Salford Music Festival, the mercurial 'people's festival', is back for 2019. It's always one of the cultural high-points of the year and never fails to deliver an abundance of talent.
Previous years have seen gigs dotted all across the city. Last year's soiree was an eventful 'two-nighter' at Cobden Works and Guilda Brook, and highlights included sets by respected performers including Dave Haslam, Ren Harvieu and Blaney.
It allowed nascent acts to rub shoulders with some of the region's celebrated artists, and the diverse nature of the festival was wonderfully apparent when a couple of over-excited, hammered lads from Wales arrived to play a passionate, if curious, set. It was received with Salfordian warmth and added to the warm SMF spirit. Alongside the music, the Festival also showed a poignant documentary dedicated to former SMF performer Mark E. Smith. It was a real touch of class from the 'people's festival'.
This ninth year, SMF takes place under one roof with two nights at Yerrrr BAR. It's a packed weekend showcasing some of the city's best acts. The Ventrelles headline on Friday, while Saturday has local favourites The Backhanders taking top-billing... and we'll always strongly recommend Pagans SOH to anyone within earshot.
Amongst countless acts and special guests, Salford Music Festival 2019 will feature a set by the theatrical and brilliant Rose and the Diamond Hand. If you are yet to encounter the band, this event is the ideal opportunity to catch them. Vocalist Rose Niland is as good a live performer as you are likely to see or hear.
I first saw Rose at The Eagle Inn at a previous SMF with the excellent Poppycock. Since then Rose has played countless shows of her own as well as guest spots with other acts, including Weimar, and even provided us with an alternative Goth Christmas 'Gothmas'.
I caught up with Rose and asked her what she'd been up to lately..."We have just played at the We Are All Trees Festival at Fell Foot Woods and it was stunning" she said "Hannah Houghton puts it on every year; lots of great bands and good times...We've also got a load of Rose and the Diamond Hand badges to hand out; next step will be some T shirts and various other bits of merch, love merch!
"We're currently now getting a few rehearsals in before we start recording in October with Mark Simpson from Happy Soul, and now have our very own VJ, Andy Daffern, which adds so much more to our performance and syncs to the symbolism of each track" she added "Aside from the Diamond Hand, I joined another band, Pinked Floyd! Never would have thought I'd join a tribute band but it's so much fun! Great shows, lights, lasers and stunning music. I love it. Learning rehearsing and singing Great Gig in The Sky has really pushed my vocals to a new level.
What's the best thing about being involved with Rose and the Diamond Hand?
"Being in a band is like having another family. It's loving and supportive and connections strengthen. Although I created the concept, the band has interpreted and added so much more than I could have done on my own. There's space for creative ideas and expression from everyone. We all direct the show in one way or another. We also appreciate one another for unique talents and collaborate together on various other projects."
What inspires your music?
"I'm inspired mostly by life experience. Creating music or any art comes from a deep place within. For me it's often about lifting yourself up through the music...It's therapeutic to share your soul with others. I'm inspired by healing, also the people around me, their life experiences and their creative processes. The list is long but two that come to mind are Una Baines and Janet Wolstenholme."
This year, Rose returns to SMF on Friday night for what promises to be another cracking event. Catch their haunting, ethereal and unmissable set. You're sure to be hypnotised by Rose and the Diamond Hand and will no doubt find yourself sporting their merch whilst eagerly awaiting the album...
Salford Music Festival 2019
Friday 27th (from 6pm) and Saturday 28th September (from noon)
Yerrrr Bar
2nd Floor Crusader Mill, 64 Chapletown Street, Manchester M1 2WQ
£7.50 (Fri), £10 (Sat) £15 (two days)
For more details see the Salford Music Festival Facebook page – click here
Or the Yerrrr Bar website – click here
Words by Ian Leslie
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
(3).jpeg)
.png)
(1).JPG)
