We’ve already had the likes of The Lathums, Pulp, Hozier, The Blossoms and more at this year’s Sounds of the City festival, and now it’s time for Bastille to bring their best to Castlefield Bowl.
The alternative/indie-pop hit-makers of the 2010s are fittingly celebrating 10 years since their seminal album, now being re-released as Bad Blood X, and their anniversary tour sees them return to Manchester just over a year on from their massive AO Arena show.
Bastille haven’t stopped pumping out music but it’s hard to believe it’s been a whole decade since the debut record and it’s got us feeling all nostalgic for old FIFA soundtracks, their massive sets at Glastonbury and Radio 1’s Big Weekend and just a great time for music in general.
That being said, the boys are still going strong and are next up in what has already been an immense lineup for Sounds of the City 2023, so just like with all the other headliners, we thought we’d give you a rundown of everything you need to know ahead of their big gig on Friday, 7 July.
Oh dear, Bastille at the Bowl is all sold out, what a shocker.
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In all seriousness, this lot are one of the biggest bands in Britain and you were always going to have to get in early if you wanted to stand a chance of getting a ticket, especially considering they sold out the Arena last year.
Of course, it’s worth keeping your eye out for spares on resale sites like Twickets and TicketSwap but, as always, we advise being cautious when dealing with any resellers and urge you to stay away from ticket touts at all costs. No point in getting stung and making the problem even bigger, folks.
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Who’s supporting Bastille in Manchester?
Before the Bastille boys themselves, you’ll be treated to three different support acts over the several hours you’ll be spending in the glorious outdoor arena.
Starting with a warm-up from a DJ that is yet to be announced — as has been the case every night at this year’s festival — you’ll then get to see one of Merseyside’s rising stars in 21-year-old, Michael Aldag, who’s opened for the likes of the Lightning Seeds, Miles Kane and many more.
After that, your second support will come from popular Irish singer-songwriter, Orla Gartland, who’s been on the scene for some time now and will also be returning for her own headline show later this year at Manchester Academy 2.
As for when everyone’s turning up, doors will be open from 5:30pm as it has every night in this series and the DJ will be pumping out the tunes from the moment you walk into the venue.
The first support Michael Aldag is due to kick things off at 6:45pm, followed by a short interval before Orla Gartland comes on at 7:45pm, as well as one last break before the main event.
Bastille are due to come on stage at 9pm and the curfew is likely to land around 11pm, so you’ve got a good couple hours of partying. Enjoy!
Setlist (have a guess …)
Listen, this is the ’10 Years of Bad Blood’ anniversary tour: it pretty much does what it says on the tin and considering this was the first time we were introduced to Bastille, we’re more than happy to roll back the years.
As verified by previous shows on Setlist.fm, the band will be playing the album in full as well as an encore where they might mix things up a bit more, but here’s the previous order they played things in:
If you’ve never been before, Castlefield Bowl is a beautiful amphitheatre-style outdoor venue right here in Manchester city centre. Although all tickets are billed as unreserved standing, if you’re quick you can take a seat on the large concrete steps that curve around the stage.
Best view in the house and you can obviously stand throughout; plenty of people also take a perch up on the grassy banks at the back of the venue too, which gives you a great view of the stage and the rest of the roughly 8,000-strong crowd.
Castlefield Bowl is located at 101 Liverpool Road in the city centre, with the closest tram stop being Deansgate-Castlefield just a six-minute walk up the road; you can also walk it from the major train stations, or use the 101, 197, 255, 256, 41, 50 or X50 buses.
It’s looking like it’s gonna be a hot one on Friday, with temperatures set to peak at around 26C between 5 and 6pm, i.e. just as you arrive at the venue.
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Luckily, it’s set to be clear skies pretty much all day apart from very early in the morning, so you’ll be able to soak in all the proper festival vibes.
Once again, this is an outdoor venue and there’s only coverage on the canopied section of stone steps towards the back of the amphitheatre, so get plenty of fluids down you, whack on some suncream and maybe take a hat — you can always throw it on stage at the frontman and his glorious hair at the end.
We’ll cheers to that. Another night of Sounds of the City is nearly here and Castlefield’s going to popping yet again — bring on Bastille at the Bowl!
StreamGM’s free underground club night series is coming to Ramona this December
Danny Jones
StreamGM’s cult-favourite club nightis returning to the city centre this winter and has found a new home at none other than Ramona.
The much-loved bar, restaurant, live music and events space, which is also now home to the popular Firehouse experience, is opening up its doors to StreamGM and its clubbing series, MainRoom.
Having previously popped up at the likes of YES, Freight Island and the multi-award-winning local streaming platform’s new central hub, The Yard, the underground series of shows is revving up once again and will be coming to the popular nightlife venue this month.
Situated just on the edge of Northern Quarter and Ancoats, the live gig at Ramona will be completely free to the public as well as available to watch via livestream from all over the world.
Teaming up with fast-growing Manc electronic music brand, Do As You Please (DAYP), the label and events promoter are rounding off a prolific 2023 to date by teaming up with the latest instalment of MainRoom to deliver an exciting night of free music and entertainment before the year is out.
Curated by local DJ Mix-Stress and produced by StreamGM co-founder Laura Graham, the dance music series profiles the most exciting artists and promoters across the city, all whilst filming the raves and parties live and direct from the dance floors of the coolest spaces around Greater Manchester. Be it a little-known nightspot, random rooftop or city centre basement, they never disappoint.
The latest line-up — curated by fellow DJ and producer Nial Roche — features some of 0161’s most exciting dance music prospects, including electronic duo Shimrise (Yelena Lashimba and Latoya Reisner), DAYP owner Joe Roche going ‘B2B’ with good friend and ‘Blehrin’ (Jay Murt).
They’ll be kicking off the party and the accompanying livestream from 7pm until 10pm before Ramona resident Alps 2 (Jonjo Williams and Harry Springall) and Not Bad for a Girl’s very own Egg on Toast (Alice Kanako) see us right through to 1am.
The MainRoom x DAYP club night at Ramona takes place on Saturday, 16 December and it’s sure to be a special night; plus, thanks to StreamGM, you’ll be able to watch it live if you can’t be there in person and watch it back at your leisure after its all said and done.
Strictly an 18+ event, you book your spot to see the completely free event HERE or tune into the MainRoom livestream on the StreamGM website.
This latest announcement comes ahead of StreamGM’s inaugural night of musical acts and livestreaming to be held at their new base of operations, The Yard, over in Cheetham Hill.
Peter Hook is hosting a charity gig and Q&A at an iconic Manchester pub to raise money for mental health
Danny Jones
Joy Division and New Order co-founder, Peter Hook, is taking part in a charitable evening of live music and conversation right here in Manchester city centre early next year, and it’s being hosted at one of Manchester’s most beloved pubs, the Star and Garter.
Being held at the legendary city centre pub, which now bears the freshly restored mural of his former bandmate and one of the greatest English musicians of all time, Ian Curtis, the significance of the intimate concert being held at such an iconic music venue is not lost on anyone.
Better still, the special one-off gig, Q&A session and evening as a whole has been set up with the help of local music-driven mental health organisation, Headstock, and will be raising money for their partnered nationwide charity, Shout.
Peter Hook and the Light are merely the latest in a long line of huge names to grace the Star and Garter.
Announcing the gig on Monday, 4 December, the veteran vocalist, bass player and singer-songwriter said of the inspirational fundraising gig, which will also pay tribute to Curtis: “I have campaigned for a long time for Ian and Joy Division to be commemorated anyway and anywhere possible.
“From the statue in Macclesfield, still ongoing, and the mural there as well; to the mural in Manchester and the upcoming one in Stockport. I will only rest when every town in Great Britain has something.
“I am immensely proud of Ian and our work as Joy Division and to celebrate it in this way is such a pleasure. I am hoping to bring Ian’s best man at his wedding and childhood friend, Kelvin Briggs to join me so fans can get a real insight into this wonderful man and artist.
“To play at such an iconic venue as the Star and Garter just seals the deal perfectly.”
Speaking on the event, Headstock founder Atheer Al-Salim said, “We are so grateful to Peter Hook and his band who are giving up their time and talent to help us raise much-needed funds to support our charity partner, Shout, and their life-saving text-support service.
“The evening promises to be a poignant moment for Manchester, and an event of huge musical and cultural significance for the city.”
As for Shout, their CEO Victoria Hornby added: “We’re incredibly grateful to Peter Hook and The Light and Headstock for putting on this very special event which will raise vital funds for us to keep the Shout text messaging support service running 24/7.
“Our volunteers take up to 2,000 conversations with children, young people and adults in urgent need of mental health support every day, and every £10 raised funds a conversation that could save a life.”
Set to play a predominantly Joy Divison-based set in the same year that the famous Manc four-piece finally received their inaugural nomination to be entered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, there will be just 200 spaces available and the Star and Garter be packed just as it was back in its heyday.
Tickets will be allocated via a ballot on Skiddle, with the first ballot already open and will close on Friday, 2 February 2024. Each successful ballot entrant will be allocated a maximum of two tickets to the event.
The pricing for ‘An Evening of Music and Conversation with Peter Hook’ on 12 April, 2024 is as follows:
1x ballot entry – £10
3x ballot entries – £15
10x ballot entries – £20
The gig is already selling fast, so secure your spot to see an unforgettable night of music and insight, all for a great cause, HERE.
Danny Jones -
7th July 2023 
