Salford’s much-loved festival of new music, Sounds from the Other City (SFTOC), announces its 20th anniversary lineup for Bank Holiday Sunday 4th May 2025, featuring Du Blonde, Grove, Astrid Sonne, The Orielles and over 100 more acts.
Celebrating two decades of programming the best emerging artists and genres from across the UK, SFTOC returns with an eclectic lineup curated by a diverse group of independent local promoters, selectors and tastemakers. The festival will once again take place in unconventional venues across Salford, with 15 stages around Chapel Street and The Crescent, from pubs and churches to concert halls and in-between spaces.
2025 LINE-UP HIGHLIGHTS
Celebrating two decades of programming the best emerging artists and genres from across the UK, SFTOC returns with an eclectic lineup curated by a diverse group of independent local promoters, selectors and tastemakers. The festival will once again take place in unconventional venues across Salford, with 15 stages around Chapel Street and The Crescent, from pubs and churches to concert halls and in-between spaces.
Expect incendiary energy from the incredible combination of Grove x Toya De Lazy x TaliaBle plus freewheeling scuzzy rock from Newcastle’s Du Blonde, both at Salford University’s brutalist Maxwell Hall. Just round the corner you’ll find the alt-pop of German-Australian producer Hachiku at Salford Museum & Art Gallery, and the woozy wonky compositions of Danish violist Astrid Sonne in Peel Hall.
Indie-avant-pop group The Orielles and party punk queens Loose Articles will both be playing Islington Mill’s event space alongside electronic producer and WH Lung member Tom Sharkett, and Dublin’s electro-punk trio YARD take on a true festival favourite, The Old Pint Pot.
The historic Bexley Square sees the return of SEEN after their blistering day-party at SFTOC 2024, this year hosting a back-to-back set from two of Manchester’s best: Chunky B2B Samrai; and the gorgeous St Philips Church will play stage to the kuduro-flavoured grooves of London-based bassist Marla Kether.
A CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE
This milestone edition of SFTOC highlights the ongoing importance of organisations like From The Other, the team behind SFTOC, Fat Out and a range of special projects and residencies, reinforcing the positive impact independent festivals and promoters have on both the local community and the wider UK music scene. As the grassroots music sector faces increasing challenges, SFTOC stands as one of the country’s longest running independent festivals.
The festival has long been a launchpad for some of the most exciting talent in the UK, with past performances from celebrated artists such as Sampha, IAMDDB, Black Country New Road and The Ting Tings. The 20th anniversary edition will continue this legacy, offering a unique snapshot of the Greater Manchester music scene, showcasing the next generation of independent artists. This anniversary edition is not only a celebration of SFTOC’s history but also a reaffirmation of the festival’s role in shaping the future of UK music.
The unique model of SFTOC means that the line-up curation is ever-evolving; each year the festival organisers invite a selection of the region’s best promoters and selectors to book the artists that most excite them. This year they include promoters such as Heavenly Recordings, Now Wave and Band on the Wall alongside new and emerging selectors such as Crop Radio, $eamu$ Presents, Rare Mags and FLUFF.
Bristol-based artist Grove, who will perform their collaborative soundclash show at Maxwell Hall said: “I'm so hyped to bring our soundclash to Sounds From The Other City. Toya Delazy, TaliaBle and I have been working on Afrorave X Afropunk, bringing together perspectives from South Africa, North London and Bristol. SFTOC is a home for raw, authentic and experimental expression. We're glad to be part of it and excited to bring plenty of that energy."
SFTOC 2025 full line-up:
Note that line-up may be subject to change[stage venues // selected by]
Maxwell Hall // Fat Out x Heavenly Recordings
Du BlondeBig JoanieGrove x Toya De Lazy x TaliaBleThe NoneTristwych Y FenywodMore TBA
The Green // Love Party
Jus 'TLove PartyGood AfternoonThe Fat Britney
Salford Museum & Art Gallery // Hey! Manchester x Red Deer Club
Brown WimpennyHachikuBritish BirdsMilkweed
Peel Hall // Now Wave
Brown HorseThe Orchestra (For Now)Astrid SonneMore TBA
Acoustics Laboratories // University of Salford Arts Collection
Hayley Suviste
The Old Fire Station Café // Reform Radio
Hosted by Yolanda DamoyiKD22LRNOT BAD FOR A GIRLMica (UK)Robin HergéSharariINA b2b DR MYSTERYObeka
Working Class Movement Library / Rare Mags
Left Cultures magazine and Jennifer ReidOluwaseun OlayiwolaCopper Sounds And Jennifer Lucy Allan talk Clay And Sound
Pint Pot upstairs // Grey Lantern x Strange Days
Westside CowboyKynsyHolodrumSet DressingYARD
Pint Pot downstairs // FLUFF
ChaineIndustriesZOLATECNorrisetteKaotiBennettiscoming
St Philips Church // Band on the Wall
MeduullaCaleb KunleMarla KetherBodurNøelle
Islington Mill Event Space // Islington Mill
Karl D'SilvaThe OriellesMeme GoldTom SharkettLeo HermittLill
Islington Mill Gallery // Club Brenda
Loose ArticlesMoth SlutGhost AssemblySonic Yootha DJsClub Brenda DJs
Cabaret:Gerry PotterDebs GatenbyAnti SuzannHoly Gore ArcadeViolet Blonde
Islington Mill Balcony // Kath McDermott & Friends
MetrodomeJames HolroydLadybeige b2b Julie WillsEllen Beth AbdiSophia
Islington Mill // The Fifth Floor
John Powell JonesMore TBA
Bexley Square // SEEN
Chunky b2b SamraiDJ WachitaReisnerZeyla
Porta // Crop Radio
AmakaFliss Mayo b2b Henzobaby bd.clementeCharlie Boy Manson
The New Oxford // $eamu$ & Friends
La FamiliaStuart RichardsWDDS & Ror Materials (LIVE)Galgish b2b LingeInness Hallam b2b teepee hAlex Milo b2b MystiqueNora b2b teepee hTwin Complex B2B thisvibrantbodyPrincess Elf Bar B2B Leaha
AFTER PARTIES
Islington Mill Events Space // High Hoops
FinnEgg On ToastFastlove
Islington Mill Gallery // Green Island Festival
Lena CMarley
Pint Pot upstairs // Papa Sage’s Karaoke Club
Papa Sage
The White Hotel // Morsel x Self
SILVERWINGKILLERDR MYSTERYSocketheadBuffeeLoney (DJ)Niix (DJ)
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The event listed here is purely for informational purposes. All the details such as venue, date/time, artist information, etc., are subject to change.
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