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A big weekend in store for music lovers as Manchester celebrates Record Store Day

There's no better place to be than Manchester when Record Store Day rolls around - with several b releases up for grabs on 29 August.

The Manc The Manc - 28th August 2020
Clem Onojeghuo / Unsplash

There’s no better place to be than Manchester when Record Store Day rolls around.

After giving birth to some of the greatest singers, bands and writers of all time, Manchester has earned its place among the great musical cities of the world – and 29 August is the day to revel in these rhythmic achievements.

During the weekend, local independent stores will be participating in Record Store Day – which sees shoppers flock to the city to get their hands on special edition vinyls released just for the occasion.

Of course, as with everything in 2020, things are a little different this year.

Instead of celebrating in April as normal (with the pandemic forcing a postponement), Record Store Day has announced a hat-trick of ‘drop dates’.

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The first is Saturday 29 August, with two more to follow on September 26 and October 24.

Florencia Viadana / Unsplash

Releases

There are some tasty-looking local releases up for grabs from Saturday, including:

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  • The Charlatans vs. The Chemical Brothers – 12” Vinyl (originally released in 1995)
  • New Order – The John Peel Sessions 1982 – 12” Vinyl (recorded for John Peel’s radio show and originally broadcast in June 1982)
  • The Charlatans – Live It Like You Love It – 2LP Transparent Orange (live sets from The Charlatans tour)
  • Cherry Ghost – Live at The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge (25/01/15) – 12” Double Vinyl (Bolton band Cherry Ghost’s final performance before their hiatus recorded live at in Hebden Bridge)
  • The Chemical Brothers – Surrender – 12″ Vinyl (features two tracks never before released on vinyl; ‘Surrender To Love’ mixed by The Avalanches; and new remix of 1999 classic ‘Out Of Control’)

Stores

Here’s a full list of the stores taking part in what is set to be a big day for music lovers:

Learn more about the occasion by heading over to the official Record Store Day UK website.

Stay up-to-date with all the latest local music news and trends via The Manc Audio and on Instagram.

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Masked Manchester rapper Meekz bursts back with surprise gig in Piccadilly Gardens with JD

Charlie Watkinson Charlie Watkinson Masked Manchester rapper Meeks performed a surprise gig in Piccadilly Gardens

Local rap sensation Meekz is back, if you hadn’t noticed – he burst back onto the scene last week with a surprise gig with JD in Piccadilly Gardens.

The masked Manchester rapper is celebrating the release of his latest single Mini Me’s – and a handful of Mini Meekz posters appeared around town, pasted there by artist collective Pattern Up (then swiftly removed) last week.

Meekz continues to impress with his latest release, a track that’s quickly gaining popularity.

True to form, Meekz delivers not only sonically but visually, teaming up once again with KC Locke to create a stunning music video.

Their collaboration underscores the significance of music videos, reaffirming their lasting impact in the industry.

The video pays homage to their previous work, particularly ‘Like Me’, while also pushing boundaries with a post-apocalyptic CGI rendition of Manchester, reminiscent of scenes from GTA and Marvel movies.

This innovative approach demonstrates the remarkable synergy between Meekz and KC Locke, marking a new pinnacle in their collaborative efforts.

Following the premiere, Meekz treated fans to a memorable performance in Piccadilly Gardens, organised with JD, where he made a grand entrance by gifting miniature Air Max 95’s to his fans before taking the stage atop a large storage container.

Meekz's 'Mini Me's' posters popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu
Meekz's 'Mini Me's' posters popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu
Meekz's 'Mini Me's' posters popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu
Meekz's 'Mini Me's' posters popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu
Mini Meekz posters briefly popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu

I had the opportunity to speak with Meekz after the premiere, where he shared insights into his upcoming tape, ‘Tru’, slated for release on 24 May.

Additionally, he hinted at exclusive news related to GTA/GTA 6, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his future endeavours.

It’s clear that Meekz continues to innovate and redefine the game with each new project, and we’re excited to see what he has in store next.

KC Locke said: “In the time that the mainstream media is writing articles about the decline of the music video industry, swords and eagles are here to make a stand and show not only are music videos here to stay but they are more important than ever.

“This is a testament to community, bound by a shared vision, we rise and rise again, together, for the culture.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Win VIP tickets to see Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour in Stockholm – plus flights, accommodation, a bar tab AND an annual pass for The Mezz

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Win tickets to see Taylor Swift in Stockholm with The Manc, the AO Arena and The Mezz. Credit: Flickr, Paolo Villanueva

We’ve got a treat for you – a rare chance to try and get yourself tickets to see Taylor Swift live in concert, on the European leg of The Eras Tour.

The enormous tour is already the highest-grossing the world has ever seen, worth more than $1 billion.

Taylor Swift’s mammoth three-and-a-quarter hour live show has driven so much demand for tickets, ticketing platforms had to change their usual models so their websites didn’t crash.

These tickets are gold dust – but now we’ve got a couple of VIP ones up for grabs, completely free.

The Manc has teamed up with the AO Arena and its brand-new members-only restaurant and bar The Mezz for huge giveaway.

The grand prize is an all-expenses paid trip to see Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour in Stockholm.

It includes two VIP tickets to the show itself on Saturday 18 May, plus two return flights to to Stockholm from Manchester, and accommodation for two at the Quality Friends Hotel in Stockholm.

While you’re at the show at the Friends Arena, you’ll have a £250 bar tab to enjoy.

And when you return home to Manchester, your new VIP lifestyle will continue, with two annual passes to The Mezz for the rest of the year.

That gets you access to The Mezz’s incredible restaurant space – where the menu is designed by Michelin chefs Simon Rogan and Tom Barnes – and huge exclusive bar area.

And then you can enter the AO Arena itself through The Mezz’s designated doors to watch any show you fancy from the best seats in the house.

All you need to do to win is head to our Instagram page here or click on the post at the end of this article.

Make sure you’re following the AO Arena, The Mezz, The Manc, and The Hoot Leeds on Instagram.

Tag who you’d take with you on this once-in-a-lifetime trip in the comments, then share to your story for an extra chance to win (don’t forget to tag us!).

The competition for Taylor Swift tickets ends on Monday 22 April at 23.59.

Good luck swifties!

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Featured image: Flickr, Paolo Villanueva

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