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Analogue recording: The misunderstood beast of audio recording | GigPig

Whilst digital recording may have become accepted within the modern recording studio, Julie McLarnon solely works with analogue tape, with her recording studio, Analogue Catalogue, which ensures that those distant techniques and signature analogue sounds are still championed.

It’s no secret that analogue recording declined in its usage when digital became the mainstay within recording studios in the late 90s and early 2000s.

Digital has streamlined the way tracks are recorded and mixed, so muc

GigPig - How commission on merchandise is stifling gigging musicians

The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) has urged venues not to charge commissions on artists as it attacks the touring ecosystem, an opinion which is shared by Nick Lewis, Head of Music at KOKO in Camden.

Touring costs are, at present, staggeringly inflated to the point where gigging is becoming more and more commercially unviable for musicians, leaving merchandise sitting on a tilting scale to whether artists make or lose money.

This ultimately means that venues take money away from sales of po
Mancunian Matters •

Manchester’s Neighbourhood Festival: The best model for a festival?

Neighbourhood Festival took place on Saturday, October 1st across 13 venues all over Oxford Road, bringing new and established artists to the city of Manchester.

And what an excellent festival it was with the bands playing at an incredibly high level to an adoring Manchester crowd.

However, this unique style of event combines all the best aspects and eliminates all the worst aspects of your traditional field festival.

Rain dampening the mood? No problem all venues are inside.

Are portaloos n
Mancunian Matters •

‘The Hacienda must be built’: Designer Ben Kelly speaks to MM on the 40th anniversary of the legendary venue

Today marks the 40th anniversary that the legendary Manchester club The Hacienda opened its doors.

It was opened on Friday, May 21st 1982 under the Factory Records catalogue number ‘Fac 51’.

The Hacienda was one of the world’s most popular and influential nightclubs, bars and event spaces, which was opened up and co-owned by Factory Records and the members of New Order.

It was inspired by the hedonism of New York and still remains a huge part of Manchester’s heritage.

It was initially meant

A glimmer of hope in a dark period for grassroots music venues | GigPig

‍The cost-of-living crisis is proving to be a testing time for grassroots music venues, coming directly after the difficulties of COVID. It feels as if there is no room to breathe for some businesses. But a new scheme from the Music Venue Trust has secured the future for a Greater Manchester venue.

One of the country's most beloved live music venues, Moles in Bath, has shut its doors after 45 years, and is the most recent casualty of the economic issues with the cost-of-living crisis.

Like man

Analogue recording: The misunderstood beast of audio recording | GigPig

Whilst digital recording may have become accepted within the modern recording studio, Julie McLarnon solely works with analogue tape, with her recording studio, Analogue Catalogue, which ensures that those distant techniques and signature analogue sounds are still championed.

It’s no secret that analogue recording declined in its usage when digital became the mainstay within recording studios in the late 90s and early 2000s.

Digital has streamlined the way tracks are recorded and mixed, so muc

The Evolution of Dance and Electronic Music | GigPig

From the basements in Chicago to global dance floors, electronic and dance music has undergone numerous iterations, making it one of the most consumed genres across the world.


Electronic dance music is a cultural phenomenon that has transcended boundaries, pushing the limits of creativity and technology and allowing endless possibilities on the mixing deck.


An International Federation of the Phonographic Industry report outlined that dance and electronic music was the fourth most popular g

The vital role of music publisher BDi Music | GigPig

Within today’s competitive and ever-evolving music industry, where the way listeners consume their music has completely transformed, one often overlooked but crucial player in the industry is the role of a music publisher.

Their role cannot be overstated, they're the unsung heroes of the industry, as they work behind the scenes on behalf of songwriters and composers to ensure they collect and pay out all the royalties they earn from their compositions.

The work that music publishers undergo is

The chaos behind the broken ticketing system | GigPig

‍The daunting nerves and the overwhelming excitement you get ten minutes before the floodgates open to rush and buy tickets for your favourite artist.

Whether you’ve prepared all night with a clear strategy to guarantee a ticket, gone through pre-sale to bolster your chances or even rocked up right before tickets are on sale, there’s always a quiet optimism that you will secure your place at the front for a gig.

Well, that is right up until the point you're launched into a ridiculously long qu

Recognition from Independent Venue Week is ‘the most important’ aspect for Manchester Venue Rebellion | GigPig

Independent Venue Week (IVW) saw hundreds of gigs happening across the country to amplify the important of grassroots venues to the music ecosystem.


There were 205 venues that came together to host an abundance of shows nationwide in what was the IVW's 10th anniversary. The seven-day annual event commenced on January 29th and celebrated independent music and arts venues. In that time it had facilitated 5,000 shows and, in doing so, sold more than a million tickets.

The initiative highlighted

The unsung heroes who champion emerging artists in the industry | GigPig

Grassroots musicians are essential to the ecosystem of our industry. Globally recognised artists once started in sweaty basements and cramped concert halls, and going through the circuit is essential in gaining confidence, exposure and a following.


The music industry is a tough one at the best of times, but when Music Venues Trust reported that 120 grassroots venues have closed, which is 15% of the total of all grassroots venues, with a further 84 in crisis, it made it even tougher. Grassroo
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GigPig - 30 years of Britpop: Jake Shillingford's journey through music

This year marks the 30th anniversary of one of Britain’s most culturally significant music eras - Britpop, where frontman of My Life Story, Jake Shillingford, shares his insights from the period as he gears up to release new music.

This was kickstarted by Suede’s eponymous debut album, igniting a musical explosion, that would reverberate throughout the UK.

Over the next four years, the scene was dominated by Britpop’s big four: Suede, Pulp, Blur and Oasis, whose releases in that period instant
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GigPig - Vaping bans at festivals: A new era of environmentally-friendly events

Whilst after drinking some warm tinnies or an overpriced Fosters, grabbing for your highlighter pen may have been the perfect solution to complete your festival experience, but now the ban is spreading among UK festivals.

And even though it is unpleasant and mildly inconsiderate for festival-goers to have a cloud of crème brûlée blown into their face whilst watching their favourite headliners, the decision to enforce the ban is primarily rooted in the environmental impacts posed by disposable v
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GigPig - LAB Records is riding the wave of the rise of independent record labels

Genres which were previously deemed to be too niche or unconventional are now celebrated, and independent artists have been given a wider platform to produce and release their music, which is significantly altering the landscape of the industry, with a kaleidoscope of sounds now a part of the mainstream market.

The companies are birthed from a passion for music and a relentless pursuit of artistic authenticity, which has enabled musicians to explore their creative depths without fear of comprom
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GigPig - The rich history of the music capital of the world

Ibiza has been the party capital of the world for decades and the most sought-after destination for party enthusiasts to indulge in hedonism on the island. The distinctive Balearic Beat has evolved along with high-profile clubs gaining significant popularity to become the most iconic venues across the globe. The island has long been synonymous with vibrant nightlife, exotic beaches and electrifying music, which has cemented Ibiza’s place as the mecca for clubbing and the go-to destination for pa
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GigPig - Off The Record - Record Store Day

Over the past few months, GigPig has been championing the best places for vinyl lovers to sift between crates within stores across the country to source some incredible physical music.

Now Record Store Day (RSD) has finally arrived for music enthusiasts which gives you the perfect opportunity to get down to your favourite record stores to revel with like-minded music connoisseurs and get your hands on some exclusive pressings, or to unearth those lost rarities that you’ve been craving to add to
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GigPig - The festival dream for emerging artists

Playing the stages of festivals is so coveted, which allows musicians to reach a wider fan base than what could have initially been possible than playing across their home city.

This allows festivals to champion upcoming talent which will inevitably shape the future of the music scene within the country, and provide a route for homegrown talent into the industry.

Now, festivals are putting prospective musicians on their posters more and more, as breaking onto the stages of the festival used to

GigPig - How commission on merchandise is stifling gigging musicians

The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) has urged venues not to charge commissions on artists as it attacks the touring ecosystem, an opinion which is shared by Nick Lewis, Head of Music at KOKO in Camden.

Touring costs are, at present, staggeringly inflated to the point where gigging is becoming more and more commercially unviable for musicians, leaving merchandise sitting on a tilting scale to whether artists make or lose money.

This ultimately means that venues take money away from sales of po

GigPig - Does AI have a place in the modern music industry?

The opportunities which AI offers are endless, where the only limitations to the tool are the users themselves and what they ask the software to churn out.

It feels like in today's modern age, it is just something that cannot be escaped, where university exams can be passed by utilising it in a particular way and now it can be also be designed to make the next viral banger.

Taking data from algorithms allows the software to learn automatically from patterns or features in the data, meaning it

GigPig - The Art of Busking

The one thing that binds buskers together is their pure love for music, which ensures that there is a huge variety of street performers showcasing their expertise.

It is the perfect opportunity to gain invaluable experience for those bidding to transform their performance space from the streets to the main stages at festivals.

Where this is epitomised by artists such as Ed Sheeran, Passenger and Rod Stewart, who all started their illustrious careers on the streets.

At GigPig we ensure that ou

GigPig - The reality of the cost-of-living crisis’ impact on the music industry

The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has had significant consequences on the music industry. Soaring prices have brought even more difficulties after the pandemic, which is now affecting artists' mental health.

The music industry severely suffered during the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, and following restrictions music venues were forced to shut for 18 months, on top of pressures to remain open and to keep staff employed.

The trades economy, therefore, shrank by 47% in 2020. However, the
Mancunian Matters •

Gig Review: The Chameleons at Manchester Academy

Manchester post-punk band rolled back the years to deliver a masterful performance for their ‘resurrection’ tour, 22 years after performing at Manchester Academy.

The Chameleons, originating in Middleton in 1981, are known for their dark, atmospheric sound and introspective lyrics, as they took to the stage on Saturday, 17th December.

Lead singer, bassist and original member Mark Burgess were joined by the returning original guitarist Reg Smithies.

The punk pioneering band released six studio
Mancunian Matters •

Manchester’s Exchange Square holds show for upcoming music groups

Music event Direct to Stage is taking place from 7 to 8 October – and on the 8th there is a pop-up show from upcoming indie, indie-rock and post-punk bands Dead Pony, The Royston Club and L’objectif at Exchange Square.

From 11:00 to 19:00, First Direct Bank will be providing a platform for smaller bands with an exciting future.

The digital bank is committed to levelling the playing field within the music industry, with the bands having been invited to the venue last month, where each performed
Mancunian Matters •

Manchester’s Neighbourhood Festival: The best model for a festival?

Neighbourhood Festival took place on Saturday, October 1st across 13 venues all over Oxford Road, bringing new and established artists to the city of Manchester.

And what an excellent festival it was with the bands playing at an incredibly high level to an adoring Manchester crowd.

However, this unique style of event combines all the best aspects and eliminates all the worst aspects of your traditional field festival.

Rain dampening the mood? No problem all venues are inside.

Are portaloos n
Mancunian Matters •

‘The Hacienda must be built’: Designer Ben Kelly speaks to MM on the 40th anniversary of the legendary venue

Today marks the 40th anniversary that the legendary Manchester club The Hacienda opened its doors.

It was opened on Friday, May 21st 1982 under the Factory Records catalogue number ‘Fac 51’.

The Hacienda was one of the world’s most popular and influential nightclubs, bars and event spaces, which was opened up and co-owned by Factory Records and the members of New Order.

It was inspired by the hedonism of New York and still remains a huge part of Manchester’s heritage.

It was initially meant
Mancunian Matters •

Manchester tinnitus tragedy: five years on

Five years ago last month, Manchester musician Craig Gill’s took his own life due to tinnitus and more needs to be done to raise awareness of the condition.

Gill was the drummer for the Manchester band ‘Inspiral Carpets’ where he joined the band in 1986 at the age of 14.

Gill played in the band until they split up in 1995 and later from 2003 to 2016, when the band reformed.

During that time, Inspiral Carpets shaped the ‘Madchester’ scene in Manchester in the late 1980s, along with the Stone R
Mancunian Matters •

Gig Review: The Charlatans at Victoria Warehouse

Manchester favourites The Charlatans showed they were still as energetic and youthful as they were in the 90s with an unforgettable performance.

The Charlatans celebrated their 30th anniversary since the release of their first album Some Friendly with a nationwide tour.

However, due to delays with Covid-19, the tour has been rebranded to their 31st anniversary, with 30th being clumsily scribbled out on the poster.

They took to the Victoria Warehouse on Saturday, December 4.

The band was high
Mancunian Matters •

More than 80% of acts pull out of scandal-hit festival

Dozens of bands pulled out of the Hit the North festival following allegations against the promoters of the event, SSD Concerts.

These allegations forced the festival to put on a very limited production.

A total of 79 bands were scheduled to play the festival which was to take place in Newcastle last weekend – but by the time it went ahead just 11 artists were left.

The boycott of the festival comes after the company and their managing director, Steve Davis, faced allegations of inappropriate