This September a new artist – first, open air event series named ‘Plus Minus Equals: The Block’ takes to the streets of Manchester, trailblazing how we experience live music. Mancunian’s Indie Pop group Pale Waves is set to headline a special live show ‘KISS ME MANCHESTER’, with supporting acts with support from Crawlers, HotWax, Nxdia and more.
Speaking about the significance of returning to the city, Ciara Doran shares: “Because we started in Manchester and the show very much feels like a homecoming, and doing it a decade after we started the band there it feels right to showcase the new emerging talent that is coming out of the city.” The show will take place at un:titled studio in Salford, marking the first time Pale Waves have performed at the venue. With The Block taking over the space, the event promises to bring together live music, DJs, food, independent brands and local creative communities, creating something that feels different from a traditional festival.
Rather than following a traditional festival model, The Block has been created with the headliner at its centre, allowing artists to have a genuine say in who they share the stage with. The result is intended to be a lineup that feels connected rather than simply a collection of artists.
For Pale Waves, keeping the open call exclusively within Greater Manchester was an important part of that. The band’s own history is deeply rooted in the city, and the opportunity is designed to give a new local artist the chance to perform in front of around 3,000 people.
The financial side of the opportunity was equally important. The selected artist will receive a performance fee, ensuring that taking part doesn’t become another financial hurdle for an emerging musician.
It’s super important that artists are paid for their craft. Especially in a world where it’s becoming harder and harder to break out when you don’t come from money or financial backing. Artists and bands should be paid fairly for putting on a show! – Ciara Doran
She points out that the cost of playing a show goes far beyond simply getting on stage, with travel, hotels and crew all adding to the expense. “It’s super important to make sure that people are paid for their work and effort,” she adds. That philosophy is something curator Kris Tomkinson knows particularly well. Having spent years working in the music industry, including as an artist manager and agent, he has seen first-hand how difficult it can be for emerging bands to take opportunities when money is already tight. “We know first hand how expensive it is to be in a band and how sparse those all important early breaks can be,” Kris explains. “It’s more than just playing the show, it’s travel, rehearsals and often having to miss out on paid work from a day job in order to play. It’s true that bands turn down shows simply because they cannot afford to do them.”
For Kris, removing those financial barriers means giving artists a fairer chance to be judged on their talent rather than their circumstances. “It’s important that great talent doesn’t miss out because of economical challenges,” he says. “We hope to be a part of a progressive trend in the business where there is a fair, nicely balanced distribution of revenue from live shows, so that everyone can play on merit, rather than circumstance.”
That artist-first approach sits at the heart of what The Block is trying to create. It’s not simply about putting emerging artists on a bill; it’s about creating an environment where they are valued and given a genuine platform alongside established acts.
The wider experience is just as important. From mid-afternoon, The Block will bring together food, independent brands and local collectives before the focus shifts towards live performances and DJ culture later in the day.
For Kris, the hope is that all of these elements create something that extends beyond the music itself. “It’s all about bringing people together,” he says. “Pale Waves have selected a special line-up so we hope that is reflected in the atmosphere.” “We want people to feel a part of something and to have a lasting memory of joy and celebration,” he adds. The event is also intended to support local businesses and creative communities, while creating a space where people “feel welcome, respected, able to be themselves and have loads of fun.”
For Pale Waves, the show is about looking backwards and forwards at the same time – celebrating the Manchester scene that helped shape them while creating opportunities for the artists who are now beginning their own journeys.
And for any young Greater Manchester artist considering putting themselves forward for the open call, Ciara has a simple message:
Be authentic and unapologetic!