A brand-new nightclub is set to open in Manchester city centre this winter, promising £5 tickets to see potentially the world’s biggest and best DJs.
At the 1000-capacity Amber’s, the line-ups for each Saturday night will be unannounced, but will include world-renowned DJs, live performers, and up-and-coming selectors.
For its opening season, running until March 2025, artists will play under the radar and only revealed post-event.
The venue will also have a no-photos policy to protect the experience for both DJ and dancer.
Amber’s will be taking over the old Canvas site and creating a club and multi-room music venue, with a fully functioning live space and an electronic club venue.
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It’s aiming to be an inclusive, safe and approachable space where music-lovers can see famous names, discover new talent and dance to your favourite bands.
Bringing something new to Manchester’s world-class clubbing landscape, the live space at Amber’s will be set with state-of-the-art L-Acoustics sound system and custom lighting, while the nightclub will focus on underground electronic music.
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Amber’s is a new nightclub and live music venue opening in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Set to open this December, with £5 advance Saturday tickets, Amber’s is going to bring together local, national and international promoters for seasonal programming and events.
There’ll be an in-house welfare team to ensure the wellbeing and safety of all club-goers, making sure you can have the best time every single night.
Sam Tunstall, co-director of Salford’s Un.titled Studio and La Discotheque Orchestra creator, said: “At Amber’s we want the music, sound and vibe to be the reason you come back.
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“We aim to bring some of the best artists in the world to our club, to play at an affordable price point, with the focus on brilliant music and sound, every single week.”
James Hutchins aka Hutch from fabric (and former music editor of i-D magazine) said: “We’re totally aware of the climate at the moment when it comes to nightclubs and venues in trouble, so we aim to foster an environment where promoters, artists and attendees can thrive and grow together.”
Sneak peeks inside new Manchester nightclub, Amber’s. Credit: Supplied
And Jeremy Abbott, one part of Nothing Forced content and design agency, said: “We’ve spent decades in clubs together, being part of dancefloors that have changed our lives.
“Amber’s is an amalgamation of those formative experiences, the ones that you tell people about for years to come.
“We want to channel that into a new space for Manchester, a city that’s already blessed with amazing venues, nights and clubs.”
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Amber’s will open at Circle Square on Oxford Road on 5 December. You can follow them on Instagram HERE for updates.
General sale tickets for Saturdays at Amber’s during December are on sale now HERE.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall Manchester – groovy, hazy and effortlessly cool
Clementine Hall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall proved exactly why they’ve built such a cult following over the past decade.
Formed in 2010 by frontman Ruban Nielson, the band first broke through with their scrappy, lo-fi self-titled debut and since then, they’ve become known for their signature blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and warped pop.
I first saw the band back in 2023 at Glastonbury, and yes sorry I am one of those annoying people that bring it up all the time.
They’re the perfect band to close your eyes, sway your head and tap your foot to – and that’s exactly what the crowd were doing in unison last night at the Albert Hall.
Image: The Manc Group
From the second they stepped on stage, there was no rush – just that signature hazy groove met with enough stage lights to sink a ship.
You could barely see them on stage, but that made it even cooler. And you can only imagine how gorgeous the Albert Hall looked with hundreds of spotlights in different colours whizzing all over it.
Early tracks simmered and pulled us in before the band stretched out into crowd pleasers like ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Hunnybee’. What an absolute tune by the way.
Image: The Manc Group
There wasn’t much crowd interaction but, again, there didn’t need to be. They let the music do the talking and by treating us to some of the most epic guitar solos we’ve ever heard (no, seriously), we’ll forgive them for not talking to us.
Each song melted into each other as the band oozed effortless charm and talent throughout the almost two hour set, which is no mean feat.
Of course, a sea of phones shot up for ‘So Good at Being in Trouble‘, their most popular track which prompted a harmonious audience singalong. Not very harmonious by me, admittedly.
It was a fantastic ending that left the audience feeling united by the laidback brilliance of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and I hope they don’t leave it too long to come back this time.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Daisy Jackson -
23rd October 2024 
