Stockport town centre’s brand-new live music and events space, simply called Underbank, is finally set to open this month.
After a series of social media teasers over recent months, the fittingly named gig venue and bar, which is located in the Stopfordian old town and Underbank district, is finally set to unveil what it has on offer – or at least some of it.
Promising an unprecedented addition to Stockport that bridges culture, hospitality and entertainment, the so-called ‘beer hall and sound system’ opens its doors to the public on Friday, 30 May.
Taking direct inspiration from the historic section of the centre that both touches on those Cheshire roots and also channels some of that buzz from the growing scene around the SK1 postcode.
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Case and point would be the nearby record store street parties, which have absolutely blown up in the last couple of years, and similarly, Underbank has plans to bed into that community as well as go above and beyond.
Nestling into the Syndikat site on the corner of Great Underbank, which itself was previously a banking branch, it’s in a perfect location to catch the footfall and overspill from those aforementioned SK1 Records events, the ever-popular Foodie Fridays and more.
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Headed up by local husband and wife team, Des and Nina O’Malley, who are also behind Nook over in Heaton Moor, they’re looking to create a premier music-led location, with plenty of room for other events as well as a place to house local food and drink vendors.
For instance, local breweries like Runaway and Pomona Island are already set to be on the taps, while Vaso Kitchens (Patel’s Pies) has been named as the first guest scran supplier.
Oh, did we mention there’s a margarita bar too, with frozen margs flavoured with everything from the classics to mango to coconut as well as watermelon tequila hot shots? Yeah, we’re definitely going to be spending a lot of time here, especially if the plans for the other storeys follow suit.
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CGIs of what is planned for each floor of Stockport’s soon-to-open Underbank.
Commenting ahead of the opening, the team said, “Stockport is changing, you can feel it, the quality of food and drink is getting better and better and we want to be a part of it.”
Sprinkling in some details about what’s planned next, they added: “We’re working around the clock to get open. We will open in phases, and will be opening up more floors as we grow. In the basement we have a recording studio and events space.
“We have plans for Stockport’s first roof terrace next year.. If all goes to plan.”
The audio facilities alone are something local artists and performers should be very excited about, as the very first ‘Void’ sound system is set to be delivered by Hollowsphere, who are renowned for their festival credentials the world over.
Launching the venue with a festival boasting names like Rich Reason, James Holroyd, Mix-Stress, and Sticky Heat taking over the system on 30 and 31 May, the end of this month is going to be a belter. You can grab your tickets for the Underbank grand opening in Stockport right HERE.
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Safe to say it’s a very exciting time for the borough, and this spring in particular has plenty going on.
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.