After another stellar edition of Neighbourhood Weekender last month, the festival’s organisers were quick to announce the first wave of artists and release tickets for the fourth instalment next year.
Moving back to its usual May dates and taking place on 28 and 29 May 2022, Neighbourhood will return to Warrington once again.
If you haven’t got your tickets yet, what are you waiting for?
In case you still need a bit of convincing, we’re on hand to give you a little push with five reasons why you should get straight onto that ticket page and get it booked.
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1. It’s less than 20 miles from Manchester
Happening at its usual home of Victoria Park again in 2022, it’s less than 20 miles from Manchester City Centre and just down the road from Altrincham too.
You can get to the festival using several modes of transport, whether it be by the local bus networks, on foot, drop off, or by car using the dedicated car park that’s just a 10 minute-walk to the festival gates.
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Trains to the two stations – Warrington Bank Quay and Warrington Central – are also just a short 20 minute journey from Manchester.
Direct eco-friendly coaches courtesy of the festival’s travel partner Big Green Coach are also being put on, and with pick up points in the city centre and Stockport, your coach will drop you right at the festival site and will take you right back afterwards – it couldn’t be any easier.
2. The lineup
Known for putting together lineups of big names alongside breakthrough and up-and-coming talent, next year’s Neighbourhood will be no different.
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The first wave of artists was announced last week, revealing that a handful of Greater Manchester’s very-own will take centre stage across the two days.
Courteeners, Blossoms, Pale Waves and The Lathums are all confirmed to play. Whilst Kasabian, Australian trio DMA’s, and Dublin-based Inhaler will also add the weekender to their early summer festival calendar.
But it’s not just bands and indie music, as the lineup boasts a full range of genres, with music from the likes of Example, Tom Grennan, Becky Hill and more throughout the weekend, providing plenty of listening options – so, there’s definitely something for everyone.
And as this is just the first drop of artists, there’s loads more waiting to be announced.
3. The unique experience
Drawing on its namesake, the festival’s main hub, The Neighbourhood, is a hive of activity and immersive fun.
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You can grab a pint down the local at the Neighbourhood Inn, stock up on festival essentials and snacks at the Corner Shop Rave, and even experience the silent disco in The Library.
Grab a pint down the local pub in ‘The Neighbourhood’, the festival’s mini town hub.
The mini town creates a unique experience, with so much going on for you to get involved in – including solving fictional crimes with the festival’s Inspector Malaprop, chasing down a dangerous robbing duo.
And as it’s open to those five and over, it’s super friendly and suitable for the whole family.
4. Affordable ticket options
For this level of festival with this calibre of artists, you could expect to pay hundreds – but Neighbourhood offers some genuinely affordable ticket options, with day tickets costing as little as £59.50, and full weekend tickets for just £115.
On each day of the festival, the gates will be open from 12.30pm, with the music running until 22.30pm, so you’ll be getting an entire day of music action for your buck too.
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Accessible tickets are also available, and there’s a dedicated free ticket scheme for carers and assistants to those who could not attend the festival without their help.
To apply for one of these, you’ll need to buy one ticket as normal through Gigs and Tours or See Tickets, and then email [email protected] with the relevant proof (e.g. PIP form or access card), along with photo ID, booking reference, the ticket agent you used and state what you’ll require: carer ticket, accessible car parking area and/or viewing platform.
5. The VIP treatment
For that added extra Neighbourhood experience, you could go VIP.
You’ll get a separate entrance away from the main gate to avoid any entry queues, and access to the main stage viewing area with great views of the crowd and artists.
As well as this, you’ll get access to a dedicated VIP area with fancy toilets – because we all know what festival toilets can end up like – and a chill out area with comfy seats, so you can give your feet a well-earned rest.
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Chill out in the VIP area. Credit: Anthony Mooney
The food and drink are also levelled up too, as with your VIP ticket, there’ll be unique food vendors that aren’t available to the rest of the festival, plus an undercover bar, which is ideal should it start raining – this is the north, after all.
So, now you’re fully convinced, you can secure your tickets for Neighbourhood Weekender here and find more information on the website.
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To read more about music and events in Manchester, head here – and don’t forget to follow The Manc Audio on Instagram to stay up to date.
Featured Image – Neighbourhood Weekender
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Elbow get behind campaign to save Jodrell Bank from closure
Danny Jones
Manc band Elbow are among the latest to get behind the campaign to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from closing permanently.
The Greater Manchester natives famously played a sold-out gig at the important scientific and cultural landmark for a very special live album recording well over a decade ago, and know all too well the site’s national and, indeed, global heritage.
Choosing the Observatory and the rare chance to perform a show in the shadow of the world-renowned James Lovell Telescope, it probably remains one of their most significant standalone UK date ever.
With that in mind, the local lads have been left just as worried by the news of its impending closure as everyone else, and have therefore issued a fresh appeal to help keep it open.
Posting a timely statement on social media, the group wrote: “Jodrell Bank has long been close to elbow’s heart. In 2012, the band played beneath the Lovell Telescope for one of the most memorable shows in our history.
“The recent news that funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network is set to end in 2028 puts the future of the scientific work at Jodrell Bank under serious threat. It is a remarkable place, with an extraordinary history, and one that continues to play an important role in science, culture and education.”
In addition to reliving clips and images from the historic live set all the years later, they also pointed people towards their ‘elbow – Live at Jodrell Bank‘ album documentary, which has now been made available online for the very first time as part of wider efforts to raise awareness around the cause.
Directing people to key online resources shared by the institution and astrophysics centre itself following their unfortunate update late last month, the push to not only find the funding but sustain support for the facility continues to ramp up throughout the world of science, arts and industry.
For anyone who somehow missed the news – 2028 being the current deadline handed down as per budget cuts across the sector – concerned parties here in the North West and all over the country have since started petitioning to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from shutting down for good.
In addition to being described as a “huge blow” to the field by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), some have even gone so far as to describe the decision as a form of “vandalism” when it comes to research and British culture as a whole.
Having also served as the host venue for the annual bluedot Festival since 2016, the multi-genre science and arts celebration could soon be forced to find a new home.
The battle is far from over yet, and the community has time to rescue Jodrell Bank Observatory from its fate, but it will take lots of money and more notable public figures to make it happen.
Once again, you can do your bit by signing the petition mentioned above right HERE.
Featured Images — Emma Farrer (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group
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Manichester organisers confirm tribute festival will return in 2027
Danny Jones
For anyone who didn’t manage to make it to the inaugural ‘Manichester’ festival held earlier this year in memory of British music legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, you’ll be glad to hear that the tribute festival will be returning in 2027.
Set up in the name of the late, great Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, the event sold out in the blink of an eye, as hordes of Mancs and more turned up to honour the local icon through live music.
Following paying their respects in the immediate aftermath, his surviving family members, peers and other figures from within the industry then held that wonderful evening, where several big names turned up to remember with live performances – and it’s official: they’re not done yet.
Writing in a lengthy caption, the brand said, “The family of Stone Roses legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield have thanked everyone who made Manichester at Diecast such a special day — performers, organisers, and the thousands who turned up to celebrate a true Manchester icon.”
The evidently emotional and grateful statement goes on to read: “On behalf of Gene, George & the Family — thank you to everyone who performed, contributed and attended Manichester on 30 May 2026, and for all your kind words of support.
“The response was massive — fans travelled from everywhere, demand through the roof, love for Mani louder than ever. [Local fashion label] GioGoi even said they could’ve filled Old Trafford.”
Revealing that the team of organisers have now green-lit the follow-up edition next year, they promise to deliver the same kind of magic, only “bigger, better, built properly” and with more music and people involved this time around.
They also thanked Manc-Mexican musician and creative, Alejandro Reyes Knight, for filming and editing the content on the night, adding that since he “grew up in Madchester”, there was no better person to be tasked with the job.
For anyone who was there at Diecast on the special memorial evening itself, we don’t need to tell you how special the energy was in the room.
We spent a good week or so looking back at footage following the maiden Manichester festival, as we’re sure plenty of you did, too; safe to say we’re glad we’ll have another opportunity to celebrate his life and career in the best way we know how: with plenty of tunes and singing our hearts out.
It remains to be seen whether Diecast will remain the host venue for the sophomore tribute fest, and the next date is also still yet to be fully set.
All we do know is that with such a good lineup and turnout the first time around, you can expect an excellent and equally heartfelt sequel in 2027.
You can register your interest right HERE. Wherever and whenever it is, we’ll see you there.
@the.manc Yesterday, Manchester laid one of the city's greatest music legends, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, to rest at Manchester Cathedral. 🍋 Fellow band member and life-long friend Ian Brown read out a speech as hundreds gathered outside the cathedral to pay their respects to The Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist. Mani will be missed by many, and we send love to all his family and friends. ❤️ #manchester#mani#ianbrown#thestoneroses#stoneroses♬ original sound – The Manc
Hannah Starkie -
6th October 2021 
