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New service set up to support Greater Manchester pubs and clubs

A new Night Time Economy Office has been launched in Greater Manchester as part of a mission to support the region's pubs and clubs ahead of reopening in 2021.

The Manc The Manc - 26th February 2021

A new Night Time Economy Office has been launched in Greater Manchester as part of a mission to support the region’s pubs and clubs ahead of reopening in 2021.

Spearheaded by Night Time Economy Adviser Sacha Lord, the NTE Office is set up to provide employers and employees with answers to questions surrounding funding, licensing, training, mental health and business innovation.

The NTE Office has partnered with “a range of organisations” to support the sector – which is hoping to reopen fully within a matter of months.

The government’s current roadmap for relaunching the economy dictates that outdoor hospitality venues can welcome back customers from April 12.

Indoor pubs and restaurants can resume service on May 17.

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Nightclubs and live music venues are scheduled to reopen on June 21 – more than fifteen months after originally closing their doors.

In the weeks ahead, the Night Time Economy Office will act as a ‘signposting service’ for people in the industry – with staff contactable via email and Twitter. 

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Lord stated: “The Prime Minister’s roadmap has provided some much-needed clarity and even hope for those working in Greater Manchester’s night time economy but there is still a long way to go and months until businesses can even partially start to open their doors again.

“That’s why we are launching this service. We want to make sure employers and employees can access the support they need and get answers to their questions and make sure as many as possible can open again later this year.

“Whether they want to ask about licensing, training or employment, mental health support or business innovation we will work to provide bespoke support quickly to those working in or running a business in the night time economy.

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“The night time economy represents 10% of the whole UK workforce so it’s not just vital for the individual people and businesses but also Greater Manchester as a whole that we support them through the pandemic and beyond to reopen as quickly and safely as possible.”

The wider sector has also called on the government for “additional clarity” following the announcement of the roadmap.

Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), commented: “The sector urgently needs additional clarity on reopening and critical financial support from the Chancellor if we are to avoid economic and social damage that will last a generation.”

To contact the Night Time Economy Office, go to @NTEOffice on Twitter and send a direct message or email [email protected].

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Liam Gallagher sheds light on potential reunion setlist for Oasis Live ’25

Danny Jones Danny Jones Liam Gallagher hints at Oasis reunion setlist Live '25

Liam Gallagher is perennially on social media these days and in his latest spell killing time online, the Oasis frontman has hinted at a potential setlist for the long-awaited reunion tour.

We’ve still got to wait until summer before the Oasis Live ’25 world tour fully kicks off, with Manchester’s Heaton Park set for five massive hometown dates in July, but people are already starting to lick their lips at the mere idea of what songs the legendary Britpop band might play now they’re back.

Now, of course, you can rightly assume we’ll hear the likes of ‘Wonderwall’, ‘Don’t Look Back In Anger’, ‘Live Forever’, ‘Champagne Supernova’ and all the other hits, but it’s trying to fill in the blanks between the famous singles that people are having most fun with.

One Twitter—sorry, X user looks to have come pretty close in fact, as Liam Gallagher himself replied to a fan asking if a rumoured Oasis reunion setlist ‘leaked’ online was genuine – to which the 52-year-old had this to say.

As you can see, his reply to the heavily reshared mock-up of the suspected Oasis Live ’25 setlist looks to be one largely of confirmation, admitting that it’s not far off what the Burnage boys have cooking up.

LG himself confirmed that rehearsals had begun back in October which means that, yes, the Gallaghers haven’t just been in the same room as each other for a few quick pictures but they’ve actually played music together for the first time in over 15 years – and have been doing so for the past few months.

Whether or not the creator of this supposed setlist has managed to guess roughly the right running order or manage to guess a few of the less obvious album tracks that the Manchester icons, we’ll just have to wait and see.

If it’s even a little bit the latter then fans of deeper cuts like ‘The Hindu Times’ and ‘Shakermaker’ will be buzzing, but the greater likelihood is that the duo have just packed their upcoming performances with as many well-known and much-loved bangers as possible.

We’ll be happy with whatever they come out with, to be honest – we just want to finally see scenes like this in this flesh.

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If it’s any indication whatsoever, not too long ago Radio X shared the final list of tracks the pair played together at V Festival 2009 before the infamous row in Paris that saw them split.

That being said, they were of course still touring the last album they put out, Dig Out Your Soul (2008), back then and, as much of a soft spot we have for some of the tracks on there, we expect much very few of the songs off that record will make the final cut.

What about you lot, then: what tunes would you most like to hear on the ‘Oasis Live ’25’ setlist when the reunion finally rolls around?

We’ve certainly got our favourites – and in order, no less…

The 30 greatest Oasis songs of all time

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Stefan Brending/Warner Music Sweden (via Wikimedia Commons)/Press Image

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Manchester club to host fundraising night in memory of young DJ who passed away

Danny Jones Danny Jones club hosting tribute night after death of Manchester DJ

A Manchester city centre nightclub is set to host a fundraising memorial gig in honour of local DJ, Noxxic, who sadly died in a traffic collision late last year.

Noxxic, real name Lewis Simpson, tragically passed away following a crash in Salford after being struck by a lorry on 20 November.

The aspiring drum and bass artist was cycling along Albion Way near the roundabout linking the M602 and A57 Regent Road when he collided with the HGV. Despite the best efforts of paramedics and emergency at the scene, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mourned not only by his family and countless friends but also by the Manchester music scene and local clubbing community at large, Kable Club on New Wakefield Street is now set to host a memorial night for charity as a tribute to the talent “gone far too soon”.

Set up with the help of friend, collaborator and DnB peer, Max Clarke, the fundraising memorial night is taking place this month and will aim to not only honour Lewis and the Simpson family but also remember and celebrate his life the way he would have wanted: with music and a good time.

The Warrington-based artist and producer, who goes by ‘Clarkey‘, regularly played b2b sets with the 25-year-old over the years, including charity livestream performances to raise money for the homeless during the festive period. Noxxic was also a proud and well-known mental health advocate.

As well as the likes of Hedex, Sota and J Bookey paying tribute online following the tragedy, Clarkey and Noxxic’s ‘Blckhry – Bite’ remix was played on BBC Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Show with Charlie T, as well as ‘Tribute Get Lit Mix’ including all of his tunes featuring n 1Xtra’s Rave Show.

Social media has been awash with people paying their respects to the “talented and ambitious” musician whom his family described as being “so excited” about what was a truly promising future across the region and within the genre.

Manchester-based promoters, music label and all-round D’n’B brand, Hit & Run, said: “Really is such a shock to hear about the tragic and untimely passing of Lew Simpson aka Noxxic.”

The post continues: “He was a near-permanent fixture at the night and across the scene in the city – he lived and breathed D&B and his passion and dedication not just for production and DJing but also the community of this city is something [we] truly admired about the man.”

“He’d made such great strides in his career these last few years so seems so very unfair that he’s been taken from us at such a young age – he had so much more to give.

So many people we know and care about will be hurting too too much right now – I know you will all make him proud and honour his legacy and friendship. Such very sad news.”

Clarkey himself shared a touching video of the pair playing together to rapturous applause:

Writing a lengthy statement underneath the charity event page on Skiddle, Clarkey wrote: “On 17 January, we come together to celebrate the life, passion, and legacy of Lew Simpson, known to many as Noxxic, a true champion of the jump-up drum and bass community.

“With a heart that beat for the wicked sounds of the genre he loved so deeply, Lew was more than just a fan; he was an advocate, a believer and an inspiration to everyone who shared his love for the music. This historic night in Manchester promises to be an unforgettable tribute to Noxxic, featuring a lineup of monumental talent.

“From the legends who have defined jump-up over the past few years to the rising stars pushing it to even new boundaries, each artist on the bill represents everything Lew cherished about this incredibly unifying genre.

“Together, we’ll create a night that embodies the energy, spirit and passion he brought to the scene. This night is about more than music, it’s about making a difference to people’s lives like Lew strived to do. All proceeds from this event will go to Mind, a charity dedicated to mental health support, advocacy, and awareness.

“As a serious champion for mental health, Lew’s commitment to the well-being of others continues through this deeply meaningful cause. Come witness jump-up drum and bass in its purest form, as we honour Noxxic with the kind of night he could only have dreamed about: one filled with love, community and some of the finest music.”

Kable aren’t the only ones who have helped pay tribute with a club night in his name either, with London outfit North Base also dedicated their ‘& Friends’ show to the much-loved artist this past December.

Lew Simpson Noxxic
Noxxic was a real up-and-comer on the scene.
noxxic clarkey kormz
Manc DJs Kormz and Clarkey with Noxxic (right).
Credit: Noxxic/Clarkey (via Facebook)

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As mentioned, the proceeds from the show will go towards Mind (a charity close to Lewis’ heart) and are priced at just £11.25 including the booking fee. Alternatively, fans who can’t make the date can still make a total Noxxic donation of £6 to help do their bit.

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With the lineup for the memorial gig night now out – not to mention two special guests still yet to be announced – Clarkey, Kormz, North Base and many more will be giving fans a lively albeit emotional night to remember.

Clarkey signed off by simply adding, “Let’s come together to celebrate his life and legacy in the most fitting way possible!”

You can grab your tickets HERE. Rest in peace, Noxxic.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Shots (@clarkeydnb via IG)/Noxxic DnB (via Facebook)

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