Jenjie
24-07-2008, 12:04 PM
COULD Manchester be on the verge of staging its own annual Glastonbury- style pop festival?
Big hitters in the Manchester music scene are already in secret talks to establish the inaugural music festival next summer and are confident that the event could become a regular feature on the calendar to rival the Carling Festival in Reading and Leeds, the V Festival in Stafford and Chelmsford, and T In The Park in Scotland.
Although discussions are still at a very early stage, my spies tell me that a think-tank of locally-based music industry movers and shakers are formulating plans for an open-air event and are looking at a range of sites, including Heaton Park, as the potential venue for a two-day music bash.
One of those involved in the early talks is Happy Mondays manager Elliot Rashman. Elliot has just joined the staff of Manchester's award-winning School of Sound Recording and it is expected that SSR's base on Downing Street, between the city centre and Ardwick, could become the organisational hub for the ambitious plan.
He tells me: "It would be great for this city to have a first class annual open air music festival. Manchester has contributed more than most to the UK music scene over the years. We should aim for a great festival as an integral part of the city's summer calendar.
"There are policing and licensing issues, which would have to be overcome, but I'm fully behind the idea."
Insiders say that they have already had agreements in principle from some of Manchester's biggest rock and pop acts to appear at the festival - which is yet to be given a name - should the plans get through the inevitable red tape and be given the go-ahead.
Organisers are hoping an established top flight music promoter will soon be on board too - possibly someone like Manchester's own Simon Moran, who runs the internationally successful SJM promotions.
If they get the official green light, bands such as Elbow, Ting Tings, Doves and the Happy Mondays are expected to be on the bill alongside the most popular international and chart-topping rock and pop acts from around the world.
Wendy Breakall, from SSR, says: "Manchester is regarded as the heart of the UK music industry. It's about time this city had its own established music festival to match that reputation and to rival all the other established festivals across the UK. I am certain, given the right conditions, this event would attract interest from music fans across the UK."
Noises from Manchester council are also encouraging at this early stage in the event planning.
City centre spokesman Pat Karney tells me: "Anything that helps put Manchester on the world map has got to be good. We are always interested in talking about bright new ideas to do just that. If the organisers want to come into the town hall and talk turkey with us - we're more than willing to get involved in formal discussions."
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/music/s/1059338_watch_out_glastonbury
Big hitters in the Manchester music scene are already in secret talks to establish the inaugural music festival next summer and are confident that the event could become a regular feature on the calendar to rival the Carling Festival in Reading and Leeds, the V Festival in Stafford and Chelmsford, and T In The Park in Scotland.
Although discussions are still at a very early stage, my spies tell me that a think-tank of locally-based music industry movers and shakers are formulating plans for an open-air event and are looking at a range of sites, including Heaton Park, as the potential venue for a two-day music bash.
One of those involved in the early talks is Happy Mondays manager Elliot Rashman. Elliot has just joined the staff of Manchester's award-winning School of Sound Recording and it is expected that SSR's base on Downing Street, between the city centre and Ardwick, could become the organisational hub for the ambitious plan.
He tells me: "It would be great for this city to have a first class annual open air music festival. Manchester has contributed more than most to the UK music scene over the years. We should aim for a great festival as an integral part of the city's summer calendar.
"There are policing and licensing issues, which would have to be overcome, but I'm fully behind the idea."
Insiders say that they have already had agreements in principle from some of Manchester's biggest rock and pop acts to appear at the festival - which is yet to be given a name - should the plans get through the inevitable red tape and be given the go-ahead.
Organisers are hoping an established top flight music promoter will soon be on board too - possibly someone like Manchester's own Simon Moran, who runs the internationally successful SJM promotions.
If they get the official green light, bands such as Elbow, Ting Tings, Doves and the Happy Mondays are expected to be on the bill alongside the most popular international and chart-topping rock and pop acts from around the world.
Wendy Breakall, from SSR, says: "Manchester is regarded as the heart of the UK music industry. It's about time this city had its own established music festival to match that reputation and to rival all the other established festivals across the UK. I am certain, given the right conditions, this event would attract interest from music fans across the UK."
Noises from Manchester council are also encouraging at this early stage in the event planning.
City centre spokesman Pat Karney tells me: "Anything that helps put Manchester on the world map has got to be good. We are always interested in talking about bright new ideas to do just that. If the organisers want to come into the town hall and talk turkey with us - we're more than willing to get involved in formal discussions."
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/music/s/1059338_watch_out_glastonbury