Brand new immersive music and culture trail with Salford celebs

A brand-new fully immersive music and culture trail around some of Salford’s most iconic sites has been launched.

Echo Salford is a new augmented reality (AR) experience set to celebrate Salford’s cultural footprint, taking in the sights of MediaCity, Salford Lads Club, Islington Mill, Maxwell Hall and ending at the infamous Kings Arms.

Made possible through The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the AR experience allows users to view never-before-seen images, musical content and downloadable memorabilia, through the Echo Salford app.

Commentary of the area will also be provided by Peter Hook (Maxwell Hall), Maxine Peake (Working Class Movement Library), Bez (Kings Arms), Mike Sweeney (Salford Lads’ Club), John Cooper Clarke (The Lowry), Miss Krystal (Chapel Street), Priya Matharu (MediaCity) and Cheddar Gorgeous (Islington Mill).

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “The Echo Salford app is another superb ‘Salford First’, a perfect example of the world class innovation produced here in Salford – right in the heart of our city’s immersive technologies and innovation hub in Media City. This wonderful immersive trail shows off Salford’s vibrant cultural and musical past, present and future – bringing buildings and people to life in front of our eyes.

“There are many Salford greats to spot along the route. I would encourage residents and visitors interested in music, culture or local history to download the app – it really is a fun way to explore Salford at your own pace.”

Echo Salford is a collaboration between Dig Media and Toasted Productions, who are both based at MediaCity.

Simon Marsland from Toasted Productions and one of the founders of Echo Salford, said: “This is a great experience for both city visitors to explore unknown cultural hotspots and city residents who can gain a new appreciation for their neighbourhood and community. Heritage sites can be lost to regeneration so by using non-invasive augmented reality, physical places can be celebrated for everyone to experience the impact they had and are still having.”

To download the app and for more information visit the website.