Foreword

I wish to express our support for Inner City Music’s ‘Space for Music’ project, and the redevelopment of the Band on the Wall venue within the scheme.

Since its closure in 2005, the city has missed not only a unique venue with culturally diverse programming at its heart, but a venue that seeks to widen the experience of music that its audience has – providing a constant programme of music education, from studio skills to instrument workshops, to a wide range of people. A venue that exists not just to sell tickets and alcohol, but one that supports and engages people in the city wishing to expand both their musical boundaries and develop their skills within music.

We believe that the plans drawn up for the redevelopment of the venue are of significant value to the city, on a number of levels, including networking, skills and city profile.

Inner City Music’s plans for a ‘centre point’ space within the development, specifically designed for musicians to meet and network will provide a unique focal point for those involved in the city’s music industry. Their plans to expand the Band on the Wall’s education programme to include professional development will provide a fantastic opportunity for increasing the skills of our talent pool in an informal, ‘real-life’, environment. And, by looking at how concerts can be streamed and archived online, the Band on the Wall will re-establish and progress itself (and the city) as a centre for high-quality diverse programming.

Music is a key sector in Manchester’s creative industries. The plans laid out for the Space for Music project will not only reinstate one of the city’s most important musical venues for local promoters and international acts, but will increase the skills and aspirations of those involved locally in the sector.

We therefore fully support the Space for Music project in its plans, and we congratulate the team at Inner City Music for keeping the progression of Manchester’s music scene at the core of their mission.

“The Band on the Wall has been vital to the bloodstream of the music scene in Manchester and thus all of Britain… This kind of venue is one we must fight to preserve if we value the talent that exists in British and international music.”
Julian Joseph
pianist, composer, educator and broadcaster
Honorary Project Patron

“Manchester’s only international music venue”
Michelle Udogu
decibel artist

“the back-bone of the black-origin music community in Manchester”
Aaron Fitzgerald
Fat City Records & Counter Culture promotions

“important… very significant… vital… essential… priceless…a place of great importance… part of the infrastructure…national & international reputation…music of diverse cultures…progressive agenda…source of inspiration…incredible world-class acts…adventurous approach…a key venue… first-class sound system…cultural resonance…crucial to jazz in the UK…cutting edge… legendary venue…feel-good vibe…a warm, inviting venue…breeding ground of talented musicians…friendly, non-threatening meeting point (for musicians)…a unique environment…it keeps Manchester on the map for live music… “desperately missed…struggle to find suitable venues… the closure of such a diverse place would be a disaster for Manchester and for music lovers everywhere”
extracts from numerous support messages from musicians, the industry and the public