Iconic Band on the Wall tunes up for £2.5m extension

INNER City Music, the charity which owns and runs Manchester’s Band on the Wall live music venue, has secured funding from the Arts Council England to increase its capacity from 370 to 500 in a £2.5m project.

The deal will also help provide more learning and paticipation facilities for its education and charitable activities delivered through its partner charity Brighter Sound.

Inner City made a first stage capital bid to the Arts Council and will now work on detailed plans for the project.

It has been invited to submit a stage two application within the next 18 months.

Inner City chief executive Gavin Sharp said: “While we have a long way to go to secure the extension of Band on the Wall, this first stage of funding is crucial to allow us to develop our plans and we are very grateful to Arts Council England for its support.

“For the last six years we have successfully operated one of the UK’s oldest and most iconic small venues, maintaining our mission to present and showcase the best music from across the globe, with a clear focus on excellence.

“Our award winning programme is regularly held up as an example, as are our incredibly high production values.
 
“What is not so visible is our work with the disadvantaged to improve quality of life and opportunities through music.

“This work, produced in partnership with the music charity, Brighter Sound who are also based at Band on the Wall, reaches the young and old and can have a profound effect on self-esteem and personal happiness.”

“Now is the right time to extend Band on the Wall, with the huge amount of development taking place in our neighbourhood – such as NOMA –  and the rapid growth of Manchester City Centre we want to be able to bring exceptional, international artists to our growing audience.”

Arts Council director North Alison Clark said:  “We are delighted to be able to invest in the extension of the highly  popular Band on the Wall venue which will enable it to present an even more ambitious programme to larger audiences.”