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The Music Course this January was nothing short of a success. This group of budding musicians were able to hone their skills and build their musical portfolios. The participants got the opportunity to broadcast their creations live on the Reform Airwaves, which you can listen to below.

https://www.reformradio.co.uk/show/rejuv-the-nation-30th-january-2026/

We caught up with Em at the end of the Music Course to hear about their experience of the course.

Please can you introduce your name, and pronouns, and tell us a bit about what you like getting up to in your free time?

E: I’m Em and I’m a non-binary electronic music producer.

Describe your music in 3 words

E: Expressive, Maximalist and Minimalist.

If you were stuck on a desert island with a record player, what record would you want to have with you to listen to?

E: I love music so much, I’ve thought about this. I think it would definitely be Introducing by DJ Shadow. He’s a really big artist from the ’90s, and the album is made of samples found in a record store basement. So it’s an album almost made of broken dreams.

Did you have much musical experience before? If so, what’s your favourite thing about making music?

E: I’ve done music production for a few years beforehand, but I’ve struggled to finish making tracks. It’s almost like a therapy for me. It kind of unravels what’s within my head and makes things more clear when I’m having issues with my identity, but making music helps me connect to that.

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?

E: At the start, I was quite excited to have an environment to create stuff and meet people. It felt quite refreshing because I’ve not been making stuff as much. And now I’m in a challenged place because I need to finish my track.

Do you have any musical role models that inspire your practice and why?

E: Bjork, Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, Arca and Dj Shadow. I think because I can see within their music that they really express themselves. The deepest emotions are within their music, and that’s something I’m really inspired by really aspire to do.

When writing new music, where do you begin with the process and what inspires you to make a new track?

E: I think it just depends on what mindset I’m in when I’m making something. I think for this I took inspiration from certain tracks because we did an exercise where we picked certain tracks we wanted to sound like. I chose a few Arca tracks and I went into this sort of digital glitch sound which is not usually something I do.

What will you take from the Music course moving forward & what are your plans from here onwards?

E: I just want to finish as many projects as I can cause that’s something I’ve struggled with quite a bit beforehand.

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The DJ Sessions course (funded by MAES) at the start of September was an absolute cracker. It was the first time that we hosted the showcase at the Reform studios and the vibes were next level. It’s always such a pleasure to see the participants put their new skills to the test. We had a range of music genres and party vibes, from slow, smooth RnB, then some disco bangers all the way to the hardcore drum and bass party tunes. We caught up with Dan and Imani at the end of their two week course to find out how they found it and what they plan to do in the future.

Please can you introduce your name, and pronouns, and tell us a bit about what you like getting up to in your free time?

D: My name is Dan, pronouns are He/Him. My Hobbies at the moment have actually been music and wanting to get into DJing, hence why I’m here. But before that, I was working in the dance industry and now I want to make the switch.

I: I’m Imani, She/Her, and I’m sort of in the midst of a life reset. I used to work in television, and I then moved into charity and organisational work. Once my contract ended, I was sort of like, let’s explore my creative space. I found this opportunity literally the day my contract ended, and I was like, I like music a lot, so why not DJ?

What prompted you to get involved with the DJ Sessions course?

D: So, as I said, I was a dancer, then went into teaching and choreographing in the entertainment space. But I’ve always been around music, a lot of my friends are DJs, or work in the music side of it, and I never knew really how to make the switch. So yeah, a bit like Imani, it’s a bit like a life reset. I decided to take a beat from work and then yeah this is when that job opportunity came up, and I felt like the time was right now to have that space and this course to get the skills to explore this new avenue within the industry.

I: Yeah, same. I’ve always been raised around music, I was always in choirs and praise teams and live bands when I was younger, but I never really transitioned into knowing anything about the production or creation of music, but, yeah, I’ve always been the person at parties slamming on the decks like “play it again”. So, I through you know what, if you have a passion for music and you can also see how it’s a performance in a way, another creative expression, I think that was just enough motivation to be like it’s another creative field that aligns with my interests.

What do you love most about DJing?

D: I always enjoyed music, but now I have a deeper understanding of music and how to use different genres to create a feeling or a moment; it’s a deeper understanding of music. I’ve always appreciated going to gigs, but now it’s understanding how music works to create a moment or a vibe or an energy, which has been really nice.

I: My friends and I always use the term ‘ambience director’, like to create an emotion or an atmosphere, in order to create a level of comfortability, or to find a way to get people on your wavelength and vibe through music. Not necessarily having to talk, but using music as a way to connect with other people, because, as you flow through different genres and flow through different vibes, I want to be able to hype up the energy or I want bring it down and let people be a bit more introspective. It’s just crazy that you’re able to do that with just a collection of three or four songs that just shift the energy or the vibe of an entire space, without having to communicate or talk.

Did you have much experience in DJing before? What’s one stand out thing you’ve learnt at Reform?

D: So, I’ve always understood listening to music, but in terms of DJing, no. I’ve never touched decks properly, never understood the software or the thousand buttons that are on the decks. I think what we’ve learned in two weeks was like months and months and months worth of knowledge and understanding of the foundations, and some a bit more advanced stuff as well.

I: I would just say it’s been a very comprehensive experience. It’s not just been the technical side; the equipment, what the buttons do. This course has actually given us tools in regards to, how do we actually make this a viable living opportunity? How do I approach people? What does a brand look like? What’s the significance of certain things? I think that sort of widened the perspective a bit more.

How would you describe your DJ set in three words?

D: Feel-good, free, disco.

I: Soulful, wholesome, feel-good.

Do you have any role models in the music scene that inspire your practice?

D: Honey Dijon, not just because she is trans and queer, but her vibe is definitely my vibe. I feel like the spaces she creates are of inclusivity and sort of free spaces, which is what I like to party in, and what I would hopefully like to create.

I: I’m not as knowledgeable on the DJ scene as I probably should be, but again, the person that I really enjoyed listening to is this guy called Dodge DJ. I first heard of him as he was DJing at a family funeral. It was the best party I’d ever been to. I think he was a friend of my cousins, or whatever it was, and then a couple of months later, I saw he was headlining like some international event. It turns out, he’s really multi genre. He mixes house all the way down to reggae and soca and even techno. He just does it all, and yeah, if there’s someone that I would love to be able to emulate in terms of the atmosphere that he created, it’d be that.

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?

D: I feel like, on the first day, I was a bit apprehensive, but the mentors and the facilitators have created a real safe space for everyone. The diversity of our course is so varied, but everyone has gelled really well together. I used to work in teaching myself, and some people like to teach with fear and name-dropping… This course has been the complete opposite.

I: I agree, the teaching has been really organic. We’ve been allowed to grow at our own pace. I think if the facilitators can see that you can have the capacity to do more, they’re not sort of holding you restricted with the rest of the group. I think my first day was just, yeah, a little bit apprehensive, because I think when things are free, you know, you can’t even say you get what you pay for. By the end of the week, I’m impressed! It’s been so smooth and very fluid the whole way, which has just been cool.

What will you take from the DJ course moving forwards and what are your plans from here onwards?

D: Confidence in my skills to practice and perfect them and keep pushing them forward. Also, the confidence to put myself out there within the DJ space. We’ve been taught that the reality of learning to DJ is hard work, and it’s going to take time, and you do have to put the graft in, but in a positive way, not in a negative way. So I feel like it’s given me the confidence to sort of take a step into that space, which is nice.

I: I don’t think I want to go and conquer the DJ world just yet. I’m just happy to know how to have the skills, the tools at home. I’m bringing my skills straight to Slug and Lettuce to the local pub where I can get some real exposure. I know how to promote myself now, and what a brand is.

If you could DJ at any festival, event, or place in the world, where would it be and why?

D: I have a few in Manchester. Probably, The White Hotel, Hidden or The Warehouse Project. But then the ultimate dream would be Panorama Bar in Berghain.

I: I’m an aesthetics babe. I think my kind of music fits rooftops with some nice drinks, like somewhere that’s super scenic. In terms of an actual place, I don’t know I would love to go somewhere like Atlanta, like a very historical American place, where a lot of the genres of the music that I like to play originated. It would be amazing to play this music for people who actually appreciate the origins of the music from their hometown.

To find out about our future projects at Reform Radio, sign up to our Projects newsletter here.

HYPE THEM returned with a bang on the airwaves last month. Hosting duo, kaoti & sher, welcomed Salford’s Roukaya B to the show for an incredible live session and chat. Roukaya B has been making moves in the Northern music scene, fusing sounds of jazz, RnB and soul. Therefore, we were beyond excited to share her genre-bending melodies on Reform Radio.

Check out the full live session and show below.

Off the back of the show, we caught up with Roukaya to find out more about her musical journey and inspirations.

Please can you introduce yourself (name, pronouns and star sign) 

I am Roukaya B, she/they and a Gemini. 

If you had to describe your music in three words to someone who had never heard it before, how would you describe it?

If I had to describe my music in three words – which is very hard for me – I would describe my music as “analog in digital”.

Where did your journey with music begin?

It’s always been a part of me to be honest. I’ve always felt connected to music very deeply and as though I really understood it from an early age. For example, how certain songs would make me feel when you heard them or being able to pick up melodies and lyrics really quickly. 

In primary school my older sister and I would make up dance routines to our favourite songs. I would sing, and in high school I did BTEC music which taught me about basic production and music theory. This was where I started to focus on refining singing more. From here and alongside A Levels, I did a little stint in the Manchester United Youth Foundation Choir. This taught me a lot about my higher range and blending with other voices. 

After completing my academic college studies aged 18, I enrolled at Access To Music in Manchester to do a vocal artist course. This taught me more about my range and studio workflow. It was where I began developing my writing skills, started busking in the city centre and where I first auditioned for Little Mix The Search. 

I think this period in my life was really the solidifying factor of where my music journey began. Having danced with the rhythm for years and swayed with only academics for a couple at an A Level college, my studies at Access opened my eyes to the possibilities of what I could do with music and why I feel it as deeply as I do. It felt like a natural step back into something that was, at this stage, partially unknown, if that makes sense.

Have there been any important figures/role models in your musical journey or any that have inspired your sound/aesthetic?

Diving into that whole “analog in digital” to describe my sound, I’d say I resonate with artists of that similarity, like Amy Winehouse, Joy Crookes, Raye, Erykah Badu and Greentea Peng. I love artists that fuse or blend genres. My sound is definitely inspired by that and I think it’s showcased in not only beat selection, but flow and tone. I take a lot of inspiration from rap styles and love me some early 2000’s hip-hop, West coast and different styles of UK rap. I think it can be seen in even my most contemporary releases. 

Where do you find inspiration for your creativity?

Usually it’s something that flows out of me, a melody of something, a flow, or a kind of cadence. My approach to creativity is very holistic. There is no specific knack or place, position, maybe even real reason for creating. It is more about capturing the essence of something. It definitely involves feeling what the vibe of something is too. For example, the track, the room I’m in, or the emotion I’m currently experiencing. I think that, combined with my everyday human experience, is where I find inspiration for my creativity.  

How does your music writing process look?

The first steps definitely involve the inspiration for the creativity mentioned in the previous question. Usually from this I have some sort of rough outline of how I want something to feel and sound. Intelligibility on the other hand is different. Depending on what is laid down, some vocal phrases might say words which also contextualise the mood set. Alternatively, the whole take could be freestyle and the rhyming scheme and context may also be there for me when listening back to the voice memo or project laid down in the software. 

In terms of collaboration, the process above may be how we work it. However, if there’s a hook or verse already laid down by the collaborator, I have an alternative process. This involves listening to the track a couple times to grasp the overall vibe, cadence, lyrical content and context. Then, either on the second or third listen of the song, I will freestyle something I think suits the track and my vibe. 

If you had to recommend a music-centred event, space or venue in Manchester to somebody, where would you point them to?

Do Not Disturb for your intimate vibes. Also, 0161 Spotlight, Savage PnP, Sofar Sounds, Black Creative Trailblazers and Heads UK have an array of creative things to get involved with. Formatt GG also has a cool event coming up at the end of May to keep your eyes peeled for. 

I’ll also say keep an eye out for Beyond The Music 2025. There will be so much to explore there and I know Factory International also has really cool showcases and events.

What do you see for the future of your music? Do you have any particular goals you’d like to achieve with your creative journey?

For the future of my music, I see myself being very experimental. I see myself diving in more with the capabilities of the human voice and seeing how it can be communicated through music as an instrument. I have a lot of really cool demos in the mix. These are blending more alternative/indie styles with soul, jazz, blues and rap. I’m really excited to start reworking them later this year to see what comes out of the project. 

With my creative journey, my goals are to release music that continuously inspires me to create more. I want to create a community that unites those that have taken a few years to figure out what’s going on and how they truly want to express or communicate that. My goal is to make music that unites the outcasted or those labelled as something other than just being themselves. We’re all just figuring out what life is and my main goal is to capture the journey of chaos and the beauty of life. 

Where’s the best place for people to find you on social media and to find your music?
Instagram for gig updates and hot pics @iamroukayab. TikTok if you want the real me @badgyalroukrouk. My music is out on all streaming platforms – just search Roukaya B.

Manchester songbird Naomi Kalu was the most recent guest on Jorgy & Cheech’s Show for a natter and an exclusive live performance. With her soulful vocals, the songstress is Sheba Arts’ Artist in Residence. It was a joy to have her raw lyricism and acoustic storytelling on the airwaves.

Check out the full live session and show below.

Reputable member of Manchester’s hip-hop scene Sparkz joined Jorgy and Cheech on the Reform Radio airwaves for an exclusive live session. Spitting bars and contributing to some top chat, we were buzzing to have Sparkz with us. You may recognise Sparkz as the frontman of 9-piece hip-hop band, The Mouse Outfit, whilst he has also dropped some remarkable solo projects over the years. In 2025, he isn’t stopping, so stay tuned for what he has in store.

Watch the live session above & listen to full show below.

To watch more of our live sessions, click here.

In partnership with size?Radio, powered by Nike Sportswear, we have been hosting a super exciting project in the Reform Radio space. ‘Run The Track‘ is a new exclusive radio series which places female music artists from the North West at the centre of the conversation. From discussing the likes of the representation of female queer identities to the experiences of Black artists in music, and the reality of functioning as a female artist, this series catalyses vital conversations to triggering change in the industry.

In 2023, the UK Parliament found that just 1 in 10 major UK festival headliners, less than a third of top-selling artists, and 14% of songwriters were female. These numbers also lessen in relation to marginalised racial identities. There has been an overall decrease to 21% of individuals working in music identifying as Black, Asian or from an ethnically diverse background. As a means of support to underrepresented genders in music, we were proud to take part in the production of ‘Run The Track‘ and hold space for said artists to share their reflections and experiences to alter the narrative of inequality.

Released on the 15th of February, the series kickstarted with its debut episode led by Manchester’s Mix-Stress, also known as Rebecca Swarray. The DJ, producer and curator invited Homobloc resident Gina Breeze, and Liverpool’s Fliss Mayo to the conversation regarding LGBTQIA+ representation in the realm of dance music. From the birth of disco and electronic dance music lying in 70s underground queer clubs, the genre has a lot to thank the queer community for.

“Dance music is queer, and that fact has been erased over time… Most stems of electronic music have come from queer house and techno, which has always pushed the boundaries of music creation.”

Fliss Mayo, ‘Run The Track’, Episode One

The trio discussed the vitality of music communities in providing safety for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Mix-Stress and Gina Breeze made a point to acknowledge Manchester’s grassroots venues, including the Derby Brewery Arms and Partisan Collective, which are consistently creating new queer events to ensure the subculture stays true to its roots. Similarly, larger promoters, such as Warehouse Project, were celebrated for curating exciting lineups of local LGBTQIA+ artists alongside bigger industry names. However, there is still a long way to go. Other North West cities are struggling with diversity within audience demographics. Manchester acts as an example to others in showcasing the vitality of DIY events for the queer community, but funding and support is needed to ensure this in less established locations.

Amongst discussion, we were also treated to some delicious mixes from the guests throughout the episode to get us moving and to showcase some talent we are lucky enough to have right on our doorstep. Listen to the first episode below.

The second episode welcomed Manchester based artist and founder of six piece group Lovescene, Pops Roberts, to host the conversation. Joining her to explore the contributions of females in the music industry were critically acclaimed singer, songwriter and producer Låpsley and DJ of the Girls Can’t Sync collective Hannah Lynch. The trio noted the struggles of gender minorities in the industry and also took time to celebrate the moves said communities are making resiliently.

Watch the full episode below.

Following International Women’s Day, there is no better time than now to tune into ‘Run The Track‘. Check out the vast array of female talent and chat it has to offer. From listening in to some top mixes, to hearing unheard lived experiences, the series is sure to bring something fresh to your ears and leave you more informed on the realities of being a female in the industry.

Listen to the second episode below.

Stay tuned for the full three-part series to be available via Reform Radio or the size?launches app over the coming weeks.

Ten years of Reform Radio means one thing – we’re going DAB! Pop the radio on because we’re now live in your cars and on your digital smart speakers.

As you may know, 2023 marks our tenth birthday and to continue with our celebrations we’re delighted to announce we are going DAB. For those of you that aren’t familiar, DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) means Reform Radio will be digitally transmitted to devices. Different to FM, this digital transmission allows you to select stations by name, gives it a clearer sound quality and offers more widespread listening.

For those of you across Greater Manchester, you can now pop us on you DAB devices and tune into the good vibes 24/7. This is huge for us to be found alongside our favourite radio big hitters on DAB lists in cars and speakers across the region.

Reform Radio is now on DAB across Greater Manchester and worldwide via your smart speaker.

See you in the car – turn it up!

It’s been a busy month at Reform this May, from us celebrating our tenth birthday, to kickstarting the likes of our Podcasting, Audio Drama, and DJ courses. However, have no fear our hosts still managed to invite some exciting new talent into the studio…

High Focus’ very own Verbz brought the energy to the Drop The Mic Show – a monthly show dedicated to praising poetry in all forms, whether it be rap, spoken word, or singing. Verbz got behind the mic and served a flow like no one else, expressing his unparalleled lyrical mastery whilst he was at it.

Check out the live session below, or listen to the full show to hear Verbz chat about his inspirations, tracks of nostalgia, and how he he perfected his practice.

It wasn’t only Verbz that graced us with his presence in the studio , Manchester-based alt-hip hop artist FREEQUENCY3 joined kaoti on their debut resident show HYPE THEM. Not a beat was missed on these effortless renditions of the rapper’s tracks, ‘LIFE’ and ‘Reflection’.

Don’t miss out, check out the session below, and listen to the pair chat all things regarding identity in the music industry, and running through FREEQUENCY3’s new EP, 517 Days.

We’re back with the second episode of our Remote Rhythm Lab docuseries – a collection of mini documentaries following our three pairs of South African and Manchester creatives, collaborating musically to create a track towards their exclusive EP, Mutualism. This project has kindly been funded by British Council, and curated with the help of our friends shesaid.so South Africa and Rose Bonica. For those of you wondering more about the Remote Rhythm Lab project, head to our blog here. In the meantime, meet our next pair of collaborators, Chulu & Obeka.

We’re transported to Cape Town as Chulu introduces themself beneath the screen, and instantly we are drawn to their infectious and open energy. “I suppose you could say I am an R&B, neo-soul artist, but that’s only because that’s what is nearest and dearest to my heart”. Manchester-based Obeka, on the other hand, is attracted to creating Caribbean come African diaspora-infused beats, combined with electronic and handmade sounds. The pair’s varying introductions set us up for an opposing, but simultaneously complimentary collaboration.

The pair navigated their remote and internationally-distanced communication well, with a core narrative driving the creation of the record. “The track was actually inspired by one of the very first conversations Obeka and I had when we were trying to get familiar with each other. I had just come back from a much needed trip back home and we related to the feeling of longing to be around family but being distanced by circumstance. We noted creating something that felt like a siren call to home”, says Chulu. With this initial idea in mind, the pair focused on their expertise, with Obeka taking to the beats and percussion, and Chulu homing in on the vocals and melodies.

Although their experience lay in different fortes, it soon became apparent their differences were going to work in each others’ favour. “The collaboration, while a little outside of my comfort zone, felt very natural and helped me engage with my writing in particular in a new and exciting way”, notes Chulu, talking about what they took from the project. However, the mentor and mentee dynamic of this collaboration was definitely remoulded in this unique experience with both parties actually learning from one another. “I learned more and more each day during our writing processes alongside my personal challenges of working with a vocalist”, says Obeka, “it enabled me to focus on finding a balance between my drumwork and percussion whilst also allowing the melodic presence of Chulu to shine. Overall I grew a monumental understanding of sculpting vocals and building an atmosphere within the dynamic of a song”.

The duo’s track, Alone, forms a vital part of the wider Mutalism EP, acting as an ode to the necessity of differences in creative collaborations to truly make something notable and special. Not only this, but the record is a great expression of the unity music provides to communities, families, and two creatives on opposite sides of the world. Obeka puts it best with “if we harness this [togetherness and unity] and take care of the people around us, you’ll never be alone!”

Check out the full documentary episode below.

Listen to the full Mutualism EP below, to get a taste of what our other collaborators created.

MILA GRACE, brizzy the boss, is a talent not to be reckoned with. Fierce, commanding and assertive. Her power emulates a dark horse that has been set free to charge.

‘First – Freestyle’ has even been selected as track of the week on BBC Manchester and BBC Music Introducing with Roesh. Mila’s capabilities are highlighted by these notable mentions. It’s obvious that this is only the beginning for this talent. Confirming her status and path in her freestyle she spits, “Don’t mind me, I speak on bangers”. MILA’s future aspirations and focus are as sharp as her acrylic nails, and we can’t wait to see it in full flow.

Listen back to the full show to find out more about MILA GRACE and all that went down with Daisy in the studio.

Watch the full performance below.

Listen back to the show here.