Louder Than Words – ‘really random and really human’ music and in-conversation event

Louder Than Words, Manchester’s premier music and in-conversation event, is back at the historic Palace Hotel this year with a weekend of events exploring the relationship between music, popular culture and words

The festival has been delivering creative inspiration since 2013 and has grown a reputation for hosting great musical icons including Rick Buckler (The Jam), Tim Burgess, Guy Garvey and the festival’s spiritual godfather, Wilko Johnson.

And there’s plenty to be excited about this year’s festival. Expect Q&A sessions and discussion panels alongside quality live music featuring in-conversation events with, amongst others, Brix Smith Start, Kristin Hersh, Eleanor McEvoy, Thunder and Daniel Rachel. This is a chance to see a whole new side to some favourite musicians including Wolfgang Flur from Kraftwerk and Woody Woodmansey, last surviving member of The Spiders From Mars.

The festival is a meeting of two minds, according to co-curator John Robb.

“I was thinking of trying to expand the website into a festival and then Jill Adams got in touch. Jill has lots of experience running a big literary festival in Harrogate and wanted to do something on similar lines. We were standing in the old Cornerhouse and I looked out the window and thought the gothic splendour of the Palace Hotel would be the perfect venue for it so we went across the road and they said yes.

“The basic idea is that we live and breathe music and wanted a whole weekend doing the same with like-minded people. The past four years have been a whirl. We’ve met lots of great people and chewed over some great books.”

Many people associate Louder Than War with music. So why in this case have they taken a writing angle?

“Music and writing really cross over and we wanted to celebrate the power of the word and the power of music. We spend all day writing about or playing music so the synthesis was perfect. We wanted an environment where you could listen to people talk about the magic stuff and then meet like-minded souls. One night in the bar we were sat at a table with Don Powell from Slade, Steve Ignorant from Crass and Wilko Johnson as well as our favourite music writer, Zoe Howe. That’s the type of event it is. Really random and really human.”

This year’s event opens even of more of the Palace Hotel’s magnificent interiors including the Director’s Suite where you can enjoy networking opportunities, book signings and, of course, a late night bar.

Tickets are on sale now. Get yours before it’s too late.
11-13 November, Palace Hotel, Manchester
louderthanwordsfest.com