Home About Music News Contact

Featured Work

Mancunian Matters •

'You can't judge anyone': Volunteering with a Manchester homeless charity ahead of their busiest period

Homelessness charities have seen a rise in the number of people using their service over the past couple of years – and the winter months are bound to be the most testing time of the year. Finn Toal volunteered with a Manchester charity to find out more.

The clock has just hit five, and the queue of homeless people is already winding around the corner outside Strangeways Prison.

Coffee4Craig is a charity established in 2013, when Craig White, the brother of founder Risha Lancaster, died due to
Mancunian Matters •

James Bulger murderer Jon Venables’ lawyers received more than £100,000 for re-offences as parole hearing is granted

One of James Bulger’s killers, who has had his recent bid for parole accepted, has had more than £100,000 worth of legal aid granted since his initial release in 2001.

A freedom of information request to the Ministry of Justice revealed Jon Venables’ legal aid cost £100,735.10 in anonymity and civil representation, relating to his re-offences after the horrific murder of two-year-old James Bulger, for which he was released in 2001.

Venables’ case will not be heard in public and will last for t
Mancunian Matters •

Manchester performers at Edinburgh Fringe’s 75th Anniversary

Manchester acts who performed at the 75th anniversary of the Edinburgh Fringe 2022 expressed their excitement of the return to the event during this special video piece from Mancunian Matters.


The Edinburgh Fringe was fully opened to the public this year after COVID-19 cancelled the festival in 2020 and a heavily reduced event took place in 2021.

Only 21% of performers were live in Edinburgh last year, which is in comparison to the scale of performances this year.

However, 2022 saw the Fri
Mancunian Matters •

Missing Moors Murders victim's body could be found thanks to new legislation

After 56 years, Moors Murder victim Keith Bennett’s body could finally be discovered with the help of powers given to police by a new bill.

The Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will go to Committee stage on October 20th, and it could pave the way for police to search Ian Brady’s locked suitcases.

This could be the last chance to access additional information that would assist the police in identifying the grave of Bennett.

Brady instructed his solicitor in 2017 to hold his two briefc
GigPig •

Noise complaints are impacting the future of hospitality

Rising noise complaints against pubs, bars, and restaurants after the COVID-19 pandemic are creating significant challenges for hospitality venues, threatening the future of live entertainment, which has prompted the Night Time Economy Industry to call for change.For hospitality venues, whether hosting live music to boost revenue and footfall, improve customer satisfaction, or purely through their passion for it, one thing which shouldn’t come with hosting live entertainment is noise complaints....
GigPig •

Golden quarter: Will it cover rising costs from the Autumn Budget?

The rise in costs from the Autumn Budget will see the hospitality sector endure a difficult period in April, making this year’s golden quarter essential to the industry.The ‘golden quarter’ for the hospitality sector is essential, where venues see an increase in trade during the festive period, which brings a significant influx of trade.The Christmas and New Year season traditionally sees an increase in trade fueled by Christmas parties, festive drinks, and the reward of a pint after holiday sho...
GigPig •

Martyn’s Law: How it will impact hospitality businesses

The Terrorism Protection of Premises Bill, more commonly known as Martyn’s Law, is expected to become law within the next year after being included in the King’s Speech. It will require hospitality venues to impose stricter security measures, and Figen Murray OBE told GigPig how this will impact these businesses. Music connects us all, and the atmosphere in hospitality venues is significantly enhanced when live music is played. This makes it especially poignant when tragedy strikes, targeting pe...
GigPig •

Spring Budget 2024: Why a reduction in VAT is essential for the hospitality sector

The Spring budget is looming, and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will outline his economic plan for the country on March 6th and a reduction in VAT has to be included to provide vital support to the hospitality sector.The Spring Budget will be the last before the upcoming general election, and it will be one of the most important statements Hunt will make to the House of Commons in a bid to sure up support for the party. It is bound to introduce lucrative economic packages to act as a final roll of the...
GigPig •

Achieving accessibility in the nightlife sector

After being diagnosed with a bone structure problem, Robbe Van Bogaert uses his disability to empower the night-time industry to strive for accessibility whilst ensuring promoters and businesses are aware of the importance of creating an accessible experience. ‍Robbe boasts 20 years of experience in the sector and in consistently breaking down barriers and stigmas surrounding accessibility in the industry. His mission is now far-reaching with his work as Founder of Eventsure and as nightlife exp...

Key Takeaways from Day 1 at the Night Time Economy Summit | GigPig

Escape from Freight Island in Manchester hosted the Night-Time Economy Summit, which brought together industry moguls from across the globe over two days. Through panellists and networking, the event aims to share information and knowledge, as well as, advice when navigating difficulties in the next few years.

The showcase provided invaluable information and details from different sectors that come together to create The Night Time Industries Association. Plans were laid out for the coming year

Key Takeaways from Day 2 at the Night Time Economy Summit | GigPig

Escape from Freight Island in Manchester hosted the Night-Time Economy Summit, which brought together industry moguls from across the globe over two days. Through panellists and networking, the event aims to share information and knowledge, as well as, advice when navigating difficulties in the next few years.‍


The showcase provided invaluable information and details from different sectors that come together to create The Night Time Industries Association. Plans were laid out for the coming y

The Key Challenges facing the Night-Time Economy | GigPig

This topic would always dominate the Night-Time Economy Summit when coming into the two-day event. Sacha Lord has recently been tirelessly campaigning to reduce the 20% VAT currently imposed on the hospitality business to 12.5%. But the significance of the issue was telling when the CEOs of the NTIA, UKHospitality, BBPA and IOH all unanimously agreed that the stubbornly high VAT is the biggest challenge the sector faces. All three Metro Mayors also agreed to reduce VAT, with Andy Burnham, Tracy

“We don’t forget here”: Andy Burnham comments on Sacha Lord’s billboard shaming the Conservative Party | GigPig

Whilst Manchester rolled out the red carpet for the Conservative Party Conference, Sacha Lord had other ideas.

‍Instead of extending a warm reception to the Conservative Leader, he chose to make a bold statement by featuring Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, adorned with red eyes, and plastered his face on the biggest billboard in Manchester.

Conveniently, it’s also right around the corner from Manchester Convention Complex Centre, where the party conference is taking place, as a constant reminder

A glimmer of hope in a dark period for grassroots music venues | GigPig

‍The cost-of-living crisis is proving to be a testing time for grassroots music venues, coming directly after the difficulties of COVID. It feels as if there is no room to breathe for some businesses. But a new scheme from the Music Venue Trust has secured the future for a Greater Manchester venue.

One of the country's most beloved live music venues, Moles in Bath, has shut its doors after 45 years, and is the most recent casualty of the economic issues with the cost-of-living crisis.

Like man

Analogue recording: The misunderstood beast of audio recording | GigPig

Whilst digital recording may have become accepted within the modern recording studio, Julie McLarnon solely works with analogue tape, with her recording studio, Analogue Catalogue, which ensures that those distant techniques and signature analogue sounds are still championed.

It’s no secret that analogue recording declined in its usage when digital became the mainstay within recording studios in the late 90s and early 2000s.

Digital has streamlined the way tracks are recorded and mixed, so muc

The Evolution of Dance and Electronic Music | GigPig

From the basements in Chicago to global dance floors, electronic and dance music has undergone numerous iterations, making it one of the most consumed genres across the world.


Electronic dance music is a cultural phenomenon that has transcended boundaries, pushing the limits of creativity and technology and allowing endless possibilities on the mixing deck.


An International Federation of the Phonographic Industry report outlined that dance and electronic music was the fourth most popular g

The vital role of music publisher BDi Music | GigPig

Within today’s competitive and ever-evolving music industry, where the way listeners consume their music has completely transformed, one often overlooked but crucial player in the industry is the role of a music publisher.

Their role cannot be overstated, they're the unsung heroes of the industry, as they work behind the scenes on behalf of songwriters and composers to ensure they collect and pay out all the royalties they earn from their compositions.

The work that music publishers undergo is

The chaos behind the broken ticketing system | GigPig

‍The daunting nerves and the overwhelming excitement you get ten minutes before the floodgates open to rush and buy tickets for your favourite artist.

Whether you’ve prepared all night with a clear strategy to guarantee a ticket, gone through pre-sale to bolster your chances or even rocked up right before tickets are on sale, there’s always a quiet optimism that you will secure your place at the front for a gig.

Well, that is right up until the point you're launched into a ridiculously long qu

Recognition from Independent Venue Week is ‘the most important’ aspect for Manchester Venue Rebellion | GigPig

Independent Venue Week (IVW) saw hundreds of gigs happening across the country to amplify the important of grassroots venues to the music ecosystem.


There were 205 venues that came together to host an abundance of shows nationwide in what was the IVW's 10th anniversary. The seven-day annual event commenced on January 29th and celebrated independent music and arts venues. In that time it had facilitated 5,000 shows and, in doing so, sold more than a million tickets.

The initiative highlighted

The unsung heroes who champion emerging artists in the industry | GigPig

Grassroots musicians are essential to the ecosystem of our industry. Globally recognised artists once started in sweaty basements and cramped concert halls, and going through the circuit is essential in gaining confidence, exposure and a following.


The music industry is a tough one at the best of times, but when Music Venues Trust reported that 120 grassroots venues have closed, which is 15% of the total of all grassroots venues, with a further 84 in crisis, it made it even tougher. Grassroo
Mancunian Matters •

Watch: Manchester's spectacular candlelight concert

The best songs from the Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi were performed by the string quartet String Infusion at the Hallé St Peter’s in Ancoats on Saturday 9th December, under the glow of candle light.


His compositions from the Studio Ghibli franchise have created films such as My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away.


These original concerts were created by Fever, who is the leading global live entertainment discovery platform.


Initially showcasing the greatest classical composers, it now
Mancunian Matters •

'You can't judge anyone': Volunteering with a Manchester homeless charity ahead of their busiest period

Homelessness charities have seen a rise in the number of people using their service over the past couple of years – and the winter months are bound to be the most testing time of the year. Finn Toal volunteered with a Manchester charity to find out more.

The clock has just hit five, and the queue of homeless people is already winding around the corner outside Strangeways Prison.

Coffee4Craig is a charity established in 2013, when Craig White, the brother of founder Risha Lancaster, died due to
GigPig •

GigPig - 30 years of Britpop: Jake Shillingford's journey through music

This year marks the 30th anniversary of one of Britain’s most culturally significant music eras - Britpop, where frontman of My Life Story, Jake Shillingford, shares his insights from the period as he gears up to release new music.

This was kickstarted by Suede’s eponymous debut album, igniting a musical explosion, that would reverberate throughout the UK.

Over the next four years, the scene was dominated by Britpop’s big four: Suede, Pulp, Blur and Oasis, whose releases in that period instant
Mancunian Matters •

James Bulger murderer Jon Venables’ lawyers received more than £100,000 for re-offences as parole hearing is granted

One of James Bulger’s killers, who has had his recent bid for parole accepted, has had more than £100,000 worth of legal aid granted since his initial release in 2001.

A freedom of information request to the Ministry of Justice revealed Jon Venables’ legal aid cost £100,735.10 in anonymity and civil representation, relating to his re-offences after the horrific murder of two-year-old James Bulger, for which he was released in 2001.

Venables’ case will not be heard in public and will last for t
Mancunian Matters •

James Bulger murderer Jon Venables’ lawyers received more than £100,000 for re-offences as parole hearing is granted

One of James Bulger’s killers, who has had his recent bid for parole accepted, has had more than £100,000 worth of legal aid granted since his initial release in 2001.

A freedom of information request to the Ministry of Justice revealed Jon Venables’ legal aid cost £100,735.10 in anonymity and civil representation, relating to his re-offences after the horrific murder of two-year-old James Bulger, for which he was released in 2001.

Venables’ case will not be heard in public and will last for t
GigPig •

GigPig - Public confidence in political leaders plummets as pub closures soar

Soaring energy costs and lack of business support from the government have resulted in an increase in pubs forced to declare last orders as the backbone of the British culture is being threatened.

There is a significant lack of faith in political leaders to protect from closures as nearly half of the population doesn’t believe any political party has the pub’s best interests at heart.

The survey conducted by Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) revealed the sobering statistics that 43% of those surve
Load More