Will

WILL

My name is Will (sometimes Waxxy), I've been in Manchester all my life and have been obsessed with music ever since I watched The Blues Brothers as a kid.

I picked up my first instrument early and clung to it in high school as I became addicted to making noises and it let me skip normal lesson time. I guess I really enjoyed shirking my academic prospects because I decided at the last minute that I didn’t want to pursue science like I thought and changed course.

I decided to study Music Technology and Performance with The Manchester College and just to make sure I never got a real job I went on to be a film school dropout.

For the past couple years, based on a chance meeting in a bar, I've been covering music for Acid Rain along with my co-host Alyssa. I’ve been a versatile music journalist because I love every genre (not electro-swing) and have been described by others as having an eclectic taste. People have said less nice things about my music taste, too.

Whilst early on I was obsessed with early rhythm and blues, rock and metal my life changed when I heard To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar. It changed everything for me and opened my eyes to music as a medium - not pigeon holed by image and genre. 

Though if you’re interested - Frank Zappa is my G.O.A.T.

I went to my first rave at 17 (Sir Spyro, Teddy Bruckshot, Lady Chann, Killa P… Yeah… I know how lucky I was) and have been chasing the feeling of a big stack ever since. There’s nothing like it. I cut my teeth on Antwerp Mansion and basements in Manchester - there's nowhere I'd rather be than a rave and I want that feeling for other people too…

Which is where Bag Factory comes in! When I first started going out and raving the whole scene was incredibly intimidating and came with a sort of learning curve. I hope our venue will be an accessible place not just for those new to raving but also for those looking to play/promote nights in Manchester. We want to be the new grassroots hub, available for all.

If you’re looking to find me then it’s quite easy - if Bag Factory is open then that’s where I’ll be. I’m the boots on the ground, running our private studio sessions as well as manning the bar at gigs with my sisters-in-arms. See you there!