Industrious Positivity shapes Off The Record

A life affirming Off The Record experience in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

OTR2017 conference; movers and shakers of nightlife, out in daylight! A melting pot of experienced mentors and fresh blood gained knowledge and exchanged ideas, leaving with new insights and faves.

Record labels shared their perceptions. On the mic is David Pichilingi of proudly northern ModernSkyUK, not yet a year old, but already blessed with some ridiculously hot UK bands.

2017 includes Kate Tempest's address to Theresa May at Glastonbury, Grime for Corbyn, the rise of equality and the demise of Form 696. Last month we were part of SoccerSixFest and Venues Day which both proved comradeship and collaboration are essential in an age with less finance but more potential. Off The Record underlined that, positvely, with a profusion of moments that prove Entertainment must have a voice.

A multi location sensation of both scheduled and pop-up events. For instance, Modern English's tech agency HQ was the setting for Tim Burgess and Mark Collins of The Charlatans to play stripped down versions of the band's hits to an intimate audience as they launched the interactive Most Of The Time You Are 'Appy. A short walk away at Trof, MCR Live created live sessions with The Blinders, Tobi Sunmola, Queen Zee and The Sasstones - coming soon via mcr.live

The view from the bands. CABBAGE (pictured; Lee and Joe) and, later, False Heads were two of the OTR conversations at the conference.

In an industry where knowing the right people helps tremendously, there was inclusive invitation from the lively and informative panels. Networking without tiresome cliques. The word passion came up enough times this day for us to feel at home. Music as a blue print for future humanity.

"The thing that stuck out the most was how friendly and supportive everyone I met was. I've been going to three major conferences for the last eight years and this had the warmest vibes by far" (Alexes Rogers, plus snapshots above)

"It felt like the start of something special from start to finish." (Caffy St Luce, plus snapshots below)

The Methodist CentralHall was where we collected our accreditation (thanks for sorting that Beth/Hannah) and attended the conference. After the Record Labels panel there, I went to catch The Blinders doing their intimate session for MCR Live. As I was leaving the building, I exchanged greetings with Lee of CABBAGE as he and Joe arrived for their panel. Outside, False Heads were also gearing up for their own panel a bit later. We put the world to right for a bit before they went in and I went on. (That evening they played live. A bonus - firm fan, Iggy Pop, premiered their new single, 'Retina', on BBC 6Music around the same time). CABBAGE went to Sheffield for their sold out headline with our friends, Northern Exposure. Artists with much to say were a running theme of OTR2017. That's what felt so "next chapter" about this particular Friday.

Above; The Blinders arrive for their MCR Live Session: A stunning acoustic version of 'Ramona Flowers' was followed by an interview with Jess Campbel, to be broadcast in the near future.

Night & Day Cafe was a hive of delegates, soundtracked by some wicked tunes (above). Below; a personal fave, Lucie Barât, in band meeting mode.

It was not only National Mushy Peas Day and 6 Music T Shirt Day, but Music Week was also celebrating Women In Music - Our awards were hanging out with with friends. Love especially to Alexes, Fahima and Elena for making me giggle a lot. Below pre-gig mingles.

I also bumped into Jason from Flick Of The Finger, Look out for The Mancunian Way - a special and charitable project.

Postcard from NQ

Via Alexes who is a Manc based music professional, I met ace Wendy Smith of The Manchester Creative Collective who introduced me to Leila from LIINES (from my gigs wish list. We had deux furieuses and South East London in common. Instant matesness! Leading nicely into catching a personal inspiration who introduced deux furieuses into my life through her Clit Rock events, Ms Mohammed, is a winning force of nature, and the live set that kicked off this evening's marathon in style. Bringing tropically rocking festival vibes to a cold wet night. I'm not surprised the audience applauded so loudly at the end. We are captivated.

In order to catch LIINES (who had started, but luckily were across the road) I had to leave after the last note of Ms Mohammed (above). Well spotted OTR! All tonight's stars were hand selected by a variety of taste makers. Everybody I managed to catch was impressive and promising.

I love to rock and LIINES (above) are right up my street with animated vitality from punky dynamics. Recently awarded PRS Foundation's #WomenMakeMusic programme. Well deserved and nicely done.

I bump into friends for a chat. It turns to Art. Later I laff when there is glittery grafitti in the bogs.

Down some stairs to the Soup Kitchen where I am introduced to the raucous charms of newer wave pop stormers, 100 Fables, a band who are obvious contenders to make a name for themselves.

I'm enjoying the adventures between the venues, it's dark time day dreaming. Ah, Madchester...

Another friendly face takes me to see The Hubbards, making wired new wave sounds. They admit to being a man down but pull off a fine and engaging show.

I catch my breath between gigs. What recharges my batteries is Lucie Barât and her band in party spirit.

Garage pop rockers fronted by a multi talented poet of word power. Lucie (above) delivers with dulcet tones, slick punky entertainment and punchy forthright presence.

Speaking of which... Queen Zee and the Sasstones explode, next, with a colourful rock n roll riot

Like Punk actually happened, the 21st century rebellion will not be trivialised. Oh, and Fuck Homophobia. Fuck Transphobia. Amen to that. Negativity and bigotry can take a walk. (Not with us. We're on the wild side). Grinning like a tripping muppet I take a walk on the wet side to another fix of new.

I've been tipped to check out indie band,The Snuts. (below)They have attracted a devoted following from Scotland to get a ticket and sing along from the heart. They are part of the show tonight.

By the end of their set, the anthems have stopped short of lighters in the air, but this is the kind of crowd pleasing Indie that crosses over to all size towns and stages with confident ease.

It's no secret that a load of TheZineUK team are fans of the headline band at Gullivers. The Blinders are something else. We have unwavering faith in that. Aargh, I'm claustrophobic...

A lot of people have mentioned or recommended this set all day. The band's Manchester show in February had sold out weeks ago so this was another chance to catch them close up. They do not disappoint. The Blinders are one of Britain's great classic rock bands. Even while virtually unknown, their punkadelic shows are intense, adored "I Was There" moments.