The Salford Star Entertainment Awards return once again to celebrate the very best of the city's creative talent. Salford boasts a whole host of big name talent including the likes of Happy Mondays, John Cooper Clarke and Hooky and the Light, but here at the Salford Star we are keen to praise our up-and-coming creatives...
We are eager to give thanks to the brilliance of those who give their time and talent to engage with the community in local venues. Below we list four categories and suggest some worthy winners that are from, or have passed through the region. Feel free to message and vote for one of nominees or recommend any other performer, poet, musician, author or even a unicycle riding fire-breather...
Performer:
Top poet Broccan Tyzack-Carlin performed an outstanding one-man-show Don't Bother at the Kings Arms during the Fringe Festival. Tony Kinsella gave us a show all about his love for The Undertones, Girls and Chocolate. The Swinton teacher, poet and comic combined his skills to give an informative and humorous homage to classic band. It went so well that he even took it across the water to the groups' home city of Derry.
Gordon Zola continued to host Cuckoo Calling and rap and recite like no other. He also performed a truly unique dramatic interpretation of the Joy Division lyrics at the 40th anniversary of Unknown Pleasures. Thick Richard provided the excellent, potty-mouthed Swear School. It was a hilarious, surreal and informative show.
Canadian/Salfordian based poet Rose Condo presented The Empathy Experiment. The show investigated if technology makes us care less about each other. Last year's'Star Award winner was the irrepressible Simon Williams. 2019 has seen Simon performing and writing with regularity, and finally starting to gain recognition from outside of Salford. And former Evidently host, Kieren King, was on hand to skilfully deliver poetry to celebrate Salford's Grand Final appearance.
Act:
Previous winners Dominic Carlton Jones and The Moods continued to create and perform. While both acts are very different from each other, their work is completely unique. The force-of-nature that is Four Candles remained as active as ever. Their music remains powerful, confrontational and uncompromising.
We were pleased to welcome back Sam Smith and his new band The Parish Church Fire and former Stolen Haven frontman Andy Brides. Andy gave us an excellent solo EP with beautifully crafted tunes. Add to that, the unrivalled Rose and the Diamond Hand returned to playing live and, we're told, an album is imminent.
Of course, The Sandells continue to give classy live shows with great musicianship. Weimar gave us new singles; and they really know how to throw a launch party. Their music is alive with shimmering pop-brilliance. Matthew Hopkins is another band that needs to be witnessed in the flesh to fully get their brilliance first-hand.
Play:
Last year's winner Libby Hall returned with The Melting of a Single Snowflake. It proved that Libby's debut piece wasn't just beginners luck. Libby gave us a quirky coming-of-age tale that looked at passing and grief.
Taran Knight rocked up at Kings Arms during the Fringe Festival with the powerful Our Kid. Roni Ellis scripted the brilliant Drowning in Silence and Brick Fox Theatre gave us the grave Holy Shit. New Dawn Fades had a reworking to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Joy Division's debut release. Ian Curtis, Tony Wilson and Martin Hannett were brilliantly brought back to life by a great cast. It also posed the question: is it okay to cry at the end of a play (I'm asking for a friend).
Tim Keogh followed up his Morrissey play Thorn with a piece dedicated to founder Stones member Brian Jones (Out of Time). Getting the Third Degree by Dougie Blaxland also celebrated the life of an iconic figure. Commissioned by Kick it Out, the play told the incredible story of the sublimely gifted Laurie Cunningham.
Star Award:
Last year we introduced this category as way of celebrating someone whose work may not fit into the above categories. It's a miscellaneous section to make sure that we acknowledge all areas...
SHINNy continued to use his online show as a way of reaching out to sufferers of anxiety, depression and addiction. SHINNy also teamed up with director Chris Green to make a film based on events from his life, The Making of an Addict. Chris was also busy making his 'mod-flick' The Pebble and the Boy. Chris' work sits neatly alongside the like of Shelagh Delaney, Albert Finney and Tony Warren. His edgy, creative output continues the 'angry young man' tradition.
The amiable Stephen Doyle remains a must-listen on Salford City Radio. Stephen is passionate presenter and his show is equally entertaining and informative. Another suggestion is local historian and raconteur Tony Flynn. Tony has been active with his dark and informative tours of Salford and recently auctioned off the 'infamous remembrance traffic cone'. Add to that, Ian Moss had his book 100 Unhip Albums published. It was brilliant tour-de-force and a true celebration of all kinds of music.
All of the above are worthy winners. You can contact us and vote for any our suggestions or one of your own. Comment below the article or message the Salford Star to nominate your favourite Act, Performer, Play and Star... info@salfordstar.com
Words by Ian Leslie
Main photo Simon Williams
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