Salford City Council is putting a shout out for local people's memories of music in and around Salford from 1950 to today - from rockabilly to poptastic bands, from folk to the phil, gig memorabilia to rare recordings.

The information collected will go towards two exciting new projects: a music map, showing the wide range of musical heritage across the whole of the city and an exhibition at Salford Museum and Art Gallery opening later in the year.

Both will form part of a wider on-going musical heritage project celebrating the variety and scope of Salford's musical landscape.

The music map aims to cover all types of music across the ages from The Smiths to the Ting Tings, and from Ewan McColl to New Order, and will highlight musical 'hotspots' in the city, such as venues, birthplaces, concert halls and iconic locations.

Local music expert and author David Nolan (Bernard Sumner: Confusion, I Swear I Was There) has been commissioned to lead on the research for the music map, but local residents' memories are vital too in building up a picture of the sounds of Salford. Memories are sought from across the city - from Irlam to Broughton, Worsley to Ordsall. A MySpace page has been set up for people to add to the debate and discuss their favourite Salford bands, venues and gigs at:

www.myspace.com/salfordmusicmap

The map will be published in September and handed out for free at some of the forthcoming music events taking place this year, such as the Proms in the Park at Buile Hill Park and the next day's planned pop extravaganza.

The Salford Museum and Art Gallery exhibition will be called Quiffs, Riffs and Tiffs and will open in October. The exhibition team are also on the lookout for merchandise, memorabilia and memories to form part of the displays. They are especially looking for:

musical instruments
records
clothing
tickets and programmes
posters
photographs
films

The music map will be available for free at the exhibition, and there will be a chance for visitors to have their say on the final choices on hotspots on the map. It is hoped that as part of the on-going musical heritage campaign further debate will be encouraged on www.visitsalford.., when visitors will be asked for their opinions in polls, forums and online surveys.

Said Cllr Barry Warner, Salford City Council’s lead member for culture and sport said: “History and heritage don’t have to be confined to books and archives; projects such as this show it is very much alive.

“Salford has a strong tradition of pushing the boundaries of music and a number of bands people think are Manchester-based are actually from Salford.

“It will be fascinating to see what memories and memorabilia we collect.”

To send in memories for the music map please email salfordmusicmap@googlemail.com or send them via the website at:

www.myspace.com/salfordmusicmap

If you have memorabilia to donate to the exhibition, please contact Heather or Amy on 0161 778 0885 or email: lifetimes@salford.gov.uk


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24 Hour Wilson Memorial:

More creatives more creatives named as submissions now open

More big names have been added to the creative line-up for Reification - the Tony Wilson Experience, as submissions open for the next three weeks for talented young people who wish to be considered for inclusion in the event.

Alan McGee, Matt Greenhalgh, Sue Woodward, Stuart Maconie, Kevin Cummins and Grant Gee are the latest creatives to pledge their support to the event being held in Manchester on June 21 and 22 in memory of broadcaster, entrepreneur, and creative champion, Anthony H Wilson.

Representing the music industry, screenwriting, broadcasting, writing, photography, and film production, they are the latest to agree to take part in Manchester's longest ever intelligent conversation with its eclectic mix of creative talents who will be debating, engaging and challenging each other nonstop for 24 hours from midday on Saturday June 21.

Online submissions from creative and talented individuals aged over 18 years who want to be part of the event are now invited for the next three weeks through the event website www.tonywilsonexperience.com

Up to 200 talented individuals will be selected through this process for the potential they show in the creative arts and the benefit it is thought they will get out of being involved in The Tony Wilson Experience. Entries will be judged by a broad panel that includes designer and Creative Director for Manchester City Council Peter Saville, and others from a wide range of creative disciplines who all have a stake in the event.

Matt Greenhalgh, screenwriter whose credits include the screenplay for last year's highly acclaimed film 'Control' about Ian Curtis, lead singer of former Factory act Joy Division, said: "I can trace much of my own creative inspiration and spark back to Tony - from the days when I would pass through the hallowed doors of the Hacienda with Tony winking at me from his portrait behind the front desk, to my latest work on 'Control'.

"I was lucky - I got my own taste of the Tony Wilson Experience and all that went with that from the man himself. For all the creative young people out there who didn't get that chance but who are determined to get somewhere with their talent, this weekend is an absolute essential for them.

"With such a diverse mass of talent and creative experience in one place and at their disposal - all because of Tony - this is going to be 24 hours that I really think could change their lives."

Funded by Manchester City Council, the event is being organised by the Council working alongside an informal group of some of Tony's former colleagues and friends.

The experienced creatives taking part in the event, each of whom has achieved significant success in their chosen field, and who all testify to the influence, support and inspiration of Tony Wilson, are all giving their time freely to share their experience for the benefit of the young people taking part.

It is hoped that this year's event may form the basis for further activity next year and in future years.

Vicky Rosin, Assistant Chief Executive Culture, Manchester City Council, said: "Unique and unmissable, this event promises be the talk not just of 24 hours but of the whole summer that follows.

"The talented young people chosen to take part will have unprecedented access to a wide range of highly successful creative individuals who we hope will inspire them, engage them, and help them unlock their future potential."

Submissions are open for three weeks and close on Sunday 11 May. Individuals will find out in early June if their submissions have been successful and they have been chosen to take part.