When two underground legends from opposite ends of the M6 come together on a record, it’s always worth paying attention. Theatre of Dreams, the new album from Footsie and Strategy, lands this Thursday (8 May) — a collaborative project built from a shared love of music, sound system culture, and Manchester United.
The pair have known each other for years, both as friends and fans of each other’s music. Now they’ve gone back-to-back on a full project — one that brings together their distinct regional sounds and personalities, but also shows how much common ground they’ve got when it comes to how they approach the craft.
The album features production from some of the scene’s most respected names — Toddla T, Sir Spyro, Metrodome, Cimm, Cartridge, Big Kani and Two Swords — alongside beats from the artists themselves. The result is a weighty, high-energy record that pulls from grime, dub, hip hop and beyond, while staying rooted in the culture that’s defined both artists’ careers.
Footsie’s legacy speaks for itself. A a key figure in grime from the start, first with N.A.S.T.Y Crew, then Newham Generals alongside D Double E – he helped define a sound that’s now embedded into UK music history. His King Original instrumental series is a go-to for selectors, and his solo work has stretched from raw grime cuts to dub-heavy explorations that nod to his roots — his dad, Farda Waz, was part of the King Original Sound System, one of the first in London.
Strategy, meanwhile has been a fixture in Manchester’s underground for over two decades, first making noise as part of Broke’n’£nglish — a crew that helped put unapologetically Northern voices on the map at a time when UK rap was still heavily London-centric. Since then, he’s made his mark across multiple sounds and scenes, from the breakout success of Marka with Dub Phizix and Skeptical, to a string of boundary-pushing 140 releases with the likes of Alix Perez and Halogenix. Known for his unmistakable Salford tone and sharp, often humorous lyricism, Strategy’s as comfortable over a grime instrumental as he is in a full-blown DnB set.
To celebrate the release of Theatre of Dreams, the pair are hosting a free launch party at Ramona this Wednesday (7 May), as part of the Ramona Radio Rave series. The night will feature an exclusive live showcase of the album, followed by solo sets from both artists — Strategy will bring one of his genre-hopping DJ sets, the kind that’s lit up his own Ballin’ on a Budget and Aux Chord nights, and Footsie will play a King Original reggae set using vinyl from his father’s original collection.
It’s rare to see this kind of intimate launch in a space that feels as connected to the artists as the music itself. No frills, no velvet rope — just a night of quality music, rooted in tradition but looking forward.
Whether you’ve followed them from the pirate radio days or you’re just hearing them together for the first time, this night will be something special — and a rare chance to catch two of the UK’s most consistent voices doing what they do best, right here in Manchester. Get free tickets here.
