With just under a week to go, I felt it was time to start ramping up the hype for what is without a doubt my favourite event of the festival calendar – Sounds From The Other City. Celebrating it’s 10th year is no mean feat… but what makes it so special?

Sounds From The Other City brings a diverse music scene in Manchester and Salford together, giving it’s promoters the freedom and trust to do what they want in terms of both booking and art direction. Adaptation has been the key to it’s survival: artists, club-nights, promoters and venues have all changed over the years but two things has been constant – a loyal audience and the feeling that something magical is going to happen.

For those new to the experience, try not to make too much of a plan on the day because it inevitably goes out the window! Discovery is encouraged and my best experiences have always come from stumbling into a venue to see an artist I’ve never heard of before, playing to a packed room. Over the next few days I’ll be picking out some personal highlights from this year’s line-up. I decided the best place to start would be with long time curators Comfortable On A Tightrope and a London based three-piece called Shopping.

Comprising of members from Trash Kit, Wet Dog and Covergirl, this DIY supergroup have managed to create a sound far superior. Bringing to mind the inventiveness of early Electrelane at times, Shopping’s blend of energetic post-punk is sure to a thrilling live proposition for those wishing to dance uncontrollably. Catch them at The Crescent.

Tickets are selling fast: grab one from Piccadilly Records, Common and online through Skiddle: http://www.skiddle.com/news/all/Sounds-From-The-Other-City-2014/21202/

http://soundsfromtheothercity.com/home/

Phill Young