{"id":1085812,"date":"2026-07-13T04:08:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T04:08:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1085812\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T04:08:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T04:08:36","slug":"backed-by-liam-gallagher-the-charity-making-sure-the-next-oasis-dont-give-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1085812\/","title":{"rendered":"Backed by Liam Gallagher, the charity making sure the next Oasis don’t give up"},"content":{"rendered":"

“We need more help for the arts, especially for the working class”<\/p>\n

Manchester based charity Brighter Sound works with emerging music artists to support their careers. Liam Gallagher has recently been announced as an ambassador of the charity.(Image: Becky Oliver)<\/p>\n

When Liam Gallagher announced his new ambassadorial role for a Manchester charity earlier this year, it marked a special moment for Brighter Sound. The charity works hard to support young people who want to pursue a career in music – in particular those who may face barriers to finding their place in the music industry.<\/p>\n

It was something that resonated with Liam, who grew up in a working class home in Burnage. But with brother Noel he has gone on to make a lasting mark on the global music world with Oasis<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Announcing his new role earlier this year Liam said: “I’m honoured to be an Ambassador for Brighter Sound and support the new generation of creatives launch their music projects. We need more help for the arts, especially for the working class.”<\/p>\n

Click here <\/a>for the latest on Manchester’s food & drink scene, gigs and more in our CityLife newsletter<\/strong><\/p>\n

For the charity, having Liam’s support has given it a high profile boost in its mission to champion new talent, and help young and emerging artists and future music professionals find their way in music. His involvement has started with a special charity prize draw of some of his coveted Adidas Spezial trainers that fans can be in with a chance of winning, with the draw open until 11pm on Monday, July 13<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Liam Gallagher announced his new ambassador role for Manchester-based charity Brighter Sound earlier this year(Image: Drew Vickers)<\/p>\n

Based in Manchester’s Norther Quarter, the charity works with more than 1,000 creatives every year. It delivers workshops, mentoring, live events and creative projects to give people the skills, confidence and connections to grow creatively and take the next step in their careers – especially those who might otherwise face barriers to getting started.<\/p>\n

The charity say that Liam’s charity prize draw is “just the start” of his involvement, with plans to establish a new direct-to-artists fund for rising musicians in Greater Manchester, with proceeds from the campaign helping support the initiative. The fund will offer financial support to early-career artists to develop new work and take the next steps in their careers.<\/p>\n

So how did Liam come to be involved? Kate Lowes is director of Brighter Sound and explains: “Coming off the success of the Oasis shows last year, we talked to Liam and Debbie [Liam’s manager] about the impact they had, particularly what we’d seen in Manchester.<\/p>\n

“It has been a real driver for them to start to think about giving something back, particularly to artists coming out of Greater Manchester.<\/p>\n

“So this is the very start of it. There was the opportunity with the trainers for a prize draw as a first step, and it just feels like there’s very much a commitment from all of us in how we support the next generation.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Liam fans can enter a prize draw to win a pair of his coveted special edition Adidas trainers until July 13.(Image: Adidas)<\/p>\n

“In many way things are easier for artists, like with social media, and all the things happening on our doorstep, but at the grassroots level it’s still very challenging. For grassroots venues it’s a real struggle with audience habits, the price of utilities, so for people starting out, to get to a sustainable place it’s still hard.”<\/p>\n

With The BRITs and MOBOs taking place in Manchester for the first time earlier this year, and the commitment for a second year of The BRITs, Brighter Sound also took that moment to further their cause too. They became the community partner on both awards events, supporting a range of fringe events across the city.<\/p>\n

So what are the issues facing those wanting to enter the music industry?<\/p>\n

Kate says: “I think particularly for working class young people taking the first steps, without financial backing, it’s not a well paid career when you’re cutting your teeth. Average earnings of musicians is \u00a314,000, and most artists are subsidising their careers largely in the hospitality sectors.<\/p>\n

“Having multiple jobs to sustain your music career can impact on mental health and wellbeing if performing late at night and then working the next day.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Brighter Sound works with individuals wanting to get involved in the music industry through workshops, live events and support(Image: Alexander Dodgson)<\/p>\n

Kate has been with Brighter Sound for the past 20 years, having started out a musician herself, but knowing that she didn’t want to be on stage. She says: “I know how hard it is to try and find your root, find your place in music. When you’re not looking for a career on stage it’s a hard thing to do.”<\/p>\n

There are three main strands to the work of Brighter Sound -working with children and young people with music workshops and under-18 live nights; supporting emerging artists to develop their creativity and their careers, and helping the music scene more broadly.<\/p>\n

Kate said: “We have a broad portfolio but fundamentally we are supporting young people’s development in music.”<\/p>\n

Rebecca Horn, the charity’s head of marketing, adds: “It started with young people’s workshops, grew into artist development and now it extends to policy.<\/p>\n

“Sport has this unified voice as Sport England, but in terms of how the grassroots and professional fields connect up it’s more developed in the world of sport than it is in music. We are aiming to change that.”<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

ROSALIA’s performance was one of the standout moments of The BRIT Awards in Manchester – watched by more people than ever before (Image: GARY OAKLEY)<\/p>\n

The charity praised the stance of Manchester Council in supporting music – particularly in getting The BRITs to Manchester for the first time in the music show’s history.<\/p>\n

Kate said: “The BRITS didn’t just come to Manchester by accident, it’s from the hard work by the council and local authority to make sure music is valued and recognised as a critical part of what we’re all about here.”<\/p>\n

Rebecca added: “Knowing it was a two year commitment from The BRITs was really helpful, we’ve already started planning for the 2027 fringe. It’s nice to do events in the week leading up to the event but it’s also important that that infrastructure starts to build.”<\/p>\n

Both women agree that it’s an exciting time for music in Manchester. Kate said: “There’s a lot of buzz about what’s going on. But we need to be quite bold and ambitious about the changes we can make to support the talent pipeline which is still very London-centric.<\/p>\n

“We want to make the less tangible feel that much more achievable.”<\/p>\n

With that in mind, the charity has also just announced its new ELEVATE programme. It will support five early career artists in the year ahead in a development programme to help them to write and record new music.<\/p>\n

Kate said: “There’s so much talent in this city, in terms of the breadth of talent it’s just incredible. I can’t think of a better city to do what we do, there are so many great communities making music, people supporting each other, there’s a strong DIY ethos in the region. Often it’s about opening up an opportunity or connection in the industry that can be the difference between giving up their career or making the next steps.”<\/p>\n

Of the five artists on the programme, Kate said: “This for me represents those people who are potentially BRIT Award nominees of the future – and they just need that little bit of support in this point of their careers to set them off.”<\/p>\n

Meet the five artists<\/p>\n

Here’s more on the five Greater Manchester artists who are joining this year’s ELEVATE programme.<\/p>\n

This year’s featured artists \u2013 FREEQUENCY3, IORA, Jenni Orlopp, Lei Hope and PRIDO \u2013 reflect the breadth of Greater Manchester\u2019s music scene, spanning indie, alternative R&B, alt-pop, indie folk, Afro-fusion and genre-defying sounds.<\/p>\n

Over the coming year, each artist will receive bespoke support designed to develop their practice, expand their networks and unlock new opportunities. Here we share the artists in the hope that music fans can get to know them, give them a follow, and watch this space\u2026<\/p>\n

FREEQUENCY3<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

FREEQUENCY3(Image: Brighter Sound)<\/p>\n

FREEQUENCY3 is a multidisciplinary UK artist blending emotionally driven lyricism with lived experience.<\/p>\n

Originally emerging as a host, DJ, and dancer, her transition into music followed a life-changing event that left her navigating chronic pain and physical uncertainty \u2013 fuelling a distinct, honest creative voice.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/freequency3\/<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@freequency3music<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@FREEQUENCY3<\/a><\/p>\n

IORA<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

(Image: Brighter Sound)<\/p>\n

IORA is an indie folk\/pop artist blending rich vocals, intimate storytelling, and cinematic production, rooted in a passion for melody and songwriting.<\/p>\n

Her work has secured international placements across Netflix, Paramount+, and the BBC, including The Serial Killer\u2019s Wife.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ioramusic\/<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IORAmusic<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@ioramusic<\/a><\/p>\n

Jenni Orlopp<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Jenni Orlopp(Image: Brighter Sound)<\/p>\n

Jenni Orlopp is a self-taught artist and producer based in Manchester, carving her own space in the alt-pop scene with her distinctive blend of genres.<\/p>\n

Drawing inspiration from a diverse array of artists, including Lorde, Avril Lavigne, Ekkstacy, and Amy Winehouse, Jenni crafts a sound that fuses pop, rock, electronic, jazz, and Latin elements. Her songwriting and production both serve as personal diary entries, delving into themes of self-destruction, resilience, and reinvention.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/jenniorlopp\/<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.jenniorlopp.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@JenniOrlopp<\/a><\/p>\n

Lei Hope<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Lei Hope(Image: Brighter Sound)<\/p>\n

Lei Hope is a Manchester-based artist, producer, engineer and sound designer carving his path within the indie and alternative R&B scene.<\/p>\n

On the live front, Hope has performed at MOBO Fringe, Manchester International Festival, Manchester Psych Fest, Liverpool Sound City and Sidelines Festival, in addition to touring Europe in support of Zach Templar and undertaking UK tours supporting Nature TV. Hope\u2019s notable production work includes credits for R&B singer Femi Tahiru, London-based rapper Baby Panna, alongside session and touring guitar work for Los Angeles-based artist Hana Vu (Ghostly International).<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lei.hope\/<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@leihope<\/a><\/p>\n

PRIDO<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Manchester\u2019s own PRIDO is rewriting the rulebook with an electrifying blend of storytelling Alt\u00e9 anthems.<\/p>\n

From headlining the Emirates Old Trafford<\/a> to a sold out \u2018Blue Crocodile\u2019 UK tour, his fusion of Afro, Hip-Hop, Grime and Soul has moved him from \u2018Artist to Watch\u2019 to the one setting the pace.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/instagram.com\/northsideprido<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/PRIDOMUSIC<\/a><\/p>\n