A huge rooftop cinema is coming to Manchester’s Depot Mayfield
Backyard Cinema will build a purpose-built 330-capacity indoor winter cinema on the rooftop of Depot Mayfield, the long-standing derelict former Mayfield Railway Station.
The abandoned train platform at the top of Depot Mayfield will be converted into a huge rooftop cinema, complete with movie-grade sets and an Enchanted Forest this winter, it has been revealed.
The derelict railway tracks, original ticket office, waiting room, and signature cast iron roof structure, once used as overflow for Piccadilly train Station, will be turned into a unique cinematic set-up ready for the cold weather season.
Due to open in Manchester city centre this October, the new arrival comes from the team behind the Backyard Cinema.
So named because it originally began life in its founder’s garden, the ‘immersive cinema experience’ will come to Manchester for a limited 10-week run.
Backyard Cinema is coming to Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Following on from nine years of running huge screening events in the capital, this will be the first time that the cinema has hosted an event in the north of England.
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Tunnels of trees and magical doors will lead visitors on a journey of discovery as they head towards the Enchanted Forest and home of the Lost Theatre.
The purpose-built indoor cinema screening room itself will be filled with custom-made giant bean bag seating for guests to get cosied up in, with ushers offering table service for seasonal cocktails and sweet treats to save you getting out of your seat.
And that’s not all. As well as its magical cinema room and enchanted forest, the rooftop cinema will also feature two communal drinking areas, street food and a live music stage.
Kicking off on Friday 21 October, organisers say it will offer ‘an immersive cinema experience that is more than just the movies.’
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Screening a mixture of brand new releases and classics, film fans will be able to catch cult classics like E.T. and The Greatest Showman, brand new releases like Elvis and MInions 2.
Backyard Cinema will open on the rooftop at Depot Mayfield in Manchester city centre. Credit: Supplied
Then come Christmas time, there will be special screenings of heartwarming winter favourites including Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually and The Holiday.
The full film programme, which is set to cater for families, couples, kids and friends alike, will be announced in its entirety when tickets go on early release sale on Wednesday 7th September.
Speaking on the new arrival, Dominic Davies, Founder and CEO of Backyard Cinema, said: “We are excited to take our alternative cinema pop-up outside of London for the very first time and we are proud to be joining The Warehouse Project and Escape to Freight Island in one of Manchester’s most exciting regeneration projects at Depot Mayfield.
Tunnels of trees and magical doors will lead visitors to the rooftop cinema. Credit: Supplied
“Manchester is such a unique creative city with lots of cultural happenings and we look forward to being part of the community and offering the most magical cinema experience to all.”
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Simeon Aldred from Broadwick Live, said: “Backyard Cinema has built a first-rate reputation with audiences for creating immersive and exciting film experiences in landmark venues, and so it seemed like a natural partnership for Depot Mayfield.
“This building played a central role in Manchester’s industrial past, and is now a major driving force in the city’s booming cultural scene, as well as acting as a catalyst for the regeneration of the surrounding area.”
Martyn Evans, Creative Director at U+I, said: “Backyard Cinema will be a fantastic addition to Mayfield’s evolving entertainment offer that has transformed a previously derelict part of Manchester’s city centre. It’s exactly the kind of creative, immersive and inclusive experience that is making Mayfield a place for everyone.”
You can register to unlock exclusive limited early bird access for 48 hours only ahead of pre-sale opening on Wednesday 7 September – visit backyardcinema.co.uk/manchester for more information.
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AJ Tracey is playing a VERY intimate gig in Manchester next month
Thomas Melia
London rapper and respected grime artist AJ Tracey is ‘live and direct’ once again, announcing a whole host of UK dates, one of which is a rather intimate gig right here in Manchester.
It’s official: one of UK rap’s leading gents is getting back on the road and he’s showing a ‘Little More Love’ to lots of cities, including Manchester.
In a post on the UK star’s socials, AJ Tracey trades his music persona for that of a sports pundit as he announces the dates for his upcoming tour while impersonating an F1 commentator.
Anyone looking to attend Tracey’s ‘Not Even A Tour’ can catch the star up and down the country on his over 20-date tour with a stop in Manchester as soon as this month.
The rapper has reached phenomenal heights since dropping the unforgettable ‘Ladbroke Grove’ in 2019 and is heading out across the nation to make sure everyone knows about it.
Get ready to spit bars left and right as this rapper’s discography is stacked with serious tunes like ‘Dinner Guest’, ‘West Ten’, ‘Thiago Silva’ and more.
More recently, he collaborated with Walsall’s finest Jorja Smith for a flirty garage beat also known as ‘Crush’ with the video being the two artists talking it out in a good old fashioned caff.
The latest collaboration with Smith marks the start of a new era for Mr. Live and direct as it fell in line with the announcement of his third studio album.
Titled Don’t Die Before You’re Dead, we’re sure he’ll be “building a vibe” wherever he goes and probably previewing a few exclusive tracks from his upcoming project too.
This gig may come as quite a surprise for any hardcore fans of the ‘Ladbroke Grove’ star as the venue in which he’s performing is definitely intimate only, holding just over 250 guests.
This rap giant is bringing his unbelievable beats to none other than the legendary small-cap city centre live music venue, The Deaf Institute, at the end of this month.
It’s safe to say you won’t get many more chances, if any, to see him in such a tight-knit space again.
AJ Tracey is bringing ‘Not Even A Tour’ to Deaf Institute in Manchester on 30 April, with tickets on sale Friday 4 April from 12 noon.
Wet Leg are BACK and coming to Manchester very soon
Danny Jones
One of the best up-and-coming indie bands around is returning after what feels like forever, but it’s actually only been a few years; either way, Wet Leg are back and coming to Manchester.
Their self-titled debut dropped back in 2022 and was met with an overwhelming reaction, picking up three Grammy Awards at a BRIT for Best British Group at the first time of asking.
It did slap, to be fair.
More importantly, fast forward three years and they’re back with a release date for their sophomore record, moisturizer, a brand new single by the name of ‘catch these fists’, as well as a small handful of new tour dates – including a gig at a brilliant Manchester music venue, of course.
uk pre-orders of moisturizer from the official wet leg store before 3pm bst tuesday 8th april will get early access to pre-sale tickets for uk headline live dates. pic.twitter.com/KUvazSX6NY
The Isle of Wight-founded five-piece, fronted by charismatic duo Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, will be heading out on a couple dozen live shows across Europe and the festival season circuit, as well as a one-off gig (for now) in the US at The River in LA.
However, just five of those are domestic headline dates, with the gang preparing to delight crowds in London, Birmingham and our friends over in Leeds.
Guess we’ll just have to go to both.
Here in Manchester, Wet Leg will be playing the cult favourite venue, O2 Victoria Warehouse, which just wrapped up this year’s BBC Radio 6 Music Festival programme.
As for the new album, moisturizer is due to release on 11 July, and from the small teaser we’ve been given courtesy of their new single, it sounds like there’s been some experimentation; the guitars and attitude are being dialled up even further, and they’re just as confident as ever.
An absolute jam, as expected.
Best of all, you don’t have to wait long to see them live again, as they’ll be heading out across the country just next month and are scheduled to arrive in Old Trafford on Thursday, 29 May.
Tickets for the Manchester gig and all other Wet Leg UK tour this May will be available for early access to those who pre-order the album online from 10 am local time on Wednesday, 9 April.
General sale goes live at the same time on Friday, 11 April. You can get ready to grab yours HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
31st August 2022 
