The annual Sounds from the Other City festival is upon us, taking place this Sunday 30th April across Salford. The tongue-in-cheek festival was a response to Salford being the ‘other city’ in comparison to Manchester, calling attention to the wonderful artists and culture Salford has to offer.
The one-day festival gets bigger every year, now taking over 14 different venues around Salford, with many on Chapel Street, making it incredibly accessible. Salford’s festival of new music and art will this year showcase the best new DJs and live musicians, as well as special performances such as Artists and Activism: A seminar of sex workers in performance. The likes of Deptford Northern Soul Club, Me Gusta Collective, and Sister Wives will be in town, offering a wide selection of music types, creating the perfect vibe whatever your taste.
In the past, the festival has hosted early-day performances from artists as diverse as James Ferraro, Marina, Alt-J, Slowthai, Hannah Peel, and GoGo Penguin, right through to 2017’s Mercury Music Prize winner Sampha, BBC Sound of 2018 nominee IAMDDB and 2019 Mercury Music Prize nominees Black Midi, so it’s a good one to keep an eye on for new talent.
Joining on the day is a host of excellent street food outlets including Dim Sum Su, Seitan’s Kebabs, Eat Like a Greek, and a special Sounds BBQ from Porta Tapas. Throughout the site you’ll find food and drink in many of the venues including festival-tinged fayre in The Old Pint Pot and Seven Bro7hers, so you’ll not go hungry.
SFTOC also has a code of values for the team and festival to adhere to, which includes openness, inquisitiveness and reaching further, community connection, and freedom, all of which you really feel on the day in Salford. On accessibility, they say they are mindful of “how we communicate information, the physical accessibility of our venues, and our operational policies. We might not always get it right but we want to try.”
On a last note, the festival pledges: “Everyone who is part of our festival, whether that be as an audience member, organiser, volunteer, artist, guest or contractor is expected to work together to create an inclusive and safe environment for all.”
Why not pop down and experience the loveliness, new music and great food and drink for yourself amongst the community in Salford at Sounds from the Other City this Sunday? Find tickets here.