Manchester music promotors Open Beat have revealed the details for their first round of shows taking place later this year – and they’ve got a whole host of emerging Manchester-based talent to showcase.
Born from a love of the city’s music and everything it has to offer, Open Beat have spent two years developing a brand-new platform for up-and-coming musicians from in and around Manchester to play live and get their music heard.
Their inaugural series of events, ‘Open Beat Presents’ kicks off in August, with four initial dates taking us through to the end of the year.
The first, on Friday 20 August, will see The A.V. Club, The Demo and Rivet City take to the stage at the legendary Night & Day Café.
Warrington band The A.V. Club take inspiration from the soundtrack from hit Netflix show Stranger Things to create their own blend of modern indie-pop. Whilst the indie-rock sounds of The Demo and Rivet City will provide some variety to the night.
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Some of Manchester’s biggest bands came through the Night & Day Café in their early years. So much so, the iconic venue has become somewhat of a rite of passage for new bands nowadays, making it the ideal venue for an Open Beat evening.
Next up, on August bank holiday Monday, will be a specially curated lineup from Manta at another iconic Manchester venue. This time, it’s Oldham Street’s The Castle Hotel that will open up its intimate setting for an evening of live music where you can really get behind these amazing new artists.
The Manta & Friends showcase will feature a selection of the best emerging artists from international music college BIMM Institute. Newcomers Sweets, Sam Brockett and Bluloom will join Manta for an exciting mix of music styles.
On Saturday 30 October, a Halloween special will take over Northern Quarter venue Off The Square.
The all-Manc lineup will see a headline set from Kosmonauts. Since their debut release in 2017, Kosmonauts have become known for their energetic style and honest “real-talk” song writing.
Pre-COVID, they had a strong run of sold-out shows and landed supporting slots for some big bands. Now, it’s their time to shine again.
They’ll have support on the night from Foxglove, a quirky four-piece who have already proven to be breath of fresh air, alongside Kestrel Palace, who will complete the bill with his thought-provoking lyrics and Oasis-inspired vibe.
The fourth gig remains under wraps for now. But we can tell you it’ll be held Gorilla in December. Organisers are promising a huge headliner for this one to close this first round of gigs, though. Keep your eyes peeled for another announcement very soon.
However, alongside their Open Beat Presents series, they will also be putting a special freshers all-dayer edition at Hatch on Thursday 23 September, in association with BIMM Institute.
There’ll be loads of live music from artists who are set to play in the Open Beat series. So, expect the return of Manta, The Demo and Foxglove. Plus, Minerva Daisy and Kid Blue will also appear, with music from Unity Radio and BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ Jermaine Lee throughout the day, too.
All the usual independent Hatch food and drink vendors will be on hand to keep you topped up throughout the day. Tickets for this one are on sale here.
Head over to Open Beat’s Instagram here to stay up to date.
Featured image: Graham Binns
Gigs & Nightlife
Barry Manilow says he’s booked the AO Arena ‘just in case’ the Co-op Live isn’t ready for Manchester gig
Daisy Jackson
Barry Manilow has said he has reserved a spot to perform at the AO Arena in Manchester, on the off-chance that the delays with the new Co-op Live arena continue.
The 80-year-old music legend has said he ‘shares the concerns’ of fans who have questioned whether his show on 19 May will be able to go ahead.
And following the news that several shows are moving to Co-op Live’s rival venue, Barry Manilow has said he is ready to do the same.
In a lengthy statement shared by his husband and manager Garry Kief, Barry assured his fans that he ‘already has a backup plan’ should the arena remain delayed.
Co-op Live’s official opening date has crept further and further back in recent weeks, with OVG boss Tim Leiweke saying in a statement last night that they were taking ‘a short pause’ to make things right.
Shows that have been effected by the delay so far have included Take That (moved to AO Arena), A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie (ditto), Keane (postponed), Olivia Rodrigo (also postponed), Peter Kay (rescheduled) and The Black Keys (rescheduled).
In the statement shared to Barry Manilow’s social media, he and Garry said: “Dear Friends…… Many of you have expressed your concerns about the ongoing status of the new Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. We share your concerns.
“Contrary to some opinions, however, we don’t have any double secret inside information on the condition of the building.
“We do know that our brilliant co-promoter, Danny Betesh at Kennedy Street Enterprises. already has a back up plan and just in case, has reserved the same night….MAY 19th at Manchester’s AO Arena.
“We also know that we limited capacity to 12,500 guests. That means that even if we have to move, there will plenty of room for everybody.
“Right now, that’s a big IF. And we don’t know.
“We promise that we will let you know as soon as we know IF we have to move the concert from Co-op Live to AO Arena. Like you, we would love to have this resolved sooner than later.
“In the meantime, thank you for your patience and understanding while everyone works together to sort this out.
“Barry and all of us are looking forward to seeing you all onMay 19th. Until then…..all best, Garry.”
Liam Gallagher says he’ll ‘gig in Lidl’ if Co-op Live still isn’t ready – and they sound pretty game for it
Danny Jones
Following the ongoing palaver with Co-op Live, Liam Gallagher has joked that he’d happily play his scheduled gigs in a Lidl if the arena still isn’t ready – at least we think he’s joking…
With Liam Gallagher having been named as one of the first acts booked to play Co-op Live last year, many are now wondering whether the venue will even by June, with the former Oasis frontman set to play four Definitely Maybe 30th-anniversary sets. That being said, he’s come up with a solution if not.
Vintage LG, we’ll give him that.
Obviously a bit of a tongue-in-cheek quip at the venue being sponsored by a supermarket and convenience store chain, it could have been any other competitor that the ever-witty youngest Gallagher brother picked but it somehow made it extra funny that he chose a budget brand like Lidl.
However, with the 51-year-old already having fun with stunts like voicing the tannoys on the Metrolink last year, for instance, we wouldn’t put it past him to take this joke a little further.
Better still, not that we’re getting carried away or anything but Lidl themselves seem pretty keen on the idea too; they even spent the time to build an entire setlist for the fictional show. Fair play.
Can you imagine? Liam Gallagher swapping the occasional tambourine shake for beeps from a barcode scanner as he moves back and forth on the conveyor belt. We know it’s absolute nonsense and we definitely shouldn’t be even remotely considering it… BUT it’s the stuff of dreams and strange things have happened.
A lot of stranger things have happened this week alone. As for the latest with Co-op Live, the Chairman and CEO of key-backers Oak View Group, Tim Leiweke, issued a full statement sharing his “sincere apologies”and insisting that they understand “there is work to be done to rebuild your trust in us.”
With the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Peter Kay, The Black Keys and more having their gigs pulled by the venue due to numerous issues, including an air conditioning unit falling from the ceiling, fans are understandably fearful that other upcoming events could face delays or general misfortune.
Much like the venue itself, we imagine we’ll be playing catch-up on this whole saga for the foreseeable, but here’s a recap of the story so far: