Everything Everything and GoGo Penguin join launch PRS for Music’s Songs for Manchester
Everything Everything and GoGo Penguin join businesses in the Northern Quarter to launch PRS for Music’s Songs for Manchester.
Fresh from performing on BBC2‘s Later … with Jools Holland Manchester’s Mercury Prize nominated trio GoGo Penguin joined critically acclaimed Everything Everything in the city’s Northern Quarter this afternoon. They officially launched Songs for Manchester, a new initiative from PRS for Music - the organisation that represents over 100,000 songwriters and composers.
Signed to Manchester indie label, Gondwana Records, GoGo Penguin’s second album v2.0 has been shortlisted for Album of the Year at the 2014 Barclaycard Mercury Prize while multi-award nominated indie rockers Everything Everything are currently writing their third studio album in the city.
To coincide with PRS for Music’s 100 year anniversary programme, Songs for Manchester celebrates the crucial link between its members and the high street. Over 15,000 retailers and businesses across Greater Manchester already have a PRS for Music licence which ensures songwriters, composers and publishers are paid whenever their music is played, performed or reproduced.
Five emerging Manchester based singer-songwriters - Baxter Rhodes, Liam Blake, Matt Fryers, Tom Metcalfe and Seamus McKenna - are taking to the city’s streets until late November to demonstrate the unique relationship between music and local business. They will be performing bespoke songs for businesses backing the campaign, to thank them for their support.
Music is a way of life here in Manchester for both the musicians that make it and the countless people who relish and support it. This initiative recognises the value that music holds for everyone and how important PRS for Music is to songwriters. It’s basically the reason we are able to make a living.
Our inspiration comes from the urban streets of Manchester. We love this city and its melting pot of culture, people, music and everything in between. It’s great that PRS for Music’s Songs for Manchester is celebrating this unique place and the link between music royalties and local businesses - so many careers would not be possible without this support.
Music plays a fundamental role at Fig & Sparrow, because it sets the tone, sets the environment and plays a massive part in keeping the mood where we want it. What’s more, having my PRS for Music licence means I can play music in the knowledge that I am helping local songwriters earn a living.
The high streets of Greater Manchester together with the local music industry help to contribute millions to the UK’s economy. Likewise, Manchester’s songs are successfully exported around the world and PRS for Music plays a fundamental role to ensure the rights of our home-grown artists are fairly remunerated. This exciting new initiative could certainly help towards producing the next Oasis or Stone Roses - I will be watching with interest.
PRS for Music members rely on businesses to pay their music licence so they can maintain their careers - and keep creating the music we all enjoy. This brand new initiative connects businesses with local songwriters and I am delighted that with Songs for Manchester we are able to celebrate that vital relationship.
To obtain a music licence, businesses can call PRS for Music on 0800 694 7302 and speak with a representative for a bespoke quotation or to find out more. Telephone lines are open between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Please visit the Songs for Manchester section of the PRS for Music website for more information.
Keep up to date with the latest music videos and competitions by following PRS for Music at Facebook or Twitter using #SongsforManchester
GoGo Penguin perform at the Soup Kitchen Manchester on Tuesday, 21 October. Visit soup-kitchen.co.uk for tickets and more information.
For photography accreditation, interview requests and more information, please contact:
Olivia Chapman | Media Relations & PR Manager olivia.chapman@prsformusic.com | 020 7306 4229 | 07939 449 333
Picture credit: Shirlaine Forrest
About PRS for Music
PRS for Music is a world-leading music collective management organisation representing the rights of more than 165,000 talented songwriters, composers and music publishers around the globe. Headquartered in the UK, it works diligently on behalf of its members to grow and protect the value of their rights. With a focus on innovation and integrity, PRS for Music is redefining the global standard for music royalties to ensure creators are paid whenever their musical compositions and songs are streamed, downloaded, broadcast, performed and played in public. In 2022, PRS for Music collected £964m and paid out £836.2m in royalties. prsformusic.com
