Sounds From The Other City unveils full 2017 line-up

EARLIER this week, it was announced that Sounds from the Other City will be co-programming Manchester International Festival’s Pavilion, which will open nightly in the festival hub Albert Square.

But that’s not to say the SFTOC team have put their veteran music festival on the backburner - in fact, they’ve been hard at work compiling a bank holiday line-up that continues to push boundaries and showcase upcoming new acts (some of them so ‘upcoming’ we’ve admittedly never heard of them).  

Whilst the first wave of acts were announced in early Feb, it’s only today the full line-up has been revealed; with the likes of Simon Joyner and new project OTOMO X, from Savages members Fay and Ayse, joining previously-announced acts like hotly-tipped Londoners HMLTD, Dutch singer-songwriter Amber Arcades and a unique live showcase from BBC Philharmonic, broadcast live from Salford Cathedral. 

North West talent features strongly too: Horsebeach, TVAM, The Lovely Eggs and the very catchy-sounding IAMDDB.

This year also sees SFTOC team up with a host of new labels and promoters - including Heavenly Records, new Mcr-Sheffield promoters Family Tree, Contact theatre’s spoken word collective Young Identity, FACT Magazine’s Swing Ting, Hebden Bridge’s forward thinking InkFolk and local record label Aficionado. 

As ever, performances will take place around Salford’s Chapel Street area. Venues include churches, warehouses, pubs and social centres; curated by leading promoters such as Now Wave, Hey! Manchester and Grey Lantern. But, alongside mainstays like this come changes as the festival - now entering its thirteenth year - continues to develop. Reflecting its roots in performance and art, as well as music, The White Hotel will be transforming the historic King’s Arms into a specially commissioned experiential musical theatre show, 2000AD - and 2017’s visual directors IMPATV are creating an immersive show called Sound of the New Dawn.

It’s this reputation as a ‘creative playground’ that now draws over 2000 people to SFTOC - which, unsurprisingly, was conceived at Salford’s stalwart arts venue Islington Mill. Tickets are now available at Common, Islington Mill, North Tea Power, Font Chorlton, Kings Arms, the Old Pint Pot and Piccadilly Records (no booking fee) or online from www.skiddle.com. 

Sounds from the Other City takes place 30 April, 3pm-4am - full line-up below: 

The White Hotel @ The King’s Arms 

The White Hotel will transform the King’s Arms into a special narrative-musical theatre show, 2000AD by Austin Collings, featuring: The Rebel, Space Afrika, Jupiter, Blood Sport, Jack Ladder, The Death of Money, Monk, Several Wives, Go Away, Salo, Vacuumorph, Fandango Hack presents: Original Soundtrack Music, Psychic Sister Pseudo Seance Band, Nova, Vendel and ‘very special guests.’

Shambodie & Ping Pong Club @ Salford Arms

Expect the usual mayhem from Manchester’s leading comedy night. Play ping pong in between acts, or just enjoy the party vibe. Acts include: Birthday Bread Man, The Delightful Sausage, Sam & Tom, Goose, Maddy Storm, Bethlehem Casuals and more.

Comfortable on a Tightrope @ United Reformed Church

Manchester’s leftfield music promoters deliver a remarkable line-up once again including: Simon Joyner, David Nance, Joanne Robertson, Cult Party, Irma Vep, Vital Idles, Jennifer Reid, Jess Higgins and R Elizabeth.

Bad Uncle @ Egerton Arms

Enjoy an irreverent punk-led showcase in this new venue for Sounds, a Salford institution that’s located opposite the train station. Performers include: Drahla, Patty Hearst, Autobodies, Batteries, Chew Magna, Milk Crimes and Nanna.

Good Afternoon @ The New Oxford

Good Afternoon presents ‘The Love Cave: Declare Independence!’ - a great big, fun-hearted disco party including Slag Heap Disco, Kiss Me Again and Good Afternoon DJs.

Tru Luv @ Bexley Sq

The local new music promoters host a hip hop, jazz and R&B flavoured showcase with the likes of: Sleazy F Baby, IAMDDB, Children of Zeus, Tobi Sunmola, Abnormal Sleepz, Callista Rouge and Visuals by Espher.

Midi School @ Bexley Sq DJ & bar area

DJs and live acts from the Midi School roster.

The Wonderful Sound of Aficionado @ Islington Mill

Manchester record label and club Aficionado, founded by DJs Moonboots and Jason Boardman, teams up with Miles Copeland’s Wonderful Sound label for this special showcase. The three DJs will be performing alongside artists including Horsebeach, July Skies, Nev Cottee Band, Torn Sail, Lee Southall and Angelina.

NTS Live @ Islington Mill Gallery

NTS is the UK’s leading forward-thinking online radio station. Expect live sets and DJS such as Slowthai w/ Bone Soda, IAMDDB, HMD, Contours b2b Hidden Spheres, ANZ and many more.

Sacred Tapes @ Engine House, Islington Mill

Expect the unexpected with this leftfield local label showcase, which will be played from the Engine House balcony into the courtyard outside. Acts include White Death, Nino, Still and more.

Now Wave @ Unit 5, Regent Trading Estate

Manchester’s biggest independent promoters bring another stellar line up to Sounds, featuring: OTOMO X (Fay Milton/Ayse Hassan, Savages + Martin Dubka), HMLTD, Shame, Goat Girl, Hand Habits, Plastic Mermaids, KLLO

Prayer and Luxury Death.

Grey Lantern @ Unit 2, Regent Trading Estate

Flamingods and Vanishing Twin lead a line up of international electronic music with this forward thinking promoter - comprising Virginia Wing, Melting and Farhood, with more TBA.

Hey Manchester @ St Philips Church

Expect the best in folk, indie and Americana from around the world: The Lovely Eggs, Proper Ornaments, Fazerdaze, Hannah Peel, Tom Williams, Living Body and OLA.

Heavenly Recordings @ The Old Pint Pot Upstairs

Acclaimed London label presents a showcase including: Amber Arcades, The Orielles, TVAM, Britain, Ali Horn and Creatures amongst others. 

T’OPP Presents @ The Old Pint Pot Downstairs

The Old Pint Pot collective presents the very best of Manchester and Salford’s new music scene, featuring: Spectres,

Giant Swan, Lavender, Lord Kesseli & the Drums, The Showers, Starlight Magic Hour, The Roasts, Taos Humm and Mold.

Family Tree @ The Angel Centre

A TransPennine new music showcase presents…Duds, Sammartino, Katie Pham and the Moonbathers, Rosey PM, Birth Marks, Golden Dregs and Arc.

Fat Out & Paradox’s Pizza Party @ Vero Moderno

The Italian restaurant in Vimto Gardens will host alternative music promoters Fat Out alongside karaoke, spoken word and a pizza party. DJ Acid Rephlux will be joined by Insterstella Discomare, Sphnksta and Out of Quiet & OneFiveEight DJs.

Beauty Witch @ The Crescent

‘Heavy, heavy noise’ featuring: Sex Swing, Bruxa Maria, Casual Nun, Stupid Cosmonaut, Klaus Kinski and FTSE 100.

Young Identity pop-up performances across the site

Based out of Contact, Young Identity is a collective of young, spoken word artists who are also teaming up with Flexn’ at MIF this year. The line up includes: Jardel Rodrigues, Roma Havers, Sky Wolf, Tukaaisloveletter and Isaiah Hull.