The return of Homobloc is on the horizon and some big names have been added to the 2024 lineup, not least of all, LGBTQ+ icon, Christine and the Queens.
Presented by Homoelectric and nestled in amongst the action of The Warehouse Project’s jam-packed annual programming, Homobloc is one of the most highly-anticipated events on the Manc music and cultural calendar – and it’s no wonder.
Since the likes of The Blessed Madonna, Confidence Man, Horse Meat Disco and salute; Honey Dijon, Hot Chip, Self Esteem and many more have all played the cult-favourite club night over the past few years, it’s gaining a real reputation.
With that being said, the pressure is on every year to improve upon or at least match the lineup from the year before and we can confirm the team behind Homobloc has secured another stellar selection of artists for 2024.
Topping the bill, you can’t go wrong with the ever-creative, critically acclaimed and immaculately cool Christine and the Queens will lead the Homobloc proceedings. Make no mistake, it’s a big deal having a name of this size headlining.
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He will be joined by London-born hyperpop icon Shygirl, who presents her latest Club Shy project: Swedish singer and record producer COBRAH, making her Manchester debut alongside the rhythm-shifting sounds of Olof Dreijer of The Knife.
In addition, they will be joined by the likes of Moonchild Sanelly following an amazing performance at this year’s Glastonbury, as well as queer Manchester rapper OneDa, Chinese producer and artist Alice Longyu Gao, not to mention a special collab between Pxssy Palace and US rapper Mykki Blanco.
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Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg: there will be several other DJ sets throughout the venue and beyond, including Job Jobse b2b Saoirse, 2manydjs b2b Confidence Man, Tiga; HorsegiirL, HAAi, Chloé Caillet and Horse Meat Disco, with live sets from I.Jordan, Christeene, LSDXOXO and more.
Spanning the full breadth of Depot Mayfield‘s main stages (Depot, Concourse, Archive) and more such as the beloved Plant Room, the historic Star and Garter Pub and the Loft – a unique rooftop space set to be taken over by Studio 54 icon Nicky Siano – there will be a whole host of genres on display.
And last but not least, completing what will be arguably the most dynamic and boundary-pushing Homobloc yet, the 2024 lineup will also feature curation and performance art by LGBTQ+ collectives Ghetto Fabulous, Make Me Feel, House of Spice, Sue Veneers and many more.
Homobloc’s Creative Director Sophie Bee said of its return this winter: “It’s been a wild ride since the party started in 2019. The festival production has evolved so much and we’ve gone from half of Manchester plus the kitchen sink on stage, to choreographed pieces with global touring artists.
“Our research and development design team based at Islington Mill has been a place for experimentation allowing space for people’s imagination to flourish. It’s an honour to work on a collaborative, loving, fun spectacle, with such innovative producers from mixed art forms.
“This year there are some really beautiful production moments that we can’t wait to share with all our family, friends and community.”
Homobloc 2024 returns to Depot Mayfield on Saturday, 9 November and, in true all-day and all-nighter fashion, is set to run from 2pm-4am, so you best be prepared to party. Pre-sale goes live at 10am this Thursday, 15 August, and general admission tickets at the same time on Friday, 16 August.
Featured Images — Tom Hancock (Tower Hamlets Council via Flickr)/WHP (Supplied)
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Morrissey: Johnny Marr now has ‘100%’ of The Smiths rights to tour without him – and one potential replacement is trending
Danny Jones
Morrissey has come out to claim that former bandmate Johnny Marr now holds all the rights to The Smiths and their music, even stating that he can now go on and tour without him – and there’s already a very big name being floating around for his replacement.
Yes, as per Mr ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ himself, the co-songwriter and lead guitarist recently acquired “100% trademark rights/intellectual property” despite Morrisey himself having coined the “musical unit name ‘The Smiths’ in May 1982.”
It is said that this application was secured without any consultation from the former frontman or any chance to object on the 65-year-old’s part.
Although the fellow Manc music legend himself is yet to come out and comment on the reports made on the official Morrissey Central website, fans are already speculating whether Marr is gearing up to head out on tour, the internet was quick to drum up what many are calling the ideal stand-in for a singer.
If there is any justice in the world, Marr will immediately tour with Rick Astley as the new Smiths’ front man and I for one will be at the front of the queue for tickets. https://t.co/Pg8LPe35TV
Though it might have seemed a slightly mad suggestion a few years ago, there are literally tonnes of accounts and music fans from all over calling for Rick Astley to be called in as a replacement frontman should Marr actually end up taking The Smiths back out on tour.
The ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ singer and Lancashire-born 80s pop star has been enjoying what we’ve affectionately referred to as the ‘Rick-naissance’ over the past few years, playing main stage slots at the likes of Glastonbury, Kendal Calling, Bestival and continuing to release new music.
Going on to not only become friends with the group but reiterate what an incredible singer he is – covering classics such as ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out’, ‘This Charming Man’ and even the likes of ACDC to tens of thousands on the Pyramid Stage – he’s quietly become one the UK’s favourite all-round performers once again.
That being said, it’s safe to say some people have other thoughts on the suggestion; many believe Marr wouldn’t be interested in doing it, others were aghast at the suggestion or some offered a much easier alternative that’s already proven to be a more than viable option…
People suggesting Johnny Marr should tour as The Smiths with Rick Astley as vocalist. Fuck off. FUCK OFF.
Nevertheless, there seem to be many more people in the pro-Astley camp than there are in the anti, with one user writing, “Johnny Marr, Rick Astley is waiting by the phone!”, and another in America adding: “If Marr tours Smiths songs with Rick Astley in the US, I’m going to every date in the south.”
As explained in the full post entitled, ‘The Plot Thickens’, Morrissey and his representation said that not only can Marr “now tour as The Smiths using the vocalist of his choice” but doing so will also “also prohibit Morrissey from using the name whilst also denying [him] considerable financial livelihood.”
The plot thickens indeed but, for now, there’s nothing concrete to any of this talk beyond what Morrissey has claimed regarding trademark rights and what a lot of fans would clearly love to see: some kind of The Smiths’ comeback tour featuring Marr and the mighty Rick Astley.
Hey, who knows? We’ve finally got an Oasis reunion and much stranger things have happened – and we’re talking just this week alone…
No backing, no label, all @TheReytons — with a little bit of @GNev2 now too, apparently… 👀
UK’s leading trance music festival to return to Manchester next month with impressive lineup
Thomas Melia
The UK’s leading trance festival is coming back to Manchester for an unforgettable clubbing experience next month.
Rong Indoor Festival are pioneers of trance music, and are known for hosting a wide range of events nationally.
Starting in 2009, the festival is not only the UK’s biggest trance music events but one of the leading events throughout the whole of Europe, and often brings together some of the music genre’s biggest names, alongside lots of other talented performers on the same lineup.
This year sees the party take to O2 Victoria Warehouse in the city centre at the start of next month – with some highly-anticipated debuts set to play the decks when the festival returns for one day only on Saturday 5 October.
With doors opening at 6pm, eager clubbers will be treated to 11 hours of trance, as the music isn’t stopping until 5am, making it the perfect night for lovers of EDM sounds and melodies.
2024’s lineup boasts 30 performers and more than 10 accompanying support DJs, who will be keeping the Manchester crowd alive all night long.
Acts like EDM DJ Ben Nicky, and Dutch vocal trance group 4Strings, are just two of the names set to grace the Manchester live music scene for the very first time, while Irish talent Bryan Karney will be putting on two phenomenal performances.
The UK’s leading trance music festival is back in Manchester next month with an impressive lineup / Credit: Supplied
The event will be spread across two stages, meaning festivalgoers have more opportunities to see artists take to the stage while immersing themselves in the world of trance.
Anyone who wants to make a full day trip out of the event can buy limited VIP tickets to the pre-party event, which is being held at Joshua Brooks from 12pm-5pm – including a queue jump for the main festivities.
Danny Jones -
13th August 2024 
