One of Greater Manchester’s most popular festivals will be back in the Stockport countryside this weekend, as Moovin Festival 2022 heads back to Etherow Country Park.
With its biggest line-up yet – featuring Orbital, Shy FX and DJ Jazzy Jeff – as well as its stunning setting at the eco-friendly Whitebottom Farm, it’s gone from being ‘Manchester’s best kept secret’ to a staple on the region’s events calendar.
At Moovin Festival 2022, you’ll find all the usual countryside stages, including The Barn, a converted cow shed with a massive bar and hay bales to sit on.
Festival-goers are welcomed by a magical canopy of trees, a lake with waterfowl, and a breathtaking gorge, with a limited capacity at the festival itself to ‘keep the friendly, intimate (adult only) family vibe which has helped to make this boutique festival so special’.
On top of the music, festival-goers can take advantage of yoga classes, gong baths, massages, circus and dance performances, poetry, magic, ethically-sourced food and drink, fresh juices and smoothies, treats, sweets and delights.
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Here’s everything you need to know.
Moovin Festival 2022 tickets
Moovin Festival is back for 2022. Credit: Claire Angel
Early bird tickets for Moovin Festival have been snapped up already – no surprise – but there are still other tickets up for grabs.
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Friday day tickets are priced at £38.75, while Saturday and Sunday tickets cost £60.75.
Weekend tickets for Moovin are £132.25 this year, with an extra £27.75 for a camping pass.
Prices will creep up slightly once this next batch of tickets sells out, so move quickly.
This summer’s headliners include dance pioneers Orbital, funk and soul from Roy Ayers, dancehall vibes from Sister Nancy, and the party-starter that is DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Hip hop heavyweights the Sugarhill Gang and Jungle Brothers, Alabama 3, and a theatre show from Slamborees will all also be on the bill.
The Udder One stage, a club in a field, will showcase Shy FX, dance legend Louie Vega, and Soul II Soul maestro Jazzie B.
Craig Charles will bring his ever-popular funk and soul skills to the fields, while the Mad Professor will bring dub and reggae vibes.
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Then Moovin resident Krafty Kuts will ‘blow your wellies off’ with a back-to-back set with the Plump DJs and Freestylers.
Across five stages there’ll be a mix of music and performance that supports upcoming and local talent as well as established artists.
Graeme Park, Jon Da Silva, DJ Paulette, Micky Finn, Dillinja and DJ Randall will all join this year’s Moovin line-up.
Stage times
Moovin has just released the stage times for its 2022 festival – flick through the gallery below to see who’s playing where and when.
How to get to Moovin Festival 2022
Moovin’s picturesque countryside location in the village of Compstall is actually only 15 minutes from Stockport, and 30 minutes from Manchester.
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Those who are driving should use postcode SK6 5HZ, which will take you to the Post Office in the village, where signs will guide you the rest of the way to the three car parks.
The closest car park costs £15 for the day or weekend, with an alternative car park at the entrance of Etherow Country Park for day ticket holders – this is also where the shuttle buses pick up from.
Shuttle buses cost £1 each way and you’ll need cash.
If you’re arriving by taxi, it’s best to get dropped off in the Etherow Country Park official car park, where there is either the option of the beautiful 20 minute walk through the country park or the shuttle bus.
The nearest train stations are Marple and Romiley. Stockport train station is also nearby with buses every 15 minutes.
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Gate opening and closing times
Motor Home Ticket Holders Only – Friday 26 August – 11am -9pm
Camping Ticket Holders Only – Friday 26 August – 1pm -9pm
All Other Ticket Holders:
Friday 26 August – 2pm – 9pm
Saturday 27 August – 10am – 9pm
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Sunday 28 August – 10am – 9pm
Featured image: Voodoo_Imaging
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Fontaines D.C. announce massive gig at Manchester’s Aviva Studios as part of UK tour
Danny Jones
Irish post-punk pioneers Fontaines D.C. have just announced a brand new UK and Ireland tour ahead of their new album later this year and leading new arts and live entertainment venue, Aviva Studios, has been selected for their massive Manchester date.
The Dublin powerhouses have emerged as one of the most exciting acts on the planet for our money, combining everything from new wave, alternative and often grungey guitars, to more classic rock and even indie sounds, making them one of the most instantly recognisable sounds on the modern scene.
With all that being said, we cannot wait for their return to Manchester and what will no doubt be one of the biggest and best gigs Aviva Studios has seen yet.
Fontaines D.C. roll up to 0161 in Fall 2024 and they’ll have a brand new album under their belt to boot.
Become a Factory International Members to gain early access tickets on Wednesday 24 April, 10am.
Fontaines D.C. return to Manchester for the first time since 2022.
Home to Factory International, which kicked off an incredible debut calendar of cultural events last year, Aviva Studios is already proving to be an impressive addition to the Manc skyline, especially now it’s coaxing names like Fontaines D.C. to come and perform there over other gig spaces.
As for the band themselves, they dropped the lead single entitled ‘Starburster’ this week and it proved to be quite the sea change for often fast, frantic and no-nonsense five-piece. If you haven’t heard it yet, strap in and get ready to be over-exhaling out loud non-stop for the next hour – you’ll see what we mean.
With their fourth record Romance set to release on 23 August, we think it’s fair to say this new record – the first with new producer James Ford (Blur, Arctic Monkeys) – is off to a much more experimental start than their heavily acclaimed 2019 debut, Dogrel.
Set to take the stage in Aviva Studios’ Warehouse space on Friday, 29 November, Fontaines’ Manchester date is part of a new run of shows announced as part of their full European which kicks off in June.
Heading back from the continent in August and starting off the UK leg in Wolverhampton on 20 November, it’ll be a fast and furious nine-show run culminating with a homecoming concert in Dublin.
Tickets for all headline dates go on general sale at 10am next Friday, 26 April and for first access to presale, fans can pre-order the album by 3pm on 23 April.
Masked Manchester rapper Meekz bursts back with surprise gig in Piccadilly Gardens with JD
Charlie Watkinson
Local rap sensation Meekz is back, if you hadn’t noticed – he burst back onto the scene last week with a surprise gig with JD in Piccadilly Gardens.
The masked Manchester rapper is celebrating the release of his latest single Mini Me’s – and a handful of Mini Meekz posters appeared around town, pasted there by artist collective Pattern Up (then swiftly removed) last week.
Meekz continues to impress with his latest release, a track that’s quickly gaining popularity.
True to form, Meekz delivers not only sonically but visually, teaming up once again with KC Locke to create a stunning music video.
Their collaboration underscores the significance of music videos, reaffirming their lasting impact in the industry.
The video pays homage to their previous work, particularly ‘Like Me’, while also pushing boundaries with a post-apocalyptic CGI rendition of Manchester, reminiscent of scenes from GTA and Marvel movies.
This innovative approach demonstrates the remarkable synergy between Meekz and KC Locke, marking a new pinnacle in their collaborative efforts.
Following the premiere, Meekz treated fans to a memorable performance in Piccadilly Gardens, organised with JD, where he made a grand entrance by gifting miniature Air Max 95’s to his fans before taking the stage atop a large storage container.
Mini Meekz posters briefly popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu
I had the opportunity to speak with Meekz after the premiere, where he shared insights into his upcoming tape, ‘Tru’, slated for release on 24 May.
Additionally, he hinted at exclusive news related to GTA/GTA 6, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his future endeavours.
It’s clear that Meekz continues to innovate and redefine the game with each new project, and we’re excited to see what he has in store next.
KC Locke said: “In the time that the mainstream media is writing articles about the decline of the music video industry, swords and eagles are here to make a stand and show not only are music videos here to stay but they are more important than ever.
“This is a testament to community, bound by a shared vision, we rise and rise again, together, for the culture.”
Daisy Jackson -
24th August 2022 
