On Friday 19 February 2016, English roots musical collective Edward II release ‘Manchester’s Improving Daily’, a collection of rare and historic songs, known as the Manchester Broadside Ballads, dating back over 200 years to the Industrial Revolution.
The culmination of a 15-month project, ‘Manchester’s Improving Daily’ will be accompanied by a book, written by social archaeologist David Jennings, explaining the history of the songs and providing an informative commentary to these rare glimpses into the lives of working class Mancunians in the Victorian times.
The Broadsides are believed to be the main way news was circulated to the working classes, printed on cheap paper often with music suggested, they would be performed in the pubs, markets and streets across Manchester and Salford.
Edward II will be holding a special launch party on from 6pm – 8pm on Thursday 18 February 2016 at Manchester Central Library, where the original Broadside manuscripts are kept. The band and Jennifer Reid will be performing songs from the album and David Jennings will present the historical context of the songs.
Tickets include a signed CD.
‘Manchester’s Improving Daily’ has received funding from Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund.