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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
James Arthur to play massive Manchester show on UK arena tour next year
Emily Sergeant
James Arthur is the latest act to announce a massive UK arena tour, and he’ll be paying a visit to Manchester next year.
On the day that Manchester’s newest live entertainment arena,Co-op Live, is set to welcome one of the world’s current biggest pop star, Sabrina Carpenter, another major pop act is set to take to that very same stage around this time next year, as James Arthur has today announced a huge arena tour.
The former X Factor winner is heading out on an 11-date tour of the UK in early 2026, and that includes a visit to our city in mid February.
After performing in some of the UK’s biggest cities in the days prior – including London’s O2, the bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham, and shows in other northern cities such as Sheffield and Liverpool – the will 37-year-old singer-songwriter will stop off Manchester to close out his impressive tour.
He’ll be performing at Co-op Live on Saturday 21 February 2026.
The announcement of next year’s UK tour next year’s coincides with the upcoming release of Arthur’s highly-anticipated next studio album, PISCES.
In recent years, Arthur has cemented himself as one of the biggest names in contemporary pop and soul, amassing 11 Platinum hit singles, more 38 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and two UK number one albums along the way – including his most recent release, Bitter Sweet Love, which was celebrated with a sold-out UK and Europe arena tour, culminating in a historic performance in his hometown of Middlesbrough to an audience of 25,000 fans.
James Arthur UK arena tour dates 2025
3 February – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
4 February – Glasgow OVO Hydro
6 February – Newcastle Utilita Arena
7 February – Aberdeen P&J Live
10 February – Birmingham bp pulse LIVE
11 February – Bournemouth International Centre
13 February – Sheffield Utilita Arena
14 February – Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
16 February – Cardiff Utilita Arena
18 February – London The O2
21 February – Manchester Co-op Live
James Arthur is playing a massive Manchester show on his UK arena tour next year / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
With the upcoming release of PISCES on 25 April, Arthur is said to be ‘diving deeper into his personal struggles’ to create a collection of songs that is ‘as introspective as it is sonically adventurous’.
Tickets to James Arthur’s 2026 UK arena tour, including the Manchester Co-op Live gig on Saturday 21 February, go on pre-sale next Wednesday 19 March at 9am, and then on general sale on Friday 21 February at 9am.
Find out more and get tickets when they go on sale here.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Popular Manchester comedy festival returns with impressive lineup of local talent and ‘cult sensations’
Emily Sergeant
A popular comedy festival is returning to our city with yet another impressive lineup of local talent and ‘cult sensations’.
That’s right… some of the UK’s best comedy names are coming to Manchester.
Following the success of events held the last two years, renowned production company, A Lovely Time, has once again put together an absolutely jam-packed lineup of television names, internet sensations, hotly-tipped newcomers, and even critically-acclaimed comedians for a weekend full of comedy shows in the heart of the city centre.
Taking place at Fairfield Social Club – which is tucked away down at the Green Quarter – the weekend-long festival, aptly called A Lovely Weekend, will kick off on Friday 6 June.
You can expect three full days of laughter at the hands of an expertly-curated lineup, who’ll mostly be staging ‘work in progress’ shows and sets.
Popular comedy festival A Lovely Weekend is returning to Manchester this summer / Credit: Kristyna Baczyna | Caro Ferretti
This year’s festival is bringing 19 new shows to the mix, including the likes of Edinburgh Comedy Award winners John Kearns and Jordan Brookes, and local talent done-good Rachel Fairburn and Josh Jones, as well rising stars Sharon Wanjohi, Ayoade Bamgboye, and Molly McGuinness.
Plus, you can also catch cult sensations like Mark Silcox and the formidable Frankie Monroe, making for a truly unmissable weekend of comedy.
“It’s such an honour to bring this amazing lineup of comedians to Manchester, which is quickly becoming the most exciting city for comedy in the UK,” commented festival organiser John Stansfield ahead of this summer’s event.
Co-organiser Chris Cantrill, who is also a comedian himself, added: “As a comedy fan I have to say I cannot wait for this year’s festival. It feels positively decadent.”
A Lovely Weekend 2025 will take over Fairfield Social Club from Friday 6 – Sunday 8 June, and tickets are on sale now – with tickets to individual shows, and specific day and weekend-long passes all available to get your hands on.
Thomas Melia -
12th September 2024 
