Audio

A new open mic night series has started at a massively underrated Manc bar and music venue

Top, top gaff this.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 4th April 2025

Are you an inspiring musician or just like hearing the next best thing before they blow up? Well, one of the newest open mic nights in the area has just got underway in Manchester.

It also happens to be taking place at what we think is one of the most underrated small-capacity music venues in the city centre. If you’re interested, keep reading…

Up on Deansgate Mews is full of what social media brands like us to love to call ‘hidden gems’, but in the case of Lions Den, we couldn’t be more sincere about it.

The first event has already been and gone – safe to say it went down a treat:

If you’ve never been to this unassuming but undeniably brilliant little bar and gig space, it’s known not only for a great drinks lineup at affordable prices and a lovely sun-soaked terrace, but regular live music nights as well.

We’ve had the pleasure of seeing local bands such as Hi Sienna and Balancing Act play there outdoors, whereas inside the venue, you’ll also find a 200-cap room for when those rare rays subside and to cater to the frequent gig-goers year-round.

Manc lads Malcolm got the proceedings underway this month, and the second open mic night is coming up on Tuesday, 8 April.

Kicking off at 7pm, the new weekly open mic night is an opportunity for talented Manchester musicians and those looking to make it some day to take to the stage and share their work with the world.

Well, with us for now, but who knows which future supergroup or solo star might be next?

Strawberry Lemonade have gone from playing here to selling out The Deaf Insitute.
Balancing Act playing The Rodeo night at Lions Den before booking all those massive festival slots.
(Credit: The Manc Group)

More importantly, there’s absolutely no need to book: anyone looking to take part can just turn up and play, so whether you’re hoping to be spotted or just practice playing live, this is a great chance to do so.

Even better still, each act will receive a drink on the house AND professional performance photos to help populate that press shot portfolio and share on your socials.

There’s no entry fee either, whether you’re performing or just a punt, and with great student deals like £3.50 pints and two for £6 spirits, we can see this series taking off.

Catch you in the Den sometime soon.

We’ve had plenty of good times here. (Credit: The Manc)

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Featured Images — Audio North

Audio

Manchester Mardi Gras lineup and stage times in full – the ultimate guide to Pride 2025’s new event

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Pride Mardi Gras stage times 2025

This year’s Manchester Pride festival is nearly here, and with the organisers introducing an all-new addition to the celebrations in the form of Mardi Gras, 2025 is going to be unforgettable.

Promising to be bigger, better and bolder than ever, this new entire sub-section/spin-off/side-event (whatever you want to call it) is designed to up the party atmosphere even further over the long August bank holiday weekend.

For anyone as yet unaware, Manchester Pride 2025 will not just boast the usual parade, Gay Village Party and numerous other specific events in and around Canal Street, but an entirely new series; this year, Mardi Gras is taking over Depot Mayfield and Freight Island too, promising a whole host of shows.

So, without further ado, let’s get stuck into what’s on where and when, shall we?

@the.manc

♬ original sound – The Manc

The Mardi Gras lineup for Manchester Pride 2025

Now, for starters, you can see the full lineup down below, including the likes of blockbuster headliner Nelly Furtado, who was announced as the final act for the closing night of Mardi Gras 2025 last week.

The are plenty of other big names playing Pride this year – take a look for yourselves.

Credit: MCR Pride

It’s also worth noting that wristbands for Mardi Gras still grant you entry to all of this year’s Gay Village Party events, too.

Mardi Gras stage times for MCR Pride 2025

Next up are the stage times, and while we can certainly lay everything out for you, as with any festival, having to painstakingly check all of the clashes is up to you.

However, if you download the official Manchester Pride app for 2025, they have a helpful feature to do that for you as well.

You can see a full map of where to find the main Mardi Gras hub down below.

How about those set times then, eh?

Depot Mayfield

Saturday, 23 AugustSunday, 24 August
DJ Mother – 3-30pm
The Ivy Groove – 3:30-3:35pm
Tysie Blaque – 3:35-15:40pm
Black Betty – 3:40-4:30pm
Jsky – 4:30-4:50pm
Rikki Beadle-Blair – 4:50-4:55pm
Booty Luv – 4:55-5:25pm
DJ Sequinella – 5:25-5:55pm
Sonique – 5:55-6:20pm
Andi – 6:20-6:25pm
Jaii Andrews – 6:25-6:30pm
Coco Cannell – 7-7:10pm
Jaii Andrews (second set) – 7:10-7:15pm
Gok Wan – 7:15-8:45pm
Slapped Peach 8:45-8:50pm
Harry Kieta – 8:50-8:55pm
Cadbury Parfait – 8:55-9pm
Mr Blaque – 9-9:05pm
Billy Porter – 9:05-9:55pm
Ghetto Fabulous Dance Party – 9:55-10:25pm
Leigh-Anne – 10:45-11:30pm		Anna Phylactic – 2:45-2:50pm
N-Trance – 2:50-3:20pm
Louis III – 3:30-4pm
K-Klass – 4:10-7:10pm
Louisa Johnson – 5-5:40pm
Banksie – 5:20-5:35pm
Tayce – 5:45-18:00
Big Freedia – 6:30-7pm
Tulisa – 7:20-7:50pm
Olly Alexander – 9:40-10:40pm
Nelly Furtado – 11:30pm-12:30am
The former Little Mix star is headlines the night of Mardi Gras.
Gok Wan sets always go off.
Credit: Press Shots (supplied)

Freight Island

Sat, 23 AugustSun, 24 August
Bongo’s Bingo – 4-5pm
Red Bull ‘Dance Your Style’ – 5:15-35pm
Yshee Black – 5:35-5:50pm
Shanika Sunrise – 5:55-6:10pm
Bailey J Mills – 6:15-6:30pm
Red Bull ‘Dance Your Style’ (second set) – 7-7:20pm
Charity Shop Sue – 7:20-8:05pm
Queenz: ‘Drag Me To The Disco’ – 8:15-9pm
Dean McCullough’s Pop Machine – 9:15-10:15pm
The Danny Beard Show – 11:33pm-12:28am		Bongo’s Bingo – 3:45-4:45pm
Lucky Roy Singh – 5:20-5:25pm
Tequila Thirst – 5:25-5:30pm
Fortune – 5:35-5:40pm
Minara el Waters – 5:40-5:45pm
Lady Imelda – 5:45-5:55pm
DJ – Club Zindagi – 6-6:30pm
Singh/Raj/Fortune/Kaan/Awas – 6:30-6:35pm
Sitara Malik – 6:35-6:40pm
Awais – 6:40-6:45pm
Saki Yew – 6:45-6:50pm
Raj – 6:50-6:55pm
Duniya Dhoom – 6:55-7pm
Khaan – 7-7:05pm
Buffer – 7:05-7:15pm
Zahirah Zapanta – 7:15-7:20pm
Amirck Channa – 7:20-7:25pm
DJ – Club Zindagi (second set) – 7:25-7:55pm
House of MCR ‘Pride Edition’ – 9pm-12:04am

Concourse

Sat, 23 AugustSun, 24 August
DJ Loz Newy – 2-3pm
Choke On My Pronouns – 3-4pm
Stnly – 4-5pm
Fly Gir$$ – 5-6pm
Runaway x Banksie – 7-10pm
Monopoly Phonic – 10-10:30pm
Bestley – 10:20-midnight		Kris Herbert – 2:45-3:45pm
Chris Blackmore – 3:45-4:45pm
Kate Meyher – 4:45-5:45pm
Stephani B – 5:45-6:45pm
Yvette Lindquest – 6:45-7:45pm
Oxy Danger – 7:45-8:45pm
Dave Cooper b2b Forbid – 8:45-9:45pm
DJ Paulette – 9:45-10:45pm
ALTÉGO – 10:45-midnight

Freight Island (Garden Stage)

Sat, 23 Aug

  • Jamie John Warren – 3-4pm
  • Swagga – 6:30-8:30pm
  • Styli – 8:30-930pm
  • DJ Jess Rose – 9:30-11pm

Sun, 24 Aug

  • Michael Maddison – 7-8pm
  • Mix-Stress Presents ‘Kaleidoscope’ – 8-11pm

The Garden Stage is often the quieter, more laid-back part of Freight Island, but there’ll still be plenty of entertainment to be found there this bank holiday…

That’s just about everything you need to know ahead of the inaugural edition of Mardi Gras as part of the annual Manchester Pride celebrations.

We hope you all have a wonderful time this weekend – look out for one another, be happy, unapologetically yourselves, and show this city in its best light like you every year.

And last but not least, you can find out everything else you need to know from our complete MCR Pride 2025 guide right here.

Everything you need to know about Manchester Pride 2025 – parade route, lineup, tickets, and more
We wish you peace, love and non-stop partying.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)/The Manc Group

Audio

A big Taylor Swift listening party is coming to Manchester to celebrate her new album

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

An iconic Manchester music venue is hosting a Taylor Swift listening party to celebrate the release of her upcoming album this autumn.

The devil may work hard, but Ms. Swift sure works harder – as less than 500 days since the release of her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor has announced her twelfth LP titled The Life of a Showgirl, meaning the pop titan is back in full force with an era full of glitter, glitz, and showbiz glamour.

To celebrate, Manchester’s historic Deaf Institute is hosting a night dedicated to the newest era, and you’ll certainly be able to make ‘make the whole place shimmer’ as you walk into this Grade ll-listed building this October.

Get ready to hear everything from Taylor Swift’s stacked discography – including her humble beginnings like ‘Tim McGraw’, all the way through to her claiming the title as the ultimate ‘Anti-Hero’.

The DJs on the night will be spinning every single new track from Swift’s twelfth studio album too, all while mixing in some of her other standout songs.

Anyone keen to attend this Taylor Swift ‘Wonderland’ must be over 18 years old, and have their ID with them on the night, as unfortunately, there’s no ‘invisible string’ you can use to sneak yourself into this venue.

And if you’re turning 22 -or celebrating any other birthday – between 4 and 18 October, then you can score yourself free entry into this live music venue too, isn’t that ‘Gorgeous’?

Deaf Institute is hosting The Life of a Showgirl album launch party on 11 October from 11pm onwards, with tickets on sale HERE;

Now you’ve got tickets secured, the next ‘Question…?’ is which era are you dressing for on the night?

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Featured Images – Disney (supplied)

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