Right, so I've been wanting to do something like this for the best part of 18 months now, and having finally finished uni and chilling all summer, I've got round to getting on with it.

Second City is a free monthly magazine. A5, full-colour, glossy. It's an attempt to bridge the gap between fanzines and magazines, and particularly focus on the unsigned and underground music scene in Manchester. We're going to be doing 5,000 copies each issue, and they'll be available from all good bars, cafes, venues, etc, etc across the city.

We want to get people to not only listen to the best new bands that Manchester has to offer, but to go and see them live as well. There are too many great acts at the moment that deserve to be hyped, that deserve to have more people watching them. We aim to champion the DIY ethics and selfless promoters that make our city have so much to offer.

In time, we want to increase circulation to around 20,000, in order to spread towards Salford and Fallowfield. We feel that Manchester's music scene is often derided and many hinge on its heritage. The truth is that there is often too much going on on any one night.

So come 22nd September, grab yourselves a copy of Issue 1, read about some bands you probably aren't familiar with, and if they sound to your liking, then please go and check them out.

Thank you. x