Exploring Manchester's Green Island Festival: Empowering Underrepresented Artists' Voices

It’s widely known that travelling to the South or abroad for a memorable festival experience is common. However, this year, Manchester is establishing itself as a must-visit festival destination in the heart of the North West. The thriving community in Hulme offers a fresh perspective, showcasing the vibrancy and diversity of its people. Green Island Festival presents a unique fusion of global music, featuring a line-up of new and emerging northern musical artists. including Ni Maxine and Afriquoi  The blend of neo-soul, jazz, and house genres adds to the already captivating atmosphere at Hulme Community Garden Centre. With a thoughtfully curated line-up of performers spanning three different instalments this year, the festival as a whole provides a meaningful space for artists to exhibit their work and for attendees to immerse themselves in a rich tapestry of global sound and culture.

Image credit: Green Island Festival circa 2023

After the pandemic which essentially placed us all under a lockdown for two years, many of us craved a sense of community. We turned to the digital world to discover new musical artists and make online connections, while others found solace in nature through plant collections. George McGirr and Stephan Agbogbe, the founders of Green Island Festival, have effectively merged these elements, unlocking the secrets of building communities through music and dance. The music industry's disparities are noticeable, as many seek larger and more established festivals, as a non-profit organisation, Green Island Festival provides a space for everyone to come together and feel a sense of connection, which was sorely missed in the earlier years of the 2020s.

Co-founder Stephan Agbogbe expressed on the return of the festival earlier in the year: 

“We’re so thrilled to be back and present a levelled-up Green Island, bringing more artists, more sounds, and more space for more people. Empowering staff and artists who have been an integral part of the festival since its inception has always been key to us, so it’s really special that we can double in size this year and grow with those we started with.  

“We’re also proud to present another line-up that celebrates diversity as we wholeheartedly believe that the future success of the cultural sector depends on being able to draw on a talent pool that reflects society as a whole. Once the narrative is  altered, it will pave the road to change in the UK.”

Green Island Festival attendees- 15/06/24- Images credit: Kate Forde

Hosting a festival in a communal garden centre is unique and makes sense. With various groups of people facing anxieties about social gatherings, there was a warm ease that filled the air. Initially, I wondered about the audience of this underground and attractive festival, but, after seeing parents and their children running through the garden, alongside young people from the student areas of Manchester, locals, and groups of friends, it became clear that the audience is- everyone, reflecting the city as a whole. It was obvious from the get-go on Saturday 15th June that the event wasn’t to be missed as there were large groups of people queuing to enter the space in the back streets of the ever-growing city of Manchester which is enriched and has always been known for its distinctive culture. 

Reaching the front end of the queue, the sounds of Witch’s ‘Erotic Delight’ led me to the indoor space which housed the main stage, where DJ duo Nossa! spun disco and Afro-Latinx on the decks. The main stage being inside a community theatre created a slight vintage, groovesque and nostalgic atmosphere. Not only could you step onto the dancefloor as soon as you entered the building, but you could also watch the performers from above. The trippy inception moment, observing someone watching someone, alongside the mesmerising lighting technicalities almost came as an artistic foreshadowing of what the rest of the day would look like. 

The innovative setup of four different stages near one another was a praisable take,  as you wander through the outdoor space, the seamless transition from one stage to another creates a blissful and immersive experience, with each stage offering its unique aesthetic and vibe.

Meme Gold during her set at Bandstand stage

At the Bandstand Stage, I had the opportunity to witness former NTS radio host and DJ, Meme Gold. Known for drawing into her West African and Caribbean heritage, she showcased a blend of classic house songs. From Alt R&B and Afrotech to House and Jazz/Soul, Meme Gold's set reflected her diverse musical influences from her Mancunian base. The energy she brought to the crowd was warm and engaging, with plenty of people gathering to listen throughout her two sets.

One standout performance for me was from the jazz fusion band Mangorata. Lead vocalist Olivia Cuttill set the tone on the smaller stage in the marque with her powerful renditions and impressive trumpet solo, getting everyone on their feet.

The vibrant festival attendees made quite an impression on me with the lively dancing and limbo contests in the secluded area of the garden centre by the forest stage contributing to the overall wholesome atmosphere. The blend of electronic music from the Middle East, including the song "Jrouli Jrouil" by Cheba Waheeda, grabbed my attention. Upon researching the song's origins, I found that Cheba Wahida is among the new wave of Rai artists who blend local Algerian and Western popular music styles. Rai has become a major world music genre, reflecting the current climate and the significance of showcasing voices from the Global South with later sounds smoothly transitioning to Dancehall and Dembow and later complemented by Brazil's Baile funk, which has garnered popularity in Manchester in recent years, enriching the diverse musical experience.

“Manchester’s creative scene is continuing to blossom and we’re so happy to be able to provide a space for local artists to do what they love and share their art with a like-minded community. Also bringing global sounds to the local community is something we’re passionate about, so as much as the festival is about having fun it’s also an opportunity to discover something new. We’ve got artists with lineages from the  Caribbean, Congo, Gambia, Senegal, all over the world. Our intention really is to champion global and local.” -Co-founder George McGirr

The festival offers a great opportunity to showcase and support underrepresented voices on a global and UK scale. It features a wide range of cultural diversity and musical talent. The rise of  Green Island Festival is something to look forward to in the coming years. It fosters an environment that appreciates not only music from talented artists and DJs but also supports local businesses. Additionally, a percentage of the profits made from the food vendors goes towards Eat Well MCR, highlighting the festival's commitment to embracing and celebrating the community, making it an inclusive event for everyone. July’s instalment sees emerging artists MaMa Def, two influential women and upcoming talents in Senegal's music industry, take the spotlight, blending infectious rhythms of amapiano, hip-hop, and afrobeat. In September, singer and multi-instrumentalist David Walters will showcase his fusion of Caribbean influences with electronic beats and acoustic folk.

Green Island Festival attendees- 15/06/24- Images credit: Kate Forde

Experience Green Island Festival at Hulme Community Garden Centre, Manchester this summer and autumn 

27 July & 7 September 2024

 https://www.greenislandfestival.co.uk/