Spotify is bringing some very exciting live performances and DJ sets to an upcoming Manchester event and hometown heroes Blossoms are top of the billing – and it’s free.
Teaming up with global beer brand, Budweiser, the streaming giants are bringing their ‘Music Depot’ show to the city centre for an exclusive and crucially free event which we’re hoping could be the start of a very cool regular music series here in 0161.
Popping up in the massive Diecast warehouse over on Ducie Street, there’ll be plenty of space to dance your pants off into the next day.
Better yet, Blossoms aren’t the only name you can expect to rock up on the night – though we’d be quite happy just getting another chance to see this moment live:
Although the high-flying Stopfordians are set to headline the event, London-based group Good Neighbours – made up of duo Scott Verrill, Oli Fox and their touring band – are also set to perform on the night too.
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Having not only seen Blossoms live on a number of occasions this year and caught Good Neighbours at Neighbourhood Festival earlier this year, we can only vouch for how good a time you’ll have watching them if you secure a ticket.
The organisers at the venue, working in tandem with both Budweiser and Spotify are promising an “extraordinary night where music and culture meet like never before.”
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DJ sets will also be delivered by festival circuit regular Rowena Alice, Manchester-based old-school R’n’B DJ and host, Chaise, as well as regular BBC Radio 1 Dance Anthems presenter, Tinea Taylor.
As well as the tunes themselves, there will also be exclusive merch giveaways, flash tattoos from Debut Studios, and bars stocked with Budweiser to keep the energy high.
Blossoms at the O2 RitzGood Neighbours at NBHD 2024Whether you’re a big Blossoms head or just love live music, you don’t want to miss this Spotify event (Credit: The Manc Group/Supplied)
Taking place on Wednesday, 11 December, things kick off from 7pm onwards and the party won’t stop until gone 12:30am. As for the set times, it’s all still a mystery to us – all we can tell you is that this is a strictly 18+ night.
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It goes without saying that this free Spotify Presents event is fairly exclusive, meaning tickets are very limited, so you’ll have to be quick about securing a spot in the crowd.
General admission can be accessed via DICE, the app that protects people from touts, with digital passes going live around an hour before the gig is due to start. There is a max limit of two tickets per person and tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
RVSP doesn’t guarantee you a ticket but it’s well worth throwing your name in the hat. Don’t lose all hope either, because even if you miss out you join the waiting list for any more tickets that are released/returned. You can try and grab yours HERE.
James Blunt announces huge Manchester gig on new European arena tour
Daisy Jackson
Singer-songwriter James Blunt is heading back out on tour next year, and has announced a massive Manchester gig as part of his run of arena shows.
The singer, perhaps best-known for his iconic 2005 pop ballad ‘You’re Beautiful’, is hitting the road again in 2027.
The newly-announced European tour is in celebration of his new album Airplane Mode, which is set for release this autumn.
James Blunt will kick off his tour in Leeds next spring, before heading over for a night at the almighty Co-op Live in Manchester.
Then he’ll head to more cities including Newcastle, Birmingham and London.
His new album, Airplane Mode, is being released on 6 November and will, according to his press release, be ‘exhilarating’.
James has already released the first single, ‘Tastes Like Summer’, and ‘Weight Of It All’, with 10 more songs to come on the record.
Airplane Mode was recorded with James’ brilliant long-standing live band, who’ll be back on tour with him next year.
Speaking of the new album, and recording in Pig Music Studios, he said: “Somewhere back there, I lost my way, but found it again in a studio in Banbury.”
James Blunt will be at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on 3 April, 2027. Tickets go on sale from 10am on 9 September.
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Danny Jones -
29th November 2024 
