We were buzzing to welcome the formidable force that is BatFunk to last week’sJorgy and Cheech’s Show. The artist is making waves in the UK hip-hop scene with his unmatched bars and rapping abilities. Jorgy and Cheech invited BatFunk onto the airwaves for a chat about the likes of his recent gig at Manchester’s O2 Apollo and his musical journey. Then, we were treated to an exclusive live session from the rapper come producer; you don’t want to miss this one.
Watch the full session and listen back to the show below.
Our HYPE THEM hosting duo, kaoti and sher, welcomed upcoming Yorkshire singer and songwriter Tyron Webster to their recent show. The trio discussed topics including LGBTQ+ news and Tyron’s musical influences and journey. Alongside this, we were treated to a beautiful live session from Tyron on the Reform Radio airwaves.
Watch the full session and listen to the show episode below.
As well as mastering the craft of soulful lyricism and soothing melodies, Tyron has also been jumping into other creative ventures on the Manchester scene. We chatted to him to find out more about what he’s getting up to; get to know him below…
Introduce your name, pronouns and star sign.
Hey, I’m Tyron Webster, my pronouns are he/him and I am a Virgo.
If you had to describe your music in three words to someone who had never heard it before, how would you describe it?
R&B, pop, and sweet vocals.
Where did your journey with music begin?
It all started when I heard the likes of Prince and Mariah Carey’s 1995 Live at Madison Square Garden video on VHS. I would sing to them both on repeat as a way to escape. I went on to study music at college and Leeds Conservatoire; the rest is history.
Have there been any important role models in your musical journey that have inspired your sound or aesthetic?
Prince, Mariah Carey, and Luther Vandross were my main inspirations growing up. I grew up in a multicultural house so I was also around a lot of reggae music and Bollywood movies which I just fell in love with. These definitely impacted me and my journey.
Where do you find inspiration for your creativity?
I mainly find inspiration in real life situations whether that be love, the idea of love or happy memories. I take a lot of inspiration from friends as well. Sometimes I’ll even just wake up from a dream and record a melody or idea that I’ve had.
Who is your queer icon?
My everyday queer icon is Lady Phyll who is a trailblazer in the queer community. Everything she has done and is doing knows no bounds. Musically, I’d have to say Luther Vandross.
How does your music writing process look?
Chaotic. I will often sing the different musical parts that I want to form the track or poorly explain them! This is how Mariah Carey makes music. Sometimes, I will go into a session with references of what I’m liking the sound of. Then, I’ll either write the top-line there and then, or I’ll take the beat away and sit with it to write to it.
What does being queer mean to you?
Being queer is taking back the word that was used so negatively against the community and giving it power and a new meaning. It’s self-expression. It is acceptance of all different kinds of queer. It’s a sense of community and wanting to see all queers succeed and live happily. I love being queer and I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s a superpower.
Can you tell us a bit about your event series – GLOSS.? What drove you to kickstart it?
GLOSS. is a QTIPoC-led project myself and my friend Misty created. We’re starting off with a club night, to then expand into other avenues including live music, panel talks and more. We’re holding space in places that QTIPoC and PoC communities are often underrepresented, despite much of them being created by people of colour initially. It’s not an exclusionary space so allies are encouraged as long as they are aware and respectful of the space they’re in. We are really keen to bridge that gap. In times like now where promoters are in it for money, it’s hard for grassroots events like us to succeed even though keeping this space is so desperately needed. So we have considered this in our planning too. Mix-Stress (Rebecca Swarray) once told me “if you don’t see the space, create it”, so that’s what I’m doing.
What do you see for the future of Tyron Webster? Do you have any particular goals you’d like to achieve with your creative journey?
I’ve just returned after 2 years off from releasing and performing so my goal is to get back out there. I want to perform loads more, collaborate more and just have fun with it all. I’m trying not to concentrate on the pressures that are often put on creators, especially in this current climate.
Where’s the best place for people to find you on social media and to find your music?
February marks LGBTQ+ History Month, an annual observation of queer history, including the gay rights and related civil rights movements. In the UK, this yearly reclaiming of history has been recognised since 2005, following the repeal of Section 28 in British law. Section 28 was a series of laws which banned authorities and organisations from ‘promoting homosexuality’, initiated in 1988.
Join us in honouring LGBTQ+ history, acknowledging the present, and creating a better future for the queer community this February. We have curated a list of events across Manchester to attend in recognition of the momentous month. Check them out below.
Across the generations, Irish LGBTQ+ people have emigrated and found opportunities to live and love abroad. EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, in partnership with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, are proud to play a role in illuminating this hidden history of Irish emigration. This free exhibition, highlights 12 stories from the vast, yet largely untold, history of Ireland’s LGBTQ+ diaspora. Drop in anytime within the library’s opening hours – entry is completely free.
Are you an LGBTQ+ artist, creative, company, community group, producer, programmer, venue or festival? Join the LGBT Foundation, Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Arts and Culture Network, and LGBTQ+ creatives from across the UK for a day of discussion, provocation and inspiration. Through the likes of panels, presentations, performances and workshops, explore issues affecting LGBTQ+ communities. Lunch will also be provided so book your ticket now!
Meeting Point: Vimto Sculpture, Vimto Park, Manchester
Take a journey through various sites of historical significance to Manchester’s queer community with an expert tour guide. Lasting approximately 90 minutes, the walk will conclude at Kampus, just opposite the renowned Canal Street, to complete the evening with refreshments and networking.
Partisan Club, Islington Mill, James Street, Manchester
Brace yourself for this collaboration of Manchester’s greatest queer club nights and cabaret. Snogtown and Fatty Acid present Snoggy Acid, a night of unmissable entertainment, queer speed dating, and DJs.
Talk to the PHM’s expert Archive Team about how their LGBTQ+ collection continues to grow everyday. Explore archives including Lesbians and Gays Supporting Miners, papers of Michael Steed, former chairman of the Campaign for Homosexual Equality, and more. This is the perfect opportunity to understand how the collection is still used by communities, researchers, and individuals to explore the social and political stories of the past.
Manchester City Council are hosting a question time event to mark this year’s LGBTQ+ History Month. Hear from a diverse panel of speakers representing the local government, public health, voluntary sector and the creative arts. You will also have your opportunity to ask them questions. If you would like to submit a question in advance for the panel, please include this on the sign up form above.
Manchester Metropolitan University is holding a special screening of an exclusive film which recorded the events of the 20th February, 1988. On this day, over 20,000 people took to the streets of Manchester to reject Margaret Thatcher’s Section 28. Taking place in the ground floor cinema of SODA, this event gives people the opportunity to not only see the footage, but to also discuss its relevance today. You will be joined by Paul Fairweather MBE. Paul is a former Manchester councillor, long-time LGBTQ+ rights activist, and one of the organisers of the 1988 protest.
Kanaris Theatre, Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester
Head along to this documentary screening of ‘Under Your Nose‘. This documentary, depicts the story of the Black Lesbian and Gay Centre which was formed in 1985 South London. The documentary’s director and producer Veronica McKenzie will join the screening for a post-viewing Q&A session.
Send us your Manchester LGBTQ+ History Month events on Instagram and we will add them to our list.
Over the past three weeks, we held another round of our High Rise project, funded by MAES. Participants were invited to hop into solo and collaborative creative writing sessions, alongside character development workshops, to build their own audio dramas. Produced by some of Manchester’s dynamic young voices, these audio pieces delved into the highs and lows of urban change, delivering a raw, authentic take on gentrification’s impact. The dramas were exclusively previewed on Reform Radio’s airwaves in a one hour special. Listen to the full show below.
We caught up with Chris, one of our recent participants, to find out about his time on the programme and what he’ll be taking forward from it.
Introduce your name, pronouns, and what you currently get up to in your free time.
My name is Christopher, my pronouns are he/him and I am currently re-learning how to play the guitar.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Work In Progress.
What prompted you to get involved with the High Rise project?
I previously really enjoyed doing scripting when I was on the Radio Course at Reform, so when I found out I could expand on this in the High Rise project, I was really keen to get involved.
Did you have much experience with creative writing before? If so, what’s your favourite thing about it?
I came onto the course with a tiny bit of experience in creative writing due to doing a session on it, also as part of the Radio Course. However, this was a whole different mine field for me and I was able to explore new areas of writing.
What’s your favourite book/poem that you’ve ever read?
My favourite poem would have to be ‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McCrae. I’m really interested in World War One so this is easily one of my favourite pieces.
Let’s throw it back to your first day at Reform versus now, tell me a bit about your first impressions/feelings/emotions in comparison to how you feel now. What has changed?
On my first day in the space, I was really nervous and introverted. Expressing myself, getting to know others and becoming more comfortable has allowed me to come out of my shell a lot. I’m really proud of how much my confidence has developed.
Where do you find inspiration for writing normally and can you give us some examples of what/who inspires your work?
I find most of my inspiration simply from my imagination. Sometimes I think of random elements and characters and then write them down. I can build a whole story from there.
What will you take from the High Rise project moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?
I’ve developed my writing skills so much through the project and I’ve also met lots of like-minded creatives. From here, I am going to work with another guy who was on the High Rise course to produce our own larger scale audio drama.
If you want to find out more about our future projects, contact us at projects@reformradio.co.uk.
Funded by Manchester City Council and MHA, as part of their 1892 Foundation, we are delighted to bring you our exclusive finance workshop, Money Matters. This workshop will be taking place on the 13th of February, from 2.30pm til 4pm at Reform Radio.You will be guided through the likes of debt management, savings, budgeting, interest rates and more. This is the perfect way to learn the ropes of finance in a welcoming and accessible space.
Check out the flyer below to find out how you can get involved.
