Sounds from the Other City each year is brought together by an eclectic group of the region’s finest promoters, club nights and platforms who are tasked with selecting a line-up of their most exciting new Sounds of the year.
To introduce you to just a handful of those selectors, Emily from the SFTOC Team went to ask them a few quick questions…
First up we have
Phill from TRU LUV…
Phill is a Manchester-based promoter who will be taking over Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse on Sunday. His lineup includes performances from July 7, The KTNA, No Space Mcr and DJ sets from Jasmine Rowland between sets. Tru Luv promotes alternative hip hop, neo-soul, and electronica, working with a plethora of Manchester-based artists, such as Children of Zeus, Abnormal Sleepz and Black Josh.
Introduce yourself to our readers and tell us a little bit about yourself!
Hey! I’m Phill and I’ve been promoting in some shape or form since 2006. I started out writing fanzines (and later on blogging) so it felt like a natural step to put on gigs for the artists I’d been discovering. Tru Luv is a platform for hip hop, neo-soul and electronic sounds, working with artists like IAMDDB, Children of Zeus and Flohio.
How did you get involved in the festival?
When I moved here, the city was in the midst of a Madchester hangover, and wider music coverage focused on our heritage rather than the future. Pay-to-play gigs were widespread and DIY promoters were rising up against it. SFTOC embraced these promoters, and although the names involved have changed over the years, the festival has continued to do an incredible job of bringing together our many creative communities! I feel super proud to be a valued member of the team!
How are your preparations coming along?
Preparations have been stressful for me! I had an artist pull out one hour before the press release was due to go out, and FFSYTHO?! just emailed to say she’s broken her ankle.. but she’s going to boss it on crutches! Mad respect!
Through your takeover of the Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse, what are you hoping to present?
Curating a stage is always an exciting process! I have a fantasy booking list which is constantly being added to, from new artists to the criminally slept on, and dream bookings that I could never afford or persuade. Ultimately, SFTOC really trusts the promoters they work with, and this is why the festival is always so organic and diverse in its presentation. I love the line-up I’ve put together this year, and I know the audience will too!
What are you most excited about at SFTOC?
On a personal note, I’ve been through a lot in recent years – surviving a life-threatening brain tumour and being blessed with a beautiful daughter. SFTOC marks my return to live music post-pandemic. I’m looking forward to catching up with some old friends and making some new ones. It truly is the best day of the year! If you’ve never been before, come and discover a favourite new artist!
Next up…
Wes from NOWWAVE
NOWWAVE have established themselves as one of the most important independent live music and club promoters in the region. Taking over the Hot Bed Press Stage with an indie-fuelled line-up which includes the fantastic John Myrtle, Highschool and The Bug Club. Over the years they’ve debuted artists such as The xx and Alt-J. Their stage is set to leave you with a plethora of new musical discoveries.
Introduce yourself to our readers and tell them a little bit about Now Wave?
NOW WAVE ARE INDEPENDENT PROMOTERS BASED IN MANCHESTER. WE’VE BEEN PROMOTING FOR 14 YEARS. WE’VE BEEN INVOLVED IN SFTOC FOR 9 WONDERFUL YEARS.
How are your preparations coming along?
PREPARATIONS ARE GOING WELL. WE’RE RESTING UP READY FOR THE BIGGEST DAY OF THE YEAR. IT’S INDIE CHRISTMAS.
Through your takeover of the Hot Bed Press, what are you hoping to present?
WE’RE HOPING TO GIVE PEOPLE A LITTLE TASTE OF WHAT NOW WAVE LOVE.
What was your process for selecting the line-up and what was the reasoning behind some of your choices?
WE’RE HUGE FANS OF HOLY OTHER AND ARE DELIGHTED THEY ARE BACK AFTER 8 YEARS WITH NO LIVE SHOWS, AND THE BUG CLUB ARE SELLING OUT EVERYWHERE SO WE EXPECT A BIG CROWD FOR THEM.
What are you most excited about on the day of the festival?
SEEING EVERYONE AT THE FESTIVAL. I ALWAYS BUMP INTO OLD FRIENDS I HAVEN’T SEEN IN AGES.
Last but certainly not least…
Nancy from Good Afternoon
Good Afternoon are a Manchester-based DJ collective known for their pop-up parties that straddle both day and night. Taking over The New Oxford on Bexley Square, expect disco, funk, soul, house, pop, weird stuff and overall, a very ‘Good’ party! Their line-up includes a selection of the best Northern DJs from Manchester legends Queer Latifah, Chips with Everything and What do I tell my friends.
Introduce yourself to our readers and tell me a little bit about Good Afternoon?
We’re four friends that have been DJing together for over 15 years. We got fed up DJing at nights together so started doing day parties. We have put on parties in old boozers, boats, car parks and hotels in Blackpool.
How did you get involved in the festival?
We have been punters at Sounds from the early days. Selina’s drone band played in the Rovers Return back in the day. It’s the best festival. Fact.
Through your takeover of The New Oxford, what are you hoping to present?
Our main mission is to be a party zone from start to finish. The New Oxford is a great venue for people who wander in for a wee and end up staying for the party.
What are you hoping to bring to the festival through your line-up?
We have got the best psychedelic disco bangers, sleazy gay disco and hyper pop vibes. We have got a mega host of DJs doing short sets for us so it’s kind of like a live jukebox.
What are you most excited about on the day of the festival?
The best thing about Sounds is discovering new bands and new corners of the other city that you haven’t been to before. We hope to bring people to a different dimension in the back room of one of Salford’s best boozers.
Check out the Good Afternoon stage
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Now you’ve got to know some of our promoters make sure to check out our stage times and have a think about who you’d like to go and see!
Still, need some inspiration? Make sure to check out our Spotify playlists to delve into the Sounds of the festival.
-Emily Birtley
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