A launch party is taking place for an exciting new collaborative book about an iconic Manchester nightclub venue.
New Century Hall is going to be hosting a one-of-a-kind event for a book written exclusively about Manchester’s clubbing epicentre, The Haçienda.
This new publication by Rebecca Hook will explain what the atmosphere of the famous nightclub was like from the perspective of everyone who was there at the time.
From performers and staff, to clubgoers themselves, The Haçienda: Threads features excerpts from well-known musicians like Happy Mondays’ Bez, and The Stone Roses’Mani, as well as a foreword from New Order bassist, Peter Hook.
In its heyday, the legendary nightclub – which was founded Factory Records’ Tony Wilson, music manager Rob Gretton, and new-wave band New Order – saw performances from a long list of music giants, as well as being the venue for Madonna’s first UK performance, and three-time performers, Manchester band The Smiths.
A new Haçienda book will be launched with an event featuring an all-star guest speaker lineup / Credit: Supplied
The Haçienda also became a pioneer with the growth of the ‘Madchester‘ movement, thanks to its Ibiza Nights which ran in the late 80s.
Oasis played this revolutionary venue in 1984 to celebrate the release of their debut album Definitely Maybe – with Noel Gallagher becoming a frequent visitor to the club when he wasn’t performing, hence why he’s set to be one of the guest speakers at the book launch event next month.
The launch party is taking place on Wednesday 9 October, and has an exciting timetable planned for the evening once doors open at 6pm.
Programming for the night includes welcome cocktails upon entry, an ‘In Conversation’ segment, a book signing, and then it’s all up to the DJ’s to soundtrack the rest of your night from 9pm until closing.
Throughout the night, there will be guest speakers reminiscing the legacy of The Haçienda – with the likes of Graeme Park, Peter Hook, Mani, Greg Wilson, as well as Noel.
If you want to relive the good old days of the legendary nightclub, you can get your hands on tickets to the launch event here.
Lewis Capaldi announces huge outdoor Manchester gig at Wythenshawe Park next summer
Emily Sergeant
Lewis Capaldi has announced a run of huge outdoor shows next summer, and he’ll be stopping off here in Manchester.
After unprecedented demand saw one of the biggest-ever rushes for tickets across both pre-sale and general sale earlier this year, Lewis Capaldi is currently blazing through a triumphant 200,000-ticket sold out 17-date UK arena tour as we speak – and is set to take to the Co-op Live stage for two huge Manc gigs this weekend.
But he shows no signs of slowing down soon, as he has today announced his biggest ever UK and Ireland headline gigs for next summer.
Wythenshawe Park is fast becoming one of Manchester‘s go-to outdoor gig venues, and Lewis’s visit next summer is only helping the reputation, as the Scottish 28-year-old will be headlining the park for one night only next August.
The announcement of the run of summer outdoor shows comes amid Lewis’s first return to touring in two years following his triumphant Glastonbury 2025 return after an extended break to take care of his mental health break, and following the release of his comeback track ‘Survive’, which shot to the top of the UK charts and became the fastest-selling single of 2025.
The response to Lewis’s current tour has been ‘electric’, according to critics, who have been unanimous in their praise for him.
Prior to his comeback, Lewis played a run of Scottish warm up shows in May that saw him return to the stage as a guest of mental health charity CALM, in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week.
Lewis Capaldi – Summer Outdoor Gigs 2026
Wednesday 24 June – Marlay Park, Dublin
Friday 26 June – Thomond Park, Limerick
Sunday 28 June – TX Maxx presents Live at Powderham, Exeter
Tuesday 30 June – Blackweir Fields, Cardiff
Saturday 4 July – American Express presents Roundhay Festival, Leeds
Saturday 11 July – American Express presents BST Hyde Park, London
Thursday 20 August – Vital, Belfast
Saturday 22 August – Wythenshawe Park, Manchester
With no pressure and no level of expectation, the shows allowed Lewis the space to gauge his comfort and emotional response before returning to the spotlight – a move which ended up proving nothing short of a triumph.
Lewis Capaldi will be coming to Wythenshawe Park in Manchester on Saturday 22 August 2026, and tickets go on pre-sale this Thursday 18 September at 9am, before general sale commences the following day (Friday 19 September), again at 9am.
Iconic musical Annie is returning to the stage in Manchester next summer
Emily Sergeant
One of the most iconic musical productions of the 21st century will be heading out on a tour of the UK and Ireland next year.
And of course, an iconic musical will be taking to an iconic Manchester stage.
Renowned theatre producers Michael Harrison and David Ian are ‘delighted’ to announce that their smash-hit production of the musical Annie is being revived for 2026 and 2027, and will be embarking on a huge UK-wide tour, stopping off at some major cities in the process.
Unfamiliar with the musical Annie? Yet to see it on stage? Or haven’t been able to watch the beloved 1982 film of the same name? Let us fill you in.
Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage – but her luck soon changes when she’s chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks.
Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family.
➕ ATG+ PRESALE ➕
The smash hit West End production of ANNIE, the world’s favourite family musical, returns to Manchester for 2 weeks only.
Groups presale 👉 Today 12pm General sale 👉 Friday 12 Sep 10am
Based on the 1924 comic strip, Little Orphan Annie by Harold Grey – which, in turn, was inspired from the poem, Little Orphant Annie by James Whitcomb Riley – Annie the musical originally debuted on Broadway in 1977 where it ran for nearly six years, before eventually spawning numerous productions in countless other countries, as well as national tours.
Over the last four decades, Annie the musical has won seven Tony Awards, including for Best Musical, and a wide variety of other accolades.
The songs ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’ are among its most popular and well-known musical numbers.
Annie the musical will be taking to the Manchester Palace Theatre stage from Tuesday 9 – Saturday 20 June 2026, with the tour continuing right through to mid-March 2027, and even more locations yet to be announced.
Tickets for the show are officially now on sale, and you can get your hands on them here.
Thomas Melia -
12th September 2024 
