Ladi Kazeem

Name, where are you from?
Ladi Kazeem, Manchester.

What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the words ‘Manchester’ and ‘Music’?
Madchester.

What part has Manchester played in your own musical journey?
My business was born in Manchester in the middle of the NQ on Stevenson Square and music's at the heart of what I do so I'd say everything from the bands I listen to day to day to the merchandise I sell. I'd argue in my world I'm known globally for my ability to unearth original band T-shirts and music-related relics and the majority of what I find is related to Manchester bands from the late '80s early '90s such as Stones Roses, Oasis, Joy Division/New Order and the Happy Mondays. I've travelled the world selling and displaying my finds and there's a lot of collectors with Manchester related vintage merch because of my brand.

Tell us about your favourite ever gig in Manchester?
There's been so many. I remember seeing Ian Brown for the first time when I was 14 at the Apollo with family friends at the time. I’d argue he was at his peak as a solo artist. I remember he'd just done a 10 second cameo on Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban and that was my hook to get my mother to allow me to go and watch him live for the first time. At times I was engrossed in his music and I'm fortunate to have seen him on a number of occasions since then.

How important do you think the Northern Quarter is in terms of Manchester’s musical scene?
Extremely important. Other than the major venues where else are we going to hear live music? It's a centralized hub away from the hustle and bustle of market street, an area that combines so many different scenes and cultures and a lot of the creativity stems from societal dysfunction and the city's industrial and working-class roots.

Where’s the best place to discover new music in the NQ?
It depends what you’re into I suppose. I used to go to a lot of gigs and sessions at Soup Kitchen and White Hotel, two venues that pride themselves on discovering new underground talent. I remember being on a date as it happens and going for a drink in the old Kosmonaut on Tariff Street and in their basement, they used to have Thursday evening open mic nights and there was this insane Manchester-based indie band with this incredibly charismatic lead singer playing in front of me and my date and she naturally didn't want to be there but that's what Manchester's about, any gigs a good gig it's the hub of music.

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