Preview: In the City
Article published: Wednesday, October 14th 2009
Established by the late Anthony Wilson, Madchester’s famous music maestro, In the City (ITC) has been one of the world’s leading music conventions since 1992. Not just a showcase for local and UK up-and-coming acts, it prides itself on assembling ‘emerging talent, music fans and young entrepreneurs’. From Sunday 18 to Tuesday 20 October, ITC will gather the music industry and music lovers, right in the heart of Manchester.
By day, the ITC 2009 sees three packed days of workshops, with top industry representatives giving sessions on music in the digital age, hip-hop and music law. The keynote event, a conversation with Columbia Records Chief, Mike Smith, alongside DJ Mark Ronson, looks at how the artist-label relationship should work to allow for ultimate creativity.
By night, ITC Live sees over 150 bands live across 15+ city centre venues, looking to take the Manchester masses by storm. While the Convention is clearly for industry types, the music sessions are for punters looking for a new music festival experience, but without the tents and rain. Past ITC acts tot up a total of 17 UK No.1 singles and 47 UK No. 1 albums, as well as a raft of music awards to boot. Impressive stuff, with the likes of Oasis, Suede and Arctic Monkeys passing through their ranks; but what do they have in store for us this year?
Having been to past ITCs I’ve been fairly unimpressed by their ‘big name’ acts. Yet this year’s line-up looks likely to offer up a treat to those looking for the ‘next big thing’, or even just the good local bands making a splash. With such a variety of sounds on offer, there’s something to tickle your fancy, whoever you may be.
ITC 2009 boasts the “top 32 unsigned bands around”, which really means an eclectic mix of folk, electro-pop and indie-alternative sounds can be expected. The festival is spread across city centre venues that have famously played host to Manchester musical history, such as the newly re-opened Band on the Wall. The main stage for unsigned acts will be Bar 38 on Peter Street (close to the conference centre) on the Sunday and Monday.
The new bands line-up is supported by a huge range of showcases from NME Radar, BBC Introducing and Now Wave to the less mainstream Love Music Hate Racism, Fierce Panda and Drowned in Sound. Reverend and the Makers are the big name act, and there’s plenty of expectation surrounding the teasing “special guest appearances”. This is perhaps fitting: this weekend is all about the unknown after all. A veritable pic’n’mix of bands to try out.
Leila’s pick of bands to look out for:
- The Drums
- Music go Music
- Sophie Madeleine (unsigned)
- Milk White White Teeth (unsigned)
Venues include: Band on the Wall, Bar 38, The Deaf Institute, Nexus Art Cafe, Night & Day, Roadhouse, The Ruby Lounge.
Wristbands (music only) £20 + booking fee from the ITC website; shows individually priced.
Full pass for the ITC convention £350 (early bird)… yep you read that correctly.
See http://www.inthecity.co.uk for more information.
Leila O’Sullivan
More: Culture, Manchester, Music
Comments
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I’m sure why this is on the Mule website. I don’t think copying from press releases in order to advertise corporate events is journalism, sorry.
Comment by AG on October 17, 2009 at 2:17 pm -
This is on the Mule website because it is a showcase for unsigned bands, many of which are locally based. Yes, the event does have a huge corporate aspect but the emphasis of the article is clearly on the music. I think the Mule should cover Now Wave, Love Music Hate Racism, Fierce Panda promoters – they rarely get a mention. Fair enough about the press releases but then I really doubt the notes “Convention is clearly for industry types. I like music and for £20 to see loads and loads of bands when a ticket costs £8+ for one gig is fine by me!
Comment by Joe on November 16, 2009 at 1:47 pm
The comments are closed.
