News

Homobloc announces line-up for 14-hour kinky queer block party

With headline sets from Róisín Murphy, Honey Dijon, The Blessed Madonna and Self Esteem, plus loads more.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 20th July 2022

Manchester’s favourite ‘queer party for all’ Homobloc has this afternoon revealed the line-up for its hotly-anticipated 2022 day festival.

Returning to Depot Mayfield to ‘reunite the clans once again’, the all-day, all-night block party will take place this Autumn on Saturday 5 November – bringing some of its longstanding DJ favourites back to the decks once again, alongside a selection of exciting newcomers from 2pm to 4am.

Characterised by its eclectic mix of artists and performers, the by-now legendary Manchester party is gearing up to present what organisers have described as “one of the greatest coalitions of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Image: Jody Hartley
Image: Jody Hartley
Image: Jody Hartley

With a special Bollox presents Homosquat takeover at iconic Manchester music venue the Star & Garter, plus next level production and performances across Mayfield stagess Depot, Concourse and Archive, there’s no question this will be a sell-out event.

With headline sets from Róisín Murphy, Honey Dijon, The Blessed Madonna and Self Esteem, plus more from HAAi, Job Jobse, Horse Meat Disco, Saoirse, it’s set to be a packed-out party stretching across 14 hedonistic hours.

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Further sets will come from the likes of I.Jordan, Meme Gold, Little Gay Brother, Roi Perez, Tama Sumo, Absolute, Lakuti, DJ Holographic, Kiwi, Luke Solomon and Hannah Holland, not to mention the likes of Homoelectric resident favourites Gina Breeze, DJ Paulette, Jamie Bull and more.

Read more: Rap legend Busta Rhymes announces massive Manchester gig

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Image: Supplied

Homobloc will also continue supporting its many charity partners and the work that they do to make the world a better place for the community, including the LGBT FOundation, The Proud Trust, George House Trust and Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Community Fund.

Between them, these charities offer advice, support and information to the wider community, help to support people through youth groups, peer support and mentor programs, inspire people living with HIV to live healthy, confident lives and distribute small grants to LGBTQ+ and HIV grassroots good causes.

Carl Austin-Behan, former Lord Mayor of Manchester, and LGBTQ+ Advisor to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Homobloc is such an important date for many people as it brings the community together all under one roof – from dancing and performing, to fundraising.

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Image: Jody Hartley

“It is amazing to see the team get behind these charity partners and continue to support their vital works for the LGBTQ+ community in Greater Manchester and beyond.”

Rod Connolly from Homobloc, added: “We are excited to announce a powerful Homobloc festival programme that unites the biggest International and homegrown LGBTQ+ artists, with a clear spotlight on the wonderfully diverse nightlife community that Manchester is World famous for.

“Following a challenging year for LGBTQ+ rights, the time is now for everyone to come together, step into the light and recharge the city’s vibrant queer energy once more.” 

Read more: A fully-accessible club night for disabled ravers is coming to Manchester

How to get tickets

Tickets will go live for pre-sale this week on Thursday 21 July at 10am, with general sale available from Friday 22 July at the same time via the Homobloc website.

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The full line up, as it has been announced so far, can be seen below with more artists still to be revealed over the coming months.

Image: Jody Hartley

The full 2022 Homobloc line up:

Róisín Murphy | Honey Dijon | The Blessed Madonna | Self Esteem

HAAi | Job Jobse | Horse Meat Disco | Saoirse

Jennifer Cardini b2b Krystal Klear | Moxie b2b Shanti Celeste

I.Jordan | Little Gay Brother | Roi Perez | Tama Sumo

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Absolute | Lakuti | DJ Holographic | Kiwi | Luke Solomon

Amy Douglas presents Hard Feelings | Hannah Holland

Gina Breeze | Wes Baggaley | Bored Lord | Jaye Ward

Grace Sands | DJ Paulette | Joshua James | Jamie Bull

Mix-Stress | Black Betty | Kim Lana | Guy Williams | Lukas

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Bollox presents Homosquat: Queer House Party | Grove

Kath McDermott | Supernature | Club Zindigi

DJ Claud Cunningham (Black Angel) | The Niallist | Queer Latifah

Gut Level | What She Said | Philippa Jarman | Tokky Horror | Fat Camp

Eat Me | Fatty Acid | What Do I Tell My Friends | Limp

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Allsorts | Alexa Allana | Anna Phylactic | Ashraf | Banksie | Brandy X Mandella | Cece Sinclair Cheddar Gorgeous | Cleo Panther | Club Clam | Creature’s of Catharsis Archive Takeover

Cute Cartel | Cretina | Danni Spooner | Dak Attack | Dave Tester | Donna The Domme

Finn Love | Fuck Pigs | Ghetto Fabulous ft DJ KL | Hotline | House Of Apex | House of Blaque House of Kendoll | Jordan Roberts | Joshua Hubbard & Friends  | Liv Wynter |  Lucinda B.Hind

Meme Gold | Miss Chief | Miss Daubs | Mister Molly | Mx Romeo De La Cruz | Nadiva

Natasha Moonshine | Night People | NoirGayze | Prinx Silver | Sinz Dynasty | Soft Yoni

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Strutty Bitch | Sue Veneers | Taboo | The Cavalcade | YDSA | Yung Reenie

Feature image – Supplied

News

Body of woman found in River Mersey last year finally identified after ‘extensive’ investigation

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Laura Stanley

The body of woman who was found in the River Mersey last year has finally been identified.

Following what has been described as an ‘extensive investigation’ by Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Major Incident Team to determine the identity of the body, which was sadly discovered in the river adjacent to Chorlton Water Park on 21 March 2024, the family of the victim has now been informed and supported by specialist officers.

The victim has been formally named as 38-year-old Laura Stanley, who was originally from Derbyshire but was living in Stockport. 

After the body was discovered, and ‘exhaustive and determined’ investigation by GMP officers began to identify here, including detailed checks of both national and international databases.

Police release facial reconstruction image of mystery woman whose body was found in River Mersey

The Major Incident Team (MIT) also closely worked in collaboration with specialist forensic service providers to create an anthropological profile, which eventually culminated in the creation of a facial reconstruction image.

Following several media appeals, a relative of Laura contacted officers and then a DNA match was confirmed through a familial link.

“Laura was a kind and gentle person with a great sense of fun and adventure,” Laura’s family said in a heartbreaking tribute to her.

“She was generous, thoughtful, caring and always keen to volunteer within the community. Laura was a proud and loving mum and she will be greatly missed by her girls and all of her friends and family who loved her dearly.”

The River Mersey, across from Chorlton Water Park, where Laura’s body was discovered / Credit: Wikimedia Commons

While Laura has now been identified, police say further investigations will take place to understand her last movements, the events that led to her death, and her discovery in the river.

Additionally, as is standard practice, GMP’s Professional Standards Directorate is also reviewing a previous missing report relating to Laura in the time before the discovery of her body, which will determine prior contact relating to Laura, and whether the appropriate measures were enacted.

Anyone who knew Laura and thinks they may be able to assist with the investigation is asked to contact police by calling 101, or by using the Live Chat Service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log number 1191 of 21 March 2024.

Alternatively, you can contact the Major Incident Team Syndicate 3 directly on 0161 856 9479, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Read more:

It is currently believed that Laura was last seen around January 2024.

Featured Image – GMP

News

More than 70,000 home buyers set to pay thousands after missing stamp duty relief deadline

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant New build houses

More than 70,000 home buyers across England are estimated to have missed the stamp duty relief deadline.

This sadly means they’ll be required to fork out thousands of pounds extra.

In case you hadn’t heard, up until yesterday (31 March 2025), anyone who was moving and had bought a home in the past was not required to pay Stamp Duty Land Tax, better-known as just stamp duty, on the portion of the property price up to £250,000.

But from today (1 April), this threshold has now fallen back to £125,000, which unfortunately means that property purchasers are facing an extra £2,500 in moving costs, on average.

While the end of the stamp duty relief will mostly affect those Greater Manchester buyers who had already previously purchased properties, first time buyers are sadly not exempt from the deadline changes too, as their current stamp duty threshold of £425,000 has now fallen back to £300,000 as of today.

Keys to a new house
Person holding the keys to a new house in their hand / Credit: Maria Ziegler (via Unsplash)

Given that the average property price for a first time buyer-type home is currently around £227,965, according to Rightmove, the new £300,000 threshold may hit those purchasing properties in more expensive areas – particularly the South East.

A third of those estimated 70,000 home buyers who have missed the deadline are thought to be first time buyers.

Leading property platform Rightmove published an analysis in February into just how much of an impact the end of the stamp duty relief would have on home buyers, all while calling on the UK Government to announce a short extension to the deadline to help people in the middle of the property purchasing process avoid potentially thousands of pounds in extra moving costs.

But despite these calls from industry leaders, there was no extension to the deadline announced in the last week’s latest Spring Statement.

Read more:

“It’s extremely disappointing that the Government has not used the Spring Statement as an opportunity to extend the impending stamp duty deadline for those currently going through the home-moving process,” commented Rightmove’s property expert Colleen Babcock.

“We estimate over 70,000 people are going to miss the deadline and complete in April instead, and a third of those are first time buyers.”

Featured Image – James Feaver (via Unsplash)

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