News
Cassette tapes are making a big comeback
Get ready for tangled tape and a homemade mixtape off a mate!
Cassette tapes are making a comeback, according to new industry figures.
From data collected by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), figures show cassette sales across the UK soared to their highest level in two decades last year, according to new analysis.
During the 12-month period of 2022, around 195,000 tapes were sold, representing a yearly growth of 5.2%, the BPI said.
Research from the firm showed that on ten occasions in 2022 cassette sales accounted for more than 10% of purchases for the No.1 album, in the weekly Official Albums Chart.
As ’80s and ’90s nostalgia can be seen being recycled in modern fashions, and with films and bands making comebacks — such as Jurassic Park and Backstreet Boys — so have older technologies such as the use of cassette tapes.
Vinyl records remain the more popular choice for retro-loving music fans, but new sales figures show cassette tapes are now making a comeback too — looks like we’re rewinding to the 20th century!
But thanks to some major artists releasing their music on the nearly extinct format, some chart-topping albums like Florence + The Machine’s Dance Fever, and 5SOS5 by 5 Seconds of Summer, sold more copies on cassette than on vinyl when they debuted at the top of the charts.
More than a fifth of each album’s first week chart sales were claimed by cassette tapes.
The Car by Arctic Monkeys and Harry Styles’ Harry’s House ranked as the albums which sold the most cassettes tapes across the UK last year.
Central Cee, The 1975 and Machine Gun Kelly featured among other artists and bands that also made the top ten list for sales — generating a revival of the decades old relic.
All but two of the top ten sellers recorded more than 5,000 cassette sales during the year. Cassettes dominated the musical album market in the 1980s and ’90s before being knocked off the top spot by CDs. In 2012, annual sales of cassettes dropped below 4,000 units.
But purchases of the retro format have regained popularity in recent years, with sales growing for a tenth consecutive year in 2022.
Two-years-ago cassette purchases nearly doubled in size, jumping from 80,000 units to around 160,000.
We’re pleased to announce that Proper Manchester is rebranding as Finest City Guides.
As part of this change, the Proper Manchester brand, including its social media channels, will transition to the Finest City Guides name.
This is a rebrand of the existing platform rather than a new or unrelated business. The same team behind Proper Manchester will continue to operate Finest City Guides as we develop the platform under its new identity.
Previous name: Proper Manchester
New name: Finest City Guides
Our social channels and other brand assets will be updated to reflect the Finest City Guides name as part of this transition.
More from Finest City Guides coming soon.
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
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