4 day course dedicated to learning about facilitation, funding, taxes and what it takes to be a freelancer.
If you’ve ever thought about setting up your own business, it’s important to understand your audience, self-employment and taxes. Facilitating workshops and delivering socially engaged projects in your community will require you to know how to write funding bids, work with partners, plan sessions and evaluate their success.
Creative Leadership will be running on the 3rd, 4th, 10th and 11th of November from 10 AM – 4 PM.
Please see the flyer below for further details & how to get involved.
Climate change is complex and often terrifying but it can also be a rich source of inspiration. Whether it’s through creative placement and storytelling or transitioning to more sustainable practices, if you work in the creative industries you have more power than you realise.
Join us at Reform for a live, audio industry focused panel discussion, led by Dan Jackson, about how you can influence change through your editorial and creative practices. We will be discussing the increased importance of net zero, not just for the future of our planet but the acquisition of new work.
Dan has two decades of experience working across production and broadcasting. His credits span a broad range of programming including The South Bank Show, Coronation Street, and Beyond Belief and he’s produced content for ITV, the BBC World Service, BBC Radio 2 and 4 and the indie podcast sector including Spotify and Audible. Dan has won a number of awards for Sustainability in Production and combines his editorial, production-management and technical experience to support Reform Radio as an advisory board member.
Hosted by Reform’s Assistant Producer, Aisha Williams who has worked with Dan in the past to produce and present the station’s C-Change round table discussions. She is the perfect person to talk about how Reform have put Dan’s teachings into action.
Also joining them will be Reform Radio director Sam Oliveira to discuss the launch of a new carbon literacy training program, designed specifically for producers and content creators. This training will be free for anyone living in Greater Manchester and is accredited by the Carbon Literacy Project. Come along to find out more.
Launch: Saturday 29th October 2022, 12.00-13.00 Bound Art Book Fair, The Whitworth, Manchester, M15 6ER
Created by global majority and marginalised communities,SEEN was conceived in 2021 with a bold anti-racist manifesto to counter the London-centric narrative that often dominates music journalism. Celebrating unheard voices, it hopes communities can narrate their own stories and heritage, while connecting with global scenes linked to Britain’s colonial history.
SEEN was founded by three music industry professionals living in Manchester with funding from Arts Council England and Manchester Music City.
The SEEN founders are: Tunde Adekoya, the Artistic Director of Big People Music and Big People Community CIC, who is of Nigerian – British – English – London – Mancunian descent.
Kamila Rymajdo, a journalist and academic, predominantly writing about music, the creative industries and popular culture, who was born in Poland but grew up in the UK.
Balraj Samrai, a musician, facilitator and co-founder of Swing Ting from the Midlands, UK, who has been based in Manchester for over 15 years, working in both the music and education sectors.
HMD shot by Daniel Oyegade
The first issue celebrates Manchester music, spotlighting the migration journey of Somalia hailing musician HMD who’s settled in Moss Side via Denmark and DJ Paulette, who’s written about the need to unionise DJing. The magazine also explores musical scenes such as the feeling of belonging and joy that Manchester’s fledgling amapiano movement has provided for the city’s South African community and a reflective account of the UK’s South Asian undergrounds.
DJ Paulette shot by Daniel Oyegade
For Bound Art Book Fair SEEN present a panel discussion with the founders and writers Tayyab Amin and Santina Robinson, whose work features in Issue One.
The latest instalment of our free Music Course has just wrapped up and what an interesting two weeks it’s been. Participants have worked hard for the last while, trying their hands on creative song making, learning and preparing a radio show and putting these new found abilities into action, live on the airwaves of Reform Radio.
If you haven’t heard of Music Course, it’s a two-week programme generously funded by Manchester Adult Education Service, which focuses on radio and music production, including songwriting and creative writing.
We had a chat with some of the young people who took part to find out their most memorable moments, musical inspirations and goals for the future. Keep reading to find out more.
PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF…
My name is Jake and I’m 23 years old.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF. WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OR INTERESTS?
I have been studying music, well, since I was 16 – I went to Music College and then went on to study music at University level. In college I was able to get out there and play with live bands and things like that.
I made some really good friends and we made music together as well and from that point on, I just sort of realised that music was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life really – there’s a level of excitement to it. I never thought of doing anything else.
HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT MUSIC COURSE AND WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO GET INVOLVED?
So I heard about Reform Radio through the Job Centre, my work coach referred me to Reform Radio, who signed me up. I met Naomi and Conall, they were really great and knew I wanted to get into music production roles.
IF MONEY WASN’T A THING, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING FULL TIME?
I would love to just make music and play my music for people to hear, share and just spread the love.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOU HAVE LEARNT FROM THE COURSE THAT YOU WILL TAKE HOME WITH YOU?
One thing I’ve learned from doing this course is that no matter where you come from, what background you have and your level of experience, music production is attainable.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS AFTER THE PROJECT?
Well I want to get back into making music. I want to just keep going for it because this is what I was meant to do. So I’m not too sure where I see myself in a few years, but I do know I’m going to carry on trying to improve and get better at music.
To listen to the full show that the group worked on together, please click down below.
If you would like to get involved or find out more about any of our projects, please drop us an email at projects@reformradio.co.uk.
Wordsmith sensation and Manchester bred Argh Kid, aka David Scott, joined Jorgy and Cheech for this rendition of Raise The Bar.
Performing to sold out shows across the country, he is the official poet for the NSPCC, UEFA and Manchester United and his work has reached television screens across the globe. He graces our airwaves with a few performances, including his thought provoking ‘Tear Aways’.
Listen back to the full show down below to find out more about Argh Kid’s inspirations, future ambitions and reflections on the Manchester cultural scene.
We’re thrilled to announce that Reform Radio have been commissioned to produce BBC Sounds, curated music mix, Focus Beats.
For the next year we’ll be releasing a new mix every week via BBC Sounds. Focus Beats does exactly what it says on the tin, a curated mix of beat tapes and instrumental tracks designed to help you focus on work, study, do domestic chores or more importantly, chilling out.
Over the course of the year, we’ll be working with some key talent to join us as guest curators on the series; news on those names to follow. The other episodes will be curated by us and what is exciting about this commission is it’s big on supporting new music, especially from new producers.
If you’ve got any beats or instrumental hip hop tracks you want to submit for potential inclusion then please email focusbeats@reformradio.co.uk.
What excites both us and the BBC Sounds team about this series is the opportunity it gives us to bring new talentinto the BBC and showcase some of the people we’ve been working with and have access too. This philosophy also applies to our production team, with producer Olivia and assistant producers Aisha, Jamie and Mike having all come through our outreach projects. For Jamie and Mike this will be their first BBC credit.
In other news, we’ve been commissioned to produce another year of The People’s Party with Afrodeutsche, which goes out live every Friday night, 7pm on BBC Radio 6 Music. Focus Beats will also get a live transmission on 6 Music as part of their overnight schedule.
A few of the team have been working with our sister station Sonder to produce new audio series Like A Fine Wine.
Funded by the Audio Content Fund, this five part series was broadcast across 21 community radio stations during October and is available to listen on demand via all podcast streaming platforms.
With UK wine now regularly winning awards across the globe, Oz Clarke has been on the road this summer exploring the vast variety our British shores have to offer. Joining him are his team of four tasters, largely novices, who learn increasingly more about wine and each other as the series progresses. Like A Fine Wine is not your average drink show, but a metaphysical journey into the human experience, with the symbolism of winemaking serving as the backbone.
Jamie, who is now a regular Reform freelancer following a Kickstart placement, was Sound Recordist and Sound Designer on this, doing a fantastic job editing together hours and hours of multi-microphone audio across each episode.
Our new Operations Coordinator Farwa, was Production ordinator, managing a multitude of complex logistics, with the UK wide, rural locations, multiple transport interchanges and a large number of crew and cast to keep her eye on. It is testament to her ability that everything ran smoothly, safely and to time.
The podcast reached as high as 6 in the Apple Podcast charts, with great reviews and feedback from audiences. There are now plans to develop multiple series, with Oz Clarke especially engaging with the concept and the team.
Do you want to take your DJ career to the next level? Then this 2-week course is exactly what you were looking for.
This November, in partnership with Do As You Please, we invite you to Reform Radio to learn about advanced digital & vinyl DJ techniques, work on your bios and artist assets as well as to network and take part in various industry talks, hosted by local legends.
The programme will wrap up with a showcase where you will be able to show off your skills and secure future gig bookings.
The course is absolutely free and we cover your lunch and travel.
See flyer below for more info and to get involved.
Tonight at 8PM we welcome the author Jim Ottewill alongside a bunch of local legends – aalice (Meat Free), Ruf Dug (Ruf Kutz) and Reform’s very own Mix-Stress (Rebecca.Never.Becky Collective) for a live discussion exploring the nightlife of Manchester. You can join the discussion by clicking the link below and dropping your thoughts in the chat.
The book plots a course through the different UK towns and cities club culture has found a home. From Glasgow to Margate via Manchester, Sheffield and unlikely dance music meccas such as Coalville and Todmorden, ‘Out Of Space’ maps where electronic music has thrived, and where it might be headed next…
Every month we spotlight our lovely resident’s events. Here are a few ways to spend your weekends in some of Manchester’s most adored night-time spots this October.
GOOD CUSTARD PRESENTS: MOTORWAY DISCO W/ JET BOOT JACK
Good Custard will be joined by London DJ, producer and remix juggernaut Jet Boot Jack. Further support from AJ’s Dance Party curator Busby and Infusion host Pint Can Papi for a boogie under the A57. Secure your free tickets now!
MAS O MENOS RELEASE PARTY: LOVE LANGUAGE WITH LEVI LOVE, JOEY T AND LADY LADY
Mas O Menos celebrates their release at Band On the wall. As a DJ, producer and person, Mas O Menos founder Levi Love is larger than life. As anyone who’s been swept up in the raw energy of one of his many Manchester-wide bars or club residencies knows, the South African-born, northwest-based crate digger picks and makes music that celebrates the fulness of our existence. You don’t want to miss this one!
YOUR DISCO NEEDS YOU WITH JAEGEROSSA
YDNY is back with another spectacular line up. This time running, Jaegerossa A.K.A Mr Phil Rose, joins them for a night of pure Disco. In addition, to assist on deck duties will be your usual suspect residents Rob Jones & Neil Craven.
This October, Manchester’s iconic record store and venue, Eastern Bloc, will be hosting a number of events. Kicking off with EB Selectors on the 15th, for just shy of a fiver you can witness some of the city’s finest selectors at work, including Mica and Antoine Kiim.
Stay tuned for what’s going down at EB this month by looking at their schedule below. From live sessions to label showcases, there’s so much to check out!
On October 23rd, Supernature will be teaming up with Chris Massey, for the ultimate Sunday session. Celebrating their seventh birthday, the DJ collective specialising in everything from House to Disco will be taking over Joshua Brooks. Oh, and it’s free!
Drop the Mic takes over the Band on the Wall bar stage on October 27th. Expect eclectic sounds from the flourishing local scene, from the wider UK scene, and the world beyond. Nab yourself a free ticket and head down to catch resident vocalist DJ Lawal, alongside Feazilla on decks, as well as Nameka, Karis Jade, BOA, SAF-S2E, Hairy Dominatrixx and Caesar.
NOT BAD FOR A GIRL X MAINROOM: A FOR ALPHA AND LILY HUU
The Not Bad For A Girl crew team up with award winning, Greater Manchester-based streaming platform StreamGM, as part of their grassroots clubbing series: MainRoom. The pink bally bandits will be live streaming their event on the 29th October, with co-headliners A For Alpha and Lily Huu. Make sure to head down to YES or tune in via streamgm.co.uk.
