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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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An old indie favourite is heading back to Manchester for a ‘Best Of Tour’ at a brilliant venue

Danny Jones Danny Jones The Pigeon Detectives Manchester gig tickets

Time to roll back the years as old-school indie favourite The Pigeon Detectives are coming back to Manchester for a special show at one of the most stunning venues in the city.

We swear, if we could find our old iPod, their tracks would still be all over it.

Coming back to another part of the North that always showed them plenty of love, The Pigeon Detectives will be playing a special ‘The Best of Tour’ in line with their latest record, Still Not Sorry.

The Manc gig comes as the Yorkshire lads announced just six UK headline sets to support the album release, but let’s be honest, they were never going to skip 0161, were they?

With only half a dozen domestic dates confirmed so far, including the likes of Manchester, a homecoming night in Leeds and up in Glasgow, this really does feel like a return that long-standing fans won’t want to miss.

The new LP, which is a greatest hits compilation featuring the very best tracks from their discography that stretches over two decades, drops next month and we’re very ready to pump some adolescent nostalgia into our ears.

And best of all, they’ll be playing all the cult favourite Pigeon Detectives tracks at the simply stunning New Century Hall, marking just their second visit to the venue.

Boasting the food and beer hall downstairs as the ideal pre-gig location, not to mention a sprung dancefloor and those iconic, mesmerising lights, it’s a nigh on perfect space for live music.

We’re not exaggerating when we say we’ve had some of our best gigs in recent memory here.

Speaking in a lengthier statement on social media, the boys from Rothwell wrote: “If a band is lucky (and hardworking, and fairly decent at what they do!) there comes a time in their career when they realise that the journey they started as mates messing about on guitars has culminated in a hefty bunch of songs that people actually care about and connect with!

“At this point, the only logical next step is to take a breath, reflect back through the archives and assemble a ‘Best Of’ album. We’ve reached that point, Pigeon Heads!”

They describe the project as a collection of songs and memories that chart their career from their humble beginnings in Leeds to their “adventures around the globe”, where they have been fortunate enough to “some of the biggest stages on the planet.”

“As a band it’s always felt like we had to do things the hard way, even with an amazing set of supportive fans”, they go on to add, “but we just kept on writing songs, kept on playing gigs and kept on being The Pigeon Detectives. Us against the world. We weren’t sorry then, and we’re Still Not Sorry now!”

Maybe it’s our age showing but those last few lines alone have got us feeling all teary-eyed.

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The Pigeon Detectives come to New Century on Saturday, 29 November, which will be the closing night of their ‘Best Of’ run.

The greatest hits album arrives on 23 May via Dance To The Radio and tickets for all other shows go on general sale next Friday, 2 May at 10am.

You can also gain access to pre-sale by pre-ordering Still Not Sorry. Get ready to grab tours HERE.

They’re not the only throwback we’re looking forward to catching this year.

Scouting For Girls announce stacked UK tour with Manchester date
Elvis ain’t dead and neither are Scouting.

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

Featured Images — Nina Zimmerman (via Flickr)/Resident Music

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Loyle Carner announces THREE massive Manchester gigs to follow Glastonbury headline slot

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Loyle Carner has announced three Manchester gigs

Loyle Carner will perform three huge gigs in Manchester as part of a newly-announced UK tour, chasing his headline Glastonbury slot.

The groundbreaking British artist will be heading to the O2 Victoria Warehouse later this year alongside shows in cities including London, Glasgow, Newcastle and Birmingham.

Loyle Carner has also confirmed today that a brand new album is on the way – hopefully! is set for release on 20 June.

It’ll give fans a week to listen and love his new music before he headlines The Other Stage at Glastonbury festival on 27 June.

He’s already released two surprise new songs – ‘all i need / in my mind’, as his new chapter sees him explore fatherhood, childhood and alternative music.

Loyle Carner has sung, produced and ‘accidentally’ formed a band for this latest release, which includes audio clips of his son.

Loyle Carner first emerged in 2013 with his A Little Late EP, followed by his debut album Yesterday’s Gone in 2017, with plenty more releases in the years since.

He’s been shortlisted TWICE for the Mercury Prize and has scored BRIT and NME Award nominations too, as well as 1.1 BILLION streams.

You’ll recognise his face from campaigns with global brands like YSL, New Balance, and Nike, not to mention his sold-out shows including Alexandra Palace, Wembley Arena and the Royal Albert Hall in his beloved London hometown alone.

Loyle Carner will perform at the O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester on 23, 24, and 24 November 2025.

Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday 2 May – you can get tickets HERE.

Loyle Carner UK tour dates in full

  • 02.11.25 || London || O2 Academy Brixton
  • 03.11.25 || London || O2 Academy Brixton
  • 04.11.25 || London || O2 Academy Brixton
  • 05.11.25 || London || O2 Academy Brixton
  • 07.11.25 || Cardiff || Utilita Arena
  • 12.11.25 || Glasgow || O2 Academy
  • 13.11.25 || Glasgow || O2 Academy
  • 14.11.25 || Glasgow || O2 Academy
  • 18.11.25 || Newcastle || O2 City Hall
  • 19.11.25 || Newcastle || O2 City Hall
  • 20.11.25 || Birmingham || O2 Academy
  • 21.11.25 || Birmingham || O2 Academy
  • 23.11.25 || Manchester || O2 Victoria Warehouse
  • 24.11.25 || Manchester || O2 Victoria Warehouse
  • 25.11.25 || Manchester || O2 Victoria Warehouse

You can get tickets HERE.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

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