Three of Manchester’s most legendary old nightclubs are to “resurrected” for one night only this Halloween.
Returning for a “fright night of thrills” after a sell-out debut in 2023, this is your chance to travel back to a time when South, Jilly’s Rockworld, and The Tiger Lounge were still standing, as the three iconic venues will unite for The Silence of the Baths: Back from the Dead.
Manchester icon Clint Boon will be joined by Mikee Diablo and Max Oblivion for the one-off event at Victoria Baths in October.
The stunning Grade II-listed building is set to “show its darker side”, as the pool halls, Turkish Baths, and labyrinth of spaces undergo an epic Halloween makeover – with 100 spine-tingling skeletons, nine-foot high unearthly ghosts, a cauldron of 1,500 bats, and 500 watchful eyes.
Three legendary Manchester venues are to be ‘resurrected’ for a special Halloween club night at Victoria Baths / Credit: Chris Payne (via Supplied)
In case you’re unfamiliar with the three venues, Jilly’s Rockworld was institution with a reputation that went way beyond the city before it closed in 2010, while The Tiger Lounge was described as more of a movement than a club night, and the nights at South were often deemed “unforgettable”… and now, they’re back for more.
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The trio of DJs will “manifest the spirit of Manchester’s past club scene” in a silent disco from the balcony above the Sports Hall on the night, each with their own channel.
While you relive your youth and dance the night away, a selection of “terrifying elixirs” will be bubbling on the Victoria Baths’ bar to choose from, including beers, spirits, and creepy cocktails, and for those with the ‘monster munchies’, there’ll also be plenty of tuck-shop style snacks to tuck into.
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Fancy dress is encouraged, and there’ll be ‘spooky swag bag prizes’ for those who impress.
Tickets are now on sale for the special one-off spooky event / Credit: Chris Payne (via Supplied)
The Silence of the Baths: Back from the Dead will take over Victoria Baths on Saturday 26 October, with doors creaking open from 7pm, and tickets are now on sale here and setting you back £16 each (plus a booking fee).
The event sold out last year, so early ticket purchase is recommended.
All ticket purchases for Halloween events support the work of Victoria Baths Trust to preserve Victoria Baths, so that communities can continue to enjoy this inspiring building.
Featured Image – Chris Payne (via Supplied)
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Legendary pop duo Erasure announces huge Manchester arena gig on 2027 UK tour
Emily Sergeant
Legendary pop duo Erasure have announced a UK arena tour next spring, and they’re set to stop off in Manchester.
Andy Bell and Vince Clarke – better known by their duo name, Erasure – have announced details of their long-awaited upcoming 20th studio album today, titled Radio!! Radio!!, alongside details of an arena tour in spring 2027 across the UK and Europe.
Described as a ‘deeply personal’ project, the BRIT and Ivor Novello award-winning duo’s first new studio album in six years sees Bell and Clarke continue to refine and deepen the pop catalogue they’ve been building over the past 40 years.
The album will be comprised of a set of songs about love, loss, and injustice that they hope speaks to our ’empathy-starved times’.
Erasure will take to the road in 2027 for an arena tour that kicks off at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena on 25 April before travelling throughout the UK, including a stop in Manchester at the AO Arena on 1 May, before finishing off in London and heading over to Europe, with more dates to follow.
Vince Clarke will be Musical Director for the tour, but will not be appearing onstage alongside Andy Bell, it has been revealed.
Bell says: “I’m so pleased that we were able to find a way for the tour to work for Vince. He’s always too modest but he’s so much more than the Musical Director, Vince is one of the great loves of my life and everything we do as Erasure we decide together.”
Erasure will be performing at the AO Arena in Manchester on 1 May 2027, and tickets go on presale this Thursday 1 October at 10am, before general sale begins a day later (2 October) also at 10am.
Strictly Come Dancing Live to return to Manchester as part of 2027 UK tour
Emily Sergeant
Strictly Come Dancing Live is set to return in 2027 for a spectacular new UK arena tour.
Hot on the heels of last weekend’s dazzling launch show for the 2026 BBC series, audiences are invited to get their dancing shoes on and their ’10’ paddles at the ready, as a new lineup of celebrities and professionals will be taking to the dancefloor for 29 shows across the country – including three shows in Manchester.
Head judge Shirley Ballas will be hitting the road, alongside fellow judges Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood, with Janette Manrara also presenting.
Directed by Craig Revel Horwood himself, Strictly Come Dancing Live takes the magic of the BBC TV show and turns it up to another level.
Expect jaw-dropping group dances, breathtaking routines, stunning costumes, and live music from the legendary Strictly band and singers, all brought together in a first-class arena production.
As always with the Strictly Live Tour, there is one very important decision to be made at every show – which couple will lift the Glitterball Trophy?
And that decision is not in the hands of the judges. The judges are there to critique and provide their invaluable opinions on each dance routine, but they do not hold the power, as this lies with the audience instead, who can vote using their mobile phones to decide who is the winner.
Strictly Come Dancing Live is returning to Manchester as part of its 2027 UK tour / Credit: Supplied
The tour kicks off at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena on 22 January for the first of five shows, and will then cha-cha-cha its way across the UK, visiting other major northern cities like Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Leeds, before arriving in Manchester at the start of February.
Strictly Come Dancing Live will take to the AO Arena stage on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 February 2027, with two shows happening on the Saturday.
Tickets officially go on sale this week, with venue pre-sales beginning at 10am on Thursday 24 September, before general sale starts on Friday (25 September), also at 10am.
Emily Sergeant -
28th August 2024 
