Poyton’s Party in the Park is back for 2024 and has an announced legendary disco act as their biggest headliner ever.
Marking the 20th anniversary of the cult favourite event, the old Cheshire town which neighbours the likes of Stockport and Macclesfield is hosting its biggest party to date at Poynton Park this summer in partnership with the local Rotary Club, promising a jam-packed day of live music and more.
Confirming classic New York disco group and vocal trio Odyssey and the main event, with millions of records sold worldwide and some of the most iconic tracks of the 1970s and 80s to their name, this little one-day festival is set for a massive year.
Better still, as a fundamentally not-for-profit event raising money for local charities and community groups, you can party all day and all night whilst doing your bit for a good cause.
They’re best known for tracks like ‘Native New Yorker’ and former ‘Use it Up & Wear it Out’ (Credit: Supplied)
Alongside Odyssey, the lineup for Poynton’s Party in the Park 2024 includes critically acclaimed cover bands like The Soul Providers and Soulvation Band, performing some of the greatest soul, funk, Motown and disco hits of the 1960s.
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There’s plenty of local talent from around the North West on show too, such as Manchester singer-songwriter Imogen Paige, Liverpool-based indie band The Garnetts and, returning due to popular demand, Party in the Park favourites and Poynton’s very own Monkey Harris Band.
Great name and an even greater stage presence.
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They’re the stuff of legend around the local area, regularly playing the likes of the Poynton Beer Festival and this is by no means their first turn around the park.
This year’s Party in the Park is being put on by local festival organiser and Hale Barns Carnival creator, Max Eden, working alongside Poynton Rotary – who founded the event two decades ago – to deliver what they’re calling a “refreshed and updated event for all the family to enjoy”.
The one-day festival also promises to feature lots of new and exciting additions for 2024 including traditional funfair rides for all ages, alongside an extended showcase of the amazing local food and drink, as well as a new VIP area offering premium seats, table service and exclusive meet and greets.
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Local station Happy Radio UK will also be covering the event as the official radio partner, broadcasting in Greater Manchester, Cheshire and across various other parts of the North West, with well-known presenters like Steve Penk, Darren Proctor and Chelsea Norris all set to be involved.
Speaking ahead of the fundraising festival, Odyssey lead singer Steven Collazo said: “We’re so excited to be headlining Poynton Party in the Park this June. We’ve heard you guys know how to party and we can’t wait to get our groove on with y’all!”
As for organiser Max Eden, he added: “I’m thrilled to be working with Poynton Rotary this year to stage the biggest Poynton Party in the Park to date.
“We have an incredible headliner alongside outstanding local musicians and performers, amazing family attractions and the best food and drink from the local area – it’s the perfect lineup for a really good party!
“We hope to raise vital funds for Poynton Rotary to enable them to continue the incredible work they do locally in supporting charities and community groups in our area.”
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Party in the Park starts at 1pm on Saturday, 8 June with tickets starting from £28.50 for adults and just £15 for 5-16s – not to mention kids four and under going completely free. You can grab your general admission, or VIP passes if you’re feeling a bit posh, right HERE.
Evanescence announce biggest-ever Manchester gig
Danny Jones
Noughties rock chart regulars Evanescence have just revealed their biggest-ever date in Manchester, set to make their Co-op Live debut next year.
Famous for the go-to karaoke crowd pleaser and ever-anthemic ‘Bring Me To Life’, the American band, which began way back in 1994, are still going strong over three decades in.
With lead singer and keyboardist Amy Lee herself not only known for her incredible vocals, but a solo career that has seen her develop a fervent cult following of her own, they’ve remained a familiar name in the US and global rock scene ever since their 2003 debut album, Fallen.
Now well and truly veterans of the genre and the live touring circuit, Evanescence are returning to the UK for an extensive leg on the European tour, including their first Manchester gig since 2018. This is how they teased the announcement earlier this week:
The Arkansas-formed five-piece has seen multiple different lineup configurations over the years, with co-founder and renowned songwriter Ben Moody leaving right after that aforementioned first record, but they still nevertheless incredible live sets.
For instance, the last time they came to town was for their ‘Synthesis Live’ tour at the O2 Apollo, which saw them reimagine some of their biggest hits with a full orchestra and new electronic elements.
In truth, many come to see them live for Lee alone, but with contemporary pop-rock artist Poppy and alternative alt-rock rapper k.flay (real name Kristine Meredith Flaherty) joining them on the road, there’s all the more reason for even the most casual fans to come along for the ride.
This time around, though, British members of the ‘EvClub’ will have just four domestic opportunities to see them here at home, with us here in Manchester being joined only by Birmingham and London, as well as over in Leeds.
Our resident rock queen over at The Hootwill be buzzing. You know who you are…
They transformed the rock landscape with their blend of metal & symphonic, piano-driven melodies.https://t.co/9ynwATVg2B@coopuk members get first in line for tickets. Co-op Member Presale: 10:00 3 Dec General Sale: 10:00 5 Dec pic.twitter.com/ufEbjNLMK9
Thu, Oct 1 Barcelona, Spain – Palau Olimpic Badalona
Fri, Oct 2 Madrid, Spain – Palacio Vistalegre^
Sun, Oct 4 Lisbon, Portugal – MEO Arena^
As always with the leading indoor entertainment arena, official Co-op members can get in line first for early access from 10am this Wednesday, 3 December, whereas general sale will go live at the same time the following Friday (5 Dec).
The group has also partnered with PLUS1so that £1 from every ticket sold will support organisations providing humanitarian aid and medical relief to those in need around the world. Class.
You can get ready to grab your tickets for the first-ever Evanescence show at Co-op Live in Manchester next autumn right HERE.
John Cooper Clarke announces latest UK headline tour along with new book
Danny Jones
The ‘Bard of Salford’ himself, Dr John Cooper Clarke, is back with another UK headline tour in 2026, plus a brand-new book to boot.
Now 76 and still as fiery as ever, ‘The Godfather of Punk Poetry’s career spans more than half a century, and as a Greater Manchester native and cultural icon, he’s still just as worth celebrating as ever with each passing year.
Becoming the first poet to ever headline a UK arena with his landmark Co-op Live back in March, it’s been another milestone 12 months for local legend, and he clearly has absolutely no intentions of slowing down next year either.
Revealing a raft of new tour dates on Monday, 1 December, John Cooper Clarke will be bringing his spoken word stylings and latest collection – satsifyingly titled Have It – to crowds all over the country.
Confirming a total of 20 new live shows, JCC will be kicking off his next tour in October 2026 in time for the launch of his latest title.
Following on from last year’s release, ‘WHAT‘, which became an instant Sunday Times bestseller, and his memoir (published back in 2020), this will be his fifth book to date.
2025 also saw him receive the prestigious Northern Music Award (NMAs) in recognition of his phenomenal influence in the music world and art as a whole.
As for us here at Audio North, we recently also had the incredible privilege of sitting down to chat with Cooper Clarke ourselves ahead of the announcement, so keep your eyes peeled for that one…
You can see John Cooper Clarke’s list of live shows in full down below.
JCC UK headline tour dates 2026
We’ve kindly italicised all the Northern dates for you as well.
Tickets for Dr John Cooper Clarke in October 2026 will be available from this Friday, 5 December at 10am via Gigs and Tours as well as his official website.
Danny Jones -
27th April 2024 
