The Alternative Manchester Pride Festival will stream live music and DJ sets direct to people’s homes. Otherwise, there are a few other ways in which you can celebrate in the city.
The majority of this summer’s events have been scrapped for 2020, and Manchester Pride is no exception.
Sadly, there’ll be no parade this year, but a global pandemic won’t stop this city’s glitterball spinning.
There are still plenty of reasons to get into the Pride party mood this week if you choose to celebrate from the comfort and safety of your living room.
As Manchester is experiencing continued local lockdown restrictions, the usual Canal Street antics have moved online this bank holiday – with the Alternative Manchester Pride Festival launching Friday 28 August to Monday 31 August.
The KAMPUS bungalow.
The LGBQT+ charity has put together three days of music and performances – all broadcast live from the new KAMPUS bungalow via United We Stream GM and YouTube.
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Saturday’s lineup features performances from Pride faves Pixie Lott, Karen Harding and Jodie Harsh, whilst on Sunday, there will be whole host of film showings, workshops and even YouTube yoga sessions.
KAMPUS, the new multi-use space developed by HBD overlooks Manchester’s Gay Village. It will be transformed into a studio as the main festival hub of activity.
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Adam Brady, Executive Director at HBD said: “KAMPUS is right next door to Canal Street, and the Village is one of our closest neighbours, so it seemed like the perfect fit for the festival to live stream from the Bungalow this weekend. We’ve been really impressed with the creativity and determination the charity has shown to deliver an event this year in such challenging circumstances.”
Alternative Manchester Pride Festival lineup
If you are able to venture out, bars in and around Canal Street will be open with outdoor seating and a limited capacity.
The Refuge have also announced their annual Come As You Are Weekender will return on Friday. To adhere to government guidelines, it will be a stripped-back, socially distanced edition.
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Homoelectric will take control of the soundtrack on the first night. The likes of Luke Unabomber and Gina Breeze will step up on Friday. Popular Manchester club night, High Hoops, ware set to share their hedonistic house and disco sound on Saturday. DJ Paulette, Massey, Abigail Ward and Kim Lana will close on Sunday.
Likewise, the new 600-capacity Escape to Freight Island in the grounds of Mayfield Depot is also holding its own Pride celebrations from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August.
Their three-day programme of music and drag opens with Bollox Queer Pride on Friday. Saturday and Sunday will see takeovers from House of Ghetto. Finally, Mix-Stress brings the affair to a climax on Sunday evening. The city’s newest venue is fully booked most nights despite being the newest kid on the scene. Book in advance if you want to make the trip.
Escape to Freight Island Pride weekend lineup.
Whatever you decide to do for Pride this weekend, stay safe and keep your distance.
For more information and the full Alternative Manchester Pride Festival schedule, visit the website here.
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Yungblud announces huge Manchester arena gig on upcoming UK tour
Daisy Jackson
Yungblud is heading back to Manchester for a huge gig next year as part of a nationwide arena tour.
The Doncaster-born rock artist is behind songs like Fleabag, Cotton Candy, and Parents, with three studio albums to his name and a fourth set for release this month.
Yungblud, 27, has also collaborated with some of the biggest rock artists in the world, including Machine Gun Kelly, Travis Barker, and Bring Me The Horizon.
Along the way, he’s built up an incredibly loyal fanbase, who refer to themselves as the Black Hearts Club, and championed individuality and acceptance.
And now Yungblud is finally heading back out on tour, with a massive gig at the AO Arena next spring.
This boundary-pushing artist has announced the tour in support of his upcoming fourth album, Idols, which he describes as being a modern rock opera.
He’s famed for his explosive and energetic live shows, and has even launched his own festival, Bludfest, to challenge the high cost of other live music festivals.
Announcing the UK tour this morning, he said: “UK. It’s been two years! I’m so excited to announce our biggest shows yet.
“Pre-order the album from my official store before Tuesday 10am for early access to tickets/ presale on Wednesday 10am. General tickets onsale 10am FRIDAY 13th. Link in bio. Let’s go.”
As well as his AO Arena gig in Manchester, Yungblud will also play at cities including Leeds, London and Birmingham.
Yungblud will perform at the AO Arena Manchester on Saturday 25 April 2026. Tickets go on sale at 10am on Friday 13 June.
Drake adds extra Manchester date to UK tour after ‘unprecedented demand’
Emily Sergeant
An extra date has been added for Drake’s run of Manchester shows next month following ‘unprecedented demand’.
In case you missed the announcement earlier this week, Drake announced that he’ll be coming to Manchester for two huge gigs next month (yes, literally next month), but now following so-called ‘unprecedented demand’, an extra date has been added.
The GRAMMY award-winning and multi-platinum global artist teamed up with fellow Canadian rapper PARTYNEXTDOOR to release their collaborative album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, on Valentine’s Day earlier this year, and now to celebrate the release, the duo are making their highly anticipated return to the UK and Europe.
The arena tour, aptly named ‘$ome$pecial $hows 4 UK’, will kick off on 20 and 21 July at Birmingham Utilita Arena, before Drake comes to visit us Mancs shortly after.
JUST ANNOUNCED @drake Drake returns for the first time in six years. Bringing the $ome$pecial$hows 4 UK tour to Manchester on 25 & 26 July 2025. Support from @partynextdoor.@coopuk Member Presale: 4 JUNE 12:00 General Sale: 6 JUNE 12:00
The Toronto rapper was already set to take to the stage at Manchester‘s newest live entertainment arena, Co-op Live, on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July, following three nights of headlining Wireless Festival at London’s Finsbury Park.
But now, Monday 28 July has also been added into the mix in Manchester.
Following his three nights in Manchester, the tour will then continue across Europe, with stops in Munich, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and more, all before wrapping up on 23 September in Hamburg at Barclays Arena.
The tour marks Drake’s first return to Europe and the UK in six years, following his 2019 Assassination Vacation Tour.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Drake completed his monumental sold-out 80-date It’s All A Blur Tour across North America, featuring special guests 21 Savage and J. Cole.
$ome $pecial $hows 4 UK 2025 dates:
Sunday 20 & Monday 21 July – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July – Co-op Live, Manchester
Monday 28 July – Co-op Live, Manchester
Breaking more records along the way, Wireless announced Drake as the 2025 headliner for all three nights, each featuring unique setlists and special guests, and the festival sold out within minutes – which is the fastest sell-out in its 20-year history.
Drake will be at Co-op Live on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July, and again on Monday 28 July, and in true last-minute fashion, tickets go on general on sale today (6 June).
Hannah Starkie -
26th August 2020 
