Laura Graham’s original music series has reached more than 120,000 views on Youtube.

What started with a simple brief to come up with a music series that champions Manchester music – became Manchester: Unplugged, a cinematic documentary series.

Cai Alty of The Guest List on Manchester:Unplugged — Cai Alty of The Guest List Performing on Manchester:Unplugged

Laura developed the format from scratch, combining her love of music with a long-held curiosity about lyrics, songwriting and the stories behind songs.

Each film takes one Manchester artist and one song, and digs into how it came to life…. The first idea, the writing, the decisions made in the studio and the life around it, before ending with an exclusive stripped-back performance of that song by the writer, in a place that resonates with the song.

Laura personally selected the artists and bands for series one, bringing together very different genres, generations and stages of career: The Covasettes, K-Klass, FREEQUENCY3, SALO and The Guest List.

Laura led every episode from first idea to finished film. She researched each artist and their music in depth, shaped the narrative, wrote all the interview questions and interviewed the talent herself.

The result? Five original music films that have now collectively passed 120,000 views.

Rapper & Volcalist FREEQUENCY£ Performs with her band on Manchester:Unplugged in Ramona

And the audience continues to grow. Artists, fans, managers, labels and producers have shared the films, the social channels have grown around the series, and artists and management teams are now approaching Manchester: Unplugged wanting to be involved in series two.

For Laura, that response has been particularly satisfying because the format was an experiment.

“I wanted to give artists the time and platform to properly open up about their work. Not just promote the new single, but a personal deep dive get into how and why they wrote a song, revealing all the decisions, mistakes, curve balls, inspiration and people involved in the production. I genuinely didn't know whether anyone else would be as interested in that as I am. Thankfully, it turns out they are.”

The Covasettes In New Century Hall to Record ‘Such A Dream’ For Manchester:Unplugged

The series has also picked up some rather lovely reviews. Manchester arts and culture blog Honorary Manc described Manchester: Unplugged as a “fantastic addition” to the platforms celebrating Manchester music and praised its “own unique style”, highlighting the way the films get into the grassroots of the city's music scene and explore the stories behind lyrics and composition.

Reviewing the final film featuring The Guest List and their single Something Real, Honorary Manc also described the series as a “stunning showcase for local talent and songwriting”, while recognising the role Manchester's venues play within the films themselves.

That was always deliberate.

Dance Music Legends K-Klass Performing Their Smash Hit ‘Rhythm is a Mystery’ on Manchester:Unplugged

The first series filmed across nine Greater Manchester venues and cultural spaces, while paying the artists and Manchester-based freelancers involved in making the work.

For Laura, the 120,000 milestone is proof that there is an appetite for music content that gives artists the space and time to discuss their songwriting in depth.

“I'm incredibly proud of Manchester:Unplugged. Thanks to GMCA Culture I was given the freedom to come up with an idea that championed Manchester music and Manchester: Unplugged is what came out of my head.

“To see more than 120,000 views across five films and the episodes still growing on the Youtube, and artists and managers now coming to me wanting to be involved, is pretty bloody brilliant.”

Manchester: Unplugged Series One was commissioned by GMCA Culture for StreamGM.