Ramona and The Firehouse is launching an in-house radio station this week as part of a huge new live entertainment programme at the venue, designed to champion and support independent musicians and artists across Manchester.
Kicking off on Wednesday 26 January, ‘Ramona Radio’ will host a weekly live radio show from its Swan Street venue – broadcasting a weekly party with guest DJs, servers and the crowd going ‘On Air’ live from the Tipi.
The first event in the new series will see legendary house selector Tristan Da Cunha take to the decks – bringing his expansive genre-spanning vinyl archive along with him.
The venue on Swan Street will launch its own radio station. Image: Ramona and The Firehouse
Promising depth and breadth across a range of genres, house music fans can look forward to hearing some rare gems and genre-defining cuts played out as part of the honorary Glastonbury resident’s set.
The radio show will be hosted by Ramona and The Firehouse’s very own music curator Jonjo, and as part of the new programme whole sets will be streamed live, supported with a new weekly podcast.
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Following on from the Wednesday night radio show launch, the venue will be running parties throughout the week as it launches its new programme ‘The NIght Village’ – with further sets coming from the likes of Onipa, Dance Regular and Manchester art-rock band Everything Everything.
Image: Ramona and The Firehouse
The Ghanian/ London-based afro-futurist collective Onipa will bring their signature high energy performance to Ramona fusing Afrobeat, UK Jazz and electronic music for Thursday night’s ‘Campfire Live’, whilst local champions Everything Everything can be expected to bring their usual blend of alternative and indie to the Tipi later this week.
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The performances will mark the start of a new musical chapter for Ramona, which has already made a name for itself by channelling the techno culture for which Detroit is known from within its sister bar restaurant, The Firehouse.
The sister venue also hosts weekly ‘runway parties’ in its bar every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with local dance crews acting as the stars of the show – with performances ranging from garage two-step superstars, Dance Regular, to the vogue inspired flamboyance of House of Ghetto.
Ramona Radio will launch this week. Image: Ramona and The Firehouse
Speaking on the upcoming new music programme launching this week, head of music and entertainment at Ramona and the Firehouse, Jonjo, said: “We’ve been curating independent UK-based electronic, jazz and world music since we opened the doors.
“Moving into 2022 we’re ready to take things up a notch with our first bands from the continent, an upgraded sound system and the best up and coming acts and labels every week. And all for free – surely the city’s best kept secret”
At the new late-night parties, music lovers can easily flit between the two venues – soaking up the atmosphere in both, free of charge.
Image: Ramona and The Firehouse
Guests can also enjoy Detroit-style pizza, a killer collection of margaritas plus other inventive and beautiful dishes like their chargrilled chicken, truffle tots, Detroit hot wings and ultra cheesy garlic bread.
To find out more about the upcoming music events, check out the full programme for the Night Village launch weekender below.
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Ramona and The Firehouse Night Village Launch Weekender – Full Programme Thursday 27th January: Campfire Live @ Ramona presents Onipa Arthouse – Dance Regular @ Firehouse presents The Broken Beat – Garage-Dance Crew
Friday 28th January: Everything Everything DJ Set @Ramona Firehouse Presents Vogue – House of Ghetto
Saturday 29th January: Supernature Disco + Joe Redmore (WHP) [email protected]
Sunday 30th January So Flute @Ramona
Sunday 30th January Mikey Don @Firehouse
Feature image – Ramona and The Firehouse
Audio
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.
Georgina Pellant -
24th January 2022 
