Sounds from the Other City: the review, by you!
Salford's annual celebration of new music and art, Sounds from the Other City festival filled Chapel Street and its surrounding venues with vital emerging talent, unearthly noises and super-weird happenings this early May bank holiday weekend...
...and we asked you to help document it.
Famed for its mind-bending atmosphere, this year SFTOC got distinctly occult with art directors IMPA TV's 'Sound of the New Dawn' theme. Since it was the festival's 13th year, and given all the shit that's been going down in the wider world of late, IMPA TV felt it was necessary to protect the festival from bad juju – so they prepared a number of ways to ensure visitors experienced none of that 'unlucky 13' rubbish.
First, there was the talisman: "a symbol of our protection". Then, specially designed totem poles (13 in number) appeared around the site, guarding the entrances to key venues and areas. Then, there were the talismanic gloves – handed out during the festival and activated in unison during a glorious procession led by the magnificent Girl Sweat Pleasure Temple Ritual Band. Salvation came, and we were saved by our new leader: meaning all could enjoy the fine music and arty interventions happening around the site, and dance into the small hours at the afterparties.
We asked you to share your experiences with the hashtag #SFTOC and, guess what, you did! Good job guys. Here's what you – and @TheSkinnyNorth – caught of the day.
Welcome
— SFTOC (@sftoc) April 30, 2017
you are now
IN Sounds from the Other City#SFTOC pic.twitter.com/X7HS6a3ELy
Examining the @sftoc clashfinder when everything looks brilliant #SFTOC pic.twitter.com/0GC3VjAWV8
— Caroline Magennis (@DrMagennis) April 30, 2017
We are already feeling protected from bad juju thanks to @IMPA_TV's totem poles around the @sftoc site, check this guy #sftoc @badunclemusic pic.twitter.com/2HXdKchoQR
— The Skinny North (@TheSkinnyNorth) April 30, 2017
It begins! Sun's out and Sounds is starting, here at the centre of everything @islingtonmill #sftoc pic.twitter.com/Qb8pqMTLbg
— The Skinny North (@TheSkinnyNorth) April 30, 2017
You have to say, this is excellent content from @badunclemusic. Chew Magna about to start. #SFTOC pic.twitter.com/vYs9KDjnpo
— SFTOC (@sftoc) April 30, 2017
#SFTOC great start to the day #chewmagna pic.twitter.com/YCkCAwLWGw
— Egerton Arms Hotel (@HotelArms) April 30, 2017
On #sftoc Sundays, we wear orange. And drink @MagicRockBrewCo (that's a drinks list we can get behind) pic.twitter.com/O4MsVIgAeV
— The Skinny North (@TheSkinnyNorth) April 30, 2017
Glam rock is alive and well, and it's fierce, sexy and stylish as fuck. @HMLTD_ at @nowwave stage #SFTOC pic.twitter.com/S1tf0YGOLS
— The Skinny North (@TheSkinnyNorth) April 30, 2017
5 in the afternoon in a pub in Salford. This is why we love @sftoc (Bethlehem Casuals on the @Sham_Bodie stage) #sftoc pic.twitter.com/HPu8Nx4sUT
— The Skinny North (@TheSkinnyNorth) April 30, 2017
Totally blown away by @TheOrielles - Brilliant, just brilliant @sftoc @heavenlyrecs #SFTOC pic.twitter.com/epT8b35blV
— Mike Curry (@FAC69Unknown) April 30, 2017
#sftoc where to go next...... pic.twitter.com/wDROTfIOoh
— JayC (@SalfordianManc) April 30, 2017
Waiting for Ex Easter Island Head, Laura Cannell and BBC philharmonic in a stunning cathedral in Salford #sftoc https://t.co/zFZv4CIVZ6 pic.twitter.com/XipUYhUNaY
— Gareth Wood (@Robotsoap) April 30, 2017
Some fantastic multi-tasking from @Hanpeel ably assisted by Daisy the drummer who also sported an excellent Liz Frazer hairdo @sftoc #SFTOC pic.twitter.com/7DQs6yGmqM
— Mike Curry (@FAC69Unknown) April 30, 2017
Ella on for @YoungIDmcr in the @islingtonmill courtyard. Incredible talent. #SFTOC pic.twitter.com/zUpUe1RErT
— SFTOC (@sftoc) April 30, 2017
#sftoc pic.twitter.com/4P8qwRj6lg
— JayC (@SalfordianManc) April 30, 2017
#CostadelSalford #SFTOC pic.twitter.com/LCNGntP9CW
— The Skinny North (@TheSkinnyNorth) April 30, 2017
@sftoc @snappedankles finally seeing them live! #SFTOC vibe movement! pic.twitter.com/OgsQOKLgId
— David James (@davejamesmaker) April 30, 2017
You know you're at @sftoc when... #sftoc pic.twitter.com/4AsR48LPDn
— The Skinny North (@TheSkinnyNorth) April 30, 2017
.@PintPotSalford BE SAVED. 8.45. #SFTOC. pic.twitter.com/gdOXceRYxy
— SFTOC (@sftoc) April 30, 2017
Oh baby! Sound of The New Dawn here we come @IMPA_TV #SFTOC pic.twitter.com/M0D9Xsh0QQ
— The Skinny North (@TheSkinnyNorth) April 30, 2017
Sound of the new dawn is on its way #SFTOC @IMPA_TV pic.twitter.com/kH4hVjKD8M
— The Skinny North (@TheSkinnyNorth) April 30, 2017
.@PintPotSalford THE PLEASURE TEMPLE ARE HERE. SALVATION IS HERE. #SFTOC pic.twitter.com/6b2cR4LZ1l
— SFTOC (@sftoc) April 30, 2017
Like every new dawn @sftoc start it with wine! #SFTOC vibe hazy! pic.twitter.com/DFvnXGtk9R
— David James (@davejamesmaker) April 30, 2017
"Strong, stable leadership." It's our saviour, Sound of the New Dawn at @sftoc #sftoc pic.twitter.com/HnwImos0sI
— The Skinny North (@TheSkinnyNorth) April 30, 2017
This year #sftoc came with added batshit pic.twitter.com/6pUre1YebA
— Andy Loynes (@Andyloynes) April 30, 2017
Sightings. @IMPA_TV @sftoc #sftoc pic.twitter.com/QVlseV07qu
— The Skinny North (@TheSkinnyNorth) April 30, 2017
@sftoc #SFTOC ....... pic.twitter.com/1CrvSmrKAk
— D L (@dan2034) April 30, 2017
.@Flamingods are here and they are gonna make you dance @greylanternmcr #SFTOC pic.twitter.com/7RZzP9NDRO
— The Skinny North (@TheSkinnyNorth) April 30, 2017
Praise be at the Church of the @TheLovelyEggs #SFTOC pic.twitter.com/uxkeg18FI2
— Andy Loynes (@Andyloynes) April 30, 2017
And the next day, everyone had a sore but happy head...
Sure. Seems like a great idea on a hangover. #SFTOC pic.twitter.com/nXMwRdHtBc
— Philly (@Philang) May 1, 2017
#sftoc was an absolute triumph. Within an hr i saw monks playing hardcore, comedy about ewoks and a modern day llwelyn davies.
— Joe White (@itsjoewhite) April 30, 2017
Big thanks to @heavenlyrecs @PintPotSalford and everyone @sftoc. Here's @inner_strings working it #sftoc17 #sftoc #projectionart pic.twitter.com/zdB2RdsZJF
— TVAM (@_tvam) May 1, 2017
#SFTOC once again proving there's nothing else quite like it. Always a highlight of the year https://t.co/saQwICruqN pic.twitter.com/lO7auyiAx2
— Gareth Wood (@Robotsoap) May 1, 2017
The organisers at @sftoc are the friendliest people. The festival was a blast, thank you. #SFTOC pic.twitter.com/qcxFcbYRmW
— A D A M A L I (@adamsincerely) May 1, 2017
Sounds From The Other City is my pick #SFTOC pic.twitter.com/CFLYHCbiIy
— Rob Morrish (@RobMorrish1) May 1, 2017
How to summarise? We reckon this nails it.
#SFTOC pic.twitter.com/DUXpHvlcEJ
— Sigourney Halliday (@SigourneyRH) April 30, 2017
See you next year, folks!
Tickets for Sounds from the Other City 2018 (Sunday 6 May) are on sale now via soundsfromtheothercity.com