“Songs of Salford is a powerful example of what can happen when a city’s creative community, its institutions and its people come together.”
– Tim France, Director, Performance, Music, English & Dance at the University of Salford
‘Dirty Old Town’ has had its time as Salford’s song; it’s time to write the city’s new anthem!
To mark 100 years of the city, we present a new body of music that reflects life in the city in 2026, inviting music producer and songwriter, Charlie Deakin-Davies, to undertake a city residency. Deakin-Davies, who has worked with acts such as Raye, Kate Nash, Gary Barlow, James Bay and Fred Again…, is already underway with getting under the skin of the city of today, exploring its people’s history, to bring together a range of collaborators to create new songs that celebrate the character of Salford.
The record features collaborators: classically-trained vocalist and pianist Salo, spoken work artist The Thirsty Poet (AKA Matt Concannon), infamous battle rapper Che3kz who works with young people at Salford’s Youth Zone, Zimbabwean-born songwriter & poet Meduulla who studied at Salford City College and singer-songwriter Sam Seth, a University of Salford alumni. The record also features communities from Age Friendly Salford, Salford Youth Zone, Monton Community Choir and music engineering students from University of Salford - celebrating Salford’s history, people and future.
Further details about the record release will be available soon.
Lyrics, Salford & Songwriting: Songs of Salford
26th September
7pm - 8pm
Media City, Salford
Two of the participating artists - Matt Concannon, otherwise known as The Thirsty Poet, and poet, rapper and DJ Meduulla - will be at Contains Strong Language to discuss Songs of Salford, which has engaged with communities from Age Friendly Salford, Salford Youth Zone, and music engineering students from University of Salford.
Contains Strong Language is the UK’s largest festival of poetry, spoken word and performance celebrates its 10th anniversary in Salford, 24th - 27th September.
Songs of Salford: Live
14 November
7.30pm (doors)
Grand Palais, 11A Station Road, Swinton, Manchester M27 6AH
To mark Salford’s centenary, From The Other and Producer Charlie Deakin-Davies have assembled five artists, to create the definitive sound of Salford today. The record features collaborators: classically-trained vocalist and pianist Salo, spoken work artist The Thirsty Poet (AKA Matt Concannon), infamous battle rapper Che3kz who works with young people at Salford’s Youth Zone, Zimbabwean-born songwriter & poet Meduulla who studied at Salford City College and singer-songwriter Sam Seth, a University of Salford alumni. The record also features communities from Age Friendly Salford, Salford Youth Zone, Monton Community Choir and music engineering students from University of Salford - celebrating Salford’s history, people and future.
Saturday 14th November at the iconic Swinton Grand Palais will be the first opportunity to hear the record performed in full, ahead of its release in 2027. Performing the record will be: Salo, The Thirsty Poet, Che3kz, Meduulla and a ten piece ensemble from BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.
Tickets for this event will be available mid-October.
supported by︎︎︎
