A haven of musical enjoyment in a community garden center…
If you've been following Manchester's local music scene for the past five years, there's a good chance you've come across Green Island. This 1,500-capacity festival boasts a dedicated fanbase, particularly because it stands in stark contrast to events like Parklife, which transforms the city’s largest park into an unrecognizable spectacle. In sharp opposition, Green Island organically integrates itself into its surroundings, showcasing emerging local artists over three separate days each year – and it’s even more remarkable considering it takes place at a garden center.
Surprisingly, the Hulme Community Garden Centre proves to be an ideal festival location. The layout features unexpected corners and delightful surprises: one turn reveals a chamomile bed (inviting attendees to lounge), while another leads to a lively bandstand complete with a DJ booth, and a third features a limbo contest among seedlings. What the organizers have accomplished in a limited space is truly amazing, showcasing how a maze of tall plants can enhance sound isolation.
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The main stage isn't actually within the garden center itself; it’s situated at the Niamos Centre, a former theater across the street that has transformed into a community arts venue. We’re attending the festival's second date in August, and Conor & the GreensKeepers make this stage their own during the afternoon, blending soulful jazz-rap with a relaxed yet endlessly inventive rhythm section. Everyone on stage appears to be having a great time, even a random individual in three-quarter pants who contributes with amusing dance moves. We’re enjoying every moment.
At times, the Niamos feels underpopulated, while other stages are packed to the brim: we navigate through the crowd to reach the Marquee and catch Lemon Soul, whose sound embodies the jazz/funk/soul fusion that characterizes Green Island. The atmosphere here is vibrant, and Malah Palinka keeps it lively with their horn-driven grooves and enchanting vocals—delivered with impressive flair, even though the singer has a cycling injury on their face.
The other three stages feature various DJs, including the vinyl-only Selectors (curated by Léna C, spinning everything from psychedelic to post-disco), the aforementioned Bandstand (curated by High Hoops), and the Street Stage. The energy at the Bandstand is lower, although it picks up with Max Ctrl’s closing set, a whirlwind of 808s and layered vocals that maximizes the space.
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However, it’s the Street Stage that truly attracts the large crowds: it’s a genuine street party, transforming the road between the garden center and Niamos into a daytime rave filled with food vendors and creatively eccentric hairstyles. We find ourselves repeatedly drawn to La Rumba’s set, which begins as tempo-shifting salsa and develops into some wildly energetic jungle/D&B. The DJ, hailing from Venezuela and now in Sheffield, disregards purist sensibilities, cleverly remixing Prodigy, Roy Ayers, and a range of other artists—but somehow Riria’s closing set manages to outdo him, with an eclectic mix that is hard to resist laughing at. We come for the infectious basslines, stay for Skrillex blended with Robin S, and sing along so enthusiastically to a remix of Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek” that it almost leads to an embarrassing moment. (Just kidding, of course.)
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It nearly overshadows Reuben James' headline performance on the main stage, if he weren't such an exceptional artist. For an hour, James captivates the audience, exhibiting not only immense charisma but also a polished, well-rehearsed band, whose skills allow him to shine: even when he’s singing 'Wonderwall' through a talk box, it’s impossible not to be enamored. Among the incredible jazz/funk/soul acts at Green Island today, this performance is undeniably the standout moment.
The term “hidden gem” is often thrown around in the industry, but Green Island genuinely embodies what it means: it’s small, authentically local, and crafted with a humble yet passionate vision. And it takes place in a garden center. What’s not to appreciate?
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Words: Tom Kingsley
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A haven of musical pleasures at a community garden center... If you've been following Manchester's local music scene for the past five years, it's quite