One of the biggest names in grime – who just so happens to hail from Manchester – will be headlining a huge outdoor festival this summer.
Bugzy Malone has been announced as the headliner for the Seaside Weekender Festival over in Southport.
The outdoor festival is set to take place over one weekend in July, and will also include a Save the Rave 90s Festival on the Saturday.
But to kick things off on Friday 21 July, Bugzy Malone will be performing songs from his illustrious career, including tracks like Run, M.E.N., and Kilos.
The rapper and actor has also worked with the likes of Aitch, Tom Grennan and Rag’n’Bone Man, with two albums (B. Inspired and The Resurrection) plus three EPs (Walk with Me,Facing Time, and King of the North) to his name.
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Bugzy Malone. Credit: Publicity pictureSave the Rave at Seaside Weekender. Credit: Supplied
The Seaside Weekender Festival will also have An Orchestral Rendition of Dr. Dre: 2001 in support, following their sold-out tour of the west coast in the US.
There are even more acts still to be announced.
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The outdoor music festival will take place at Southport’s Victoria Park, known for hosting the famous Southport Flower Show, with tickets currently on sale.
Early bird tickets are just £20, with VIP tickets costing £40, plus booking fees. The Seaside Weekender Festival with Bugzy Malone will take place on Friday 21 July 2023 – tickets are on sale now with Skiddle.
Featured image: Publicity picture
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The Mystery of Banksy exhibition to make UK premiere in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Europe’s most popular Banksy exhibition is set to make its UK premiere at last next year – and it’s Manchester who gets it first.
The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind, will arrive at Depot Mayfield next spring, filling the amazing industrial space with more than 200 reimagined works by the acclaimed street art superstar.
Fans will be able to step inside the mind of one of the world’s most prolific artists in an immersive and interactive exhibition that has wowed audiences across Europe.
The news of the experience making its UK premiere in Manchester was celebrated in style this weekend, with Banksy images projected onto landmarks across the city, including the Depot and Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly.
When it launches next spring, The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind will exhibit an interactive collection of graffiti, photographs, sculptures, video installations and prints, exclusively reproduced for this special show in the heart of Manchester.
Expect to see recreations of his most iconic works, including Girl With Balloon shredding moment, the thought provoking Devolved Parliament, a fully “Banksified” London Underground carriage, and a towering seven-foot elephant installation.
You’ll be able to learn more about this incredible, elusive street artist, with a video screening that documents key moments in his renowned career.
The global exhibition has already been visited by more than three and half million people across 36 cities, receiving outstanding visitor satisfaction scores (over 96% of visitor expectations were met or exceeded) but has never made it to the UK before now.
John Carrigan, Director of Cartel Events Limited, says “We’re excited to launch the ‘Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind’ in Manchester, the UK’s hub of modern culture.
“In partnership with Europe’s leading entertainment promoter, COFO Exhibitions, who holds 50 years of experience in revolutionary international exhibitions, visitors can expect a spectacle of reenvisioned accessible artworks for all.”
Projections in Manchester to announce The Mystery of Banksy exhibition. Credit: Supplied
Standard adult tickets will start at £22, with early bird discounts available for those registered for the pre-sale, opening Friday 28 November. Tickets are free for those under the age of six, with concession tickets also available for seven-16 year olds, seniors and all NHS workers.
The Mystery of Banksy has also announced The Christie Charity as their official partner for the exhibition, raising money towards a new Total Body PET-CT scanner through “tap to donate” spots around the exhibition, alongside a dedicated charity event takeover and an exclusively commissioned artwork which will be donated for auction.
Louise Hadley, Chief Executive of The Christie Charity, says: “We are absolutely thrilled to be the chosen charity for The Mystery of Banksy, A Genius Mind exhibition. It is an incredibly exciting opportunity for us and one that will ultimately benefit cancer patients both now and in the future.”
The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind will be at Depot Mayfield between 13 March 2026 and 5 July 2026.
You can sign up for pre-sale early bird tickets and exclusive updates now HERE.
There will also be a stay and ticket package available thanks to the official hotel partner, Manchester Marriott Hotel Piccadilly, with curated bedrooms and exclusive art-inspired experiences across the hotel.
Manchester Art Fair unveils ‘biggest lineup yet’ ahead of return this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Art Fair returns this weekend, and it’s now unveiled its ‘biggest lineup yet’.
The countdown is on, as one of the UK’s largest and most significant art fairs makes its way back to Manchester this weekend, bringing more than 180 exhibitors together all under one roof.
Manchester Art Fair has gone from strength to strength since it first began back in 2008, as the annual event is now by far one of the most celebrated cultural events in Greater Manchester‘s social calendar, and is known and loved for bringing together hundreds of individual artists, galleries, and artist-led spaces to our city centre – with around 13,000 visitors attending each year.
Designed for the collector, the curator, and those who are just simply curious, Manchester Art Fair will feature lots of new and returning galleries and artists, all of whom will be showing new works.
From this Friday through to Sunday, Manchester Central will transform into the North’s biggest art gallery, where art enthusiasts can connect directly with galleries and artists and find that perfect piece to take home.
Some of the highlights include nationally acclaimed Manchester oil painter and artist, Chloe Cox, who is renowned for her powerful depictions of Caribbean heritage, as well as Brighton-based textile artist Corinna Wilson, known professionally as Bob & Eve, and sculptor and painter Jamie Frost, whose bold works explore the tension between strength and vulnerability in the human form.
Iconic names Porsche and Boodles will also be debuting at this year’s fair, fusing art with exquisite design are luxury brands.
But this year’s event isn’t just for art collectors, as visitors can also enjoy an extended programme of high-profile talks, immersive experiences, and workshops too.
Manchester Art Fair is making a grand return to the city centre this weekend / Credit: Manchester Art Fair
TV scriptwriter Joe Tucker, Guardian journalist Eddy Frankel, and Art Newspaper critic and correspondent Louisa Buck are just some of the names set to host talks and Q&As this weekend.
Workshops visitors can take part in from just £10 per person include the chance to explore the art of expressive contemporary still life drawings, or travel the journey from realism to abstraction to create your own abstract art with inspiration from one of Europe’s most influential artists, Piet Mondrian.
And on Friday 21 November, two chefs from North West Michelin-starred restaurants will be preparing bespoke menus for leading art buyers and collectors. Paul Leonard – Head Chef at The Forest Side – and Ollie Bridgwater – Executive Chef at the Gilpin Hotel – will be working with work with Exec Chef Matthew Hagan and his team at Manchester Central.
Speaking ahead of the fair’s return this weekend, Sophie Helm, who is the Director at Manchester Art Fair, said: “This year’s programme features an exciting breadth of names, many of whom will be joining us in person to share the inspiration behind their work and journey as an artist, including a number of UK and Northern firsts.”
More than 180 exhibitors will all gather together under one roof / Credit: Manchester Art Fair
Sophie described this year’s fair as a ‘clear statement of intent’
“Culture is a driving force for commerce and community in our region, reflecting the fair’s growing influence and its ability to connect contemporary art with premium yet accessible lifestyle experiences,” she concluded.
Manchester Art Fair 2025 will first open at Manchester Central with an exclusive preview night on Friday 21 November from 5-9pm, before it then continues on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November, with tickets still available to grab.
Tickets are priced at £12 for a day ticket, £15 for a two-day ticket, or £25 for a preview night ticket, including access throughout the weekend, all with booking fees applying.
Daisy Jackson -
24th February 2023 
