Three of the North’s premier music festivals (Kendal Calling, Sound City and Bluedot) teamed up in 2016 to bring a brand new emerging music festival and conference to Manchester’s Northern Quarter held across six much loved, legendary music venues, all within 5 minutes walk from each other in the heart of one of Europe’s key music cities where the future is always now.

Off the Record is an annual event that is about new music and new ideas. By day Sound City and Louder curate a music conference focused on new music. Deep into the night, Off The Record Live showcases performances by emerging artists handpicked by a team of trusted tastemakers from across the country. This is a powerful spotlight on the best of the new with bands and artists chosen by key cutting edge national tastemakers and a music conference that aims to educate, electrify and bring genuine change.