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.
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.
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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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Elbow announce three very intimate shows in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Elbow have announced a three-night Manchester residency, and they’ll be playing a much more intimate venue than their usual.
The Bury-formed rock legends have announced a run of ‘very special’ intimate gigs to celebrate 25 years of their debut studio album, Asleep In The Back.
Elbow frontman Guy Garvey has said the band want it to be a ‘time machine night’ for both them and their fans.
Last time Elbow played a hometown gig, it was an enormous outdoor summer show at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester.
And the time before that, they were opening the UK’s largest indoor arena, the Co-op Live (admittedly, they weren’t supposed to open the venue, but its opening got delayed to land on the date of their gig).
So to see them play to a crowd of just 1,500 people is not an occurrence we’re likely to see again for a while.
Elbow have just announced three intimate Manchester gigs, performing at the O2 Ritz this November.
They’ll perform their debut, Asleep In The Back, in its entirety, along with selected B-sides and rarities.
Speaking of the announcement, Guy Garvey said: “It’s fascinating for us to revisit the atmosphere we created, and the Ritz feels like the perfect setting to capture that atmosphere.
“A time machine night for us and for the fans. See you there.”
Elbow will perform at O2 Ritz Manchester on Friday 20, Saturday 21, and Sunday 22 November.
Tickets will go on general sale from 10am on Friday 4 September HERE, with an artist presale from 10am on Wednesday 2 September.
Andy Burnham’s favourite Manchester pub, restaurant, neighbourhood and Sunday roast
Daisy Jackson
Andy Burnham’s favourite pub, restaurant, neighbourhood, and Sunday roast have been revealed – and the man’s got taste.
Old footage of now-PM Andy Burnham chatting to content creator Isaac Likes has been doing the rounds again, and while the interview dates back to before Andy left us and headed down to the big smoke, his Manchester recommendations still stand.
From his go-to neighbourhood and favourite pub to where he heads for a Sunday roast, and even the song he likes to play when he gets behind the decks, Burnham gave us a glimpse into his ideal Manchester day.
First up, there’s the Northern Quarter, which Burnham reckons has to be his favourite neighbourhood in the city.
He said: “Got to be the Northern Quarter. It’s the place where it’s all happening.”
When it comes to food, he singled out Firehouse, sitting on the edge of the Northern Quarter, as one of his favourite places to eat. He also gave a shoutout to its sister venue Ramona, where he’s been known to get behind the decks.
Andy said: “On the edge of the Northern Quarter, Firehouse is a place I love to go. Ramona Pizza, I’ve DJ’d there – if the mayor DJs there it’s gotta be alright.”
For a proper pint, Burnham’s choice is a little more traditional, saying his favourite pub is the ‘proper old school’ Peveril of the Peak.
The beautiful tiled pub was recently named the best in the UK, just days before its legendary landlady Nancy passed away.
When Sunday rolls around, Burnham said he has a couple of options up his sleeve. The Wharf in Castlefield gets a mention, as does Edinburgh Castle up in Ancoats.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterThe Edinburgh CastleFirehouseSome of Andy Burnham’s favourite places in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
He said: “We love our gravy, we drink it by the pint in Manchester.”
Of course, no conversation with Burnham about Manchester would be complete without talking music.
Asked to name the best Manchester band of all time, he offered a few contenders – The Smiths, New Order, and, ultimately, The Stone Roses.
“The band I think are quintessentially Manchester is The Stone Roses. That was peak Manchester,” he said.
Hannah Starkie -
26th August 2020 
