EMPOWER: Women Changing Music

Demi Sheridan, Editorial Assistant

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EMPOWER: Women Changing Music

8 March 2025

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

L-R: Ellie Slorach, Jenni Watson, Carmel Smickersgill, Sam McShane, Sinead Walsh, Hannah Seymour
EMPOWER: Women Changing Music
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Returning to Manchester in celebration of International Women’s Day, EMPOWER: Women Changing Music is an inspiring evening of live performances and thought-provoking conversation, dedicated to championing gender equality in the music industry.

Nomad: music that moves
EMPOWER: Women Changing Music

Taking place at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation, this event shines a spotlight on female composers and musicians, challenging the historically male-dominated canon and creating space for positive change. Featuring a dynamic programme of short performances by chamber ensembles, alongside the highly anticipated UK premiere of the inaugural OpusHER commission, the evening celebrates the transformative impact women are having on the musical landscape, both creatively and professionally.

Complementing the performances, a panel of industry-leading women—including violinist Emily Davis, composer Florence Anna Maunders, Cellist Peggy Nolan and Rachael Williams, Chief Executive of Streetwise Opera—will take part in a lively discussion exploring the evolving role of women in music. The event will be hosted by Sinéad Walsh and Hannah Seymour, fostering an environment of collaboration, inspiration, and progress.

Panel Discussion
EMPOWER: Women Changing Music

Launched as a pilot in 2022, EMPOWER is now expanding its reach, with Manchester serving as a key stop in a series of events also taking place in London and Dublin. Whether you’re a music lover, an advocate for equality, or simply looking for an enriching cultural experience, this is an event not to be missed.

Where to go near EMPOWER: Women Changing Music

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Burgess Cafe Bar
at IABF

Small but perfectly-formed café – which also serves as the in-house bookstore, stocking all manner of Burgess-related works, along with recordings of his music. It’s a welcoming space, with huge glass windows making for a bright, welcoming atmosphere.

Dog Bowl bowling alley and restaurant Manchester.
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Dog Bowl

A bar and 10-pin bowling alley combined, Dog Bowl is a neon-lit venue that serves up cocktails and Tex-Mex food to go with your time on the lanes.

The Ritz Manchester live music venue
Manchester
Music venue
The Ritz

The Ritz was originally a dance hall, built in 1928, has hosted The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and The Smiths and is still going strong as a gig venue now.

Gorilla, Whitworth street Manchester
Manchester
Bar or Pub
Gorilla

Gorilla is a good choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner. From a hearty full English to meaty burgers via good vegan and veggie options. It also hosts some of the

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Offering a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

Manchester
Restaurant
Indian Tiffin Room, Manchester

Indian Tiffin Room is a restaurant specialising in Indian street food, with branches in Cheadle and Manchester. This is the information for the Manchester venue.

The Modernist shop
Manchester
Shop
The Modernist

The bricks and mortar The Modernist shop opened in May 2019 in the Northern Quarter and is the only bookshop in Manchester specialising in architecture and design.

Rain Bar pub in Manchester
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Rain Bar

This huge three-floor pub, formerly a Victorian warehouse, then an umbrella factory (hence the name), has one of the city centre’s largest beer gardens. The two-tier terrace overlooks the Rochdale canal and what used to be the back of the Hacienda, providing an unusual, historic view of the city.

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From £19.90
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Sorry at Gorilla

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Bar Italia at Manchester Academy 2

One of London’s most hyped bands of the last few years, Bar Italia are playing Band on the Wall in support of their latest album, Some Like It Hot.

From £19.45

Culture Guides

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Manchester’s starting the new year with a run of gigs from some of the country’s best underground exports.

A performer in a bright red costume sits on a snowy stage set, holding a large snowball between their legs with a surprised expression. The colourful winter backdrop features snowflakes, hills, a snowman, and a traffic light with glowing lights.
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

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Theatre across the North West splits between festive escape and sharp, urgent work exploring politics, power and resistance.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.

Food and Drink in the North

Hear ye, hear ye. Take some eating-out tips from our wintertime guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.