With word from Boris that clubs can finally open from Monday 19 July in what’s being dubbed as ‘Freedom Day’, what better way to spend your first week out of lockdown than in a different club each night of the week?
Bit ambitious? Maybe, but it has been a while.
Either way, we’ve taken the opportunity to plan out our perfect week of club nights anyway. Here’s our pick of bunch from 19 – 25 July to celebrate getting our music scene back on its feet. All tickets are available on Skiddle as we speak and selling fast.
A bassy Levelz reunion on Monday
How about starting the week off with Levelz’s Lockdown Lift-off at Mint Lounge on the big day itself?
Get ready for the usual Levelz crew consisting of Skittles, Chimpo, Chunky and the rest of the lads there, providing bars and beats for an atmosphere they definitely won’t let you forgot. They’ve been gunning for this night for 16 months since their last visit to Mint Lounge in March 2020 – and so have we.
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If you had tickets to the rescheduled June date, they’ll roll over. Otherwise, last remaining tickets are on Skiddle here.
Three floors of music with THREEDOOM on Tuesday
When Hit & Run took over WHP in 2019. Image: gbmultimedia/IG
Three of Manchester’s biggest student nights will come together under one roof at Factory on Tuesday 20. Hit & Run, Ghosts of Garage and Lean & Bop will join forces to provide three floors with three different genres of music.
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For Hit & Run, we’ll have drum and bass heaters from the likes of Poison Ivy and Mystix alongside Truthos Mufasa and Sparkz, and the B2B from Sabrina and Kira will be their Manchester debut.
Representing Ghosts of Garage will be Hit & Run’s own Rich Reason, ThtGrl, Warped DJs, Offbeat DJs, Area 808 DJs and Emanate Audio DJs, with T-Man on the mic.
And on the final floor, resident Lean & Bop DJs will provide some grime, hip-hop and RnB sounds, joined by DJ Yami.
Urban music platform Origin will take over the Northern Quarter’s Off The Square on Wednesday 21. The team is renowned for showcasing the very best emerging hip-hop and RnB talent from the city – and this latest Origin event will be no different.
Manchester powerhouse Motto Estate are set to headline. The nine-strong collective represent a variety of backgrounds, making their music all-embracing and rich in different cultural and social influences.
It’ll all be hosted by radio presenter Emma Rose, with support from Dunamis, Ace Cxbain and Webbo to complete the lineup.
For a more groove-fuelled evening, get down to Stage & Radio for ‘Out The House’ on Thursday for local lads Mandalo. The Manchester DJ duo have family ties to fellow Mancs Solardo and now being signed to the Sola label we can only expect the same success for this pair.
For their own productions, Mandalo merge their wide range of dance music influences – including 808 State and Jamie Jones – to craft their own sound. As for their DJ sets, just know your feet will be sore by the end.
There’ll be music from 7pm from CAIT, DJAAL, Boy Sean, BabaNoot as well. So, you might as well get down early. Skiddle still has tickets for this one here.
Feel-good disco vibes at The Bread Shed on Friday
Presented by Antwerp Mansion, the acclaimed Discopia returns on Friday 23 July, back and bigger than ever. Bring in your first weekend of freedom with the funky house and disco sounds of Dom C. Taylor, Wallace and DJ Ray for a bit of music escapism. Expect to hear everything from Purple Disco Machine and The Shapeshifters to Fat Boy Slim and Mella Dee to put you in the party mood. Good vibes only.
An empty Joshua Brooks as the new team prepare for a huge refit ahead of the club’s relaunch. Credit: Joshua Brooks
You might have seen that Joshua Brooks is back and under new ownership. With this, a complete overhaul and redesign of the club inside and out – and you’re in for a treat.
Its relaunch features a double-header weekend of big names. On Friday 23, Darius Syrossian will return to Joshua Brooks with his Moxy Musik event which has been at South in recent years.
But on the Saturday, house legend Mark Knight will round off the opening weekend. You’ll be in good hands with the Toolroom Records bossman. He knows how to fill the dance floor with the best house music around. It’ll be an all night long set so strap yourselves in.
Originally planned for 17 July, the Jika Jika Presents Denis Sulta party at the brand-new open-air venue Square One has been rescheduled to Sunday 25 July.
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Sulta is known for his enigmatic energy behind the decks. Plus he manages to pull off the most random of selections in his mixes. You won’t want to miss this one.
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Featured image: Factory Manchester. Thumbnail image: The Bread Shed
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Manchester nightclub clamps down on no-phones policy after ‘disappointing’ rule breakers
Daisy Jackson
Amber’s, a nightclub in Manchester with a strict no-filming policy inside, has shared a strict new set of rules to prevent people using their phones.
The venue says it’s seen an ‘increased amount of phones on the dance floor’ despite its very clear policy against such a thing.
That’s included a recent set from Fred Again, where videos of his show were all over social media the next day.
Amber’s has said it’s ‘disappointing’ to see people flouting the rules of the space, leading to the venue introducing a zero tolerance policy.
Fans who are caught filming on their phones will be asked to leave Amber’s on the spot – no second chances.
There’ll even be extra members of staff patrolling the venue, to protect the ‘vibe of the space’.
“If you are spotted at any point across the night using your phone to record, you will no longer be permitted inside Amber’s,” they shared.
Amber’s wrote in a statement today: “Since our launch back in December, we have made it very clear that we are a No Phones venue. We want to create an experience for everyone where they are present in the moment and not distracted by phones.
“While the majority of people that attend Amber’s keep their phones away, there are a select few that don’t.
“This is of course disappointing.
“Over the recent weeks and months, we have seen an increased amount of phones filming on the dancefloor and we are aware of numerous videos shot on phone appearing online.
“To those that come to Amber’s and respect our house rules, thank you, you are contributing to an incredible vibe in the room.
“For those that don’t, we ask that you think about the space and the people around you before removing your stickers.
“The rules previously have been that if you are seen filming on your phone, you are politely asked to stop, if you are seen again, you are asked to leave the venue.
“From now on, as a renewed pledge to our No Phones policy, if you are seen recording in the venue, you will be asked to leave, there will be no second chances.
“There will now be extra members of staff patrolling the venue, ensuring that the vibe of the space is protected and if you are spotted at any point across the night using your phone to record, you will no longer be permitted inside Amber’s.
“Open your mind. Honour the concept. Respect the space.”
Katy Perry at AO Arena, Manchester – stage times, setlist, tickets and more
Daisy Jackson
Katy Perry will be playing a huge arena show here in Manchester this week, with a sold-out night at the AO Arena imminent.
The popstar is bringing her The Lifetimes Tour, which features an extravaganza of props and pyrotechnics, to town on Wednesday 8 October.
The Roar singer will be heading to the AO Arena this week, alongside shows in Sheffield, Glasgow, Birmingham and London.
Whether you’re going to watch hits like ‘California Gurls’, ‘Hot ‘N’ Cold’ or excited for the newer tracks like ‘I’m His, He’s Mine’, it’s sure to be one of the biggest gigs to hit the legendary arena all year.
Perry has the second most Diamond-certified singles in for a female artist in the U.S, four guiness world records and five UK number one hits.
Her latest album ‘143’, which is a numeric synonym of ‘I love you’ and the singer’s angel number, came out last year and stormed straight into the top 10 on the UK album charts.
If you’re heading to Katy Perry at the AO Arena tonight, we’ve rounded up all your essential information.
Stage times for Katy Perry at the AO Arena
The AO Arena hasn’t yet confirmed exact stage times for tonight’s show, but we do have enough information to give you a good estimate.
Doors will open at 6pm, with a show start of 7.45pm.
That will mean the support act should wrap up around 8.15pm and Katy Perry is likely to take to the stage between 8.30pm and 8.45pm.
For her Manchester show, Katy Perry will be supported by singer-songwriter Goldie Boutilier.
Goldie, who has also performed under monikers Kay, My Name Is Kay, and Goldilox during her career, will be joining Katy on most of her UK dates, before handing over the reins to Au/Ra and then Becky Hill.
Tickets for Katy Perry at the AO Arena
Katy Perry has completely sold out the AO Arena with The Lifetimes Tour, with no general tickets left at all.
However, there are a few tickets remaining on Ticketmaster’s resale platform, which are priced between £78.73 and £131.18 each.
Expected setlist
Katy has split her show into sections she’s calling ‘Levels’, as a nod to the video game inspiration behind the tour.
Each one is absolutely packed with pop bangers, as you’d expect.
Here’s the latest setlist from her most recent show in Glasgow.
Level 1: Artificial
ARTIFICIAL
Chained to the Rhythm
Teary Eyes
Dark Horse
Level 2: Woman’s World
WOMAN’S WORLD
California Gurls
Teenage Dream
Hot n Cold
Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
Peacock
I Kissed a Girl
Level 3: Nirvana
NIRVANA
CRUSH
I’M HIS, HE’S MINE
Wide Awake
Level 3.5: Choose Your Own Adventure (fan requests)
For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily, it’s connected to Manchester Victoria Station, and it has an integrated Metrolink stop to make your life even easier.
Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Train
Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena, wherever they are.
Bus
A variety of buses cover AO Arena andVictoria Station on their route, such as the 2 bus, which stops just a one-minute walk away from the venue.
A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.
Getting there by car and parking
The Arena has its own official CitiPark, with 958 car parking spaces, including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.
Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.
Walk/cycle
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.
Hannah Starkie -
9th July 2021 
