Promoter Focus: Sound Control (Manchester)

The latest of our promoter spotlights falls upon Sound Control in Manchester. The North West venue has quickly become one of the most talked about in the region on account of the wide-ranging music policy they boast, with clubnights as diverse as the hip-hop focused More Bounce and the beats and bass extravaganza Lowdown & Dirty rubbing shoulders with live music, cinema outings and even fashion shows.

We caught up with Ben Taylor from the club to find out why the venue was the success it is.

Hi Ben. Can you explain to our readers what your role is with Sound Control, and what the venue’s main goal is? 

Hey Skiddle, I'm the events manager at Sound Control, which entails programming all the events, whether it be a live show, clubnight, market fairs, film premieres, fashion shows - we've had all sorts.

When we took over Number One New Wakefield Street, our main goal was to never pigeonhole the venue, essentially allowing for all types of genres, which I think we've achieved. One day of the week you could have three events taking place, a gig, two separate clubnights, and all different styles. It's really refreshing.

Could you tell us some more about the individual resident DJs and events at the club, and what they bring to the table?

Our in-house night Lowdown & Dirty, the first clubnight we launched, is still going from strength to strength. We've picked up the award for ‘Best Small Club Event’ at Breakspoll, the past two years. Past guests include Krafty Kuts, Stanton Warriors, Plump Djs, Hybrid, Dub Fx, Scratch Perverts, Freestylers and more.

We're about to launch our 4 big end of year parties, and I'd keep Saturday September 21st free for our biggest Lowdown yet. We've also one of our infamous boat parties on June 1st, with Mafia Kiss hitting the aftershow following the water party. Resident Djs Steve Thorpe, Resistance, Mark McIver and Nick Howard are picking up rave reviews.

Leftism, one of our latest nights, already cementing itself as one of the Cities strongest DnB night, with guest such as Goldie, Iration Steppas, Dillinja, and this weekend Ray Keith. Exciting plans for the next few months, which will be revealed very, very soon.

Of the events coming up in the next few months, can you pick any out as immediate highlights?

In terms of the live side of things I'd say we're looking forward to Allister, playing 'Last Stop Suburbia' in full. The Dot to Dot Festival has 3 stages at Sound Control. Lewis Watson, returning for a third time, this time on our loft stage. Echo & The Bunnymen’s new project, Poltergeist. Britpop’s Echobelly, hitting our Live Lounge stage for a special acoustic show. 80s heroes The Primitives are in to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut album. There’s a lot to look forward to!

With regards to our clubnights, we've a whole host of new events kicking off from September, so keep your ears and eyes peeled for those. Majefa are back in August with a two floor beauty, they have legendary Trance Dj Scott Bond topping the bill. Tangled, Manchester’s longest running clubnight, celebrate being 20 with a 3 floor line-up which includes House big man Dave Seaman, breaks heroes Plump Djs and more.

Positive Education land down for the debut at Sound Control in June, co-headlined by Funk D'Void and Alex Niggemann, and we're very excited for DJ Format on July 12th. 

What’s your take on Manchester as a musical city? And how does Sound Control negotiate its own space somewhere that has such an esteemed heritage and history in that regard?

Growing up in Manchester, music was always at the forefront of most things. It's been a massive part of mine, and my family’s lives, for as long as I remember. Everyone is so enthusiastic about music in this city and it's as important now as it was way back when.

I always find it pretty insulting that people think there's an Indie cloud over Manchester. That's not true in the slightest, you may have to dig a little deeper to find some of the great acts we have to offer, but they are there. From the Kites of San Quentin, Cyril Snear, Tokolosh, Pins, Bipolar Sunshine and more, all incredible acts, all doing something different and exciting.

We wanted to showcase as much as the City has to offer, from live bands to DJs to poets to authors and more. And I hope this will continue, year after year.

Who have been your favourite guests over the years, and is there anyone that’s played that you’d never have back? If so why?!

That's a very good question! There have been so many great acts over the past three and a half years. Some personal highlights were Friendly Fires, Aloe Blacc, The 1975, we’ve had some huge acts hitting the stage, such as Rita Ora, Scissor Sisters. Pixie Lott, Two Door Cinema Club, The Maccabees, Wild Beasts amongst others. Recently the Public Service Broadcasting show blew my mind, incredible live act and a very special stage setup.

What else lies in the future for both you and the venue? 

We're in the process of giving our basement club a full makeover. It'll still keep its rave cave feel, but expect a brand new lighting setup, Dj booth and bar. Over summer we'll be throwing some BBQ parties on the secret terrace, all day festivals, and we're welcoming some new nights into the fold, as well as a stack of great live shows and clubnights.

The diary for September onwards is literally at bursting point, and can't wait for you all to see the lineups.

And finally dream situation time. If you could pick any three acts to play at the venue, dead or alive, who would you go for and why?

Ha, it's a question that gets thrown around a lot in the venue. One act I would've loved to have seen live, and my dad played bass for, were The Flee-rekkers, my dad's my hero and a very big inspiration in everything I do. They were ace as well, rock and roll at its best.

Beastie Boys, I was lucky enough to see these guys play a bunch of times, always something else, and to imagine them playing our loft is just too much!

Really into the new Queens of The Stone age record, so they'd be my third choice. Never failed to let me down live, and reckon that'd be some aftershow party.