Angela Rayner has been added to the bill for Andy Burnham’s immense DJ battle this weekend – which is a sentence we never thought we’d be writing.
The deputy Labour leader will be getting behind the decks at the charity event, alongside Manc music legends including Rowetta and Clint Boon.
The event will see Burnham battling against Steve Rotheram in a musical head-to-head between Manchester and Liverpool, all to raise money for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity for A Bed Every Night.
It’s taking place at Depot Mayfield, the home of Warehouse Project, on Friday 2 December – and we’ve got an exclusive discount for £1 tickets for The Manc readers.
All proceeds from bar sales on the night will go to support those who are experiencing or at risk of rough sleeping in Greater Manchester.
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The line-up will be headlined by Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram (who first battled behind the DJ decks in lockdown), with guest appearances from Angela Rayner, Nihal Arthanayake, Stanley Chow, Clint Boon and Rowetta, plus guest DJs from the Warehouse Project.
Angela said: “I can’t wait to get on the decks and show everyone why Manchester is clearly the best city when it comes to music. I’ve got a lot of love for Scousers, but Team Liverpool will be second best on Saturday night.
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“I’m delighted to be taking part in this event and helping to raise money for such a fantastic cause. I hope you like the songs I’ve picked. It was hard to narrow it down to three because there are so many Manchester music legends!”
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “We all know Manchester has the greatest musical heritage and I’ll be giving it my all in the set to prove that point once and for all. There’s serious pride at stake here.
“But competition aside, our passion for music unites our two city regions. What better way to put on an amazing celebration of our region’s culture and raise money for important causes, to support those who need it most at what is a really difficult time.”
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Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram said: “There can be no debate: the Liverpool City Region is the undisputed home of British music. We’ve given the world some of the greatest artists, albums and songs of all time – no area has had more number one hits than us.
“The fact we beat off competition from cities across the UK to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine speaks to our world-leading reputation as the UK’s premier music scene – and it’s a legacy we’re continuing today.”
The battle is supported by The Warehouse Project, Elevate and Badger & Combes.
Launched in 2018 by Andy Burnham and supported by the Charity, A Bed Every Night provides emergency accommodation for anyone rough sleeping across the city-region, regardless of status, as well as vital personal support.
Since its launch, A Bed Every Night has helped over 4,000 people and been instrumental in reducing rough sleeping in the region since its peak in 2017. But due to the current cost of living and energy crisis, there is an increased need to offer support this winter.
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Currently, there are 619 people in A Bed Every Night accommodation across Greater Manchester who would otherwise be at risk of rough sleeping, with 21 organisations across the region providing accommodation.
To get your ticket for £1 (plus fees), use the code: TheManc – get yours here.
Featured image: Ramona / Supplied
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Barry Manilow says he’s booked the AO Arena ‘just in case’ the Co-op Live isn’t ready for Manchester gig
Daisy Jackson
Barry Manilow has said he has reserved a spot to perform at the AO Arena in Manchester, on the off-chance that the delays with the new Co-op Live arena continue.
The 80-year-old music legend has said he ‘shares the concerns’ of fans who have questioned whether his show on 19 May will be able to go ahead.
And following the news that several shows are moving to Co-op Live’s rival venue, Barry Manilow has said he is ready to do the same.
In a lengthy statement shared by his husband and manager Garry Kief, Barry assured his fans that he ‘already has a backup plan’ should the arena remain delayed.
Co-op Live’s official opening date has crept further and further back in recent weeks, with OVG boss Tim Leiweke saying in a statement last night that they were taking ‘a short pause’ to make things right.
Shows that have been effected by the delay so far have included Take That (moved to AO Arena), A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie (ditto), Keane (postponed), Olivia Rodrigo (also postponed), Peter Kay (rescheduled) and The Black Keys (rescheduled).
In the statement shared to Barry Manilow’s social media, he and Garry said: “Dear Friends…… Many of you have expressed your concerns about the ongoing status of the new Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. We share your concerns.
“Contrary to some opinions, however, we don’t have any double secret inside information on the condition of the building.
“We do know that our brilliant co-promoter, Danny Betesh at Kennedy Street Enterprises. already has a back up plan and just in case, has reserved the same night….MAY 19th at Manchester’s AO Arena.
“We also know that we limited capacity to 12,500 guests. That means that even if we have to move, there will plenty of room for everybody.
“Right now, that’s a big IF. And we don’t know.
“We promise that we will let you know as soon as we know IF we have to move the concert from Co-op Live to AO Arena. Like you, we would love to have this resolved sooner than later.
“In the meantime, thank you for your patience and understanding while everyone works together to sort this out.
“Barry and all of us are looking forward to seeing you all onMay 19th. Until then…..all best, Garry.”
Liam Gallagher says he’ll ‘gig in Lidl’ if Co-op Live still isn’t ready – and they sound pretty game for it
Danny Jones
Following the ongoing palaver with Co-op Live, Liam Gallagher has joked that he’d happily play his scheduled gigs in a Lidl if the arena still isn’t ready – at least we think he’s joking…
With Liam Gallagher having been named as one of the first acts booked to play Co-op Live last year, many are now wondering whether the venue will even by June, with the former Oasis frontman set to play four Definitely Maybe 30th-anniversary sets. That being said, he’s come up with a solution if not.
Vintage LG, we’ll give him that.
Obviously a bit of a tongue-in-cheek quip at the venue being sponsored by a supermarket and convenience store chain, it could have been any other competitor that the ever-witty youngest Gallagher brother picked but it somehow made it extra funny that he chose a budget brand like Lidl.
However, with the 51-year-old already having fun with stunts like voicing the tannoys on the Metrolink last year, for instance, we wouldn’t put it past him to take this joke a little further.
Better still, not that we’re getting carried away or anything but Lidl themselves seem pretty keen on the idea too; they even spent the time to build an entire setlist for the fictional show. Fair play.
Can you imagine? Liam Gallagher swapping the occasional tambourine shake for beeps from a barcode scanner as he moves back and forth on the conveyor belt. We know it’s absolute nonsense and we definitely shouldn’t be even remotely considering it… BUT it’s the stuff of dreams and strange things have happened.
A lot of stranger things have happened this week alone. As for the latest with Co-op Live, the Chairman and CEO of key-backers Oak View Group, Tim Leiweke, issued a full statement sharing his “sincere apologies”and insisting that they understand “there is work to be done to rebuild your trust in us.”
With the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Peter Kay, The Black Keys and more having their gigs pulled by the venue due to numerous issues, including an air conditioning unit falling from the ceiling, fans are understandably fearful that other upcoming events could face delays or general misfortune.
Much like the venue itself, we imagine we’ll be playing catch-up on this whole saga for the foreseeable, but here’s a recap of the story so far: