A historic mill in Manchester which has been used as a creative space for hundreds of musicians and artists is being turned into flats – with those who worked in the space forced to move out.
Brunswick Mill sits on the edge of Ancoats, alongside the Pollard Yard community of shipping containers that’s also home to a group of local creative businesses.
This former cotton mill will be a familiar sight to most of us – not just because of its traditional red-brick, canal-side appearance, but also because it’s cropped up on TV plenty of times over the years.
Both Liam Gallagher and Louis Tomlinson picked Brunswick Mill for their music videos, and Netflix and Disney+ crews have also used it as a location.
But more important than its fancy TV credentials is what the building has meant for so many local artists over the years.
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Liam Gallagher’s One Of Us music videoLiam Gallagher in one of the studios. Credit: Brunswick Mill Credit: Brunswick MillBrunswick Mill as it looks today. Credit: All My FriendsLiam Gallagher at Brunswick Mill and (swipe across) how the space looked as it closed
Brunswick Mill has acted as a rehearsal space, recording studio and meeting space for hundreds of musicians, who have been able to rent their own permanent, soundproofed rooms. The building is as grassroots and authentic and brilliantly Manc as it gets, down to its ‘very ropey toilets’ – but now the dream is over.
The developers are moving in and, before long, Brunswick Mill will be an apartment block.
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Arrowsmith Investments is planning a £58m redevelopment of the mill, which will see it turned into a block of 150 flats (127 further homes will be built next door). The plans fall short of the 20% affordable homes percentage.
Plans for Brunswick Mill. Credit: Hodder + PartnersPlans for Brunswick Mill. Credit: Hodder + Partners
Tales of heartbreak are emerging from the mill’s ancient walls as the musicians who have been based here over the last 17 years pack up and move out.
While Brunswick Mill’s team has found a new home in Salford, the new space is much smaller, and it means not all of the residents from Ancoats can go with it.
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One particularly gut-wrenching blog post has been shared by Liam Donoghue, founder of dance music blog and club night All My Friends, who wrote about how the closure will ‘hit Manchester’s creative community pretty hard’.
He said: “Brunswick Mill was a wreck. It was a dilapidated mill on the edge of Manchester which had some very ropey toilets and a lot of pigeon sh*t. But it was also an artistic hub that housed over 100 bands, producers artists, and DJs during its 20-year history.
“AMF moved into Brunswick Mill in 2019 and we’re sad to say we’re losing our studio after a brilliant 4 years. Yes, the toilets were a bit minging but the freedom it gave musicians of all stripes to play music as loud as they wanted and not have to worry about noise complaints and neighbors was a real boon to Manchester musical community.”
The post continued: “I do think it’s sad that any form of creative space is being squeezed out of Manchester. Even the outskirts aren’t safe…
“Personally, this city needs to reassess its relationship with its nightlife and music scene Manchester is a city with a proud musical heritage but that will quickly dry up without places like Brunswick to nurture new talent.”
Drake adds extra Manchester date to UK tour after ‘unprecedented demand’
Emily Sergeant
An extra date has been added for Drake’s run of Manchester shows next month following ‘unprecedented demand’.
In case you missed the announcement earlier this week, Drake announced that he’ll be coming to Manchester for two huge gigs next month (yes, literally next month), but now following so-called ‘unprecedented demand’, an extra date has been added.
The GRAMMY award-winning and multi-platinum global artist teamed up with fellow Canadian rapper PARTYNEXTDOOR to release their collaborative album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, on Valentine’s Day earlier this year, and now to celebrate the release, the duo are making their highly anticipated return to the UK and Europe.
The arena tour, aptly named ‘$ome$pecial $hows 4 UK’, will kick off on 20 and 21 July at Birmingham Utilita Arena, before Drake comes to visit us Mancs shortly after.
JUST ANNOUNCED @drake Drake returns for the first time in six years. Bringing the $ome$pecial$hows 4 UK tour to Manchester on 25 & 26 July 2025. Support from @partynextdoor.@coopuk Member Presale: 4 JUNE 12:00 General Sale: 6 JUNE 12:00
The Toronto rapper was already set to take to the stage at Manchester‘s newest live entertainment arena, Co-op Live, on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July, following three nights of headlining Wireless Festival at London’s Finsbury Park.
But now, Monday 28 July has also been added into the mix in Manchester.
Following his three nights in Manchester, the tour will then continue across Europe, with stops in Munich, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and more, all before wrapping up on 23 September in Hamburg at Barclays Arena.
The tour marks Drake’s first return to Europe and the UK in six years, following his 2019 Assassination Vacation Tour.
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Drake completed his monumental sold-out 80-date It’s All A Blur Tour across North America, featuring special guests 21 Savage and J. Cole.
$ome $pecial $hows 4 UK 2025 dates:
Sunday 20 & Monday 21 July – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July – Co-op Live, Manchester
Monday 28 July – Co-op Live, Manchester
Breaking more records along the way, Wireless announced Drake as the 2025 headliner for all three nights, each featuring unique setlists and special guests, and the festival sold out within minutes – which is the fastest sell-out in its 20-year history.
Drake will be at Co-op Live on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July, and again on Monday 28 July, and in true last-minute fashion, tickets go on general on sale today (6 June).
Or, if you’re feeling a bit fancy, you can have a look at some VIP tickets and packages through SeatUnique here.
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Barry Can’t Swim books huge headline show at The Warehouse Project with unbelievable supports
Danny Jones
It’s another big win for dance and electronic fans in Manchester as the beloved Barry Can’t Swim has been announced as part of the WHP25 programme, revealing a massive headline show.
The Edinburgh-born beat-maker, producer and solo artist has played Manchester before, he’s even played The Warehouse Project before, but nothing quite like this.
Confirming not just his own twin performance, with a full live show and an accompanying DJ set, but nothing short of an incredible lineup of support acts, this event could very well be the best night of the 2025 WHP calendar already.
Not only is ‘Everything Is Going To Be Alright’, it’s going to be bloody brilliant.
21.11 /// BARRY CAN’T SWIM – LINE UP REVEALED TOMORROW 10AM
The full line up for Barry Can't Swim's return to The Warehouse Project will be revealed tomorrow 10AM. Registration for presale access is available – https://t.co/z6yGfAvXSN
Undoubtedly one of Scotland’s biggest music exports in recent years, Barry Can’t Swim – real name, Joshua Spence Mainnie – was one of several acts who absolutely smashed Warehouse Project last year.
Having been shortlisted for the recent Mercury Prize, earned a nomination for Best Dance Act at the 2024 BRITs, being named DJ Mag’s ‘Breakthrough Producer’ award and winning ‘Best Dance Album’ for his most recent record, When Will We Land?, it’s been a great 18 months or so for him.
As it happens, his debut LP was one of our most played on Spotify and favourite albums of the year, full stop, so we were delighted when we got to see his curated show at Depot Mayfield back in November.
Now he’s set to come back to one of Manchester city centre’s leading nightlife venues for one of his biggest and most ambitious sets.
To be honest, with the other names already confirmed as joining him, this is essentially shaping up to be an ultimate club event for us.
That’s right, as well as Barry Can’t Swim‘s own impressive credentials, there is plenty more pedigree on show as part of the second curated evening, with the likes of Chloé Caillet, Prospa, firm favourites Jayda G and DJ Seinfeld, as well as Ross From Friends presents Bubble Love.
Better still, there’ll also be a special ‘b3b’ set (how many times have you seen that?) featuring Etiénne de Crécy, Cassius and DJ Falcon.
Set to land at WHP Manchester on 21 November, Barry Can’t Swim general admission goes live at 10am this Friday, however, pre-sale is available via the venue and for anyone who pre-orders his sophomore studio album, Loner, set to release on 11 July.