Stockport Sounds – a musical celebration of Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture
Stockport Sounds! Because Stockport is alive with sound, and never more so than during the past few months as Stockport took the number one spot as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture – since when has been it supporting venues and artists to bring eclectic new music to Stockport in existing music venues & new music venues.
In celebrating its amazing artistic talent, Stockport has become sell-out hotspot for gigs in a wide range of venues including a mill, an art gallery and a church! While Stockport already boasts amazing, existing facilities for both established and emerging performers, it is the more unusual sell-out settings that have proved popular and captured the imagination of diverse artists and audiences.
Over the past few months, Stockport has attracted big names to intimate settings to provide a unique live music experience in Stockport, including many sell-out gigs, funded by Town of Culture.
Below are just a few of the amazing people, venues, acts, bands, and performances that have put Stockport firmly on the UK’s music map.
Graham Gouldman was a sell-out at Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery …
In the seventies Graham Gouldman was one of Britain’s most successful songwriters and one quarter of the Manchester band 10cc. He was also one of the first financial investors in Stockport’s Strawberry Recording Studios and remained a partner and director in the Studio until the 1980s, helping to cement Stockport’s place as one of the key cultural centres in the country. It was no surprise that the November event was an immediate sell-out in the intimate setting of Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery – an acoustic performance of songs of special, personal significance.
GoGo Penguin’s ‘definitely not a run-of-the-mill performance’ was a sell-out at ‘The Ark’, the region’s state-of-the-art pre-production studio at Welkin Mill, part of South City Studios.
Welkin Mill proved a massive hit with Manchester’s acoustic-electronica trio, GoGo Penguin and the 150-strong sell-out audience who packed one of Stockport’s most recently unveiled musical venues.
South City Studios
Located in Pear Mill and Welkin Mill, Stockport, South City Studios provide world-class, purpose-built, acoustically treated rehearsal and preproduction facilities, and quality studios for the creative industries. Although attracting international musicians, bands and artists attracted by their superior facilities, bands more local to Stockport, including internationally renowned Elbow and Blossoms are at home in one of the many rehearsal and production studios. Owner Paul Bowe has a passion for encouraging and nurturing young talent and welcomes aspiring musicians to the studios who can experience the sounds and atmosphere as well as honing their talent.
Former Elbow drummer Richard Jupp is just one of the performers hosting a series of workshops at South City Studios for budding musicians, DJs and beatboxers, thanks to Stockport’s reign as Greater Manchester Town of Culture.
The cofounder and co-songwriter of one of the North West’s most successful bands has been leading free session on drums, percussion and rhythm at South City Studios, along with a host of other free workshops for all ages and abilities in Stockport who are interested in trying something completely new and potentially developing a life-long love of music and associated skills.
On 15 and 20 February, Henry & Team from Noise Academy – an organisation dedicated to providing opportunities to hard-to-reach and disengaged youngsters and adults – taught participants how to DJ and beatbox, a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of mimicking drum machines using the mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. The workshops included the chance to try beatboxing, learning with loop stations, mixing different genres with DJ mixing desks, creating tracks with different kinds of technology, meeting professionals, all to help unlock participants’ musical talents.
Lastly, on 22 March, experienced Stockport session musician and engineer Jamie Lee will be giving live performance and instrumental demonstrations.
To sign up for the latest event visit the South City Studios website or email bookings@southcitystudios.co.uk.
Stock Arts present a new series of unmissable live experiences for Stockport: Live at St. Mary’s
Stock Arts, a Stockport-based not-for-profit Community Interest Company has a mission to enhance the provision of music and culture in Stockport by bringing outstanding live events to the historic St. Mary’s Church in the town’s market square.
Launched early in 2024, Stock Art’s headline programme, Live at St. Mary’s, embraces the rich musical heritage of our historic civic buildings and sacred spaces, revitalising community engagement and cultural vibrancy in Stockport through bringing world-class live experiences to the town.
The first event at St Mary’s took place in January with a gig from Sea Fever – a five-piece collective fronted by Iwan Gronow (Haven, Johnny Marr) on vocals and guitars, alongside singer Beth Cassidy (Section 25). The collective also features New Order’s Tom Chapman and Phil Cunningham – with Tom on bass, guitars, synths and programming and Phil on guitars, while powering the band’s pulsing beats was Elliot Barlow.
Following Sea Fever in February was Hello Cosmos, a Manchester-based band and collective of creatives. A four-piece at their core, the band is led by songwriter and bass player Ben Robinson, the co-founder of the celebrated Bluedot & Kendal Calling festivals.
Dates for your diary for more great bands performing in the immersive surroundings of St Mary’s:
April 11th – 7pm to 10pm – author Dave Haslam with special guests from ACR and New Order!
In his new, small format book, Strawberry and the Big Apple: Grace Jones in Stockport, 1980, Dave Haslam explains a seemingly unlikely scenario: the day in 1980 when Grace Jones visited Stockport to meet A Certain Ratio, with a view to working together. The location of the encounter; Strawberry Studios. Worlds collide!
Dave Haslam Book Launch: Special guests Donald Johnson (ACR) & Stephen Morris (New Order)
July 12th – 7pm to 11pm – Dutch Uncles, Manchester’s much-revered electro art rock quartet, return with their long-awaited sixth album, True Entertainment (released 10th March 2023 on Memphis Industries). Find out more at Dutch Uncles
Amp in Stockport – SK1 1EW described as ‘your new favourite bar for Live Music, Drinks, Diner Food and Good Times’, draws in the fans of great music attracted by its eclectic mix of great live music. Recent gigs have included a special acoustic performance by The Twang and George Lawson with support from By The Waves. Definitely not to missed, the fantastic Fontains DC DJing on St Patrick’s Day, Sunday 17th March – an all-day event. Irish breakfasts served from 10am; drinks offers all day – Guinness, Jamesons Irish whisky; free traditional Irish food. And topping the bill ahead of the Weekender on Monday 18th are Inspiral Carpets! Check out their Facebook page for details.
Live at the Blossoms, Buxton Road, SK2 6NU – Sorry another SOLD OUT gig
Jeramiah Ferrari – unsurprisingly, another sell-out Stockport gig ahead of their gig this month. Lucky ticket holders can enjoy a great calypso-ska style dancing party! This northwest outfit are seasoned festival stage performers and have forged a superb reputation for live sets. Previous tours include sharing the stage with Madness, UB40, Hollie Cook and Steel Pulse and loads more.
Music at Bask – SK1 3SW
Situated in Stockport exchange, delivering live music, DJs, food, worldwide beers, cocktails & more.
A popular meeting place and an absolute favourite among lovers of live music. Look out for Saturday night party nights – dancing and DJs ‘til 3am! Coming up: Open mic night Monday 18th March followed by sell-out nights from chart topping Wigan band The Lathums on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th March. Don’t miss out on future gigs – check out Bask on Facebook.
The Strines Nightingale – SK6 7GE
This unique venue in Marple, sitting on the border of Stockport and the High Peak, is easily accessible by train, bus, train, car or walking and hosts a mix of musical genres to appeal to a wide range of musical tastes – “we do a mix from Jazz and Folk to Country and Blues – everything’s fair game” and holds around 80 – 90, “it doesn’t take a lot to be nice and busy” but that will extend massively when the stage in the woods is complete and outdoor events are added to the calendar later this month. The first of the outdoor events is the upcoming Easter Weekend Festival at The Strines Nightingale: Easter weekend Ale & Acoustic Festival 28th March to 1st April – 5 days of Acoustic Music, over 20 artists plus food traders and market stalls. Early-bird wristband access to all the stages. Full details on their website or reserve tickets here
The Spinning Top – SK4 1AA
One of Stockport and South Manchester’s popular intimate music venue and host to the “Battle of the Bands” in February where local secondary school rock & pop bands took the opportunity to showcase what they have learned in school and perform in front of a live audience! The winning band is representing Stockport in a ‘Greater Manchester Rock and Pop Showcase’ that takes place at Manchester Academy on 17th March.
Visit their Facebook page for a full list of gigs and events
Stockport Sounds: Weekender Events – 23rd March / 24th March
Even more great acts are setting the perfect stage in the run up the weekender including Inspiral Carpets at AMP on Monday 18th, The Lathums at Bask on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th.
Just ahead of and during the Town of Culture Weekender, join inclusive music and technology charity, OmniMusic, as they transform the clocktower lifts in the heart of Merseyway Shopping Centre into RISE, an interactive music installation! Hop into the lift and prepare to be transported into the immersive world of OmniMusic, where you can remix and produce your own track using the music made by OmniMusic participants across Stockport. RISE will open on Friday 22 March, 2pm and will be open to the public across the weekend of March 23rd and 24th
‘The Stockport Songbook’ is a music project running until March 2024 funded by Stockport Town of Culture, with new songs for primary schools and orchestra. The Stockport Songbook is a collection of new songs by Tim Crooks and Charlie Perry, for primary schools. The songs, written with orchestration to be performed alongside Stockport Youth Orchestra, are based on the culture, history and geography of Stockport, from McVities, to the Rivers Goyt and Tame! The project is in full flow, with three Stockport Primary Schools (Warren Wood, Prospect Vale and Cale Green) taking part in workshops with singing coach, Nicole Battick. The children love the songs that have been written by, and for them, and are looking forward to singing with Stockport Youth Orchestra.
The songbook project culminates with performances at Stockport Academy, Friday 22nd March at 7.45pm and in the courtyard outside Stockport County FC box office, on Saturday 23rd March at 4pm (free, no ticket required). For more info, visit the website: https://www.universe.com/StockportSongbook2
An evening of sumptuous melodies is in store with this concert.
Mahler’s Blumine is “a heartfelt, rapturous trumpet melody that alternates with melancholy song on the oboe …lovers exchanging their tender feelings in the stillness of night.” Follow that! Well actually in a competition for melody, Bruch scores pretty well and with Mahler’s fourth, we have the shortest of his symphonies, all sunshine, warmth and good humour concluding with a sublime depiction of a child’s idea of heaven where wine costs ‘not a penny’, St Martha does the cooking, and angels sing to St. Cecilia while baking bread! Date: March 23rd | Time: 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm | VENUE: Stockport Town Hall
Strawberry Studios Revealed
Strawberry Studios expert Dr Peter Wadsworth will curate a pop-up exhibition of items from the Strawberry Archive, including recordings, equipment, and memorabilia from this legendary Stockport institution. Date: 23rd March | Time: 1pm – 4pm | Venue: Stockport Museum SK1 1ES
Stockport Sings
Hear Stockport in full voice with a showcase of local choirs and vocal groups.
Date: 23rd March | Time: 11am – 3pm | Venue: Stockport War Memorial Art Gallery SK3 8AB
Pandemonium Steel Band
Date: 23rd March | Time: 3pm | Venue: Viaduct Park, Stockport Interchange
Stockport Town of Culture Performance Showcases:
Curated by NK Theatre Arts, a programme of music, dance, flash-mobs & theatre – local performers Date: 23rd March & 24th March | Time: 11am – 3pm | Venue: @Merseyway, SK1 1NT, & Market Place, SK1 1ES
Stockport Sounds Showcase
Leaf Promotions & local venues curate artists playing a mixture of acoustic, americana, rock & indie pop
Date: 23rd & 24th March | Time: 1pm – 5pm & 8pm – 10pm | Venue: Various including The Angel, SK1 1UN / Petersgate Tap (upstairs) SK1 1EB / Magnet Freehouse (upstairs) SK4 1HJ / Thread, SK1 1UN & Spinning Top, SK3 0EJ
Spinning Top
The great entertainer, singer songwriter that is Darren Poyzer, high quality indie-rock band Entropy and the amazing classic rock band Nimuah.
Date: 23rd March | Time: 8.45pm | Venue: The Spinning Top
To find out about all the events taking place over Stockport’s Town Of Culture Weekender,
visit the events page and download the guide
