Manchester’s iconic 42s nightclub faces permanent closure in light of new lockdown
42s is hanging on in there for now. But without help, it won't survive. Please donate whatever you can to their Crowdfunder and keep a Manchester nightlife institution alive.
42nd Street, one of the most beloved denizens in Manchester’s nightlife neighbourhood, may be moving out.
The indie venue – based just off Deansgate – has been a famous city clubbing fixture for quarter-of-a-century, known colloquially among students and locals alike as “42’s”.
But the legendary night spot – which has history stretching back to the 1970s in old guises such as ‘Slack Alice’ – is facing eviction.
With another lockdown imminent and deep concerns that restrictions on nightlife could last beyond winter, 42’s is at ‘very real risk’ of permanent closure.
Now, owners have launched a Crowdfunder – asking anyone who’s ever set foot in the club over the years to help keep an icon alive.
42’s was among the first venues to shut and last to reopen in the last UK-wide lockdown – having to turn themselves into a bar whilst the ban on clubbing remained intact.
The guitar-powered club atmosphere has been sorely missed by many – with one fan even turning 42s into a video game during quarantine.
Despite the difficulties of 2020, 42’s has made it to November by the skin of its teeth (with no food menu meaning they missed out on schemes like ‘Eat Out To Help Out’).
Now, it’s reached a point where the dwindling pot of reserves won’t go much further.
There’s no way for the club to generate any income for the foreseeable future – and owners are asking for donations in return for some wonderful music memorabilia.
Anyone who contributes to the #Save42s pot will be in with a shot of winning prizes donated to the club by bands and artists over the years – with the likes of Slow Readers Club, DMAs, Fuzzy Sun, Reverend and the Makers already voicing their support.
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An owners’ statement reads: “We have been at the heart of the Manchester Indie club scene for the last twenty years and beyond.
“Its reputation spreads across the country, not bad for a family run business. Not only have we been nominated as a National Cultural Institution, but 42’s is also a video game and a Minecraft creation.
“Now, because of Covid restrictions, our very existence is at stake.”
42s is hanging on in there for now. But without help, it won’t survive.
“You can be a part of keeping a Manchester Icon alive,” is the owners’ rallying cry.
“The Indie kids of the world need us.”
Please give whatever you can and support a nightclub which has provided so many of us with some of the greatest, funniest and most absurd memories of nights out in Manchester.
Popular noodle bar Chopstix to host ALL-NEW live music event in Manchester
Thomas Melia
Much-loved noodle box eatery Chopstix are hosting an all-new series of live music events, with the first kicking off at one of Manchester’s most popular venues.
Chopstix has become a foodie’s favourite in the city centre with its combo boxes and now they’re about to win over the musiclovers thanks to these brand-new live-performances.
The Asian restaurant chain is launching ‘Red Box Live’,a first-of-its-kind music event series taking place in some of the UK’s best independent music venues,, and it kicks off at one of the city’s most beloved music venues,YES.
These events will see a rising star headline slot, DJ’s, free drinks and of course, food, because it couldn’t be a Chopstix party without some of its iconic flavour-packed boxes.
Chopstix is known for serving up flavoursome feasts in their combo boxes.The Asian restaurant chain has chosen YES as the first spot for their ‘Red Box Live’ event.Credit: Supplied
Indie-pop artist Liang Lawrence is claiming the first headline spot and she’s definitely no stranger at frequenting some of the most famed stages in the country, having recently performed at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sefton Park on the BBC Introducing stage, following in the footsteps of Manc rap-talent Aitch.
The ‘Red Box Live’ music events build from the eatery’s previous music-focused series ‘Red Box Sessions’ which saw acts like Flames Collective and Grace Davies (X-Factor) in intimate studio sessions.
Rob Burns, Marketing Director for Chopstix, said: The launch of our brand new Red Box Live event series is incredibly exciting.”We’re bringing big, bold flavour and raw music talent together – serving up an unbeatable combo for our flavour craving crowd right here in Manchester.”
“We’re bringing BIG, BOLD flavour and raw music talent together – serving up an unbeatable combo for our Flavour Craving crowd right here in Manchester.”
Liang Lawrence will be performing at ‘Red Box Live’ organised by Chopstix.There will be free food and live music at this exclusive event.Credit: Supplied
The first ‘Red Box Live’ is taking place on 16 July with a headline performance from Liang Lawrence at YES in Manchester. Doors open from 7pm with a DJ set, and tickets are available to win for free on Chopstix’s website.
Featured Images – Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)
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New FREE Oasis exhibition showing never-before-seen photos opens in Manchester next week
Emily Sergeant
A new free photography exhibition showing never-before-seen pictures of Oasis fans from the 90s opens in Manchester next week.
With a sensational summer of sound now firmly in our sights, and right as Manchester gears up to welcome Oasis back home once again, the city’s iconic Kimpton Clocktower Hotel has announced a new free exhibition that’s set to take music fans a trip down memory lane.
Opening next Wednesday, Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 will showcase a series of exclusive photographs by renowned photographer, Jon Shard, to the public for the first time ever, opening the door to a world before online sales, dynamic ticket pricing, and frantically refreshing a website to get the hottest ticket in town.
Renowned for his visually distinctive work across a number of fields, this was Shard’s first assignment for iconic music magazine NME.
The collection of photographs – which has been co-curated by the British Culture Archive – shows scenes of fans excitedly queuing up in the cold winter of 1996, hoping to get their hands on tickets for the band’s sold-out shows at Manchester City’s Maine Road stadium.
“Queuing in person had its charm,” admitted Jon Shard.
“I felt privileged to capture the dedication of fans willing to stay out all night and brave the cold. Getting the ticket was an event itself, almost a rite of passage for fans.”
Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 opens in Manchester for free next week / Credit: Kimpton Clocktower Hotel (Supplied)
Giving visitors a deeper insight into the world of sold-out shows, as well as the magic of Oasis and their music over the years, the new exhibition will also feature a ‘Fan Wonderwall’ with archive images from 1994-97 of fans attending gigs, spanning from pre-smart phone gig-videos, through to their latest performances.
“It’s a privilege to play a part in the city welcoming the Gallagher brothers home,” commented David Lockhart, who is the General Manager of Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, ahead of the exhibition opening next week.
“The photographs by Jon Shard offer a glimpse into a defining moment in Manchester’s music history, and we’re proud to share this with our guests and the city.”
Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 is open to the public from 7pm on Wednesday 2 July on the walls of Refuge at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.
At to make it even more worth the trip, the first 50 visitors to the exhibition will also receive a free limited edition zine, so they can take a piece of Oasis history home with them.
Featured Image – Jon Shard (Supplied via Kimpton Clocktower Hotel & British Culture Archive)