​Factory Sounds programme to distribute grants across Manchester’s music scene

Factory Sounds, the annual music development programme from Factory International, has announced its return in 2025.

Next year, the scheme will support music industry workers in the Greater Manchester area by helping to financially back their careers or a specific project by distributing grants to successful applicants.

15 applicants will receive £1,000 each to help financially support “the creation of a new project, recording studio access, peer-to-peer support, networking opportunities and a series of regular masterclasses in artist management, promotion, fundraising and more”.

Those selected will be taught skills and receive mentorship in the music industry, Factory International says, with an aim to champion “under-represented voices and the grassroots communities”.

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The scheme can be applied for by producers, DJs, artists, collectives, record labels, promoters, radio stations, bands, and more.

Those who have received support through the programme in the past include queer electronic night FLUFF, community station STEAM Radio, and artists such as Samrai, Obeka, Sam Malik, OneDa, and Caitlin LM.

A study conducted by Youth Music released earlier this year showed a huge disparity in opportunities for young musicians in the North and South of England.

It found that a huge 98% of young artists in the North of England have never had the opportunity to perform at local music venues, while other findings revealed that young people in the North see themselves as “less musical” than they do in the South due to a lack of support and funding.

Read this next: North West England suffered most venue closures in the UK in 2023, study shows

"Greater Manchester is buzzing with creative, collaborative, exciting and hugely talented musicians, and through programmes such as Factory Sounds, we are really excited to continue to support and nurture this scene,” says Factory International’s Head of Music, Rivca Burns.

“We recognise there's a huge demand for schemes like this to exist and we are really excited to say that this year we have both increased the number of places as well as added industry mentors to give expert guidance and the opportunity for creatives to thrive.”

Applications for Sound Factory’s 2025 programme are open now until January 20, 2025. Apply here.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Assistant Editor, follow her on Twitter