Chrystal makes music to shake a glow stick to. Music to drink White Lightning to. Music to soundtrack an all nighter followed by a walk to the butty shop on the stride of pride home to.
She’s school days, taxi ranks, copied CDs and faux fur gillets. Samsung phones, being in love with your best mate and Saturday night down Wigan Pier, a canalside area of the Lancashire town that incongruously has no pier — just an abundance of high BPM nightclubs. We love her because she’s flippin’ mega and — trust us — you will too.
For her latest banger, 2 Real, the singer/producer has teamed up with Harry Lindley of SBTV for a video shot in her native Bolton. “I wanted to show Bolton in a positive light as I feel that sometimes it’s not portrayed that way,” she says. “We went to some of my favourite spots around town from growing up to now; the Bolton arches, Crommy Lodges, Bridgewater Mill. I feel so blessed that I got to film the video alongside my best friends; my sister, Carmel, and and my cousin, Erika. We sing together, we laugh together and we cry together.”
Watch the clip, then immerse yourself in the world of Wigan Pier with a specially created playlist below (n.b. glow sticks not included).
Milk Inc, In My Eyes
When I was about 13, I used to go kiddy Atlantis and skank hard with my glowsticks to this track. Listening to it now I love the lyrics. Uplifting & feel good <3
Emancipation, All My Love
Ok, this brings back floods of feelings and memories when I listen to this song. It was one of those tracks that I instantly fell in love with, I was 15 at the time and dealing with major depression & suicidal thoughts, although I didn’t understand what it meant then. I used to listen to this song on repeat and cry when I was on my own. Now it just makes me emosh.
Big Ang, It’s Over Now
Woah, back to school days again, this song reminds me of one of my best friend Katie -Jaine. She used to sing this about her boyfriend Dave at the time we were 15. Shouts to KJL.
Styles & Breeze, You’re Shining
Such a tune, reminds me of the days when we used to get to party with the older lot in Highfield. One of my friend’s sisters used to let us in their house to party with proper decks and that, like every weekend. There was many an all nighter followed by a walk to the butty shop on our stride of pride walk home. I buzzed off it at the time. Very sad that some of those people aren’t here now. RIP DJ Ryda, RIP Matty, Ryan Davis x
Wigan Pier 50, I Can’t Sleep at Night
Reminds me of my old friends & hanging on the street, some who i’m still friends with now, Beccy, Danielle, Melissa, Jamie.. Much love girls.
DJ John G and MC Efeeze, Cricketer All Nighter
I don’t know the original names of all the tracks on here but I used to have the full CD which I’ve lost now. Used to listen to the whole CD on loop over and over again. If anyone’s got this CD then send it me please xx
Dee Dee, Headbone Connected
This is a banger, this song takes me back to age 15 when me & my best friend at the time went to a club called Cricketers in Wigan. We were both wearing denim skirts, faux fur gillets & faux fur boots. We got the train to Wigan and took E’s. My friend started getting on to the DJ, I got left with his friend. They were nice guys though and give us a lift home in their taxi. At the time I was actually in love with my best friend. The DJ gave me a cd when we left and it had this track on it.
Francesca, You Are the One
This song takes me back to high school days. Samsung Walkman phones were the thing, the song had to be recorded in 3 parts & then sent via bluetooth to friends.
Wigan Pier 49, Holding Me Kissing Me
I was clubbing when I heard this song when I was about 17. This song reminds me of iKon/Jaxx Thursday nights in Bolton. RIP Ikon/Jaxx xx
Fierce, Days Like That
When I hear this song it brings me back to the good times, no cares in the world apart from how were gonna get £2. £1 for a bottle of white cider & £1 for something to mix it with. If we were feeling especially balling we’d buy batteries to power a boombox on the road.
Alex K, Six Days (On the Run)
Again this reminds me of the time I was in love with my best friend.
DJ Schwede, Soldier of Fortune
Reminds me of when I hung out on the streets with my big sister and her mates, we were up to no good.
Trinity X, Forever (Alex K Mix)
Tune, reminds me of going on the fair when it was in town!
Blackout Crew, Put a Donk It
Blackout Crew were doing bits in Bolton, everyone knew about them. They’re good lads from what I know, I’ve got a lot of respect for what they did at the time. Before I started music I was watching what they were doing and thought it was amazing. They inspired me.
Wigan Pier 50, Elysium
Last but not least, a song that everyone loved including I, again reminds me of Ikon/Jaxx days when I was 16/17. Just absolutely feeling like there were no other care in the world but being in the club. We used to be able to smoke in the club then as well.
You can listen to the whole thing on Spotify here, if you like:
2 Real is amazing and out now.