Revolutionary New Jersey singer and rapper Lauryn Hill made her show in Manchester a real family affair with support from her son Zion Marley.
‘The Celebration Continues Tour’ sees Ms. Lauryn Hill, alongside long-time industry friends and bandmates The Fugees, performing hits of the last few decades while raising a glass to her debut album ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ which turned 25 last year.
On Saturday night the tour landed at the massive Co-op Live arena in Manchester.
DJ Reborn built the atmosphere before Ms. Hill took to the stage. Playing a remix of Wonderwall by Oasis paired with Best I Ever Had by Drake, she really was combining tastes from the past and present.
Besides contributing to the success of one of the best-selling hip-hop groups of all time, Lauryn Hill also has an impressive roster of hits racked up in her solo discography too.
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She made that clear with her bold entrance to Co-op Live with a dramatic version of ‘Everything is Everything’. The crowd were devoted subjects to their Queen.
Ms. Lauryn Hill playing a show to a full Co-op Live.The crowd being re-educated while celebrating 25 years of ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’. Credit: The Manc Group
Ms. Lauryn Hill performed her passionate album track ‘To Zion’ dedicated to her son before giving him the stage to captivate the audience with a collection of three reggae tracks.
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The crowd were on a constant high throughout, as much as they were hyped for the visionary that is Lauryn Hill’s setlist, they gave Zion Marley the same energy too.
As the piano riff to her ground-breaking UK top three hit ‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’ started playing out to the Manchester crowd, everyone rises out of their seat like it’s time for the national anthem, and for Lauryn Hill fans… it is.
As she sings the infamous, ‘Guys you know you better watch out’, it’s not only the guys who need to be watching their backs for the R&B icon, as even a quarter of a century since the release of her sole studio album and magnum opus, she is showing modern-day singers who paved the way.
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The setlist for this concert was packed with recognisable numbers and Wyclef Jean made an appearance to co-captain Hill as they performed a selection of The Fugees’ tracks. Hits like ‘Killing Me Softly’ and ‘Fu-Gee-La’ were among the many.
As Ms. Hill uttered the words ‘Ready or Not’ the crowd were louder than ever. She sings ‘Manchester you can’t hide you can’t run’ and why would we want to when we’re currently being blessed by the vocals of a 90’s icon?
Hill’s musicality has become much more than her 16-track album, she’s a mainstay in pop culture and has pioneered some of the biggest 21st century artists.
Canadian rapper Drake’s 2018 song ‘Nice For What’ samples the 1999 single ‘Ex- Factor’ while American R&B singer Kehlani has the album cover tattooed on her arm.
If you thought you could escape the female R&B and rap trailblazer, she’s made sure her legacy is continued through her bloodline with the prospects of her son and fellow recording artist YG Marley.
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The 22-year-old prodigy has seen quite the success with the release of his reggae-fused melody ‘Praise Jah In The Moonlight’ across social media platforms.
Unfortunately, he was unable to attend but Ms. Hill made sure tonight was a real family affair by playing his hit through the speakers to close the show.
It’s clear that Lauryn Hill’s music has gone on to inspire not just her generation, but future ones too and with her son now making waves with Gen Z and beyond on TikTok.
Tonight has proven that Ms. Hill and The Fugees legacy and sound will never be forgotten.
Featured Image: The Manc Group
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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.
Fontaines D.C. announce massive return to Manchester on new European tour
Daisy Jackson
Fontaines D.C. have just announced their biggest headline tour to date, including a massive arena gig here in Manchester.
The wildly popular Irish rock band are set to play a whopping 20 arena shows across Europe and the UK this autumn.
The tour has been announced in celebration of their upcoming fifth studio album, Dopamine Chamber, which is set for release this October.
Fontaines D.C. will hit the road just five days after the album drops, kicking off their European tour in Lisbon on 21 October.
Then they’ll make their way over to the UK, with shows in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow, Birmingham and London.
Fans in their home country of Ireland are told to stay tuned for live news very soon.
As we speak, Fontaines D.C. are warming up to play one of the country’s biggest festivals, with headline slots at Reading & Leeds Festival.
They’ve already released Marianne, the first single from their new album, and frontman Grian Chatten says of the album: “The album itself is a dopamine chamber. You step inside and we test these different mind- or mood-altering pieces of music on you.”
The new record has been recorded between London, the English countryside, and Palermo, where Chatten recorded vocals in a makeshift booth built from mattresses and cushions.
He said: “There’s a poignant sense of us being on the brink of some other kind of form of humanity, or non-humanity.”
Tickets will go on general sale at 10am on Thursday 3 September, with pre-sale live from 10am on Tuesday 1 September.
You can access tickets for Fontaines D.C. in Manchester HERE.
Fans who pre-order Dopamine Chamber from the official store by 6pm on Monday 31 August will gain access to the UK pre-sale.
Fontaines D.C. UK tour dates in full
Friday 20 November – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
Saturday 21 November – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
Sunday 22 November – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Tuesday 24 November – Leeds, UK – First Direct Bank Arena
Wednesday 25 November – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Thomas Melia -
14th October 2024 
