Idea Submission

Esther O'Callaghan OBE

'Our City' A digital music compilation featuring the cream of Manchester's new live music scene

Submitted by estherocobe.

Established by Esther O'Callaghan using profits from The Factory Music Store, her second-hand record shop in Manchester's Northern Quarter in 2003, The Factory Foundation has delivered free music/creative workshops for 2,000 disadvantaged children & disaffected young people after school & in the community across Greater Manchester.

Her award-winning, nationally accredited work re-engages young people into mainstream learning, further education, vocational skills/training & ultimately; employment.

Factory Foundation Recordings, dedicated to Mr Tony Wilson (1950-2007), inspired by all Factory workers past & present & celebrating 30 years of Factory Communications was established to support & promote the legacy of a culturally significant period of Manchester's musical heritage by emulating the DIY ethos and spirit of the original Factory Records by supporting local artists, bands & musicians living & working in the City now.

50% of the sales, after costs, goes direct to the artists, 50% to the Foundation to support our ongoing work with young people.

Manchester has achieved a global reputation for its music and sport and the live music scene is as vibrant and exciting as it was in the late 1980's when the acid house scene blew up, in large part, thanks to the presence of Factory and The Hacienda.

From 'Elbow' winning the Mercury Music Prize in 2009, to 'I Am Kloot' being nominated for 2010, and relative newcomers Silverclub, Suzuki Method, Delphic, 1913, to name a few, the City is a hotbed for creative musical talent right now.

To celebrate this, The Foundation with its new sister not-for-profit record label, Factory Foundation Recordings will be compiling and releasing a compilation featuring the best of Manchester music for 2011.

We are in discussions with media partners to release it a cover mount for a national music magazine as well as digital release.

The purpose is to provide up and coming local talent a professional, credible platform to reach a worldwide audience as well as raising the profile of Manchester for its new and current music scene, not just its history, to both the industry and around the globe.