Max SteventonWild in Art, a global art producer, is launching the Greater Manchester Grassroots Music Fund, managed by Forever Manchester and designed by Manchester Music City.
The fund, which opens for applications in November 2025, will provide financial backing to grassroots artists in the Northwest in response to rising costs for new musicians including high touring and transportation costs.
The Fund will gain donations from music fans, who will bid on 55 guitars from iconic artists from Manchester including Oasis, New Order and from Mani of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream.
The new initiative comes after Manchester City Council pledged £250,000 to support grassroots venues in the city.
As part of the launch, there will be a gig in the centre of Manchester. The Cathedral of Sound by Lazerian (pictured) in Mayfield Park will host several grassroots Manchester artists on 27 August. Those performing include Cobain Jones, Concrete Club and Lily Rae Grant.
The new fund is part of the celebrations for Music for the Senses – Manchester’s art trail which has over 80 artworks, mosaics and murals across the city.
Wild in Art head of creative development Ben Reed said, “Whilst demand for live music events remains high, many grassroots artists simply cannot afford to tour. It’s a global, industry wide problem, and our creative solution has been to harness the excitement and global interest in our city, to create a fund that delivers for the grassroots, whilst also creating a free interactive event for people in the city.”