How Sounds from the Other City is celebrating Salford and Manchester’s boldest musical voices

Sounds from the Other City returns this weekend, and with it comes a fresh wave of Salford and Manchester’s top talent: artists whose sounds are as raw, honest, and innovative as the city they call home.

This annual celebration of underground music isn’t just about the performances; it’s about the pulse of the city—its ever-evolving, ever-exciting music scene, rooted deeply in community and creativity.

And this year, as Salford’s streets once again hum with anticipation, three remarkable local artists will step into the spotlight, each offering their own unique perspective on what it means to be an artist in Greater Manchester today.

Tom Sharkett, with his captivating mix of post-punk and electronic experimentation, reflects the city’s rebellious spirit and its ability to transform pain into art. From the early days spent in venues like the Roadhouse and Gullivers to playing at legendary spots like Islington Mill, Tom’s musical journey is one steeped in the heart of Manchester’s scene—one that feels as fresh and exciting today as it did when he first discovered Joy Division at 16.

NØELLE has carved out a space in Manchester’s electronic scene that feels both fearless and essential. She’s embraced the city’s openness and support, blending her Welsh-Ukrainian roots with a distinct sonic vision that’s all her own. Whether through her powerful event series or her captivating sound experiments, NØELLE’s music speaks to the undercurrents of resistance, community, and identity that Manchester represents.

And then there’s Hayley Suviste, whose work is a testament to the city’s collaborative spirit. Through her field recordings and interdisciplinary practices, she’s built a sound that is both personal and universal. Her involvement in Brighter Sound’s residencies helped her find her place, and today, she’s part of a larger movement of artists redefining what it means to create in Manchester—one that is shaped not just by the music, but by the spaces that hold it.

We caught up with them ahead of this weekend.

Tom Sharkett

Growing up here, were there any local venues, artists, or moments that shaped your journey as musicians?

I feel like I was definitely spoiled for choice growing up in the area. It’s a cliché answer for sure, but I definitely had that moment of discovery hearing Joy Division for the first time and learning about the Factory Records story—I just became obsessed. I used to go to a skatepark in Stockport called Bones and would drive past Strawberry Studios with my dad, finding it so exciting that some of the music I was discovering had been made there.

When I was around 15 or 16, I was in bands with friends from school and we were playing places like the Roadhouse, the Ruby Lounge, and Gullivers. I felt very connected to Manchester as a young musician, and town felt like the epicentre of everything exciting for me at the time. As I got a bit older, I ventured more into Salford, playing at places like the Eagle Inn and watching shows at Islington Mill.

I went to the White Hotel for the first time in 2016 to see The Moonlandingz and then went loads over the next couple of years to see some wild bookings, like Damo Suzuki. Wet Play and Red Laser then guided me more toward the dance music world and influenced both my solo project and W. H. Lung—so I feel like Manchester and Salford have guided me through my musical journey for sure!

Sounds From the Other City is a major celebration of alternative music—what does playing this event mean to you?

It’s definitely one of my favourite days of the year! Sounds always feels like one of those days where everyone is out and up for it. There are definitely plenty of people on my list every year, but what I also love about Sounds is discovering things I’ve never heard of before and just going with people’s recommendations and ambling from venue to venue.

I think 2023 was my favourite year, as it was my first as an Islington Mill resident, and I just felt really content and proud to be part of the community. It feels new and like it’s moving forward year on year, but it’s also reminiscent of the Greater Manchester music scene I experienced as a teenager. It’s super exciting to make my solo debut, as I loved playing with my band W. H. Lung in 2018 at the Old Pint Pot.

If you could collaborate with any Manchester artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

As I’m typing this, Future Perfect by The Durutti Column has just come on the radio, which feels like a very nice bit of synchronicity—as it would definitely be Vini Reilly. Whilst he’s gained more credit as the years go on, he’s still one of the unsung heroes of Manchester music history and occupies a place many artists strive for but aren’t able to reach in quite the same way.

My guitar player friends love The Durutti Column just as much as my DJ friends, and you’re as likely to find one of his records in your older relative’s collection as you are to hear one in a club. It’s Arthur Russell levels of crossover, and the music he was making was super ahead of its time. I love the constant evolution of where it was going.

What’s one Manchester hidden gem—whether it’s a record store, a venue, or a late-night spot—that more people need to know about?

I’ve not actually been myself yet, but I’m very much looking forward to paying a visit to a new record store called Future Volumes in Renae on Thomas Street. A good pal of mine works there—who is also a really talented producer called Modema—and it’s run by one of the Talking Drums lot, which is an absolutely brilliant edits label that never misses in my opinion. I’m sure they’re going to have some great stuff in there.

Who are your favourite musicians from Greater Manchester at the moment?

I’m actually super excited to watch the other artists on the Islington Mill stage. We shared a studio with The Orielles for the past couple of years, so I’m excited to hear the new stuff they’ve been cooking up—it’ll undoubtedly be brilliant. Leo Hermitt too—I’ve heard great things and love what I’ve heard on Bandcamp.

I always enjoy watching Adjustments, who we also shared the studio with, and Tara’s new solo project, Brain Leak. Lili Holland-Fricke I think is absolutely sensational. Shaking Hand, who are a new band on the Melodic Records roster, have a record coming out later this year too. Loads of good stuff at the moment!

NØELLE

Manchester has such a rich musical heritage—how has the city influenced your sound and approach to music?

Manchester gave me the space and ability to flourish in being unabashedly myself. As a multidisciplinary artist that blends electronic genres and particularly as a woman within these spaces, Manchester accepted me and helped me grow into the artist that I am now.

Living up here, were there any local venues, artists, or moments that shaped your journey as musicians?

The Yard was the space I landed in when I first moved to Manchester and as a family run independent venue, they were so incredibly welcoming and crucial in the development of my early career and sound. They helped me host my event series called Agora which provided a space for me to meet incredible musicians such as Meduulla, Paltin and Caitlin LM and also gave me a safe space to write and explore my sound back before I had a studio or private space to myself.

Sounds from the other city is a major celebration of alternative music—what does playing this event mean to you?

I played SFTOC for the first time three years ago on the Fluff x Tales From Other Worlds stage and it – still – is one of my favourite moments of my career. It was the first time I played to a packed out room of people that made me feel welcome and actually enjoyed my music.

SFTOC gives a space to the underdogs and the alternative artists and platforms so many voices in the music industry that struggle to find a space to feel accepted.

If you could collaborate with any Manchester artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

It would be a dream to work with Manchester Collective on a live spatial audio-visual string concept surrounding the war in Ukraine, exploring the roots of Eastern European heritage in the UK as a Welsh-Ukrainian artist myself. I have loved their past electronically influenced works with artists such as Shunya and look forward to catching their upcoming work with Clark.

What’s one Manchester hidden gem—whether it’s a record store, a venue, or a late-night spot—that more people need to know about?

Probably one of the most exciting spaces at the moment is Honey Street Studios. It reminds me a lot of The Fridge that used to be a space at Islington Mill and I’m so glad Honey Street stepped in and filled that gap in the Manchester scene.

Having recently hosted events for Crop Radio, Self and Ded Luvly alongside countless exhibitions and multidisciplinary events, it’s so exciting to see a space welcome such a diverse range of grassroots events.

Who are your favourite musicians from greater Manchester at the moment?

Some of my favourite artists at the moment are Kaoti, Phia Sky and Zolatec who you can catch on the Fluff stage this year.

LS Marley and VMS Angel both make music that I absolutely love and run one of the coolest nights in Manchester for alternative, multidisciplinary fans called “Self” which also recently featured Phantasm who is an awesome alt-pop producer I’m super excited to have seen live lately!

Hayley Suviste

Manchester has such a rich musical heritage—how has the city influenced your sound and approach to music?

The collaborative energy I’ve found in Manchester’s music and creative scene has had a huge influence on my approach to making music. I’m surrounded by artists who are open to experimenting and genuinely supportive of one another—it’s incredibly motivating. The generosity and openness of the people here, and the ease with which ideas and skills (and equipment!) are shared, have played a huge part in my creative development.

Growing up here, were there any local venues, artists, or moments that shaped your journey as musicians?

Taking part in Brighter Sound’s artist residencies were a major turning point for me. Between 2017 and 2020, I took part in three, and they completely changed how I saw myself as a musician. Before that, I hadn’t really imagined I could create and perform my own music. The residencies gave me the time, support, and encouragement to explore that side of my practice. They also opened up opportunities to perform at brilliant local venues like The White Hotel, Old Grandad Studios, Texture, the People’s History Museum, and Spirit Studios. More than anything, they helped me grow creatively and introduced me to collaborators and friends I’m still connected with today. I honestly don’t think I’d be doing what I’m doing now without those experiences.

Sounds from the other city is a major celebration of alternative music—what does playing this event mean to you?

It feels like a full-circle moment for me. I volunteered at Sounds from the Other City 10 years ago, shortly after moving to Manchester from Birmingham, to immerse myself in the city’s music and arts scene and connect with others. Returning now as an artist, a decade later, feels truly special.

If you could collaborate with any Manchester artist, past or present, who would it be and why?

I’m actually about to start a collaboration I’m really excited about—with fellow Manchester-based sound artists Aisling Davis, Fiona Brehony, and Lizzie King. We recently connected over our shared interest in water, rivers, and field recordings using hydrophones (and much more!). We’re planning an exhibition that brings together these themes and our individual practices—I’m really looking forward to seeing where it takes us!

What’s one Manchester hidden gem—whether it’s a record store, a venue, or a late-night spot—that more people need to know about?

A personal favourite is the Carlton Club in Whalley Range. It’s my local, and a great example of a community-led space that hosts a wide range of events — from live music (shout out to Brume!) to workshops and social gatherings. There’s always something going on, and it really feels embedded in the area and its people. With its recent threat of closure, it’s a reminder of how important it is to support spaces that contribute so much to the city’s cultural life — especially amidst the ongoing waves of development that often push and threaten these independent spaces.

Who are your favourite musicians from greater Manchester at the moment?

Lili Holland-Fricke, In Atoms, Vicky Clarke, WEȽ∝KER, NONUNONU, Ríoghnach Connolly, Stuart McCallum, Brown Wimpenny and thraa

Tickets for Sounds from the Other City

You can get tickets for Sounds from the Other City by clicking here