Manchester International Festival has confirmed that a major part of its 2023 programme will go ahead as planned, after the death of prolific composer and headlining artist Ryuichi Sakamoto.
The Oscar-winning composer and Japanese pop pioneer died on Tuesday last week at the age of 71.
Sakamoto had been diagnosed with cancer for a second time in 2021, saying at the time of his diagnosis that he would be ‘living alongside cancer’.
His death has been met with waves of sadness from those in the music and film industry, and beyond.
Manchester International Festival had just recently announced Sakamoto as a headlining artist for MIF23, with a groundbreaking new ‘mixed reality’ concert created by the composer in collaboration with Tin Drum.
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They have now confirmed that Kagami will go ahead as planned, ‘in accordance with his wishes’.
Factory International said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Ryuichi Sakamoto. We send our condolences to his family and those closest to him at this time.
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“In accordance with his wishes, our production of Kagami will go ahead during MIF23 as part of his unique legacy.”
We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Ryuichi Sakamoto. We send our condolences to his family and those closest to him at this time.
In accordance with his wishes, our production of Kagami will go ahead during MIF23 as part of his unique legacy.
— Factory International (@factoryintl) April 2, 2023
In response to the bittersweet announcement that the show will go on, one person wrote: “I’ve been a big fan of his for 40 years, saw him play the RFH in 1996 & booked my tickets for Kagami yesterday. Am so very sad but glad the show will go ahead in his memory.”
Another person said: “Unfortunately expected, but very very sad. I am so glad we have the chance to see Kagami. Another piece of his beautiful legacy.”
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Someone else wrote: “Can’t quite believe this, having enjoyed Sakamoto’s work and delving into his back catalogue the last few years. Was already so excited for Kagami in July, but this will be all the more poignant now.”
Kagami will ‘fuse dimensional moving photography with the real world to create a never-before-experienced mixed reality presentation’ when it premieres in Manchester this June, as part of MIF’s wider festival programming.
Paying tribute to Sakamoto, Professor Brian Cox wrote: “He was a big part of my ‘80s musical experience – initially for me through his work with David Sylvian and Japan – but of course he leaves a magnificent catalogue of music behind.”
Massive Attack wrote: “An honour to share Meltdown 08 with you maestro. A genius, & a gentleman.”
REST IN PEACE RYUICHI SAKAMOTO
“Here am I, a lifetime away from you…”
Sad to learn of the passing of actor, composer, and producer @ryuichisakamoto. The renowned Japanese artist passed on Tuesday 28th March aged 71.
Official fundraiser set up to create a mural in memory of late The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke
Danny Jones
A fundraiser has finally been set up to create a lasting mural in memory of The Smiths’ late bassist Andy Rourke in Manchester city centre.
Plans were first floated by bandmate Mike Joyce earlier this year following Rourke’s death in May 2023 and with an official charity page now set up, The Smiths drummer has unveiled the plans to create the massive mural in collaboration with local street artist Akse P19.
Manc graffiti and portrait specialist Akse is already famously known for creating the now-restored Ian Curtis mural plastered on the side of the Star and Garter and soon the Joy Division legend will have a new neighbour not too far away in the Northern Quarter.
Set to take pride of place on the recently refurbished Wheatsheaf pub on Oak Street – just behind another much-loved boozer and small gig venue, Gullivers – the mural will be entirely crowdfunded and also raise money for Pancreatic Cancer Action charity.
Joyce said in a statement: “Thanks to this Crowdfunder, fans of Andy and The Smiths can contribute to a permanent memorial in his and the band’s hometown of Manchester, but also increase awareness of this debilitating disease and raise money for Pancreatic Cancer Action.”
“The mural will not only serve as a permanent tribute to Andy’s legacy as a brilliant musician but also as a memory of the funniest, sweetest lad I had the pleasure of knowing. Many thanks, Mike.”
The Andy Rourke mural will be based on an image of The Smiths bass player by photographer Nalinee Darmrong, who has given the project her full blessing. The iconic snap was taken at Caird Hall in Dundee during the band’s 1985.1985/1986 UK/USA tour.
Speaking in a separate post on his own social media, PR for Akse and others contributing to the project added: “Delighted to finally share that after many months of planning, there is an official CrowdFunder running now…
“Your donations will go directly towards the creation of this artwork. We are offering limited editions of 100 x A4 prints for people who pledge £50 and 30 x A3 prints for people who pledge £100.”
Signed by both the artist and Joyce, these funds will also go directly towards the organisation that funds both treatment and research for the condition that Rourke suffered a long battle with before passing away aged just 59.
As the fundraiser reads: “As part of the legendary Mancunian foursome, Rourke created a soundscape which changed the course of music for not just a generation, but for popular culture the world over.
“Andy’s unique style, combining funk rhythms and driving urgency, form the very aural framework for The Smiths’ songbook. His self-effacing sense of humour and laid-back personality often belayed the indisputable impact of his creative genius.
“Why a mural? With fans the world over often revealing that The Smiths played a significant role in their lives, it seems appropriate that Rourke’s legacy be celebrated in a creative way in his home city of Manchester, which can be viewed for decades to come.”
Set to be unveiled in November, the mural is just the latest testament to a Manc music legend in this city that has been graced by so many over the decades. The fundraiser has already amassed over £11,300 in donations but you can still donate or buy your own special print HERE.
Featured Images — Nalinee Darmrong Photography/Johnny Marr (via Instagram)
Art & Culture
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 23 – 29 September 2024
Emily Sergeant
Can you believe we’re already in our last full week of September?
You know what they say, time really does fly when you’re having fun… and luckily, as we speed on into autumn over these next couple of weeks, there’s still absolutely no shortage of things for the whole family to be getting up to across Greater Manchester.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? We’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide this week.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Stockport Paint Jam 2024
Stockport
Monday 23 September – onwards
Stockport Paint Jam / Credit: Supplied
Stockport is currently hosting its inaugural Paint Jam, and this huge event covers a 1km walking tour from Merseyway to GRIT Studios on Canal Street, with four different locations showcasing their own taste of culture.
Breakdancers, food and drink options, and DJs will keep you company along the trail as you immerse yourself in everything the Greater Manchester borough has to offer.
Akse P19, Qubek, Hammo, Liam Bonini, Caroline Daly, and Kelzo are some of the artists involved.
Manchester’s two-week “Bavarian extravaganza” is now underway.
Albert’s Schloss has a jam-packed programme of Oktoberfest-themed events for this year, and there’s plenty of bier-fuelled fun, foodie classics, and round-the-clock revelry that awaits.
Throughout the 16-day event, revellers are invited to head on down to Schloss and enjoy an array of activities – with everything from ‘Keg Tapping’, and specially-selected beers, to must-see “eclectic” entertainment, a live Oompah brass band, and best dressed competitions on the lineup.
Chop chop, you won’t want to miss out on Manchester’s most exciting new opening.
We’ve been lusting after this one for years, and now Blacklock has finally come up north to join us in our city, so we can finally get stuffing ourselves silly with some top-quality British food in this traditional chophouse with a modern twist.
Think mighty meat platters, beef dripping chips, pig’s head on toast, steak sarnies, and lashings of excellent gravy to top it all off.
And if you’ve got yourself a sweet tooth, then there’s even a dreamy cheesecake dolloped straight from the dish onto your plate, as well as plenty of other hearty desserts to round things up on a high.
Find out more about Blacklock’s opening in Manchester here.
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War Horse
The Lowry Theatre
Monday 23 – Saturday 28 September
War Horse / Credit: The Lowry
The National Theatre’s acclaimed production of War Horse has returned to The Lowry as part of its all-new UK tour, and it’s described as being an “unforgettable theatrical experience” which takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France.
Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of “phenomenal inventiveness”.
Known and loved for being one of the best musicals the 21st Century – and one of the funniest of all time – having scooped up dozens of coveted awards both in the US and here in the UK in its time, The Book of Mormon is currently out on tour, and the Elders have now arrived in our city for an extended stay.
The hilarious production has taken over the iconic Palace Theatre stage until early October, and there’s still chance to grab yourself some tickets too.
Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine / Credit: Science Museum Group
More than 100 objects and stories collected during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic are now on display as part of a new exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum.
The groundbreaking new exhibition, titled Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, explores the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed, while uncovering the inspiring stories of scientists and innovators around the globe who collaborated to tackle the worldwide COVID-19 challenge along the way.
Cutting Room Square has now got its first Indian restaurant.
After opening its cherished Chorlton branch two years ago now, street food restaurant Indian Affair has now treated Manchester city centre to its very-own modern Indian kitchen too, and has taken over the former Rigatoni’s site in the heart of Ancoats.
The menu on offer at this new Manchester site fuses roadside food stalls and home-style cooking, and it’s absolutely mouthwatering.
Food here ranges from biryanis to burgers, celebrating North Indian cuisine with a modern twist – with loads of options for meat-eaters, veggies, and vegans alike.
Did you see that a massive new vintage clothing store has now opened in Manchester city centre?
ReMarket has opened on London Road, wedged between Piccadilly Markets and Manchester Piccadilly train station, with 6,000 sq ft filled with rails ripe for the rummaging.
From Dickies and Levi’s, to Stone Island and Gucci, there are some serious brands and serious bargains to be found inside, as well as a number of different independent brands – including Bare Necessities, Archive X, 28 Vintage, Cherry Blossom Vintage and Blank Seams.
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ReMarket / Credit: The Manc Group
The best way to think of it is as a department store… but for very cool, independent vintage and second-hand brands.
Manc visitors will be able to walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore some richly-themed environments, and encounter a life-sized Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors, and the most fearsome dinosaur of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.
A groundbreaking new immersive exhibition exploring our relationship with the natural world is now open at Manchester Museum.
‘Wild’ look at how people are creating, rebuilding, and repairing connections with nature, and how the natural world has traditionally been presented and idealised through Western art, as well as looking at some unique approaches to environmental recovery too.
The exhibition will also crucially look at how we can tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis by making the world more wild.
Did you hear that Bada Bing is back with a bada bang?
Yes that’s right, it’s finally happened – this cult sandwich shop has made a triumphant return to Manchester, and planted its carby-heavy goodness in a new site right in the middle of the Northern Quarter.
The Sopranos-inspired deli is slinging out those famous huge subs we all know and love once again, brightening up lunch times all over the city, and we really couldn’t be happier to have that hoagie-shaped hole in our hearts filled once again.
MCR Student Social / Credit: Jason Lock (via Manchester Arndale)
MCR Student Social is back at Manchester Arndale this Thursday from 12pm, and it’s set to be the one-stop-shop for all students’ essential needs, whether they’re grabbing a new outfit for a night out, a scented candle for their halls, or even their weekly food shop.
There’ll be more than 130 exclusive discounts on offer for students in stores across the city centre, as well as up to 50% off on food, drinks, and leisure too.
If all of that wasn’t exciting enough as it is, as well as the unmissable discounts on offer across retail, food, drink, and leisure, there’s also set to be loads of games, spin-to-win competitions, and giveaways on the day too.
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is currently hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the summer, East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Red Rose Diners’ are described as being “the ultimate first class foodie experience”, as they start with a glass of fizz and stretch over an almost three-hour steam train journey through the Irwell Valley.
The experience includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.
The Alternative Indie Wedding Fair / Credit: ALT Events Co
The Alternative Indie Wedding Fair is back in Manchester once again this weekend.
Hosted by ALT Events Co, The Alternative Indie Wedding Fair will see more than 20 independent alternative vendors take over the stunning Whitworth Locke hotel in Manchester city centre for one day only, making it the perfect place to get a feel of how you want your special day to be, all while being budget-friendly.
Taking place from 12pm – 4pm on Sunday 29 September, tickets are already on sale and will set you back £6.13 each, with a complementary glass of prosecco included, while walk-ins may also be accommodated on the day.
Clothes Cycle Manchester / Credit: Clothes Cycle Markets
Clothes Cycle, the UK’s biggest curated second-hand clothing market, is back with a huge pop-up fashion fair full of vintage, pre-loved, and small business clothing in Manchester this weekend.
With a focus on championing sustainable clothing and helping fashion fans find a gem they’ll treasure forever, each pop-up market sees dozens of carefully-curated sellers offering a wide range of styles and items all come together under one roof.
Taking over the historic Victoria Baths this Sunday, there’ll be dozens of sellers offering something for everyone on all budgets.
Daisy Jackson -
4th April 2023 
