You can listen to and download our farewell mix using the Soundcloud player above. One last boozy hurrah.
Brunswick Mill was a wreck. It was a dilapidated mill on the edge of Manchester which had some very ropey toilets and a lot of pigeon shit. But it was also an artistic hub that housed over 100 bands, producers artists, and DJs during its 20-year history.
AMF moved into Brunswick Mill in 2019 and we’re sad to say we’re losing our studio after a brilliant 4 years. Yes, the toilets were a bit minging but the freedom it gave musicians of all stripes to play music as loud as they wanted and not have to worry about noise complaints and neighbors was a real boon to Manchester musical community.
For me particularity, it was amazing to have a dedicated space to practice DJ’ing, record mixes, or have friends around for a friendly back-to-back. The studio was only a stone’s throw away from Ancoats where, up until very recently, I was living, so it acted like a little home away from home, a place to unwind after a tough week at work. Not to mention the mental health benefits it provided during lockdown.
The closure of Brunswick Mill will hit Manchester’s creative community pretty hard. There are a lot more bands and collectives, who are much more successful than AMF, which will now be struggling to find somewhere to hone their craft.
Some people have managed to find alternative arrangements but there are a lot still looking. If you can help any of them out make sure you do.
But why now? What caused the Mill to close down for good?
Why close Brunswick Mill now?
Sadly the reason for the Mill shutting isn’t a new one. Wealthy developers are looking to transform the area and the Mills make great shells to fill with new build flats. Indeed the other places around Brunswick Mill; Wellington Mill (home of the once great Mantra Warehouse) and Pollard Yard could also be under the developer’s kosh very soon.
I do think it’s sad that any form of creative space is being squeezed out of Manchester. Even the outskirts aren’t safe. It does leave you asking the question:
“If you can’t set up some studios in an old mill on the edge of town where can you?”
Where does it end? Once every interesting building’s been gutted and turned into new build flats and the city is solely occupied by dead-eyed urbanites that love Ladbaby and hate music after 8pm.
Brunswick Mill is just the latest casualty in the city’s ongoing battle with developers. The most high-profile tussle happening at the moment is with Night & Day café and its ridiculous noise abatement notice.
Personally, this city needs to reassess its relationship with its nightlife and music scene Manchester is a city with a proud musical heritage but that will quickly dry up without places like Brunswick to nurture new talent.
Long live Brunswick Mill
There is some light at the end of the tunnel though. Brunswick Mill isn’t disappearing forever the team behind the studio’s actually moved. Whilst they’re still keeping the name Brunswick Mill Rehearsal Studios they’ve actually relocated to Salford (Salford is once again the beacon of decent music and creative space).
Sadly their new space can only hold a fraction of the old location and costs have inevitably had to go up (bloody cozzy livs innit). They’re still going though and if you’re lucky you can bag a permanent room or hire out practice space by the hour.
While the new setup isn’t ideal due to the lack of space it’s still heartening to the team behind the studio fighting to provide much-needed space for Manchester’s creative community.
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