Manchester's thriving music scene is getting a significant boost thanks to Wild In Art, which has teamed up with Forever Manchester and Manchester Music City to launch the Greater Manchester Grassroots Music Fund. The scheme aims to help emerging musicians tackle the rising costs of touring, promotion, and collaborating, because talent shouldn't be limited by budget.
The launch was celebrated with a lunchtime acoustic session at the Cathedral of Sound installation in Mayfield Park, part of the city-wide Music for the Senses art trail. Local acts, including Naomi Kalu, Rumbi Tauro, Concrete Club, Lily Rae Grant, Alex Spencer, and Macharia, performed, while their portraits also appeared on guitars featured in the trail's Guitar Street installation.
Funding for the new scheme comes from the auction of 55 guitars, some donated by Manchester legends such as Oasis, New Order, Elbow, Peter Hook, Busted, Doves, Pixies, PINS, and Stone Roses' Mani. Others have been transformed into unique pieces of art as part of the trail, combining the city's musical heritage with contemporary creativity.
The Music for the Senses trail has showcased over 80 artworks, from murals and mosaics to installations and painted guitars, celebrating the city's unrivalled music culture. Following the trail, the guitar artworks will be exhibited at the People's History Museum on 6–7 September, with a grand auction taking place at Hallé St Peter's in Ancoats on 12 September, alongside an online bidding option.
While Manchester City Council has recently pledged £250,000 to support grassroots venues, the Grassroots Music Fund focuses on the artists themselves, giving them the resources to tour and share their music far and wide. Applications to the fund will open in November 2025, with full eligibility details revealed after the auction.