One of Manchester’s most legendary nightclubs has announced its permanent closure after almost three decades.
South, which has been in its basement location on South King Street since 1995, is one of the city’s leading nightlife venues.
The indie club is frequented by Inspiral Carpets keyboard player Clint Boon, who takes over the DJ decks every Saturday night.
Clint announced the news today, saying that Manchester is losing ‘one of its greatest nightclubs of all time’.
South nightclub. Credit: Twitter, @therealboon
The heartbroken musician said: “A message that I never hoped I’d have to post. My night this Saturday at @South_Club will be the club’s closing night.
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“Due to issues beyond our control, (myself, the management & the owners), Manchester will lose one of its greatest nightclubs of all time.
“@South_Club has been my second home for well over 20 yrs and it’s been a massive part of the Boon family’s journey.
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“Please join us on Saturday for our closing night. Needless to say, it’ll be a big send off and probably an emotional one! Lotsa love.”
South nightclub. Credit: Twitter, @therealboon
He later added: “Thanks for all your lovely messages about @South_Club. The final night is now sold out.
“For those of you who missed out on tickets or who can’t be there, I’ll be live streaming the full night on @Beatstream_live. I’ll post a link on here over the next 24 hours xxx #BoonArmy.”
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Hundreds of Mancs have rushed to share their memories of South.
One person shared: “Gutted! Man I have had some great times in there and Red Stripe never quite tastes the same anywhere else. Have a cracking time and send off on Saturday. Big Love to everyone involved over the years. PS- If you remember any of the nights too well- you were doing it wrong.”
Another wrote about South nightclub: “Can’t describe how sad this makes me. Heartbroken. Thankyou to @therealboon and the team at @South_Club for some of the best memories, the best music, the love and warmth every time we came. There’s nowhere else and will be nowhere else like it.”
Someone else said: “Sad, sad times again. Manchester is losing a belter of a club.”
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It follows Fifth Avenue, another clubbing institution that shut its doors earlier this year.
Featured image: Facebook, South
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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 -
2nd June 2022 
