One of the very best festivals in Greater Manchester, and we guarantee the only one that takes place inside a garden centre (yes, really), is returning: that’s right, Green Island Festival is back again this year and we cannot wait.
The unique three-part music festival spread over three months is quietly becoming the best music event you’re missing out on if you live in and around Manchester, but if 2023’s edition was anything to go by, this thing won’t be staying a best-kept secret for much longer.
Green Island Fest 2024 descends upon Hulme Community Garden Centre, a beloved artistic and cultural cornerstone for the local area, from June and will see repeat parties all day and all night in July and September.
Soak up the sun in the day and then dance the night away — how all good festivals operate.
If you’ve never come across the concept before, let us fill you in. Five stages, (the most ever) around 50 musical acts from all over the UK and plenty of artists too, don’t you worry; three chapters, three of the most sun-soaked months in the year, food, drinks, dancing, A LOT of plants and plenty more.
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On the face of it, it might sound a bit odd to have a music festival inside a place where people usually buy pots and flowers, but if you’ve ever been to Hulme Garden Centre you’ll know it’s much more than that. The local institution is a hub for creatives, crafters and people from all walks of life.
When you get in there and see the whole vibe for yourself, you actually realise it’s kind of the perfect place for a music festival.
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Partnering with the likes of Reform Radio, the nearby NIAMOS Centre, as well Salford and Manchester-based promoters Fat Out, among many others, this really is set to be the biggest year for the festival to date. That also makes it a better time than ever to give it a try if you haven’t before.
But don’t be fooled into thinking this is just another one for those with the energy to dance non-stop for 24 hours, the pop-up food vendors, on-site cafe, various comfy and communal areas and stalls still selling stuff from the garden centre like any other work day mean its super family-friendly too.
In fact, last year we were genuinely taken aback a bit to see just how many parents came along to have a boogie with their kids wearing cute little ear defenders, pot plants, or simply lay back on the bed of chamomile grass and stare up at the sky. It’s just a great atmosphere all around.
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We always end up spending most of our time at the Forest stage — which is even better than you think it is — but that’s the perk of having it spread over three different dates, you still have plenty of time to try out all the different spaces around the roughly 1000-capacity venue.
You can see the full lineup for Green Island Festival 2024 down below:
We always stumble across so many up-and-coming artists at this thing.
Green Island Festival returns to Manchester on 15 June, 27 July and 7 September and boy are we praying for hot weather and clear skies — there’s plenty of coverage across the garden centre coverage if not, but there is nothing better than when the sun shines down on this thing.
You can grab tickets for either of the three chapters and the following afterparties over at YES this year via SeeTickets HERE, with day passes starting from just £20. Mint.
We really can’t speak highly enough of this festival and if you don’t believe us, you can read our full review from last year’s event down below and, hopefully, we’ll see you there.
What people are wearing at Parklife 2026 – ruffles, cowboy boots, football shirts and bandanas
Clementine Hall
Parklife weekend is here, which means festival fashion is back, and Manchester has absolutely delivered on its outfit trends once again.
Every year in the fields of Heaton Park, thousands of ravers flock to Parklife festival for the biggest party of the year.
And of course, you can’t attend a festival without wearing a fire fit and boy oh boy have we seen some.
Gone are the days when you’d throw on a t shirt and jeans to a festival, and although you may see a few tracksuits and flimsy rain ponchos (we are in Manchester after all), the people of Parklife are dressing to impress this year.
Images: The Manc Group
The main theme of the weekend is…ruffles.
We’re talking ruffled shorts, ruffled boots, ruffled skirts – if you can ruffle it, the Parklife people are buying it. We’d say the vast majority of girls are wearing ruffled hot pants, and we are absolutely here for it.
Another trend is not practical in the slightest but of course looks absolutely fab, and that is cowboy boots.
Images: The Manc Group
We dread to think of the blisters that are going to crop up after the weekend, but as the old saying goes…beauty is well and truly pain.
You may mistake yourself for being at Coachella due to the amount of girls absolutely rocking a bandana this year, a trend which is both stylish and practical with the sun blaring down on Heaton Park this weekend.
And last but not least, maybe it’s the World Cup fever but we’ve spotted both boys and girls sporting football shirts and looking class whilst doing so.
Images: The Manc Group
All in all, Parklife weekend is flooded with fashionistas this year but are we surprised when Manchester is a hive for the coolest cats in the game? We think not.
There’s also a couple of pop-ups onsite this year for if you’re looking to level up your fit, including Suzy Loves Milo selling vintage garms and The Mothership providing all the perfect accessories.
Take That at the Etihad Stadium – the Manchester boys are ‘back for good’ | Review
Clementine Hall
We’re not saying this was the ‘Greatest Day’ of our lives…but it was certainly up there.
Take That have been taking us all on a trip down memory lane over the past few weeks, bringing The Circus Live back to stadiums across the UK and recreating their record-breaking 2009 tour.
Last night they kicked off their four night run at the Etihad Stadium, and it’s safe to say the much-loved pop trio have absolutely still got it.
In fact, I’d go as far to say that this is the best Gary, Mark and Howard have ever looked, sang, and above all else, danced.
Maybe it’s because this is their first hometown gig in two years, or maybe it’s because I’m extremely biased having grown up listening to Take That in my mum’s car on the way to school.
Either way, I said what I said.
Now as the name suggests, The Circus Live isn’t your average show. There’s a gigantic hot air balloon, a huge mechanical elephant, clown face paint, acrobats, unicycles, fireworks, sparkly costumes, you name it – they’ve got it.
It’s an aggressive assault to the senses, a fantastic fever dream, overstimulation of the highest degree, and I lapped up every single moment.
It’s what I imagine taking a tab of acid feels like before a gig, and if that’s the case then I would recommend doing so.
Of course the boys open the show with ‘Greatest Day’, and from the get go Gary Barlow’s vocals are just as smooth as ever.
After a brief Barry Manilow cover they then showcase their exceptional synchronised choreography during the dance break of ‘Pray’, to which I could almost hear the audible gasps from hundreds of mums in the audience.
All of which, I assume, were transported in that moment back to 1993 when Take That debuted the moves on Top of the Pops.
After a brief pause, Mark Owen leads the lads in ‘Shine’ as they make their way to the second stage in the centre of the stadium. Top hat in hand, Gary on the keys, Howard there purely for vibes – it’s no wonder Morrison’s chose this banger for their advert.
From then on it is simply banger after banger, and it’s clear that they feel very grateful to still be filling out stadiums as Howard particularly gets teary eyed after ‘Never Forget’ is met with roars of applause.
Take That have three more shows left at the Etihad Stadium, and you can still grab some last minute tickets here.
However, if you fancy not moving from your sofa but still want to be a part of the fun – Saturday’s show will be livestreamed across the globe via Amazon Music, so no matter where you are in the world, you can still visit The Circus. Find out more here.
Danny Jones -
29th February 2024 
