A legendary music venue that once hosted the likes of Tina Turner and Jimi Hendrix is set to reopen this summer.
New Century Hall was a thriving dance hall and events venue in the 1960s and 1970s but has been standing silently for the best part of a decade.
The venue, which is part of the NOMA neighbourhood in the city centre, is now set to be restored and reawakened in a £10m project.
Once complete, the reopened New Century will be a three-floor social hub home to an 800+ capacity live music venue, a large food hall, and a creative college.
New Century in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
The Grade II-listed building’s incredible heritage, like its sprung dance floor, 1960s ‘disco ceiling’ and vintage wood panelled walls, will all be preserved.
ADVERTISEMENT
In its heyday, New Century Hall hosted acts including The Bee Gees, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix, as well as famous club nights in the 1980s.
It’s set to become a busy events venue again, hosting emerging talent and global touring artists, as well as comedy, performance and conferences.
ADVERTISEMENT
Credit: Supplied
The ground floor, meanwhile, will become the 300-cover New Century Kitchen, with five independent food operators working alongside a more permanent pizza and coffee offering.
A central bar will serve local beers, wines and cocktails, with an entertainment space in the plans.
New Century Kitchen will also operate in the outside space at Sadler’s Yard.
The basement, meanwhile, will be home to Access Creative College, which counts Ed Sheeran as one of its alumni and a patron.
This will be the college’s third site in Manchester and will help people to kick-start careers in the creative industry.
Taking inspiration from the trailblazing spirit of the 1960s when the building was developed, New Century will celebrate the past to inspire an exciting new chapter – an everyday place for unforgettable experiences.
New Century is expected to reopen this summer.
Featured image: Supplied
Gigs & Nightlife
A new open mic night series has started at a massively underrated Manc bar and music venue
Danny Jones
Are you an inspiring musician or just like hearing the next best thing before they blow up? Well, one of the newest open mic nights in the area has just got underwayin Manchester.
It also happens to be taking place at what we think is one of the most underrated small-capacity music venues in the city centre. If you’re interested, keep reading…
Up on Deansgate Mews is full of what social media brands like us to love to call ‘hidden gems’, but in the case of Lions Den, we couldn’t be more sincere about it.
The first event has already been and gone – safe to say it went down a treat:
If you’ve never been to this unassuming but undeniably brilliant little bar and gig space, it’s known not only for a great drinks lineup at affordable prices and a lovely sun-soaked terrace, but regular live music nights as well.
We’ve had the pleasure of seeing local bands such as Hi Sienna and Balancing Act play there outdoors, whereas inside the venue, you’ll also find a 200-cap room for when those rare rays subside and to cater to the frequent gig-goers year-round.
Manc lads Malcolm got the proceedings underway this month, and the second open mic night is coming up on Tuesday, 8 April.
Kicking off at 7pm, the new weekly open mic night is an opportunity for talented Manchester musicians and those looking to make it some day to take to the stage and share their work with the world.
Well, with us for now, but who knows which future supergroup or solo star might be next?
Strawberry Lemonade have gone from playing here to selling out The Deaf Insitute.Balancing Act playing The Rodeo night at Lions Den before booking all those massive festival slots.(Credit: The Manc Group)
More importantly, there’s absolutely no need to book: anyone looking to take part can just turn up and play, so whether you’re hoping to be spotted or just practice playing live, this is a great chance to do so.
Even better still, each act will receive a drink on the house AND professional performance photos to help populate that press shot portfolio and share on your socials.
There’s no entry fee either, whether you’re performing or just a punt, and with great student deals like £3.50 pints and two for £6 spirits, we can see this series taking off.
Catch you in the Den sometime soon.
We’ve had plenty of good times here. (Credit: The Manc)
Little Simz announces biggest-ever Manchester gig ahead of new album
Danny Jones
The queen of British rap, the one and only Little Simz, is coming back to Manchester for what will be her biggest headline show in this city to date.
A whole three years on from her last album No Thank You, the rapper from Islington is heading back out on the road after wrapping up the recording of her sixth studio LP, Lotus.
The first single ‘FREE’ has already dropped, and despite the release date itself being pushed back, news of a new Little Simz tour later this year more than makes up for it, if you ask us.
Little Simz already has two NME Awards to her name for Best British Solo Act and Best British Album, not to mention a BRIT itself for Best New Artist in 2022; oh yeah, and she won the Mercury Prize as well as a BET Hip Hop Award over in the States for ‘Best International Flow’ – all before she turned 30.
With that in mind, you can understand why so many are frothing at the mouth to hear her new record when it does finally drop.
There doesn’t appear to be any problems with the album itself: Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, to use her full name, is simply busier than ever and has just booked a role in a film because, yes, she acts too.
Lotus will now drop on Friday, 6 June, just in time for fans to get learning the lyrics ahead of festival season, which we have no doubt she’ll play a big part in.
You can hear the first taste of the next chapter down below:
Little Simz returns to Manchester for a Co-op Live debut on 16 October with tour supports still yet to be announced.
Pre-sale goes live on Wednesday, 9 April from 10am for official Co-op members and general admission will be available from the same time on the following Friday (11 April).
Daisy Jackson -
3rd February 2022 
