The brand-new Union co-living apartment complex is kicking off its grand opening with a VIP launch party right here in the city centre, featuring some massive Manchester artists including Everything Everything, Murkage Dave, IAMDDB and more— and you can win tickets to be there.
With local Manc band Everything Everything set to headline the exclusive party at the end of February when Union fully opens on the eve of their new album, there are plenty of eyes on the new residential building ahead of it being fully unveiled to the public.
Its construction won’t have slipped under anyone’s radar either: work on the 32-story tower at St John’s began in 2022 and is now nearing completion, already having made headlines for offering people residing in the region a new alternative to traditional renting or house shares.
And now they’re in the news again as they have confirmed that they will be kicking off their new co-living community here in Manchester with a VIP launch party with some of our most exciting musical artists. There’ll even be food from Picos Tacos, Eat New York and Great North Pie Co., as well as drinks from Manchester Union Lager — we see what you did there.
Everything EverythingIAMDDBMurkage DaveThe headliners for the launch of Union MCR’s co-living complex. (Credit: Supplied/Jordan Curtis Hughes/Romany Francesca)
With Everything Everything pretty much Manc royalty at this point, having played almost every UK gig venue and festival imaginable, the headliners will not only be flanked by urban jazz pioneer IAMDDB and soulful R’n’B star Murkage Dave but the likes of locals DJ G2, WHP resident Krysko and DJ Toni Rarri.
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All of these artists are heavily immersed in the Manchester music and late-night scene and with many people having already moved into their new flats, they will naturally be the first to be entered into an exclusive and randomised prize draw to gain access to the gigs.
However, over-18s all over the city are also being given the opportunity to join in with the party and night of live music, with Union MCR running competitions throughout February on their Instagram page — you just have to keep an eye out.
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It’s as easy as that. The event itself will be taking place on Thursday, 29 February (yes, the rare leap year gig), so if you want to be a part of it, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the giveaway competitions on their IG and other social media pages.
Created by the ever-expanding Vita Group, who already helped deliver the Circle Square development on Oxford Road just a couple of years back, Union is set to offer co-living spaces where residents will rent by the room with bills included but share amenities spaces almost like in first-year uni halls.
The multiple occupancy housing approach will provide young professionals and more with another way to find a new home, with the aim of not only meeting like-minded people to move in with but also helping build a residential community throughout the complex.
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A few of the other perks included flatmate matching, with the Union team helping pair up the best matches possible, as well as flexible stays rather than being locked into lengthy tenancy agreements and, crucially, no deposits, so you don’t have to worry about saving up for before moving in.
With a total of 2,326 beds in the pipeline, it’ll be interesting to see how Union knits itself into the fabric of the city over time, and for those of you lucky enough to secure a ticket for launch party performances, we hope to see you there!
Harry Styles One Night Only will be strictly phone-free – with thousands of real cameras handed out instead
Daisy Jackson
Harry Styles’ show in Manchester on Friday night will have a strict no-phones policy, it’s been confirmed.
Instead, the lucky few thousand of fans heading to his One Night Only gig will be handed proper disposable cameras to capture moments from the night.
Rumours of a phone ban had been swirling online for weeks after job adverts appeared for extra staff to help promote a phones-free event.
But the news has now been confirmed by the Co-op Live itself, following the announcement that Netflix would be filming the full Harry Styles show.
In a statement, the venue said it hopes fans will ‘take this opportunity to enjoy the show fully and allow yourself to be fully immersed in the experience’.
Any use of cameras, smart glasses, smart watches, or other recording devices won’t be permitted in the venue on Friday night.
Fans will instead have to secure their phones inside recyclable bags, which will allow them to be used in normal ways for communications, but without the camera.
At the end of the night, your phone will be removed from the bag and the bag will be recycled.
Anyone caught using a digital recording device during the Harry Styles One Night Only phones-free show may be asked to leave the venue.
Instead of a sea of phones, Harry Styles will be asking fans to capture their memories from the night on disposable cameras, which will be included with every pair of tickets sold.
Harry Styles’ One Night Only gig in Manchester will be the subject of a Netflix documentary
The statement shared by Co-op Live says: “We are looking forward to seeing you on Friday 6th March to be part of a very special live performance – Harry Styles One Night in Manchester at Co-op Live! We’re pleased to announce Netflix will be filming the full show for everyone to enjoy and re-live again and again, it will be available globally from Sunday 8th March at 7pm GMT.
“We hope you will take this opportunity to enjoy the show fully and allow yourself to be fully immersed in the experience.
“The use of cameras, smart glasses, smart watches and similar recording devices will not be permitted in the event space. Phones will be secured in a recyclable bag, kept on your person upon entry to the event, and will still be able to be used in a normal way including all communication functions but without the camera. All other recording devices will not be permitted in the building.
“At the end of the night your phone will be removed from the bag and the bag will be recycled. Please note that anyone using a digital recording device during the performance will be asked to stop and if they do not, they may be asked to leave.
“Each pair of tickets sold will receive a disposable camera on the night so you can still capture your own special moments and share them after the show.”
Harry Styles’ One Night Only gig in Manchester will be the subject of a Netflix documentary
Daisy Jackson
A new Harry Styles special is coming to Netflix, it’s been announced today.
The star will be performing a ‘One Night Only’ special in Manchester this week, to celebrate the release of his new album.
Tickets for the (relatively) intimate gig at the Co-op Live were like gold dust – but even if you missed out, it looks like you’ll be able to get a slice of the action.
Netflix and Harry Styles have both today teased what appears to be a special documentary, set for release just two days after the show itself.
‘Harry Styles, One Night in Manchester’ will drop on the streaming platform at 7pm on Sunday 8 March.
The teaser trailer shows behind-the-scenes footage of the former One Direction star rehearsing in the studio.
He also jokingly makes the iconic ‘tudum’ Netflix sound straight into the mic before cracking a charming smile at the camera.
Harry Styles will be performing in Manchester on Friday 6 March, to mark the release of his new album Kiss All The Time, Disco Occasionally.
The album is also set for release the same day.
He performed the first single from the album, Aperture, at the BRIT Awards on Saturday night – but his One Night Only show will be fans’ first time to hear the rest of the album live.
Netflix posted: “Ready. Steady. Go.
“Harry Styles. One Night In Manchester. Premieres March 8 at 7pm GMT/12pm PT on Netflix.”
Danny Jones -
8th February 2024 
