As the vibrant frontman of Faithless, Maxi Jazz provided thousands of fans with dance music influenced by almost every other genre.

Radio stations were demolished, instruments burned and musicians driven into exile through threat of torture or even death as Islamists Ansar Dine imposed their terrible will. But the Malians refused to yield.

BC Camplight on a year in exile and his return to Manchester

Young, bohemian and alternative, Manchester’s Northern Quarter is a magnet for the city’s creative minds.

Obaro Ejimiwe – otherwise known as Ghostpoet – is responsible for some of this year’s most original and exciting music.

Her debut album The Longest River blends classic old-world sounds from traditional sources with confident vocals that reminds you that the broad umbrella of folk branches far beyond pop beatniks Mumford and Sons.

Craig Charles made an impact at Manchester’s Band on the Wall last Saturday with his DJ gig.

The Deaf Institute, Band on the Wall, The Warehouse Project and Hoya Hoya are just some of the venues hoping to field a winning team for Manchester charity Lifeline on July 13.

Blair Dunlop has returned two years on with his edgier album House of Jacks.

Manchester is the City of Sing and is offering young songwriters the chance to flaunt their abilities thanks to Sing City workshops at the iconic Band on the Wall venue.

Art Battle III will take place at Oxford Road’s Contact Theatre on April 17