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EXCLUSIVE: Singing Beetham: Other City Buildings To Join In

Manchester to become the World’s First Singing Tower City

Published on January 5th.


EXCLUSIVE: Singing Beetham: Other City Buildings To Join In

MANCHESTER’s tallest buildings are going to be re-calibrated with classic Manchester tunes Confidential's Sleuth hears.

City agencies believe the singing towers could generate over £25m in annual revenue for the city, “but it’s anybody’s guess really,” said a spokesperson, "as long as the amount sounds significant. We can hope, can't we? And guess."

The recent success of Beetham Tower’s enthusiastic whistling has brought together architects, city councillors, Bruce Forsyth, Dave Haslam and the fella who conducts the Halle Orchestra.

110929_078Beetham Tower, you hum it and I'll join in

Beetham Tower (171m), the CIS Tower (118m), City Tower (107m) and Student Castle Tower (still under construction - 106m) will be ‘tuned’ so that on windy days they can serenade citizens, visitors and bag-ladies.

“It’s simple,” said Councillor Karnage. “As a city we are well-known for our musical heritage so we’ve commissioned a team of experts and a very old man who dances a lot, to choose Manchester tunes that will reflect what’s going on in the city.”

Sleuth hears that  old classics from the Bee Gees will be included such as ‘More Than A Windy Building’ (surely ‘Woman’, Ed).

The Smiths, ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’ will be played early on a Sunday morning and for people living high in Beetham Tower New Order’s ‘True Faith’ will feature on particularly windy days.

For those contemplating jumping off the towers because of the noise, Hurts ‘Wonderful Life’ might be aired.

“It’s another example of Manchester’s pioneering spirit,” said Karnage dancing a jig and rill on Deansgate under Beetham Tower.

City agencies believe the singing towers could generate over £25m in annual revenue for the city, “but it’s anybody’s guess really,” said a spokesperson, "as long as the amount sounds significant. We can hope, can't we? And guess."

Sleuth has learnt that Manchester Arndale Tower is annoyed at not being asked. The building told Sleuth, “It’s not about talent any more with bands just about looks. My face clearly didn't fit.”

The RSPCA has complained about the decision to make the buildings sing, "on behalf of all the dogs out there, this will be torture."

Follow Sleuth on twitter @Sleuth

Arndale Tower - Very UpsetArndale Tower - Very Upset

City Tower2City Tower really wants to 'Shine'

2006_0303Viewandsnow0011The CIS Tower's favourite song is The Hollies, 'He Ain't Heavy Because He Got A Good Policy With Us'.

Student CastleStudent Castle says 'Thank You For The Music (Played Too Loudly, I've Got Lectures Tomorrow)'

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11 comments so far, continue the conversation, write a comment.

Anne BeswickJanuary 5th.

Great! A Mancon classic. Is it true that the fins/fence on top of the Beetham is just there to make it the tallest residential building in UK? Is it a sort of architectural mohican or is there some reason for it?

1 Response: Reply To This...
ali mcgJanuary 6th.

I heard the same last night in the pub (so it must be true). Apparently they'd wanted 50 storeys, but in wind tunnel tests it swayed too much, so they lopped 3 storeys off and added the towel rail.

the Whalley RangerJanuary 5th.

Heard the humming in Whalley Range. Thought my buddha chimes alarm had gone off. Cool!

FurFoxAcheJanuary 5th.

Councillor Karnage... love it.

Kevin PeelJanuary 5th.

I just spoke to Councillor Karnage for his reaction, he had no comment!

SibbyJanuary 5th.

I'm using the humming as the acid test for whether to commute into Manchester on two wheels.

So far it's been remarkedly accurate, as I'm still alive. (But skint, due to the extortionate tram fares.)

JoanJanuary 5th.

Presumably they're gonna learn "Singin' in the Rain"? Or are we not mentioning that?

1 Response: Reply To This...
SibbyJanuary 5th.

We're not mentioning that, on account that th'Ed bans all rain references. As you well know Ms Joan.

AnonymousJanuary 6th.

The white footbridge in Castlefield was also 'singing' this past week.

SleuthJanuary 6th.

Anon....do you mean swaying?

1 Response: Reply To This...
AnonymousJanuary 6th.

No. The bridge was humming both Tuesday morning (woke me up) and Weds night.

Angela Pownall shared this on Facebook on January 6th.
AnonymousJanuary 6th.

HILARIOUS... erm...

Nigel WoodcockJanuary 6th.

www.facebook.com/…/245082142230694…

1 Response: Reply To This...
AnonymousJanuary 10th.

sue 'em - only that will get things going

AnonymousJanuary 24th.

When we direct people to our premises we tell them to head for the tallest building with the scaffold on top,wonder if it can sing 'lily the pink'

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