Salford Music Festival goes online with a special showcase of Salfordian legends

This year’s Salford Music Festival has been re-invented as a three day online showcase of live music, DJs and spoken word.

The annual music festival, which is usually held in the pubs and clubs of Salford, is moving into the digital realm in response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

The festival, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, features an impressive mix of big names and rising stars who will be performing from the comfort of their own homes.

They include Salford music legends Graham Nash, who will be performing an exclusive set and speaking to BBC DJ Janice Long, and proud Salfordian bassist Peter Hook, who will be showcasing some Joy Division classics with his band The Light.

There’s also soul balladry from local songstress Ren Harvieu; electronic duo K Klass unleash their famous dancefloor anthems; and former Icicle Works frontman Ian McNabb, who will be playing a solo set.

A terrific line-up of spoken word talent includes the Bard of Salford John Cooper Clarke, Tony Walsh, JB Barrington, and Mike Garry plus DJ sets from Jon DaSilva, Graeme Park and Clint Boon.

There’s also a healthy dose of emerging music talent including LIINES, James Holt, Jess Kemp, Bianca Alana, AAAK, One Sided Horse, Tiki Black, Freya Beer, and Haig.

Local organisations such as Salford 4 Good, Salford Loaves and Fishes and Salford Lads Club will all receive donations made to this year’s event.

“I’m dead proud of this year’s line-up,” said founder and organiser Ed Blaney.

“Like everyone else in the music industry, we’ve had to adapt in the face of COVID-19. It’s been touching to see how supportive people have been – for someone like Graham Nash to get involved, a real legend, it’s a massive coup for the festival. We’re living in hard times right now, and we just want to bring a bit of hope and positivity with this year’s festival.”

Salford Music Festival is Friday 29th May to Sunday 31st May 2020.