Factory Sounds Takeover

Factory Sounds is taking over The Social at Aviva Studios on Saturday 24 October, with the 2026 cohort playing live from 6pm to 9pm. It's the showcase night for Factory International's annual programme, which is set up to support and raise the profile of the music industry across Greater Manchester. The evening puts this year's artists under the spotlight, so you'll hear them performing live rather than just reading about them in a press release.

The line-up for the night is Lenacha Lema, Chia Kali, Isaac Malibu, Megan Wroe, Pooch, Dahveed and Edzor Talez. That's seven different acts in one session, so it's a good way to catch a fair few of the cohort in one go. It's a mixed bill, and because it's a showcase, the focus is on the artists themselves rather than a single headliner.

There's more to the night than just the music, though. It's a networking event as much as a gig: Factory staff will be on hand to talk through the next callout, which is due in November, and the room is left open for artists to chat about their practice and future work and to meet other creatives for potential collaborations. If you're working in music or looking to get involved, it's as much about the people in the room as the acts on stage.

Practical bits: it's free, but you do need to book. All access tickets — including wheelchair user spaces, an accessible viewing platform and essential companion tickets — must be booked directly through Factory International. The night runs from 6pm to 9pm, and the age guidance is 14+.