A while back, Danny, friend and long-time cricket partner - an unbroken run of five six years Twenty20 Cup finals - told me about his dream of creating a new type of music company.

The aim, as I understood it was simple. Forget about restrictive contracts that fleece the musicians, instead treat them with respect and utilise all the tools that the Interweb has put at their disposal. Use the new techniques provided by MySpace, Facebook, Last.fm, etc and work with the artists to make the best of them.

Despite the tough times in the traditional music biz, it looks like this approach is working out. His company 360 Degree Music is running its first showcase of new talent at In The City in Manchester on 6th October.

Sadly, I'll be stuck in London, but if you're knocking about in Manchster, why not pop along and soak up some great music? Plus, it's free...

360 degree music Showcase

featuring

• Krakatoa
• Mozzy Green
• No Picasso
• Reader's Wives
• Roses Kings Castles
• Rum Shebeen

7pm - 12.15am
FREE ENTRY

Cellar Vie (Map)
18-22 Lloyd Street
Manchester M2 5WA