THIS WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO BUT GIVEN THE WIND THIS WEEK AND BEETHAM HAVING A RIGHT GOOD SING-SONG, CONFIDENTIAL HEARS THE PLAN IS BACK ON.
MANCHESTER’s tallest buildings are going to be re-calibrated with classic Manchester tunes Confidential's Sleuth hears.
City agencies believe the singing towers could generate over £25m in annual revenue for the city, “but it’s anybody’s guess really,” said a spokesperson, "as long as the amount sounds significant. We can hope, can't we? And guess."
The recent success of Beetham Tower’s enthusiastic whistling has brought together architects, city councillors, Bruce Forsyth, Dave Haslam and the fella who conducts the Halle Orchestra.
Beetham Tower, you hum it and I'll join in
Beetham Tower (171m), the CIS Tower (118m), City Tower (107m) and Student Castle Tower (106m) will be ‘tuned’ so that on windy days they can serenade citizens, visitors and bag-ladies.
“It’s simple,” said Councillor Karnage. “As a city we are well-known for our musical heritage so we’ve commissioned a team of experts and a very old man who dances a lot, to choose Manchester tunes that will reflect what’s going on in the city.”
Sleuth hears that old classics from the Bee Gees will be included such as ‘More Than A Windy Building’ (surely ‘Woman’, Ed).
The Smiths, ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ will be played early on a Sunday morning and for people living high in Beetham Tower New Order’s ‘True Faith’ will feature on particularly windy days.
For those contemplating jumping off the towers because of the noise, Hurts' ‘Wonderful Life’ might be aired.
“It’s another example of Manchester’s pioneering spirit,” said Karnage dancing a jig and rill on Deansgate under Beetham Tower.
City agencies believe the singing towers could generate over £25m in annual revenue for the city, “but it’s anybody’s guess really,” said a spokesperson, "as long as the amount sounds significant. A bit like the amount the city earned from Manchester International Festival. Or the Christmas Markets. We can hope, can't we? In fact let's say we'll earn £50m."
Sleuth has learnt that Manchester Arndale Tower is annoyed at not being asked. The building told Sleuth, “It’s not about talent any more with bands just about looks. My face clearly didn't fit.”
The RSPCA has complained about the decision to make the buildings sing, "on behalf of all the dogs out there, this will be torture."
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