Featured image: Anna Torrance

Blending music and literature in a whirlwind of a weekend of talks, performances and discussion, Louder Than Words Festival returns to Manchester for 2025, bringing together musicians, writers and photographers from around the UK.

Set within the intimate chambers of the INNSiDE Hotel, the festival offers a packed programme of acoustic sets, interactive interviews, talks and book-signings, embracing Manchester’s rich arts culture.

Founded in 2013 by Dr Jill Adam and musician and journalist John Robb, Louder Than Words has grown into what is widely considered the UK’s largest music-literature festival, known for its raw, authentic performances and candid conversations.

Day 1 – Friday

Louder Than Words 2025 opens with late-night talks led by John Robb in discussion with Jon McClure, lead singer of rock band Reverand and the Makers. In an engaging Q&A, Robb avidly quizzes McClure on his inspirations for his music, challenges he has faced and his favourite gigs. An engaging speaker and activist with bold opinions, McClure holds the audience in his palm, coaxing the crowd into his story through every word. In a standout moment, the discussion extends to the audience, creating a warm, informal atmosphere as McClure chats back and forth with attendees. With anticipation brewing for the weekend ahead, Robb and McClure set the tone for the festival with their eccentric personalities and candid exchange.

Later that evening, Simon Morrison and Katie Milestone host a club-culture themed talk delving into the emergence and evolution of nightclubs and electronic dance music from the 1950s onwards. Through discussion and debate, the pair illuminate how music is created from an array of cultures and experiences, not in isolation. Following the rhythmic journey of dance music all the way from Europe to the Caribbean, Morrison and Milestone convey how dance and music can unite us all, placing a beautiful stepping stone for the rest of the festival.

Day 2 – Saturday

With not an empty seat in the room, John Robb opens Saturday’s programme delving into his book, Live Forever – The Rise, Fall and Resurrection of Oasis. With a laidback yet passionate demeanour, Robb paints vivid portraits of his experiences with the Gallagher brothers and the chaos that shaped their generational sound. “It’s hard to think about nineties music without Oasis,” Robb remarks.

The talk provides a strong and engaging start to the day, and while parts of the discussion feel overly promotional at times, Robb’s insight and palpable enthusiasm make for a compelling opening to the second day of the festival.

Keeping the pace, Debsey Wykes – founder and singer of former rock band Dolly Mixture – follows with a provoking conversation surrounding her new book, Teenage Daydream: We Are the Girls Who Play in a Band. As one of the UK’s first female post-punk musicians, Wykes delivers a powerful discussion charting her journey from a schoolgirl to rockstar. With many women and girls in attendance, Wykes’ reflections on navigating a male-dominated industry feel like a breath of fresh air and a source of inspiration.

Speaking to aAh! after the talk, one attendee says: “As a woman, I think hearing talks like this from other women is incredibly important. I have a daughter and I’m glad she has people like Debsey [Wykes] she can look up to.”

In a strong follow-up, Steve Diggle, singer of renowned punk-rock band Buzzcocks, speaks on his legacy as a musician and the rise of the band which helped shape the UK punk scene. Delving into the band’s origins from being a support act to producing classic singles such as, ‘Ever Fallen in Love’, Diggle conveys how his life and attitude have changed over the years.

He delves into upcoming projects for Buzzcocks, such as their new, anticipated album, Attitude Adjustment. The discussion ends with a Q&A, with lifelong fans of Buzzcocks asking Diggle questions about his career and personal life. This adds a further sense of depth to Diggle’s discussion as fans witness a raw, unfiltered and chatty side to one of their punk idols.

One audience members asks: “Do you ever get tired of playing the same songs over and over?” This question sparks a few laughs across the room, including Diggle himself, who replies with a grim: “No, I don’t funnily enough. It’s not about me or what I’m doing, it’s about the audience and the connection with them. Every gig has a different atmosphere and response.”

Day 3 – Sunday

Sunday brings a fresh visual twist to the festival with photographer Beezer presenting his latest series, Until Now, alongside Pete Webb, founder of PC Press. Based between Bristol and Tokyo, the project documents a 40-year archive of underground music and graffiti culture across Bristol, London, Tokyo and New York.

Focusing on the impact of documenting youth culture, Beezer offered an incredibly vibrant and raw story. Among the images shared is an early photograph of Wild Bunch – members of whom later went on to form Massive Attack – as well as scenes from Glastonbury festival. Beezer also reflects on his unconventional path into photography, as he shares how he received low grades in school yet decided to pursue photography at 16.

“Because I was getting to grips with learning photography, I would shoot anything,” he explains. “It was an invaluable way to start learning photography.”

One of the last acts of the festival is Baz Warne of rock band The Stranglers, marking the 25^th anniversary of his joining the band. Showcasing his new book, No Grass Grows on a Busy Street, Warne retrospectively recounts on his journey with the band and their growth into a golden age of music.

The sold-out talk sees audience members standing at the back of the room, underscoring the strong interest and curiosity around Warne’s storytelling and career.

Although the festival draws to a close, the hotel lobby remains filled with book-signings and conversation surrounding music, culture and arts, showcasing the strong community the festival forms.

Speaking to aAh! after the festival, Steve Diggle reflects on its wider impact: “It’s good to discuss the music and be aware of how music relates to real life. Music and literature go hand-in-hand. All different perspectives provide enrichment.”

Discussing his long-standing career with Buzzcocks, Diggle adds: “It’s about experiencing the moment; every venue has a different vibe. I never get tired of playing. The songs are a vehicle for communication with the audience.”  

Louder Than Words Festival 2025 leaves a lasting impression, echoing Diggle’s view of music and literature as tools for communication and connection.