Sounds of the Suburbs: The future of live music in Oldham
Join us for this lively debate about the future of live music!
Can the live music scene survive outside of Manchester City Centre?
Our panel features members of the Greater Manchester Music Board Jay Taylor (Chair & part of Music Venue Trust), Dave Brown (Even The Stars webzine) and Rebecca Swarray (GMCA), and will be chaired by Martyn Walsh from the Inspiral Carpets, music industry consultant and the BIPC GM’s Creative Industries Guru in Residence!
Dave Brown runs the independent Manchester-based music blog Even The Stars featuring new music from the city region and beyond, and also contributes to the Louder Than War online website. He has championed now-established bands like Blossoms, The Slow Readers Club, LIINES and Ist Ist at the start of their careers and has worked extensively with Tim Booth and James for many years. A passionate gig-goer, he attends around 200 gigs a year both in Manchester and further afield.
Rebecca Swarray is the founder and curator of Manchester based events and arts collective, RebeccaNeverBecky and co-founder of queer DJ Collective, Queer Latifah. She also is known as DJ Mix-Stress who is a firm favourite on the Manchester music scene and beyond, pleasing audiences and ears with her soulful and uplifting sets. Holding monthly residences at various Manchester venues and more recently Gaydio Radio where she platforms new and upcoming DJs and producers.
By day she also works with the GMCA Night-time Economy & Creative, Culture Team as a Senior Policy Officer. Working on various projects and particularly focusing on Creative Improvement Districts across GM. She is also curator and programmer within StreamGM, curating streaming partnerships with grass root clubbing events which shine a spotlight on Manchester DJs and local promoters. Rebecca is very passionate about bringing different communities together and creating opportunities for people.
Jay Taylor was born in Withington, Manchester, the son of a bass player and a showgirl. He has been variously… In-house promoter-manager at Manchester’s Night & Day Café, Ruby Lounge and Manchester235 Casino, a radio presenter, studio producer, illustrator (notably at Deadline Magazine alongside Jamie Hewlett et al), a music journalist, shoe model, music industry lecturer, Mister February in the inaugural Beards of Manchester calendar, Gold Blade guitarist, partner in the wonderful folly that was Manchester’s first urban beach project, and tour manager for the sensational Ren Harvieu.
Jay is currently the English National Coordinator for the Music Venue. He carves up the remainder of his time by chairing the Greater Manchester Music Commission for Mayor Andy Burnham, and contributing to the Greater Manchester Night-time Economy Taskforce and the Manchester Music City steering group. Open Door, his weekly acoustic and spoken word event is moving into its fifth year and Jay is still drawing one cartoon a day to go inside his daughter’s school lunchbox. Work on the 3rd album by Jay’s unwieldy 8-piece cosmic americana band Bone-Box is moving apace, and he somehow finds time to lead a masked ukulele trio who exclusively sing songs about drinking.
It promises to be a gripping debate!
Book your ticket HERE