The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, is getting back behind the decks for another DJ set at one of the city’s most iconic music venues, Band on the Wall.
MC Andy Burnham as we like to call him from time to time is no stranger to doubling as DJ, and as odd as it may seem to have uttered that sentence about a politician on more than one occasion, he’s doing another set later this month.
Set to spin some classic indie favourites, Burnham will be joining the ‘All My Friends‘ club night founder Dave Masterman on the turntables, with the tunes expected to go on till late.
After the election result this past week, it’s fair to say the party atmosphere is pretty much guaranteed.
The All My Friends indie night has run in London and Manchester for over a decade now, with past guest DJs including Josh Widdicombe, Chris Moyles, Polly James, Sunta Templeton and Ivo Graham, as well as Elis James and John Robins, whose podcast Masterman produces.
Looking ahead to the night itself, Andy says: “It is great to be DJing at such an iconic venue in Manchester. I hope we can put on a memorable night together and we can raise some money for a vital cause at the same time.”
As always, Burnham will also be donating his fee directly to the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity, which helps support the homeless community across the region, with the aim of raising even more money for the crucial cause throughout the night.
Masterman, buzzing that the Mayor will be getting involved, added: “The excitement around this booking has been off the charts… I’ve known about his superb taste in music for some time, so I thought I’d see if he fancied popping along.
“I couldn’t believe it when the response was an enthusiastic yes! What a fantastic night it’s going to be.” As we say, it’s not his first rodeo:
Andy Burnham and the rest of the All My Friends gang play Band On The Wall next week on Friday, 19 July, with doors opening from 9:30pm and the curfew not until gone 2am, and you already know this thing will sell out fast.
Honorary Manc Ariana Grande announces huge world tour – but skips Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Ariana Grande has announced details of a huge world tour, but the honorary Mancunian will be skipping Manchester again.
The 32-year-old, Grammy Award-winning star has instead booked five nights at The O2 in London for her only UK stop on the tour.
Ariana Grande was made an honorary Mancunian back in 2017, in recognition of her work following the Manchester Arena terror attack.
She is the first person to have ever received this honour.
Since the atrocity in the city, which took the lives of 22 people, Ariana has only performed here twice more – once at the One Love concert she organised as a fundraiser for the victims and their families, and once as a headliner of Manchester Pride.
It’s been six years since her last tour, but Ariana Grande is now back, sharing details of her hotly-anticipated The Eternal Sunshine Tour next summer.
As well as her five-night residency in London, she’ll play four nights in LA and Brooklyn, as well as cities right across North America.
Ariana Grande has announced The Eternal Sunshine Tour
Her London dates will be her only European shows on The Eternal Sunshine Tour.
Eternal Sunshine was released in 2024 and was her seventh studio album, spawning singles ‘Yes, And?’, ‘We Can’t Be Friends’, and ‘The Boy Is Mine’.
Ariana Grande is now also an Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated actress thanks to her starring role in Wicked as Glinda the Good Witch.
Tickets for her tour will go on sale from Tuesday 16 September with an artist presale as well as an O2 Priority Presale. Remaining tickets will be available during the general ons-ale beginning Thursday 18 September at 10am.
Ariana Grande – The Eternal Sunshine Tour Dates 2026
A rising Manc musician is supporting a global popstar on tour in America
Danny Jones
Up-and-coming Greater Manchester musician Elliot James Reay, from just down the road in Bury, has just joined fellow rising solo artist and already established US superstar Benson Boone on his upcoming American tour.
Yes, a lad from Bury is opening for the bloke who belts out that ‘Beautiful Things’ tune that’s been stuck near the top of the charts for what feels like the last year.
Fittingly joining Boone for the US leg of his American Heart tour supporting his sophomore album of the same name, 23-year-old Elliot James Reay has already played a trio of shows warming up the crowds ahead of the headliner and is quickly gaining new fans across the pond.
Especially since his music harkens back to some of their most famous music icons of all time.
The youngster is still having to pinch himself at the mere notion of being on the road with such a big name so early in his career, posting on social media this week, “How do I explain this one to my friends back in Bury?
“A dream come true to be opening for Benson Boone in St Paul last night, I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity to sing to you all and thank you for all the love you gave me!”
Roy Orbison-obsessed Raey – who also takes plenty of look and feel from the likes of Elvis and Billy Fury, among other old school, soulful American singers – has gone from releasing covers on YouTube to dropping his first-ever EP back in June and now playing full Stateside stadiums.
What a whirlwind journey it’s been for the local lad already.
The Manc songwriter and guitarist featured as one of our artists of the month last December, and we’re glad to see he’s only gone from strength to strength.
It’s fair to say that he’s matured a lot in the time since then, let alone the last 12 months or so, and booking a slot as a support act for as big as Benson Boone is right now is nothing short of huge.
We said late last year, and we’ll say it again: we see a bright future ahead for this talented young Macunian, and we wish him all the best for the dozen or so remaining US tour dates.
If you haven’t listened to his stuff before, you can get a little taste with his latest single HERE.
Or, if you want to take our advice, why not watch a great music video filmed around some very familiar city centre sites down below?
He’s certainly got his own style, even if it his heavily inspired by some of the greats.
Danny Jones -
10th July 2024 
