Shaping Reality

Rumbi Tauro is curating a night of music called Shaping Reality at The Social, Aviva Studios on Thursday 15 October. It's a bill of local acts, and Tauro is the one pulling the strings on this one. He's a Manchester singer and a Factory Sounds 2024 alumnus whose soulful melodies have played stages across the UK, and he's described the night as a peaceful space for honest artistry and shared appreciation, built around community and feel-good music. He calls the bill a gathering of local legends, and he's the one who closes the night.

The evening starts at 7pm with SOPHIA on the decks, and the live music kicks off at 7.30pm with an intro from Grumpy. From there it's a steady run of local names: R'Monah takes over at 7.35pm, followed by Shaq Rayes at 8pm, Teékay at 8.30pm, and Grumpy returning at 8.55pm. Rumbi Tauro himself steps up at 9.20pm, and the whole thing wraps up by 10.30pm. Between the sets, the DJ keeps things moving with an eclectic mix of soundtracks, so there's music running from start to finish.

It's a long night — three and a half hours in total — and the bill is built around the local scene rather than a single headliner. Tauro's description of it as a "peaceful space" gives you a fair idea of the mood he's after: community and feel-good music rather than a high-pressure showcase. It's a night for people who enjoy seeing a few different local acts in one go, rather than just one name on the poster.

Practical side: it's free, though you'll need to pre-book your place. If you need an all-access ticket, you'll have to get that directly from Factory International. It's suitable for ages 14 and up, so it's an all-ages affair. The Social is at Aviva Studios on Water Street, M3 4JQ, and the music runs from 7pm until 10.30pm.