Venue Focus: Islington Mill in Salford

Image: Islington Mill (Credit: Designbyday)

Salford is often overlooked as a burgeoning point of the UK for music due to neighbouring Manchester's bearing. Though it must be noted that Manchester largely accumulates from Salford's musical calling points, and if anything they practically come as one.

Islington Mill is a venue pinpointed in the cultural nerve centre of Salford, a vacated Victorian mill that stands as one of unique musical hot spots due to its varying creative spaces.  Over the coming months the musical haunt attracts a number of key artists and promoters we think you should certainly hear about. 

High Hoops, a brand intent on bringing a brand new concept to Manchester, check in for an all day party on Saturday 27th June. Headed up by House royalty Marcellus Pittman and Wbeeza (See his Boiler Room below), the shindig will wipe the space with 10 hours of winding house grooves. 

Keeping with the creative mould, Manchester Popfest occupies the mill for two days from Saturday 15th - Sunday 16th August. Featuring music, art and film screenings, the festival attracts Lo-Fi bedroom pop band Keel Her, noise pop trio Slowcoaches and Glasgow outfit Spinning Coin to outline the crop of emerging artists pencilled in.

Sunday keeps to the same motif with bands as varied as The School, Papa Topo, Spread Eagle, Los Bonsais, Amida and Pega Monstro on show. The festival also features the first screening of documentary My Secret World: The Story Of Sarah Records' Film Screening. 

Manchester innovators Now Wave remain as on point as ever with their live music billings, they reaffirm that with noise pop outfit Joanna Gruesome (catch them above) set in place supported by King Of Cats on Friday 18th September. Turning to the following night, Cowbell showcases Man Power's label LBL Records alongside Moscoman on Saturday 19th September - expect sleazy, seedy grooves throughout.  

Ticket links below:

High Hoops all day party - Saturday 27th June 

Manchester Popfest 2015 - Saturday 15th August 

Manchester Popfest 2015 - Sunday 16th August

Joanna Gruesome - Friday 18th September 

Cowbell presents LBL Records + Man Power - Saturday 19th September