The Alternative Manchester Pride Festival will stream live music and DJ sets direct to people’s homes. Otherwise, there are a few other ways in which you can celebrate in the city.
The majority of this summer’s events have been scrapped for 2020, and Manchester Pride is no exception.
Sadly, there’ll be no parade this year, but a global pandemic won’t stop this city’s glitterball spinning.
There are still plenty of reasons to get into the Pride party mood this week if you choose to celebrate from the comfort and safety of your living room.
As Manchester is experiencing continued local lockdown restrictions, the usual Canal Street antics have moved online this bank holiday – with the Alternative Manchester Pride Festival launching Friday 28 August to Monday 31 August.
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The KAMPUS bungalow.
The LGBQT+ charity has put together three days of music and performances – all broadcast live from the new KAMPUS bungalow via United We Stream GM and YouTube.
Saturday’s lineup features performances from Pride faves Pixie Lott, Karen Harding and Jodie Harsh, whilst on Sunday, there will be whole host of film showings, workshops and even YouTube yoga sessions.
KAMPUS, the new multi-use space developed by HBD overlooks Manchester’s Gay Village. It will be transformed into a studio as the main festival hub of activity.
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Adam Brady, Executive Director at HBD said: “KAMPUS is right next door to Canal Street, and the Village is one of our closest neighbours, so it seemed like the perfect fit for the festival to live stream from the Bungalow this weekend. We’ve been really impressed with the creativity and determination the charity has shown to deliver an event this year in such challenging circumstances.”
Alternative Manchester Pride Festival lineup
If you are able to venture out, bars in and around Canal Street will be open with outdoor seating and a limited capacity.
The Refuge have also announced their annual Come As You Are Weekender will return on Friday. To adhere to government guidelines, it will be a stripped-back, socially distanced edition.
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Homoelectric will take control of the soundtrack on the first night. The likes of Luke Unabomber and Gina Breeze will step up on Friday. Popular Manchester club night, High Hoops, ware set to share their hedonistic house and disco sound on Saturday. DJ Paulette, Massey, Abigail Ward and Kim Lana will close on Sunday.
Likewise, the new 600-capacity Escape to Freight Island in the grounds of Mayfield Depot is also holding its own Pride celebrations from Friday 28 to Sunday 30 August.
Their three-day programme of music and drag opens with Bollox Queer Pride on Friday. Saturday and Sunday will see takeovers from House of Ghetto. Finally, Mix-Stress brings the affair to a climax on Sunday evening. The city’s newest venue is fully booked most nights despite being the newest kid on the scene. Book in advance if you want to make the trip.
Escape to Freight Island Pride weekend lineup.
Whatever you decide to do for Pride this weekend, stay safe and keep your distance.
For more information and the full Alternative Manchester Pride Festival schedule, visit the website here.
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Oasis’ Bonehead reveals he has been given the all-clear following cancer battle
Danny Jones
Music lovers everywhere, rejoice, as Oasis‘ former guitarist ‘Bonehead‘ has revealed that he has been given the all-clear following his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
The 57-year-old – real name Paul Benjamin Arthurs – announced the uplifting update via social media on Friday morning, confirming he had a “full scan 10 days ago” and that the cancer is now gone.
Absolutely mint news.
Update on my cancer; I had a full scan 10 days ago and it’s all clear, it’s gone. Thank you so much all of you for the messages I’ve had throughout , you’ve helped more than you know. Thank you especially to the team at @TheChristieNHS , into recovery now and see you all soon x
Bonehead was diagnosed with tonsil cancer back in April and kept fans in the loop with intermittent posts informing them on how his treatment was progressing, confirming that he had finished his final round of sessions back in June.
The last we heard was a tweet informing his followers that he was feeling “feeling ok” following the radiotherapy treatment in May but that he, sadly, still wouldn’t be able to make an appearance at Liam Gallagher’s highly-anticipated Knebworth homecoming gig.
Regardless, Gallagher was the first to voice his support back and one was no different this time around, taking to Twitter to celebrate the wonderful news.
YES BONEHEAD WE KNEW YOUD KICK ITS ARSE SOOOOO FUCKING HAPPY GUINNESS LG x
Besides behind the rhythm guitarist and occasional keyboardist, Arthurs was one of the band’s founding members all the way back in 1999. He ultimately left in 1999 whilst they were recording their fourth album, Standing on the Shoulder of Giants, stating that he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Bonehead thanked his followers for their messages of support throughout his journey, insisting “you’ve helped more than you know”.
He also gave a special thank you to “the team at @TheChristieNHS“, Manchester’s specialist cancer treatment hospital, one of the biggest in Europe.
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Withington is the largest single cancer treatment centre on the continent and one of the leading facilities for cancer research, care and radiotherapy in the UK.
Clubbing brand Don’t Let Daddy Know to make massive comeback in Manchester this weekend
Daisy Jackson
World-renowned clubbing brand Don’t Let Daddy Know is set to make a massive return this weekend, with a huge line-up at O2 Victoria Warehouse.
The international line-up will include Timmy Trumpet, Blasterjaxx, Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman, Third Party, and Ummet Ozcan.
Don’t Let Daddy Know is famed for its huge production, with walls of LEDs, pyrotechnics and lasers creating an almighty clubbing experience – not to mention plenty of surprises along the way.
It has grown into a global phenomenon, hosting tens of thousands of clubbers in venues around the world.
The 18+ dance event will be back after a two-year hiatus and returning to the O2 Victoria Warehouse, the site of previous sell-out shows.
The line-up is packed with EDM and HardStyle artists, including Australian DJ/producer Timmy Trumpet, who has 1.2 billion streams and first broke through with Freaks, which dominated the charts in more than 10 countries.
He said: “Manchester knows how to party!! I can’t wait to rage with you guys, this is gonna be absolutely MENTAL!!
“Don’t Let Daddy Know always brings the best production. This is gonna be one for the history books!”
Blasterjaxx is a fixture in the EDM scene, along with Swedish DJ and producer duo Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman.
Don’t Let Daddy Know will be at the O2 Victoria Warehouse on Saturday 1 October, with last entry at 11pm.
There are VIP tickets available, with the best views in the house from the venue’s mezzanine level, as well as fast-track entry and a private bar and toilets.
General admission tickets are priced at £25 plus fees, while VIP tickets start from £37.50 – you can get yours here.
Hannah Starkie -
26th August 2020 
