Off The Record
Among the events at emerging multi-venue music event and conference, Off The Record, it has been announced that DJ/writer Dave Haslam will be hosting an in-conversation with Steve Rotheram; the man nominated to represent the Labour Party in next year’s mayoral elections in Liverpool, and Andy Burnham, his counterpart; the Labour Party’s chosen candidate for mayor of Greater Manchester.
Off The Record is a brand new music event and conference taking place in Manchester’s Northern Quarter on Friday 4th November. A collaboration between three premier independent music festivals – Kendal Calling, Sound City and Bluedot – Off The Record is all about new music and innovative ideas.
In the evening, 30 emerging and unsigned bands will be showcased in six venues in Manchester city centre and during the day, there is an extensive conference programme of talks, workshops, and discussions. The artists performing are nominated by 30 cutting edge national curators such as Guy Garvey, Huw Stephens, John Kennedy, Tim Burgess, Lara Baker and Elizabeth Alker, to name but a few, who have each put forward 3 hotly tipped emerging artists, defined by only having been together less than 24 months and having not yet released an album. The acts will all be new and with a huge focus on the undiscovered, Off The Record will be keeping the line-up a secret until 24 hours before the event.
As part of the conference, Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham will be in conversation with Dave Haslam. Dave Haslam says;
“It’s a chance for me and the audience to meet, and to challenge, two men who are hoping to effect positive change in two great cities in the North West.”
The politicians will be quizzed on issues surrounding music, arts and culture and beyond. Expect the discussion to include; what’s the common ground between Liverpool and Manchester and should the cities strengthen their links and work together? Is the perception that music scenes in both cities trade on their very wonderful past glories and how do we nurture future talent? How can we encourage greater engagement and access to music and arts facilities in the two cities? Should and can we protect live music venues and nightclubs from closure?
Further conference discussions will include Brian Cannon, the photographer behind Oasis’s iconic ‘Definitely Maybe’ album cover, who will be speaking with David Drake, the man behind the neon photography surrounding The 1975’s Mercury Prize nominated ‘I like it when you sleep’; Tim Burgess and O Genesis Records who will be discussing what is involved in running an independent label; panel session ‘If you’re gonna do it, do it right’ will see champions of live music (The Ruby Lounge, Fiesta Bombarda, EVOL, Sofar Sounds, MEAN Music) sharing their top tips & tricks, along with many more discussions and panels, with full details listed on theOTR website.
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OFF THE RECORD:
Date: Friday 4th November
Area: Manchester’s Northern Quarter
Venues: Night and Day, The Castle, Gullivers, Soup Kitchen, Aatma, Ruby Lounge, Methodist Central Buildings
