As we look forward to sunnier days, we can’t wait for the return of festivals and a summer of live music across the city. Kicking us off is the return of Salford’s independent DIY festival, Sounds From the Other City (SFTOC) - and we’re delighted to announce we’ll be presenting up-and coming talent on our Factory stage.

SFTOC is an annual celebration of new music, performance and art spread across the streets, pubs, churches and community hubs of Salford. Taking place on Sunday 1 May venues include Bexley Square, Seven Bro7hers Beerhouse, fivefourstudios, Hot Bed Press, Middlewood Locks, Old Pint Pot, Partisan, Porta, Regent Trading Estate, Saint Philip's Church and The New Oxford.

Our Director of Music Jane Beese says “Greater Manchester is full to the brim with talented musicians, promoter, record labels and more and SFTOC is an integral part of this community. As we edge closer to the opening of our venue, The Factory, we’re delighted to team up with our neighbours across the Irwell to join in with the May holiday celebrations and support local emerging artists.”

Launched in 2005, SFTOC has housed early-day performances from artists as diverse as James Ferraro, Marina, Alt-J, Slowthai, Hannah Peel, GoGo Penguin right through to 2017’s Mercury Music Prize winner Sampha, BBC Sound of 2018 nominee IAMDDB and 2019 Mercury Music Prize nominees, Black Midi.

Rivca Burns, Creative Director of SFTOC, who joined our team as Festival Square programmer at MIF19 and MIF21 says “We are super hyped to be collaborating with The Factory to provide a platform to present artists from the region, showcasing their stories to the world. Greater Manchester’s music scene is second to none and we can’t wait for The Factory to be a part of that family.”

Watch this space for further announcements of the acts that will be taking to The Factory stage. Check out the SFTOC 2022 line-up so far and buy tickets at soundsfromtheothercity.com