It’s a sight that’s familiar to a lot of us – mismatched velvet bar stools, foam panelled ceiling, metallic streamers behind a makeshift DJ booth. But all is not as it appears at this particular working men’s club.
That’s because, despite all appearances, this isn’t actually a pub – it’s an art installation.
UTOPIA is a new installation that’s opened in the heart of Manchester, and its creator – artist Trackie McLeod – has built an actual working pub inspired by the working men’s clubs he grew up in in Glasgow.
As well as being able to pop in for a free drink during Trackie’s Happy Hour each afternoon, with Trackie actually working a shift behind the bar, the working pub art installation will also feature an expansive day and night programme of live events celebrating the grassroots talent of the city.
UTOPIA is playfully exploring identity, class, and gentrification by building a working, flat-roof pub inside Factory International’s iconic Warehouse space at Aviva Studios.
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The attention to detail in the space itself is a marvel, from the shiny linoleum floor to the wood panelled walls to the pie oven on the bar.
There’s even a dart board plastered in the faces of famous figures like Donald Trump, Margaret Thatcher, and Elon Musk.
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By day, it’s open as a pub, exhibition, and workshop space, showcasing new prints, sculpture and video by Trackie McLeod; before transforming into an intimate venue with free events selected by the Young Curators by night.
Inside UTOPIA, an art installation inspired by working men’s clubsArtist Trackie McLeod behind the bar at UTOPIA Credit: Kieran Irvine
The line-up of events and artists includes drag queen Bailey J Mills, round-table discussions with Rebecca Swarray aka DJ Mix-Stress, Dave Haslam and rebecca elizabeth shaw, a DJ set by Rainy Miller, plus live rap from mamba.exe, spoken word from sonic storyteller Sharari, and a Saturday night takeover by iconic queer venue The DBA.
If you want to pop in for a pint at UTOPIA, you’ll have to be quick – the installation is only at Aviva Studios until Saturday 21 February.
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Artist Trackie McLeod says: ”I’m honoured to have been selected by the Young Curators to exhibit at Factory International. It’s an amazing opportunity, and Manchester and its people have always held a special place in my heart.
“I often say you can tell how friendly a city is by how you’re treated in a smoking area and in Manchester, like in Glasgow, someone will always offer you a lighter.
“The installation reflects on the loss of community spaces in Glasgow and Manchester due to gentrification and changing city life. UTOPIA aims to reintroduce a sense of togetherness at a time when much of our community exists online. It’s conceived as an inclusive, safe, multi-purpose space for everyone.
Details of UTOPIA. Credit: Kieran Irvine
“Through this work, with the help of the Young Curators I want to celebrate grassroots spaces and emerging talent. I hope the audience can use the space as a community hub for music, art, workshops, talks and of course a cheap pint.”
Young Curator Jack Clarke adds: “Trackie’s a kindred spirit, he doesn’t just get the vibe, he is the vibe. There’s a rebellious tenderness to his work that I’ve always gravitated toward, something that speaks to the mess and the joy and the stubborn resilience of nightlife, especially when it’s disappearing in real time.
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“Working with him is like throwing a spark into a room full of kindling, you don’t know exactly what’s gonna catch, but you know it’s going to burn bright.”
John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International says: ”The Young Curators project is a truly exciting and radical part of Factory International’s artistic programme – handing decision-making over to a talented group of young creatives.
“UTOPIA builds on the successes of our previous public curation programmes and develops our commitment to thinking about artistic venues in new ways.
“We are particularly thrilled that this project results in a commission from such a significant up-and-coming talent as Trackie.”
Beloved cartoon Avatar: The Last Airbender is coming to concert in Manchester for special anniversary
Danny Jones
Much-loved American cartoon and global smash-hit, Avatar: The Last Airbender, is coming to Manchester for a special screening live in concert.
The cult favourite Nickelodeon show turned worldwide phenomenon remains one of the most iconic animated TV franchises of all time, with a series of stunning scores that people still listen to on Spotify, YouTube and, crucially, in person to this day.
With that in mind, The Last Airbender In Concert is coming to mainland Europe and the UK, with the beautiful Bridgewater Hall set to host the special live show to celebrate a very important milestone.
You can see a short trailer of how the most recent world tour dates of Avatar Live here:
20 years since we first met Aang and the world of Avatar
With last February marking the 20th anniversary of the show’s original release date, creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, along with lead composer Jeremy Zuckerman, decided to take the show on the road with some exclusive screenings in some major rooms.
Having boxed off plenty of performances already, Avatar: The Last Airbender heads to Europe later this year, with the shows getting underway at the start of autumn.
And where else to begin but Manchester?
Heading to one of the most gorgeous theatres, not just in the city centre but the region as a whole, Bridgwater Hall is no stranger to hosting live orchestral adaptations like this.
You see the full list of Avatar live shows here in Britain on the extensive European leg of their world tour down below – we’ve even highlighted the other Northern stops for you.
The Last Airbender In Concert UK tour dates | 2026
5 October 2026 – Manchester Bridgewater Hall
6 October 2026 – Edinburgh Usher Hall
8 October 2026 – York Barbican
9 October 2026 – Sheffield City Hall
10 October 2026 – Birmingham Symphony Hall
11 October 2026 – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
13 October 2026 – Swansea Building Society Arena
14 October 2026 – Bath The Forum
15 October 2026 – Portsmouth Guildhall
16 October 2026 – Poole Lighthouse
17 October 2026 – London Eventim Apollo
18 October 2026 – Bristol Beacon
Credit: Press shots (supplied)
It’s hard to believe more than two decades have passed since it first hit screens over in the US in 2005 (21 February and later that same year here in the UK); we still remember sitting cross-legged in front of the telly after school and losing ourselves in this incredible world – and now a new film is on the way, too.
As well as the heavily anime-esque art style and East Asian influences throughout, the music was always a big part of that experience, so we can’t wait to see how it translates in the flesh.
With that in mind, not to mention the wider Avatar story being continued with the next expansion in Avatar lore, ‘Seven Havens’ – a direct sequel to the original programme – it’s a great time to dive back into the world.
Tickets to see and hear The Last Airbender soundtracked live and brought to life in all its glory here in Manchester, general admission on sale already, with the showing starting from 7:30pm.
And for those parents among you looking to introduce your little ones to the next big animation, we’d start with the new one that’s set right here in our hometown and has just aired.
Manchester’s new music festival is a cross-generational day-into-night electronic party
Danny Jones
Yes, you heard us, Greater Manchester’s newest music festival, Outwards, is set to be an all-day, all-night celebration of all things electronic, charting the past, present and future of the scene.
The inaugural Outwards Fest isn’t just an event looking to score as many big names as possible; they’re looking to span as many generations of ravers, dance music die-hards, and selectors alike.
After all, our city is so steeped in this culture that it’s hard to escape, no matter what age you are.
Releasing their first couple of teaser trailers earlier this month, sign-up for early access is live now, and while the focus is more grassroots and upwards, there are some very familiar faces attached.
The new live event has been created by Oliver Ryder, stepson of Manc music icon Shaun Ryder.
Yes, as in the Happy Mondays lead singer, who also happens to front for Black Grape, a.k.a. just one of the acts set to play as part of the festival.
Set to be based at The Progress Centre over in Ardwick and spread across five outdoor stages, 2026 will see Outwards Fest finally make its debut within the large open-air space after lots of planning.
As mentioned, Ryder and his Grape cohort are one of the higher-profile names on the bill, but there are plenty of other eye-catching names – be they old, current, or up-and-coming – and you can expect plenty to roll through for a couple of them alone.
Besides fellow veterans and major headliners, Orbital, bringing their beloved brand of electronica, ambient-house, techno, trance and more to the table, another one we’re looking to is the legendary A Certain Ratio. Plus, there’s still a special guest yet to be revealed…
You can see the full lineup for the first-ever Outwards Festival down below.
Look at this lineup!! We are made up to be part of this major Manchester happening event. Tickets on sale // Thursday 26th February at 6pmhttps://t.co/gOPPaOUG9X Outwards Festival pic.twitter.com/91v4aIQFMz
Speaking on this new addition for Manchester’s cultural scene, Outwards’ festival director Olli said in a press release: “Electronic music has always been about more than nightlife. It’s about the music, the communities, the places and the people who carry culture forward.
“Outwards is an attempt to create a space where the past, present and future of that [EDM] culture can exist together, here in Manchester, where so much of this story began – and where there is still so much to be written.
“We hope it becomes a moment of reflection, inspiration and connection that celebrates the full breadth of electronic music: open, inclusive and shaped by many voices, while opening the door to what is still to come.” Hear, hear.
You can join the mailing list to secure priority tickets when they go up HERE, with general admission set to be available from 10am on Thursday, 26 February.
Speaking of community-led festivals, another already established cult favourite that just keeps getting better and keeps supporting the local music industry from the ground up, returns for another exciting edition this summer.
Daisy Jackson -
20th February 2026 
