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The Lowry is hosting a brand-new sensory-friendly club night experience for neurodivergents
For anyone who struggles with a typical night on the tiles.
Are you someone caught in that annoying middle ground of loving a boogie to some tunes but not being the biggest fan of the traditional night out in the usual club setting?
If so, we’ve got some good news for you: a brand new way of clubbing is coming to Salford Quays that is prioritising neurodivergent live music lovers whilst hoping to create a safe and fundamentally sensory-friendly night out.
Cleverly named ‘Disco Neurotico‘, the new series of club nights is created by founder Byron Vincent as well as author and fellow DJ, Stefan Mohamed, who are ensuring people’s mental health comes first.
Receiving funding from Arts Council England for this first run of research and development events across the UK in 2024, the first show of 2024 arrives at The Lowry this August.
The tagline for the event is, “Reimagining raves for the nervous and neurospicy” – now that’s the kind of motto we can get behind.
But what exactly does that look like? Well, it starts with something as simple as wearing whatever you want (even if that means your PJs or cosplaying as Corrie character) and goes on to involve everything from board games and consoles, a silent disco, a UV doodle wall, a calming ‘breakout’ space and more.
You can even pick which music you want to funnel into your headphones – the cornerstone of this sensory-friendly club night and increasingly popular sight at gigs and festivals in general – so whether you want to fully rave in your own headspace, groove out or just enjoy soothing sounds, it’s up to you.
However, there are also plenty of snacks and drinks, calming recovery rooms for anyone feeling overwhelmed, and they actually already recommend guests come in and take a pre-event venue tour to familiarise themselves with the surroundings, be that in person or virtually.
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Speaking on the concept, Vincent said: “I love the idea of clubs and festivals but as an autistic person with complex PTSD, I often struggle with the reality.
“So with the help of a fantastic neurodivergent team of artists, I’ve designed a lovely night with gaming and multiple music genres that’s kinder to sensitive little squirrels like myself.”
We love the idea of a properly inclusive, sensory-friendly club night with full safeguarding measures in place and the neurodivergent community firmly in mind. We sincerely hope this takes off.
Taking place on 31 August at the iconic Salford venue and running from 8pm until midnight, affordable tickets are just a tenner and general admission is just £12. You can find out all the information you need to know about the event and grab your Disco Neurotico Manchester tickets HERE.
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Disco Neurotico/The wub (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Courteeners to play legendary intimate venue in Manchester THIS weekend
Daisy Jackson
Courteeners have just announced an incredibly intimate show in Manchester, taking to the stage at the legendary Night & Day this weekend.
The indie rock legends, and proud Mancunian export, have just confirmed they’ll be playing a very special one-off show in their hometown on Saturday 11 April.
Night & Day is a venue Courteeners played several times at the start of their career, and now they’re heading back to the 250-capacity institution.
The news comes alongside an announcement for a best-of album, God Bless The Band, as well as several new arena shows across the UK.
Courteeners will be playing the Leeds First Direct Arena, London’s Alexandra Palace, Cardiff Utilita Arena, Liverpool M&S Bank Arena, Glasgow OVO Hydro and Birmingham Utilita Arena this autumn.
That comes in addition to their existing live shows this summer, which include an almighty outdoor summer show at Wythenshawe Park.
Courteeners have also released a new single, The Luckiest Man Alive.
Speaking of Courteeners’ return to Night & Day in Manchester, the venue wrote: “Night & Day are thrilled to announce that seminal Manc band THE COURTEENERS will be coming back to where it all started on Saturday 11th April.
“From their formative years practicing in our cellar, crucial early shows upstairs in the venue proper, to supporting us through threats of closure, The Courteeners have played a huge part in the history of Night & Day Café, and we can’t wait to welcome them back to the venue this weekend.”
As for that new tour – £1 + VAT from every ticket sold will be donated to the newly launched LIVE Trust, a new funding initiative from LIVE that will offer much-needed financial support to those working across live music.
“It’s fantastic to see Courteeners supporting the LIVE Trust with a £1 per ticket contribution on their upcoming tour, building on their commitment for the Wythenshawe Park show in August,” said Jon Collins, CEO of the LIVE Trust. “This donation will directly benefit the full grassroots ecosystem – from venues and artists to promoters and festivals – helping to protect, expand and support grassroots music across the UK.”
Speaking about the release, Liam Fray says “In October it’s 20 years since our first gig, so with a couple of new songs fresh from the studio, the timing just seemed right for a Best Of. If we mean half as much to people as they have done to us over the years, then we’ve not done too bad. We look forward to seeing you down the front God Bless The Fans x”
Newly Announced Courteeners Arena Dates
- Fri 06 Nov Leeds, First Direct Arena
- Sat 07 Nov Cardiff, Utilita Arena
- Fri 13 Nov Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena
- Sat 14 Nov London, Alexandra Palace
- Fri 20 Nov Glasgow, OVO Hydro
- Sat 21 Nov Birmingham, Utilita Arena
Pre-sale tickets go on sale Wednesday 15 April. General sale from Friday 17 April from ticketmaster.co.uk and gigsandtours.com.
Additional Summer Shows already announced:
- Thu 23 Jul Stoke-On-Trent, Victoria Hall (sold out)
- Sat 25 July Sheffield, Tramlines (festival headline, sold out)
- Thu 27 Aug Leicester, O2 Academy (sold out)
- Sat 29 Aug Manchester, Wythenshawe Park (sold out)
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Featured image: Supplied
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Noah Kahan has just announced TWO huge gigs in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Noah Kahan has just announced details of two massive arena gigs here in Manchester.
The Stick Season singer is heading back to UK shores, two years after his last appearance in our city when he played to a packed-out Co-op Live.
This time, Noah Kahan is doing the double and will play two nights at the legendary AO Arena.
He’s set to perform here in November as part of a newly-announced tour, in support of his upcoming fourth studio album, The Great Divide.
Noah Kahan is a two-time Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, originally from Vermont, and has become one of the biggest and most recognisable voices on the planet.
His music has now amassed almost 15 billion streams worldwide, with nearly 12 million albums sold.
Noah’s star rocketed in 2022 with the release of his acclaimed third album, Stick Season, which sat in the UK album chart for three years.
The album featured collaborations with top artists including Hozier (Northern Attitude), Post Malone (Dial Drunk), and Sam Fender (Homesick).
In 2023, Kahan launched his mental health non-profit, The Busyhead Project, which has raised over $5.5 million to date in support of its mission to increase awareness around the importance of mental health.
His upcoming fourth album, The Great Divide, is said to ‘build on Kahan’s signature storytelling while pushing his sound into more expansive, anthemic, and sonically adventurous territory’.
He will embark on The Great Divide Tour this summer, headlining stadiums across North America for his biggest tour to date.
Noah Kahan will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on 9 and 10 November 2026, with tickets on sale from 10am on Friday 17 April.
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Featured image: Publicity picture
Danny Jones -
30th May 2024 
