Factory International has announced the return of its Factory Sounds programme, supporting those in Manchester’s music scene in the creation of new projects.
Eleven successful applicants will be offered £1,000 of financial support towards the creation of a new project and also benefit from peer-to-peer support, access to Factory International’s talent development programmes and networking opportunities.
With no restrictions on what the project can be, previous Sounds alumni have created music management companies, financed the release of singles, EPs and albums, fitted our recording studios, run production workshops, and supported artists to tour.
Initially launched to support musicians through the Covid-19 pandemic, Factory Sounds is a programme for music producers, artists, collectives, labels, bands, DJs and beyond.
Factory International is the organisation behind both Manchester International Festival (MIF), and the landmark new cultural space, Aviva Studios.
Rivca Burns, head of music at Factory International said “The development of artists based locally as well as those from around the globe is integral to the work that Factory International do. Manchester is buzzing with creative, collaborative, exciting and hugely talented musicians, and through programmes such as Factory Sounds, we are really excited to continue to support the growth of this scene.”
Previous Sounds alumni include: Meduulla, All Hands on Deck, Balraj Samrai, Bitez, Chris Massey, Dirty Freud, Edane Ng, Fixed Abode, Foxglove, FREEQUENCY3, Gibbon, Hur̃guf, iss3n, Jacob Connor, James Holt, Jasmin Issaka, Ku’umba, Lavender Rodriguez, Lone Taxidermist, Loose Articles, Magpahi, Mali Hayes, Maryanne Royle, Meduulla, Obeka, OneDa, PRIDO, Rohaan, SAF-S2E, Sam Malik, SHAR, Sophie Cooper, Sprechen, STNLY, Test Card Girl and Vzion.
Also open for application is the Factory International Fellowship which offers six artists from the North the opportunity to shadow the creation of major new work at Aviva Studios. As part of the Fellowship programme, successful artists will shadow the making of a Factory International commission, receive a financial bursary, and be offered a mentor tailored to their specialism and needs, developing artistic ambition and critical thinking.
