toilets”. And this completely disregards intersex people and people who don’t conform to the mould.

It’s quite upsetting.

And I’m not a gender warrior, I’m not a professor on anything. But my job gives me the opportunity to meet so many different people. You grow close to people in this line of work who have these issues and you listen.

I have a lot of privilege, I’m a white male – that has so much privilege in this world. If I can take my microphone that society has given me and give it to the person society doesn’t give it to then that gives me the opportunity to help them speak. I can’t speak for anybody else because everyone has different experiences. But I can at least hold the microphone up.

But yeah it’s good – Drag Race is great – I can’t wait to be on it!

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If you could ask any drag queen a question, what would it be and to who?

I’d ask Juno Birch, “Why are you so stunning?”.

For context, Juno Birch is my drag sister, we are very, very close. We live across the road from each other. She did a video with Vogue where she said “people wanna know why I’m so stunning”.

Even this. Juno Birch is a transwoman and a drag queen.That’s representation.

You wouldn’t differentiate who she is because she’s trans. But she is one of the most talented human beings I’ve ever met, ever. But she still couldn’t go on Drag Race. She’s the most booked in the city right now, and the most individual character you’d ever meet, but she cannot go on that show because she’s trans.

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Finally, what should you not ask a drag queen, and what are the weirdest things you get asked?

Loads of stupid things like “Where do you put your dick?” That’s a really intimate personal question.

Or when you get Brenda who’s 45 asking you if you’ll do her make up next week. Or… “Did you do your own make up?” sometimes I play along and say “course I didn’t I’m a boy”. And they’ll honestly go “I knew it.”

The one I personally get a lot, because I’m very tall is “are those your real legs?” and they are genuinely serious when they say it. My response is always “no they’re wooden!”

I get a lot of hell from businessmen. From proper uppity businessmen because I work in a lot of traditionally straight bars, and they’ll come up to me really pissed after being there for 6 hours. And because you work for the bar that they are in, they think they own you. I’ve had men try to solicit me, I’ve had men try to pull me into the toilets, grab my arse, grab my dick, grab my everything. That’s privilege in a nutshell. These people who have been given these opportunities think they own the world. And it’s upsetting because I wouldn’t get that as a boy, but I get it as a girl.

It’s like as soon as you present a female, they think ‘Oh great we can own you now. Because you’re a woman, we can own you now.’ I’m never going to be able to say I understand the female experience, because I’m not a woman, but that’s the closest I could ever get. And the thing is, women can’t get out of that costume. I can at least go home, unstrap everything, have a cup of tea and think ‘oh great I’ve got control now.’ But women can’t do that. We need to be in a world where women feel safe. And that isn’t the case right now. People think it’s fine, that we’re all good and we’ve got rid of all the problems. But we haven’t.

I’m 7 ft tall and I can get away with a lot. But my main issue is when there’s a 5 ft 2 girl in a bar looking uncomfortable because a 6 ft 4 man is pissed out of his head, billowing over her. I feel it’s then my responsibility to tell him to fuck off or get a bouncer and get him out. You have a lot of young girls who feel uncomfortable but feel programmed to say nothing. And that’s the hard thing.

I’m not completely male but I’ll apologise for the rest of you.

But yeah, sorry for going all deep with you there. Shit.

FOLLOW @therealbanksie

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The State of Us

The sun

Cuttin' It

9th Nov 2019 - 23rd Feb 2020 The Lowry

until 5th Jan 2020 Science and Industry Museum

9th Jan - Feb 2020 Royal Exchange Theatre

How the body and self are transformed, manipulated, and reinvented to create a new ‘self’, to reshape our human connection - for better or worse.

From ancient myths to health and wellbeing, solar power and more, this exhibition takes a closer look at our ever-changing relationship with our closest star.

Confronting the harrowing issue of FGM in Britain and that it isn't just barbarity that happens in distant countries.

BBC Philharmonic: Beethoven Symphony No. 7

National Theatre Live: Cyrano De Bergerac

Back To The Future The Musical

15th Feb 2020 The Bridgewater Hall

20th Feb Everyman Cinema

20th Feb - 17th May 2020 Manchester Opera House

Beethoven wrote his Seventh Symphony under clouds of ill health and romantic failure, but you wouldn’t guess from the music’s glowing brilliance.

Fierce with a pen and notorious in combat, Cyrano almost has it all - if only he could win the heart of his true love Roxane.

The 80's pop culture phenomenon is transported to the stage by the creators of the original film Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis.

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Manchester Open Exhibition

David Baddiel - Trolls

Utopias

18th Jan - 15th Mar 2020 Home

26th Jan 2020 The Lowry

31st Jan - 27th Sep 2020 The Whitworth

A major open-entry art show celebrating the creative talent of Greater Manchester residents.

Join David for stories of the dark, terrible and hysterically absurd cyber-paths that interacting with trolls has led him down.

Bringing together historic, modern and contemporary works to examine how utopian strategies have been imagined.

House of Suarez + Contact: Vogue Ball 2020

A-Z of Salford's Collections

National Theatre Live: The Welkin

29th Feb 2020 Contact Theatre

until 23rd Feb 2020 Salford Museum & Art Gallery

21st May Everyman Cinema

The fiercest voguers battle it out at this underwater themed spectacular, with flamboyant costumes and dancers inspired by all things oceanic.

Follow the alphabet through Salford’s collections as you're taken on a journey from an Ape to the zodiac.

Rural Suffolk in England, 1759. As the country waits for Halley’s comet, a young woman is sentenced to hang for a heinous murder.

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ARTS Words by Ben Brown

THE BATTLE RAPPING GRANNY OF AFFLECKS As a group of young men anxiously wait for their turn to battle, reciting their rhymes over and over in their heads, the last person they'd probably expect to see joining them is Joy France, Manchester’s very own 'Rapping Granny'.

As someone who has always struggled throughout her life with confidence, Joy's story from teacher to poet to battle rapper is as interesting as it is unbelievable. A story that takes everything you thought you knew about growing old and accepting your lot in life and throws it right out of the window.

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As with most stories (the best ones anyway), it's probably best to start at present, work our way backward, head forward a bit and then end right back up where we started. What works so well for Quentin Tarantino is going to help us out considerably here too.

I sat down with Joy in her very own creative space in Afflecks on a crisp August morning, and as I sat down, surrounded by an unfathomable number of hand written messages, drawings, trinkets and stories, she told me just how she managed to get where she is today and how she came to be known as Manchester's very own 'Rapping Granny'.

The creative space itself is well worthy of a mention, and is intrinsic to the whole of Joy's story. Set up in Afflecks, in the quietest corner of the quietest floor, the room is a free, non-funded creative space that anybody can use - for whatever purpose they desire.

Photo by Tash Hawthornthwaite

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Since opening up the space 4 years ago, Joy has welcomed thousands of people, all with their own stories of heartbreak, stress, happiness and dreams - and they've all gone in to create something truly unique.

A quick look around the space and you'll find all manner of weird and wonderful things, from a folder with endless drawings of eyes, to a guitar etched with its many owners, right down to photos, graffiti and even the odd bar of chocolate ready for the next person who uses the space to enjoy.

Joy is clearly massively proud of what she’s managed to create, explaining how “anyone can use it and it’s even managed to become a safe haven for people who sometimes find other places more difficult, such as members of the LGBTQ+ community, the socially anxious and people with Asperger’s.”

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There’s only one rule for the creative space and that’s everything needs to be ‘nice' - there’s no space for bad vibes or negativity in there. If somebody creates something that’s not nice, it’s the responsibility of the next person who uses the space to turn that thing from being ‘not nice’ to ‘nice’ - a fact that Joy hilariously explains has resulted in a lot of attempts by people to turn penis drawings into all manner of animals, rocket ships or whatever else comes to mind!

Sat in the space you’re instantly relaxed and speaking with Joy is an absolute pleasure. As I begin to ask her how the creative space came about, we delve head first into her life growing up and her later career as a teacher who helped difficult or struggling teenagers get back into the classroom after suspension.

Born in Little Hulton, Joy explains how she was a very shy girl growing up, often crippled with anxiety and a desire to be “invisible” when walking the streets or in any social interaction. Although she was fine with family and certain friends, shy Joy would often struggle with strangers and found interactions both difficult and daunting to say the least.

As she grew up and got a career, the shyness continued, and although a job as a Primary School Special Needs Teacher helped out with the anxiety, it still remained. Her work with difficult kids helped her to grow more confident but, as with many careers, Joy started to feel that the whole job was becoming stale - she’d outgrown it and wanted something new and exciting.

As a middle-aged lady, some would find it difficult to just up-roots and find a new career and new life, but Joy was determined to make up for lost time and get out there and improve her confidence. She decided on a new life choice - “to follow all of life’s co-incidences that turned up” - essentially saying ‘yes’ to as many events, opportunities and occurrences that come her way.

She fondly remembers the first ever thing that she said ‘yes’ to - an event at the Corner House cinema that resulted in her walking a cabbage around the city on a dog lead!

Artist Han Bing gathered a group of people to perform the live performance on the streets of Manchester with the aim to encourage people to “question the definition of normal practice and to reflect on how much of our daily lives are routines that we don’t really put much thought to.”

This clearly resonated with Joy and the choice that she’d made in her life and it was the beginning of a series of occurrences that have resulted in not just the creative space in Afflecks but also the poetry and battle rapping.

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Photo by Scott Boylan

Shortly after the cabbage event, Joy headed to Wigan for a Poem Workshop, where she was asked to perform a poem. Of course she said yes, and set about writing a ditty about Wigan Pies, set to be performed in front of a large group of people.

Joy embarked on a series of rap battle events where she was enthusiastically welcomed by the whole community.

She insists that the whole thing certainly challenged her misconceptions at first.

She was expecting to encounter a group of angry young men, but discovered the scene is incredibly friendly and open. A creative arena in itself, allowing men to talk openly with each other about their feelings and mental health.

As the anxiety crept in though, Joy felt she couldn’t do it, not turning up to rehearsals and genuinely considering packing the whole thing in. But she prevailed and even though she was shaking throughout - she did herself proud and completed the poem.

As she continues to attend the battle rapping events, her skills have improved, and her own personal mission has become showing people that a “short, fat, grey haired woman in her 60's can give them a run for their money”.

From thereon in she was a ‘poet’ performing her poems at events throughout the North West, getting better and better each time. The poetry reading quickly turned into poetry slam, and with more and more events on the horizon Joy decided it was time to retire from the teaching and take a year out to “try all of that creative stuff”.

She’s looking to challenge people’s prejudices and misconceptions about what it means to grow old (and be a woman), just as much as her prejudices were challenged when she started rapping.

She never looked back and a chance encounter with the Manager of Afflecks ended up with her becoming the ‘Creative in Residence’ and getting her creative space for an initial 3 months. 4 years later and she’s still going strong, performing poetry, attending festivals and manning the space for the people of Manchester to use.

Whether it’s performing poetry while wearing a panda mask, doing TED talks at the University of Manchester or battling a bloke called ‘Hulk’ on the UK’s best known battle league. Joy is certainly re-defining exactly what it means to grow old (dis)gracefully.

It’s here where she first started to get involved in rap battles, something that may seem a little bit ‘out there’ but something Joy insists is a natural progression from her poetry performances.

She doesn’t want to be that “invisible little girl” any more and she’s actively looking to help others who feel the same way as she once did.

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The Reno Club.

Moss Side to The Whitworth.

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The purpose of art is to be thought provoking. And so social history has to be tackled head on.

Linda Brogan via www.thereno.live

That’s recent social history and recent Manchester social history. A history which is more than likely not within the lifetime of most readers of Manchester’s Finest, but certainly not long before and thankfully might even be unrecognisable – to a large degree – in today’s society.

wall half-castes. We’d never seen that before.

I wanted to bring The Reno back to life, for us to be artists because we couldn’t be that then. Because we weren’t white, middle class and blonde. With The Reno project I have my voice and my army.”

Linda Brogan, organiser of The Reno project and therefore, de facto, curator of The Reno exhibition at The Whitworth sums up the history of society (in Manchester and around the world) with some words: “It was seen as a terrible thing in the 50's and 60's for a white woman and a black man to be together.

My mum told me that a half-caste baby could be spat on in their pram.

The Reno, in Moss Side, opened in the 60's as a music and drinking club primarily for the West Indian community, playing a big part in the development of black culture in Manchester. During the subsequent two decades the club closed when it wanted – often as the next day started. It is legend that even Bob Marley visited.

Although today we say mixed race, not half-caste. The first time I went with my friends to The Reno in Moss Side we couldn’t believe it. It was wall-to-

From 1971 to 1981 The Reno was packed every night, although Linda recognises that Moss Side was a ‘no go’ area, with violence, crime and gang wars common.

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Unemployment in 1981 was at an all time high, but much higher in Moss Side than the national average.

Ultimately this led to the infamous Moss Side riots in 1981 when a crowd of more than a thousand disenfranchised youths besieged the local police station. It is shocking to learn that Greater Manchester Police were the only UK force to be equipped with riot helmets and shields.

The then Chief Constable, James Anderton, was quoted as saying, “When troubles arise you hit fast and hard. We crushed the riots in 24 hours.”

Yes, Manchester just one generation ago.

Things changed in subsequent years and in 1986 The Reno was closed, the building demolished, with the site laying fallow for three decades until Linda Brogan’s army were awarded an Arts Council grant to excavate the site in 2017 and, along with recapturing untold memories, every piece of buried ephemera collected as buried treasure.

Much of that ephemera is now on display at The Whitworth, along with collected and fading photographs, notes and photographs of the excavation itself. But are battered and rotted coke cans, pieces of brick, rusted hinges art?

My opinion, not in themselves.

But then the whole project is a living work and has brought together a collaboration of many, many people with thousands of memories. Which is just the start.

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When I visited, the space was being used by a discussion group.

Not directly a discussion about The Reno, but using the space as a platform for discussing other social issues.

There are also plans for collaborations with the Royal Northern College of Music, Windrush commemorations and the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo massacre. Social history goes on.

It may seem a little anomalistic therefore, to have old photographs and rusty objects in a space as the grand Whitworth. But I guess that’s the beauty of it. Linda’s army will forge on through the year, reuniting old friends, sparking new ideas. Past that, on the site of The Reno, a time capsule is buried with a film of the 2017 excavation.

There’s a timeline on the wall at The Whitworth, not just The Reno years, but the history of a hundred years or more. The last line says: ‘We are all pages in the book of our time on earth.’

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THE RENO AT THE WHITWORTH Runs until March 2020

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Luke Passey; Gifts for the Northern Quarter

Words by Richard Morris

“As soon as I finished my degree all I wanted to do was anything but graphic design. Although I tried freelance graphic design for a while, as everybody knows it’s very up and down, and that led me to create for self-satisfaction, as opposed to having to conform to other people’s visual requirements.”

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Luke creates abstract works, using various traditional printing techniques as well as painting, using a brush and more obscure tools, such as trowels and kitchen utensils.

We’re given the freedom to do what we like. We make a mess here. As you can see, we paint on the walls… thankfully Bill and Murray who own Islington Mill don’t mind what you do with the space, as long as you leave it presentable when you leave.”

Luke explains that he went on to secure a small studio space in Islington Mill, Salford, where he could pursue ‘anything but graphic design’; a place where he still works when not painting elsewhere.

Luke began to paint outdoors about eighteen months ago. Luke’s street art has become prolific in Manchester – most commonly in the Northern Quarter, although Luke will paint, and has painted, anywhere he goes.

“It’s a good creative community here and so I’ve absorbed influences from photographers, printmakers and painters.

All of which have helped me develop as an artist.

Luke’s interest in street painting has grown from a natural love for graffiti and the letterform. Luke began painting graffiti with his friends at the age of eighteen and still does occasionally, alongside his more socially accepted art pieces.

I experiment with all sorts of practices.

I think that it’s important to do many different things. My style will translate into almost everything I do. When my friend Danny Satchell moved in to the studio, he painted on canvas and so I tried that and still do.

Later, Luke began to talk about art in New York and its legendary graffiti scene that grew out of the city’s street culture in the 80s.

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The dissertation for the graphic design course Luke completed at Salford was called, ‘How does the commodification of street art devalue it?’ He said that a section of the dissertation was about taking street art and putting it in galleries.

“But that’s taking away the whole purpose of somebody painting it in a street - putting it in a gallery and then selling it. That’s putting it in another light than it would be outdoors. I don’t get paid for the stuff I do outside. It’s more of a gift for the viewer.

People don’t tend to visit galleries so much. If you paint in the street, then people don’t have the choice to go and see art. It’s just there.

They can decide whether to like it or not like it. Treating it as another art form takes away the original value and meaning of it. It commodifies it.”

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I questioned Luke a little more about how he got away with painting walls and shop shutters without invitation. “Nobody’s ever kicked off about me doing it. I was painting a shutter opposite Soup Kitchen recently and the owner came out, asked me what I was doing. There was some shit graffiti, so I was painting over it. The owner said, ‘I love it.’

Some people ask what I’m doing, but as long as I respond with respect there’s never an issue. I’m aware that people might not want me to do them – which is why I work so fast. I just do it and try to look like I’m not hiding away. I’ve never had to leave something half finished!”

He tells me about a recent piece of his street art, completed as always in a very short time. “A girl on her lunch break watched me do it, saying it was really nice.”

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A pioneer of the New York art scene, Keith Haring, wrote in 1978, ‘I am becoming much more aware of movement. The importance of movement is intensified when a painting becomes a performance. The performance becomes as important as the resulting painting.’ Haring often completed tens of art works in a day… and ultimately his work began to be transferred to major art galleries. ‘Commodifying’ it.

It’s a shame that there’s such a fine line between street art and graffiti. There’s hate towards one, total acceptance towards the other. Street art has all come from graffiti.”

So my theory is that Luke’s street art gives him pleasure in the act of ‘performing,’ as much as the pleasure of having made it. Just as it did for Keith Haring. And then walking away having made a gift to people who pass by for as long as the work remains there.

He then moved a few things from on top of his Risograph printer – a traditional piece of printing equipment I’ve not seen for many years. It’s now used mainly for its almost unpredictable and abstract results, printing using heat and thermal plates wrapped around a large drum. One drum for each colour, all overlaid. Luke uses all of the techniques as composites, often combining printing and painting.

Luke showed me a large, unfinished canvas on the wall. “My friends Sam and Madi (@donkwear) are fashion designers. When it’s finished they’re going to make a jacket out of it. That’s really cool isn’t it?”

Luke doesn’t want, he says, his work treated like an untouchable art form. “That takes away its original value and meaning. People can draw all over it if they want to.”

“I’ll always do gallery stuff, working on canvas. Or make prints. There are some digital elements to my prints. Although if I do a poster, for example, instead of making complete digital imagery I’ll make it by hand and then digitise it. I’ll swerve using a computer as much as possible. Even adding type using very old fashioned rub-down Letraset at times. It’s a new form of punk I guess! But that’s how posters were made before computers.”

Luke works instinctively on his street art, without pre-planning. “I was on Bold Street in Liverpool a couple of weeks ago, saw a spot, waited for the paint shop to open and bought the spray paint.

I work very quickly, masking off the shape and spraying and because of the masking, the piece becomes hard edged which makes a difference to people’s perceptions.

The hard edges around the work make it almost like a framed piece of art work.

FOLLOW @lukepassey

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Mayfield Stories, Sketchbook 1 Words by Richard Morris

Half a generation ago nobody ventured across Great Ancoats Street into Ancoats itself. It was a no-go area of the city, dereliction and danger could have summed it up.

Now, of course, we all know the story. Investment on infrastructure by the city in the 90s, a kick-start (partly using EU funding) with the refurbishment of Royal Mill in the early 2000s. Now a desirable area to live, work and socialise.

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Plunging South off Great Ancoats Street is Fairfield Street. When I walked along that street and turned into Temperance Street recently, dereliction and danger were – if a little ‘self hysterically’ – words that came to mind. That half generation ago, North and East of the city centre, these two highways abruptly signalled the starts of no go areas. But in the 18th and 19th centuries they defined the borders of concentrated industrial hotbeds that built Manchester .

for the middle and upper classes. But in 1910 the Mayfield Print Works was demolished to be replaced with Mayfield train station, essentially as an overflow for Piccadilly Station in the heyday of railways. Piccadilly Station then known as London Road Station. By the 1940s five platforms linked with London Road Station – until Mayfield Station closed in 1960.

For a decade and a half Mayfield became a Royal Mail parcel depot, before coming to silence and increasing dereliction towards the end of the last century – and becoming, at least in my mind, a no go area.

Ancoats is now cool. Mayfield will become cool, but that will take ten years and over a billion pounds of investment. Yes there is activity and activity in quite a big way. The Warehouse Project, Manchester International Festival events.

Fairfield Social Club on Temperance Street - my destination as I headed through the dusk to the launch of Len Grant’s book, Mayfield Stories, Sketchbook 1.

So, plans for the next decade. Firstly preserving the extraordinary industrial heritage and then embarking on creating a six and half acre public park, apartments, offices, shops and leisure.

Another Manchester phoenix.

I’ve known Len for a long time. I’ll attempt three words that – to me – summarise him. Let’s try ubiquitous, eponymous, whimsical. Not sure Len would agree with those words, but in different ways he has recorded the development of our city through three decades. When something’s been going on, Len has been around. Much of that recording has been through photography and words: the regeneration of Salford in the early 90s, the ‘Making Manchester’ exhibition and book in the early 2000s, ‘How is it for you, Islington?’ four or five years ago. A couple of dozen more projects, books and exhibitions along the journey. Fairly recently, in the bigger time scale of Len Grant things, he has been sketching. And sketching Mayfield in the nascent stages of its billion pound development.

Back to Len. The first pages of his book, Mayfield Stories, Sketchbook 1, say in handwritten rhetorical notes, ‘Why are we keeping it all? It’d probably be easier to knock it down. Certainly it would be cheaper and give us more flexibility? But these buildings have soul, they have heritage… and that’s what people connect with.’ Precisely. Thirty years ago it would have made more ‘sense’ to flatten derelict Ancoats mills and build anew. But thankfully that’s not the Mancunian way.

Len has set out to record in whimsical (that’s the last word of his three word biog employed) sketches the old, derelict Mayfield. And, Len being Len, includes stories of the people who worked in and lived around Mayfield. The oldest of these people is Mary, who at the age of 90 was there at Fairfield Social Club for the book launch event. What changes she’s seen.

Mayfield. Actually a nice, friendly name…but not a field in sight for two hundred years. Originally - 1782 - the site of Thomas Hoyle’s Mayfield Print Works, with ready access to vital water from the River Medlock. The Hoyle family perfected printing onto fabric, amazing the world by being able to print a mile of calico in one hour, unleashing the power of Cottonopolis with finished fabric

It’s good that there won’t be just photographic records of the rebirth of Mayfield. But, Len being Len, I know that that will be on his agenda too.

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Bock N Lock is the independent label created by Manchester royalty, Chimpo, aka DJ Excel, aka Johnny G, aka Rampage, aka Big Man John, aka Big Man Johnny Chimpo (all genuine former alias’), alongside Bristol-based If Khan.

Producer, DJ, vocalist, and now label honcho, Chimpo is an underground legend on the music scene across multiple genres. A member of emcee and producer supergroup LEVELZ, he has also worked with the likes of Dub Phizix, Zed Bias, Calibre, Skeptical, Big Narstie, Trigga and Footsie, and released music on Exit Records, Metalheadz, Stripes and loads more.

Of late we've been doing a lot on Bandcamp as we're fans of the freedom in workflow it affords artists and labels. It's a very 'instant' platform that works well with how Chimpo is currently working. For example, a lot of the ideas we have will often come out of one of our phonecalls and are acted on quickly so it's nice being able to get that music or merch idea to people in that fashion and to see what's working in real-time. Fear not though, we're working on a tear your hair out project which I'm looking forward to going grey over when the times right."

In setting up Bock N Lock, he has teamed up with friend and collaborator, If Khan of Transmit Signal, label and artist management company, which has a roster including DJ Die's GutterFunk, dBridge's Exit Records, Steve Spacek, Watch The Ride, Dub Phizix's SenkaSonic, and DLR's Sofa Sound amongst others.

Having been involved with releases across more labels than you could shake a glass of Vimto at, Chimpo says the decision to start his own label was down to, basically, being the gaffers of their own project, and the benefits which come with being in control.

Speaking on the formation of the label, If explains "Chimpo called me about his idea to start a label and he said he wanted me to do it with him. Obviously it was an honour to be asked and a no brainer for me as I understood his vision for it and where we could take that vision.

On a personal side note we're really good mates and any time we link or speak on the phone it's just straight up hilarity so there is that too, I suppose.

"It gives us a platform which gives us freedom to release what we like without compromise. I’m a bit hardheaded, and having our own thing means we can put out whatever we want, whenever we want."

Since its debut release, Killa’s Army, a grime and dancehall crossover

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banger featuring London emcees Killa P, Irah and Long Range, all of the artists featured on Bock N Lock have been from Manchester, with a host of singles with some of the best talent in the city, such as Slay, DRS, Ragoloco and Stef Smith.

a compilation entitled 'Now Thats What I Call Boxed N Locked', with a chopped and screwed cassette mix and a full length Chimpo project also in the pipeline.

Also on the horizon will be Box N Lock merch, with a line of tee's dropping soon, created in conjunction with Manchester designer Liffia.

The focus on Manchester has been very much intentional, but not the sole direction for the label longer term, Chimpo explains "it’s another one of the main reasons for setting up the label in the first place, to be able to put out Manchester music, and outside of the first release, that’s what we’ve done.

One final thing it would be remiss of me not to mention to keep an eye out for is that Chimpo is also a master at social media promo videos, including the always excellent z-list celebrity shout out.

But that’s not to say we’re not interested in working with artists from elsewhere, we’ve just been focusing on Manchester, but watch this space."

He has previously had some heavy hitters in the form of blaggeron-behalf-of-the-Cosmos Derek Acorah and everyone’s favourite Barry from Eastenders - to shout out and promote releases, I’d imagine there will be some belters in the making. Keep an eye out.

To follow on from their singles, and Jungle Plates volumes one to three, next up for Box N Lock will be

FOLLOW boxnlock.bandcamp.com

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Interview with Larkins front man, Josh Noble Interview by Alex Watson

So Josh tell me a bit about yourself...

I’m Josh Noble and I sing in the band Larkins. I’d give you some more detail on me but to be brutally honest that’s kind of what defines me right now.

How has this changed since you’ve been involved and seen it from behind the stage?

I’ve definitely begun to appreciate the hours and dedication it takes to put on a (good) show even at grass roots level.

The shows that are badly organised and promoted will never work, even if the band are the next big thing. You also start to appreciate a good PA and gear that is cared for by the in-house team. I always used to think the band just rock up, plug in and play. That is just not the case. We recently moved into our new studio in Ancoats and it took us weeks to get to a situation where we could actually rehearse.

How would you describe the current indie scene in Manchester?

I’d say it’s pretty hot. The music culture in town has always been a prominent element of the city and although there is a real problem with music venues across the country shutting down, Manchester seems to be coping and many venues are thriving. We have a rich history of music and it’s cool to see that Manchester is finally turning to all different kinds of genres rather than constantly reaching for indie rock. I think musicians feel like they’re in capable hands when they’re in Manchester and being able to tour the circuit when we were first starting was huge for us as a band.

Is being from Manchester / The North something you like to champion?

No. I honestly couldn’t care less when people ask me about ‘The North’. It’s such a boring argument to have with someone and so archaic. I love Manchester and have loved growing up here. I also love loads of other places and love music from loads of other places as well. Who gives a fuck where it comes from.

What was your first ever experience of watching live music in Manchester?

It was probably at the Arena when I was younger and then the Apollo with my dad. It was only when we actually started playing as a band that I discovered how musical Manchester actually is and started hanging around the venues in the Northern Quarter like Night and Day, Soup Kitchen and The Castle. I remember walking into Night and Day for the first time and thinking it was probably the coolest place on earth. We were playing maybe our third or fourth show ever there and the bouncer wouldn’t let me in as I hadn’t turned 18 yet. I had to convince him that we were the first band on and he had to let me in.

Has Manchester itself helped define your music?

Possibly. I think we definitely learnt how to play live properly in Manchester and with so many different venues we learnt to adapt very quickly. A show you might play at Band on the Wall is totally different to a show at The Deaf Institute and you could still have the same size audience.

You have to adapt and grow. I think the fan base in Manchester is insane. I still struggle to wrap my head around that.

I feel very blessed to have started our careers here.

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Do you think being from Manchester has limited you at all?

I think the only limitation might be that new audiences have very strong preconceptions of how bands from Manchester sound and therefore people can be turned off before you’ve even played a note. We don’t sound anything like The Smiths or Oasis so I think people are usually pretty surprised.

heard from music our whole lives. It’s weird with a debut album as you’re kind of showcasing your best songs from the time the band was conceived. It’s like opening with a Greatest Hits album.

For me, I probably try and squeeze my influences in such as Bon Iver and Tame Impala as much as I can, just because I love the production. Maybe a reverbdrenched Led Zeppelin drum beat will be in there as well if I get my way!

What does it feel like to be nominated by the AIM awards as one of the independent bands to watch?

BBC Introducing in Manchester has always championed us so it’d be nice to win for them and it’s cool to be nominated for us but these things are always so subjective.

We’re just gonna go, see what happens, and try to not embarrass ourselves after several drinks.

What can we expect from the 35 date tour?

Loud guitars, lasers, and a lot of bass. And if you're not into our music come for the light show. I remember someone on the front row at a show recently shouting "this is like acid without the hangover".

Our lighting engineer Callum has never been so proud.

Has this added any pressure on the band?

Not at all. I write music because I adore music. It’s actually as simple as that.

Pressure is almost always a good thing for me but that should come from the true listeners. I’ve rather egotistically always wanted to impress other musicians and the industry but I’ve started to realise that music means the most to those who have your songs on repeat in the car or sing the words at the top of their lungs at a show. I do that with my favourite bands and I know how much that means to me.

That’s the only pressure I need.

What's the trick to surviving being on tour and away from home?

Prep and honesty. It can be pretty gruelling after a couple of weeks in a tour bus. You’ve just got to prepare well, stay fit, and be honest about when you need some personal space. The band and the tour team are best friends and spend every day together so it’s not a big deal for us.

Lastly, what advice/tips would you give to a budding Manchester-based musician?

Work harder than any other band out there. Don’t play the show if you're not going to give everything. Don’t bullshit.

Learn your instrument like your life depends on it. Steal the rider for the way home. Go to every show you can to watch and learn. And have some fucking fun doing it. It’s really easy to see when you’re not.

When can we expect to see the release of the debut album and what influences have gone into creating it?

The album will be ready in 2020 and I cannot wait to have it finished as a collective, conceptual piece of work. Influence-wise I guess we’ve subconsciously added elements we’ve

FOLLOW @larkinsband

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Abnormal Sleepz Kaleidoscope Words by Mark Jorgensen

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The strength of the Manchester hip hop scene at the moment is what makes articles such as my previous ones to watch, that much harder to compile. There is so much emerging talent in the city breaking through and establishing themselves, breaking records and creating firsts along the way.

A latest first, is the signing of Manchester rapper Abnormal Sleepz to Amsterdam-based record label The North Quarter, owned by drum and bass legend Lenzman, for what will be the first hip hop release on the label.

Aside from the name, the label does have a history with Manchester, with founder Lenzman’s remix of Still Standing by Manchester’s Children of Zeus winning best remix at the 2016 Drum and Bass Arena awards.

Speaking on how the connection with Lenzman came about “we have a mutual mate who we use for videos, and he was a fan of my Meditape 2 mixtape and had seen what I was doing. We just got chatting from there, it started with me doing a couple of features on a couple of releases on his platform.

From there it was a case of us talking about how we could get my music out to a wider audience.

It’s also a way for them to diversify for them to put out more hip hop and soul music.”

The success of his independently created and released mixtapes has allowed Sleepz to develop as an artist, honing his craft, and that process was crucial to him now taking a step up to the next level with a full album release.

“I started focusing on myself. After putting out Meditape 1, which thinking back was a bit half hearted, and it was Meditape 2 which took me to that new level with people starting to really take notice of my music.

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It was the first time I’d really properly invested any money into studio time, and I just ended up putting it out on Bandcamp, rather than any of the other platforms, as I didn’t really know how.

At that point I was still hesitant to sell my music, but on Bandcamp you can either download it for free or name your price. People were paying for it when they didn’t have to, and I recouped everything I’d put out for the studio, which was mad. It showed me how many people around the world were listening to me” With this catalogue of mixtapes, features and singles behind him, Sleepz debut album Kaleidoscope, is set for release in early September through The North Quarter.

On the album “This project was created at a time where there was a lot of things happening around me. This affected my feelings and moods over a period of time which changed a lot.

This is what the project essentially reflects down to the sound and music I'd produced during this period. As people we have lots of layers where our emotions are concerned so it was important that this project reflected my energy and how I felt through the constant changes.”

The first single from the album, Textures, a collaboration with fellow Manchester rising star HMD, was released as an exclusive through Complex, features a brilliant, Windrush era, 1940s-themed video created by Karl John and Blackstone Visuals, and is inspired by Sleepz upbringing in Moss Side, living in and around the generations and families most impacted by the scandal.

Alongside the label signing, Sleepz has also signed to Earth Agency for bookings, alongside some of Manchester’s best talent, such as Children of Zeus, Levelz and Gaika, so there are launch parties, shows and tours in the works to support the album release.

There will also be more videos and singles in the works from the album, with Kaleidoscope available everywhere now.

GIGS

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Calva Louise

WHP + Highsnobiety presents

AITCH

Sun 1st Dec 2019 YES

Sat 7th Dec 2019 Depot Mayfield

Thu 19th Dec 2019 Manchester Academy

Anna Meredith

KANO

DJ SHADOW

Tue 4th Feb 2020 Gorilla

Sat 15th Feb 2020 Victoria Warehouse

Fri 28th Feb 2020 Albert Hall

blossoms

D DOUBLE E

JP COOPER

Sat 28th Mar 2020 Manchester Arena

Thu 2nd Apr 2020 Soup Kitchen

Thu 16th Apr 2020 Albert Hall

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Crazy P Soundsystem

MEEKZ

HOMOELECTRIC

Fri 20th Dec 2019 Gorilla

Sat 28th Dec 2019 The Bread Shed

Tue 31st Dec 2019 YES

Hot 8 brass band

[KSR]

BLACK JOSH

Fri 6th Mar 2020 O2 Ritz

Thu 19th Mar 2020 Band On The Wall

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The Adelphi Lads Club

by Strategy From his early output as an MC, to his days as a member of 2000' rap group ‘Broke’n’£nglish’, Strategy has now solidified himself as a celebrated underground producer.

As his career developed, Strategy began to see success in the electronic world through his releases on Dub Phizix’s label. Living what may have felt like a musical double life, his 2011 single “Marka” showed Strategy’s versatility as an artist, notching up millions of plays and support from major global tastemakers including Benji B, Annie Mac, David Rodigan and Skrillex.

His latest EP is a telling six track ode to a hometown landmark.

The Adelphi Lads Club was founded in 1888 as one of England’s first youth clubs, though Strategy describes the Salford based establishment as “much more than that.” Strategy credits this local community pillar as the place he learned “respect, discipline, application, and how it is to become a representation of something more than just yourself.”

After burning down over a decade ago, Strategy pays homage to this foundational environment in efforts to highlight its necessity as he firmly believes it is “appalling that places like this don’t exist anymore.”

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A rhythmic voyage through the cosmos of a long-lost Mancunian youth oasis Named after the famous (or infamous) Manchester City Centre road, ‘Trinity Way’ is a banger out-ofthe-gate. The track starts off with a raw, telling voice-over from Reece Williams which sets the scene for the succeeding staccato drum pattern and fidgety synth stabs. This explosive track is Manchester through and through, with a rugged bass-line that would have tore up prime-era Sankey’s (rest in peace).

The EP can be considered to be a sonic equivalent to the feeling of hope; an intriguing contrast to the lack of hope that post-austerity Britain is dealing with. Within its bright moments, where soulful keyboards and punchy drums run riot, this EP is holding a gentle conversation about the world that Mancunian’s generation Z are growing up in.

On the EP’s final track, Strategy’s three year old daughter Everley, who Strategy says is “always” in his home studio, appears to repeatedly announce that “the world is mine, peace to the world”. It’s a powerful message from the youngster, and a harmonious ending to the proceedings.

Across six tracks, ‘The Adelphi Lads Club’ features a heavy focus on contrast of sound. As the grim, dystopian ‘Ragged’ fades, ‘Sunspots’ arises. This off-kilter collaboration with JustJo is hazy and woozy, like a hot summers day when you can feel the sun melting into your skin. ‘Nine Percent Rose’ is a hypnotising record that, out of any track, leans most towards contemporary rap/trap, centred around (what sounds like) a mobile phone sample that’s been re-purposed and chopped into an infectious melody. ‘Cannon Street Kids’ however, is a chaotic 2-step track with garage-inspired drums and a throwback vocal excerpt from 1990's Notting Hill attendees.

As Manchester’s skyline changes and city centre expands, it’s safe to say that change, for better or for worse, has inspired Strategy. The Adelphi Lads Club EP is a refreshing addition to a busy year for Manchester music, and is another trophy in the cabinet for an underground legend’s now-extensive amazing track record.

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Manchester's longest running club night It's a freezing cold, wet and blustery Saturday night in Manchester.

A leopard skin-clad Bet Gilroy has just pulled her last pint in the Rovers Return, Cliff Richard has just been made a Knight of the Realm and you're in a huge queue outside a former sunday school in an area that is now known as Deansgate Locks awaiting the opening of a brand-new night...

Funkademia.

It's 1995 and much of the city's clubbing scene is still in the sweaty clutches of house music, as The Hacienda clung on for dear life over on Whitworth Street and other clubs attempted to ride the wave and emulate it's cultural (but not financial) success.

But there was something new and exciting set to begin at The Boardwalk, and what begun on that cold, dark evening 24 years ago is still as popular as it ever was. Funkademia had arrived and it was here to stay.

Now officially the city's longest running club night, founder of Funkademia, Dave Payne, has described the night as a 'chronological history of soul' with a collective of DJ's playing the very best in soul, funk, disco and hip-hop, with a touch of R'n'B and house classics thrown in for good measure.

Words by Ben Brown

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Back in 1995 though, it was all about New Jack Swing, a fusion genre that originated in 1986 from Janet Jackson's third studio album Control, and subsequently entered club consciousness over subsequent years.

This movement, coupled with classic funk and soul from the 70's and 80's, proved to be clubbing catnip for Funkademia and the hundreds of Mancunians that would queue up and dance allnight, whatever the weather.

By the time Funkademia had opened, New Jack Swing was proving highly popular in the city, offering up a more urban musical experience than the typical house classics that were blaring out of speakers across the city.

But as New Jack Swing made way for newer musical sounds, as did Funkadmia - riding the wave of what the city wanted and what the city was dancing to. As they moved to The Attic in 1996 and then the larger Subspace in 2000,

Funkademia continued packed out every week.

to

be

By around 2007 Funkademia had moved a few times more, firstly to Zumebar on Oxford Road and then to One Central Street (after a short hiatus for Dave to concentrate on his family). It was here that Funkademia added more DJ's to their roster, including Good for the Soul team Jamie Scahill and Keith Griffiths - both of who are heavily involved in the night to this day.

It was also here that Funkademia added some true soul and funk legends to their roster, with some unforgettable nights with the likes of Norman Jay and Greg Wilson hitting the decks.

2009 saw One Central Street close their doors and so Funkademia was forced to move once again, this time to the other end of town to Mint Lounge, right in the heart of the city's Northern Quarter.

Mint Lounge offered up a fantastic basement space which to this day is still full every single Saturday.

With a dedicated and loyal following, the night continues to grow from strength to strength, providing the city not just with a 'chronological history of soul' but also with a chronological history of Manchester's clubbing scene.

Any night that has survived for 24 years and continues to be just as popular and busy as it was back in October 1995 must be doing something right. And if you're wondering what that 'something' is - just ask anyone down in Mint Lounge on a Saturday - they'll be more than happy to tell you.

FOLLOW @funkademiamancunia

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Words by Mark Jorgensen

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DANNY FAHEY, THIRTY POUND GENTLEMAN 'Underground Heroes' is a new feature profiling some of the city’s unsung heroes from all walks of life and industry.

Where better to start than with Danny Fahey, who after a career as a successful musician has been working with young creatives around Manchester for over a decade now, helping them with education, mentoring and employability, winning multiple awards along the way.

Danny’s ability to connect with and support young musicians is built from his success in the music business in his early life as a performer learning to manage himself at a major label.

Having been one of the first ever UK rappers to gain a major record deal, Danny brings with him a unique level of insight for TPG to provide mentoring to emerging artists, working with some of Manchester’s best young talents including Chunky, Gaika, Mason Collective, Daisy Adams, Slay, Stef Smith and Just Banco; who was recently featured in the Manchester Power 100.

Not a literal Mancunian, but very much an honorary one, Danny moved to Manchester over a decade ago following a successful music career in London to set up Thirty Pound Gentleman, which he describes as ‘a creative company with a social mission’.

“We can give young creatives the guidance I didn’t have. I’ve had a career in the music business, and can provide them something which is lacking, or not being provided by the institutions.”

TPG has been working behind the scenes for years in Manchester, helping to influence and inspire the careers and lives of many of the city’s young creatives, winning a Chamber of Commerce Skills For Business award in 2017, and the SME News 2019 leading innovators of visual and audio resources; an award given for their 2018 Grind Seminar.

Grime Beyond Borders was one such project, designed to connect Manchester artists with industry peers around the world, from Czech Republic, Netherlands to as far as Japan, with the two artists collaborating to perform together at reciprocal shows in each other’s cities.

Speaking on the role of TPG, Danny explains “It’s about creation, just in its raw format, in the street format; it’s where we’re from and what we do. The social mission is all about employability. It’s to up-skill young creatives ready for the creative industry.

“It’s based on an experience I had. When I was really young I was lucky enough to tour Australia as a musician, but being that far away from home for the first time, as far away from the estate as I’ll ever get, and people knew my music, so Grime Beyond Borders is designed to give young artists the opportunities for that experience.”

You might have a young person who has no academic proof, we are a GQAL registered centre specialising in creative leadership who can provide an accredited employability award to give them an avenue back into education, or directly into employment”

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On the broader ethos of TPG, Danny says;

“We do what we want and we don’t ask for permission, and it’s allowing young creatives to know that’s ok, you don’t need permission, you don’t need to go to college or university to create.”

Alongside the mentoring and employability, TPG are heavily involved in a number of events around the city, from involvement with Manchester International Festival, to their Grind Seminar series, which Danny describes as the flagship initiative of the brand.

“The Grind Seminars are designed to let young people come to listen to ‘horses’ mouth’ experiences of people in the music business. In the first seminar we had ten speakers from artists, club promoters, club owners, brand consultants, people who they can listen to who have had relatable experiences.

It’s a warts and all version. People talking about successes and failures. I think it’s important to get it wrong. Some young artists feel like they have failed if they haven’t got a deal within the first couple of years. When you come into the industry you don’t know what you don’t know, and it’s ok to get it wrong, as long as you can learn from it and apply that.”

FOLLOW @thirtypoundgentleman

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ISSUE 05 01.11.19 - 01.04.20

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