Watching the Jonas Brothers at the Co-op Live Arena was like stepping into a time machine that none of us ever wanted to get out of.
Although the tour was literally called ‘Five Albums, One Night’, we still somehow had our doubts as we walked up to the ever-impressive Co-op Live that we’d actually get the full spectrum of hits we were hoping for (mainly due to my disbelief that they’d actually play Camp Rock songs…)
But sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say ‘fair play’, because the Jonas Brothers delivered nothing non-stop hits, from nostalgic classics to the modern-day stuff.
What a venue, what a night. (Credit: The Manc Group)
Jonas Brothers at Co-op Live, Manchester – Review
Special mentions from the off
Before I really get into the bulk of the review though, I’d just like to shout out Mimi Webb, who opened the show brilliantly at the Co-op Live. From the moment she walked on stage you could have genuinely been fooled into thinking she was the one headlining.
Delivering many of her hits such as ‘Erase You’, ‘House on Fire’, ‘Good Without’ and more, she was the perfect support act for a crowd that was ready to party the night away.
Special mention also goes out to the actual venue: last night was admittedly my first time stepping foot into the Co-op Live and I was absolutely blown away, not only by the sheer size of the place but by how smoothly everything ran.
I know it may sound like a moot point but the best venues are the ones where you barely even notice all the effort that goes into the operation of ensuring customers have the best experience possible.
There’s nothing worse than paying good money for a ticket only to be held up in queues for the bar, toilet, or even just to get in; Co-op Live certainly ensures those problems don’t occur. It genuinely filled me with a little bit of Manc pride knowing that we have a music venue that good, right on our doorstep.
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Let’s go, Jo’ Bros
Anyway, onto the actual concert and can I first of all just start by saying, or rather screaming, AHHHHH!…
I’ll be the first to hold my hands up and admit Camp Rock was a seminal part of my early teenage years and that I’ve had a burning love for the Jonas Brothers ever since.
One thing that I really respected about their show is how they didn’t try to hide from their roots. There’s many a ‘child actor turned superstar’ out there who would love nothing more than to eradicate the memory of them ever being a plucky Disney channel regular.
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Not these lads, however. The Jo’ Bros seem to fully own their pre-teen and small screen past, wearing that reputation not with any adolescent cringe but instead like a badge of honour.
The show truly did span their entire discography, from ‘Gotta Find You’ (Camp Rock), all the way through to their latest record – fittingly called, The Album. It was two and a half hours of banger after banger… after banger, after BANGER, (I could go on—actually, I might…); after banger, after banger.
Okay, I’m done. Seriously though, the crowd were absolutely loving every moment of it. Every time one song ended and another began, within the first three notes being played, all you could hear was 23,000 simultaneous screams from adoring fans, ourselves firmly included.
In summary, the vibes were immaculate, the songs were stunning, the audience had the times of their lives and for one very special evening with inhibition left at the front door, a trio of siblings from across the pond made it felt like all might be well in the world once again.
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Hyperbole? Maybe, but that’s what pop music’s all about.
For future reference, we’ll fight anyone who dares to mock the Jonas Brothers as just some guilty pleasure.
That anyone should show shame for enjoying because last night they completely rocked (‘Camp Rock!’) the show, in an arena already heralded by many music legends.
You just have to be grateful for moments like these. Thank you, Jonas Brothers.
We know this write-up is 40% ‘review’ and about 60% Jonas Brothers fanboying — deal with it. (Credit: The Manc Group)
Heaton Park cafe launches huge Oasis ticket giveaway with VERY silly stunt
Daisy Jackson
A much-loved local space which is on the very doorstep of the Oasis reunion shows is launching a huge ticket giveaway.
Heaton Park Cafes, which operates the beautiful Lakeside Cafe, The Stables Cafe, and the boating lake at the park, have got a pair of Oasis tickets to give away to fans for free.
The lovely spot has announced the news this week with a pretty eye-catching stunt – popping Liam and Noel Gallagher onto a couple of swan pedalos.
Alright fine, it’s not actually Liam and Noel, rather a pair of very warm staff members in parkas and face masks, but it’s had a pretty eye-catching effect anyway.
The faux Gallagher brothers kept pretty tight-lipped on how to actually win tickets, but fret not, we’ve got all the info you need.
Heaton Park Cafes has got a pair of tickets to one of the massive Oasis summer reunion gigs to give away to one lucky customer.
The two tickets are for the final night of their hometown run, Sunday 20 July.
‘Noel’ with sandwiches at Heaton Park CafesNoel and Liam on an iconic swan boatThe swan boats have been renamed after Oasis songsHeaton Park Cafes’ Lakeside CafeHeaton Park Cafes are hosting an Oasis tickets giveaway
And to be in with a chance of winning, all you need to do is spend a bit of your hard-earned cash at this fabulous business.
Every time you spend £10 in the cafe, you’ll be given the chance to enter yourself into the prize draw.
And you’ll also be given an opportunity to enter the ticket draw if you rent out one of the boating lake’s iconic swan-shaped boats, row boats or electric boats (if you book online HERE you’ll be sent a link to enter, or if you rent a walk-in boat you’ll be able to enter on the spot).
To give you a taste of the treats you could get at the cafe – stacked sandwiches like a classic BLT; hearty breakfasts including Full Englishes and loaded breakfast sandwiches; and a full menu of ‘ultimate’ toasties.
They also have a few Oasis-inspired summer specials, like a refreshing strawberry lemonade.
The Lakeside Cafe is popular for a post-Parkrun coffee and cake, a delicious milkshake in the sunshine, or a full lunch after a dog walk (there’s even a dog menu), with stunning views across the boating lake.
You have until 16 July to be entered into the prize draw for Oasis tickets – head to The Lakeside Cafe, The Stables Cafe, or the boating lake in Heaton Park to win.
DJ at centre of Parklife cancellations speaks out over ‘unsafe’ crowds
Daisy Jackson
A rising DJ whose set was cancelled due to ‘safety concerns’ at Parklife festival has now spoken out on his side of events.
Josh Baker is a popular Manchester-born DJ who was set to perform on the brand-new Matinee stage on the Sunday night of the local music festival.
He had the second-highest billing of the day, followed by Chris Stussy as headliner of that particular stage.
But despite being booked onto one of the festival’s smaller stages, Josh Baker’s popularity quickly saw the space becoming overcrowded.
Videos shared on TikTok show fans clambering over the safety barriers that Parklife security had installed as a queue system, desperate to get inside for Josh’s set.
The young talent has now spoken out again about the incident, saying he could see from his vantage point it ‘quickly became unsafe’.
Josh Baker said that ‘the organisers made the right call’ despite the show ‘meaning a lot’ to him.
He detailed that he has been going to Parklife since the age of 16, and playing such a big slot in the festival ‘felt like a proper full-circle moment’.
He added that he’s been looking into doing free follow-up shows, but has been unable to find a venue that would hold ‘anywhere near the amount of people who were trying to get in to see me play’.
Josh wrote on Instagram: “I’m honestly so sorry to everyone who didn’t get to see the set. It was completely out of my hands, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less. Just know I’ve felt every bit of frustration with you.”
He then said he’s planning ‘something ridiculous’ for his Creamfields appearance to make it up to fans.
Josh Baker said in his full statement on Parklife: “I’ve taken a few days to process what happened at Parklife last weekend, and I wanted to share a few words.
“This one was always going to mean a lot. Growing up in Manchester, I’ve been going to Parklife since I was 16, so to be booked for such a big slot felt like a proper full-circle moment. But just as I stepped on stage, the music had to be cut. When I came on there were too many people trying to get into the arena and it quickly became unsafe, and therefore the stage had to be closed for the rest of the day.
“It’s gutting, but I want to be clear – the organisers made the right call. Safety has to come before everything. After seeing a few of the videos from the crowd, I’m just relieved the situation did not escalate and everyone remained safe.
“Still, it’s hard to explain how much it hurt not being able to play. I know so many of you were excited for that set and it honestly blew me away seeing that many people turning up.
“Over the last few days, I’ve been trying to figure out how to make it right. I looked into doing a free follow-up show in Manchester, but the reality is, there are no suitable or possible venues which would hold anywhere near the amount of people who were trying to get in to see me play.
“The last thing I’d want is to announce something and end up disappointing even more people who couldn’t get tickets. After a lot of conversations and digging behind the scenes, we’ve had to accept that there’s no realistic way to do something that feels fair right now.
“I’m honestly so sorry to everyone who didn’t get to see the set. It was completely out of my hands, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less. Just know I’ve felt every bit of frustration with you.
“I really hope to see loads of you at Creamfields because I’m already planning something ridiculous to try and make this up to you in some way.”
Oli Lowe -
13th September 2024 
