Multitalented 30-piece orchestra to perform RnB classics at O2 Ritz
RnB Classics has been in the pipeline since 2018 - put together by a team of professional orchestrators, DJs and arrangers, all of whom have been deeply ingrained in classical, pop and jazz music industries for the last decade.
A 30-piece multitalented ensemble featuring some of the UK’s most talented musicians is coming to Manchester to perform a full night of RnB classics this autumn.
Paradox Orchestra – a powerhouse collective of musicians who’ve worked with everyone from Little Mix to Craig David, Liam Gallagher and Louis Tomlinson – is taking to the stage at O2 Ritz in September, reimagining the biggest rhythm and blues tunes released at the turn of the millennium.
The blockbuster two-and-a-half-hour show will see renditions of Destiny’s Child, Sean Paul, Kelis, Outkast and The Black Eyed Peas, among others – with promoters inviting Mancs to “get their freak on” for a night of early noughties bangers.
Paradox Orchestra will perform the set on Sunday 26 September 2021 from 7pm.
RnB Classics will be performed by a 30-piece ensemble
Promoter Mikey Sluman said: “We can’t wait to bring Paradox Orchestra to the people of Manchester, a city that has one of the most vibrant music scenes in the world. The orchestra is made up of musicians who have worked with the likes of Kano, Elizabeth Troy, Celeste, Sugababes, Marc Almond, So Solid Crew, Naughty Boy…the list is endless!
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“It’s a top, hand-picked orchestra with only the best musicians in the industry. I can promise you will be leaving the O2 Ritz having been dancing non-stop all night and having enjoyed one of the best parties you’ve had this year.
“Having been a resident of Manchester for over 6 years I know how much the people of this fine city have missed a good night out and I can guarantee they are going to love this show.”
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RnB Classics has been in the pipeline since 2018 – put together by a team of professional orchestrators, DJs and arrangers, all of whom have been working across classical, pop and jazz music industries for the last decade.
Paradox Orchestra will perform at the O2 Ritz on 26 September
Musical Director of the show Laurence Mason said: “It’s been really exciting orchestrating all of this incredible music for the show, I’ve been transcribing our original mixes by our resident DJ, Tom Langur by ear to create a bespoke set of parts for the orchestra and five of the most outstanding vocalists to perform.
“This is going to be a really unique gigging experience brought to you by some amazing musicians. The crossover of pop, jazz and classical is going to take the audience on such a high energy journey, the way Tom has mixed the songs is really unique to our production.
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“Everyone is going to be leaving the show wanting to come back again and again!”
Paradox Orchestra will perform at the O2 Ritz on 26 September.
Check out the Orchestra in action on their socials and from their Eiger Studios session, filmed by Connor Page (@pageandpixels).
What's On
Victoria Baths is ‘resurrecting’ its popular spooky silent disco this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Halloween is on its way, and Silence of the Baths is being ‘resurrected’ for another year.
Returning for a ‘fright night of thrills’ after a sell-out debut in 2023, and then for a smash-hit revival of three of Manchester’s most iconic fallen nightclubs in 2024, Victoria Baths has announced that Silence of the Baths will be returning for its third year, transforming the stunning Grade II-listed building into one of the spookiest settings this Halloween.
For the popular one-off event, Victoria Baths is set to ‘show its darker side’, as the pool halls, Turkish Baths, and labyrinth of spaces undergo an epic Halloween makeover.
Victoria Baths is teaming up with Girls on Film for one of the best nights in the city this Halloween, as the historic space becomes a ‘haunted haven’ of glamour and ghosts.
Partygoers are encouraged to dress the part and wander through the empty pools and haunted corridors as each space is transformed into spooky playground filled with ghouls, spiders, bats, and coffins – but most importantly, good times.
From the balcony above the former pool, the Girls on Film crew will take over the silent disco with a trio of DJs on three different channels.
Hattie Pearson will be on Channel 1, Meme Gold on Channel 2, and the Channel 3 will have DJ MXw0rld.
Victoria Baths is ‘resurrecting’ its popular spooky silent disco this Halloween / Credit: Chris Payne (via Supplied)
As mentioned, ticketholders are being encouraged to ‘dress to distress’ on the night, not only because it’s Halloween, but also because the person with the most haunting look has the chance to win a Halloween Swag Bag.
There’ll be plenty of elixirs and spirits to sip on all night long, and don’t forget to strike a pose against the Baths’ iconic backdrop.
The Silence of the Baths III: The Return will take over Victoria Baths on Saturday 25 October, with doors creaking open from 7:30pm, and tickets are now on sale here and setting you back £20 each (plus a booking fee).
The event sold out last year, so early ticket purchase is recommended
All ticket purchases support the work of The Victoria Baths Trust to preserve Victoria Baths, so that communities can continue to enjoy this inspiring building.
Featured Image – Chris Payne (via Supplied)
What's On
Legendary musical CATS is coming to Manchester on its UK tour next year
Emily Sergeant
Legendary musical CATS will be taking to the stage here in Manchester next year.
A brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global sensation, CATS, will embark on a major UK tour from summer 2026 following an open-air residency at Regent Park in London – including dates at Manchester’s prestigious Palace Theatre in November.
Based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS is one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history.
The show originally premiered at the New London Theatre in 1981, where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances.
Since its world premiere, the musical has been presented in more than 54 countries, translated into 23 languages, and has been seen by more than 77 million people worldwide – collecting a number of awards along the way.
Legendary musical CATS is coming to Manchester on its UK tour next year / Credit: Feast Creative
This new production of CATS is produced by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, with Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, as part of Drew McOnie’s second season as Artistic Director, and it marks the third Andrew Lloyd Webber title produced by the venue in the last decade.
Unfamiliar with the show? CATS tells the story of the Jellicle cats.
From Euston station to Victoria Grove, the strays and rebels of London gather under the Jellicle moon in the hope they’ll be the chosen one.
With a legendary score featuring well-known songs like Old Deuteronomy, Macavity: The Mystery Cat, TheJellicle Ball, and, of course, the chart-topping hit Memory, this brand-new production of CATS is gearing up to be one of the best theatrical events of 2026.
“I am very excited to see a totally new production of CATS back on the stage where it belongs,” creator Andrew Lloyd Webber said on the show’s return. “I can think of no-one better than Drew McOnie to bring a new vision to the world of the Jellicles.”
Casting and the full creative team is set to be announced in due course, as is the on-sale date and link for tickets, so keep your eyes peeled.
The Manc -
13th July 2021 
