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Rap legend Busta Rhymes announces massive Manchester gig

Daisy Jackson - 13th July 2022

Noughties rap legend Busta Rhymes will be performing a huge headline gig in Manchester this autumn.

The Touch It singer will be bringing a ‘night of pure Busta nostalgia’ alongside some fresh tunes to the BEC Arena in Stretford.

Since launching his rap career in 1996 with the single Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check, Busta has collaborated with some of the biggest names in the music industry.

Busta Rhymes was one of the artists who defined and dominated the rap scene in the 1990s and 2000s, regularly topping charts in both the UK and the US.

Busta Rhymes has announced a Manchester gig. Credit: Supplied

The Brooklyn star’s 1997 album When Disaster Strikes kick-started his solo career.

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Over the years, he’s released music with artists including Janet Jackson, Pharrell, Mariah Carey, Kanye West and Eminem.

He’s also had 10 studio albums, including Gensis, It Ain’t Safe No More, and The Big Bang.

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In 2020, he released Extinction Level Event 2: The Wrath of God, which featured global stars such as Mary J Blige, Kendrick Lamar and Rick Ross.

Busta Rhymes will perform at the BEC Arena on 16 September 2022.

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Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday – you can sign up at bit.ly/BustaRhymesMCR

Featured image: Publicity picture

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Fontaines D.C. announce massive gig at Manchester’s Aviva Studios as part of UK tour

Danny Jones Fontaines D.C Manchester tickets Aviva Studios

Fontaines D.C Manchester tickets Aviva Studios

Irish post-punk pioneers Fontaines D.C. have just announced a brand new UK and Ireland tour ahead of their new album later this year and leading new arts and live entertainment venue, Aviva Studios, has been selected for their massive Manchester date.

The Dublin powerhouses have emerged as one of the most exciting acts on the planet for our money, combining everything from new wave, alternative and often grungey guitars, to more classic rock and even indie sounds, making them one of the most instantly recognisable sounds on the modern scene.

With all that being said, we cannot wait for their return to Manchester and what will no doubt be one of the biggest and best gigs Aviva Studios has seen yet.

Fontaines D.C. roll up to 0161 in Fall 2024 and they’ll have a brand new album under their belt to boot.

Become a Factory International Members to gain early access tickets on Wednesday 24 April, 10am.

General tickets on sale on Friday 26 April, 10am.

More info 👇https://t.co/tUh38eAeGU
— Factory International (@factoryintl) April 19, 2024

Fontaines D.C. return to Manchester for the first time since 2022.

Home to Factory International, which kicked off an incredible debut calendar of cultural events last year, Aviva Studios is already proving to be an impressive addition to the Manc skyline, especially now it’s coaxing names like Fontaines D.C. to come and perform there over other gig spaces.

Tipped to generate over a £1 billion in revenue for the local economy over the next decade, the importance of this new state-of-the-art venue is hard to overstate.

As for the band themselves, they dropped the lead single entitled ‘Starburster’ this week and it proved to be quite the sea change for often fast, frantic and no-nonsense five-piece. If you haven’t heard it yet, strap in and get ready to be over-exhaling out loud non-stop for the next hour – you’ll see what we mean.

With their fourth record Romance set to release on 23 August, we think it’s fair to say this new record – the first with new producer James Ford (Blur, Arctic Monkeys) – is off to a much more experimental start than their heavily acclaimed 2019 debut, Dogrel.

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Set to take the stage in Aviva Studios’ Warehouse space on Friday, 29 November, Fontaines’ Manchester date is part of a new run of shows announced as part of their full European which kicks off in June.

Heading back from the continent in August and starting off the UK leg in Wolverhampton on 20 November, it’ll be a fast and furious nine-show run culminating with a homecoming concert in Dublin.

Tickets for all headline dates go on general sale at 10am next Friday, 26 April and for ﬁrst access to presale, fans can pre-order the album by 3pm on 23 April.

You can grab your tickets HERE.

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

Featured Images — Press Images/Aviva Studios

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Masked Manchester rapper Meekz bursts back with surprise gig in Piccadilly Gardens with JD

Charlie Watkinson Masked Manchester rapper Meeks performed a surprise gig in Piccadilly Gardens

Masked Manchester rapper Meeks performed a surprise gig in Piccadilly Gardens

Local rap sensation Meekz is back, if you hadn’t noticed – he burst back onto the scene last week with a surprise gig with JD in Piccadilly Gardens.

The masked Manchester rapper is celebrating the release of his latest single Mini Me’s – and a handful of Mini Meekz posters appeared around town, pasted there by artist collective Pattern Up (then swiftly removed) last week.

Meekz continues to impress with his latest release, a track that’s quickly gaining popularity.

True to form, Meekz delivers not only sonically but visually, teaming up once again with KC Locke to create a stunning music video.

Their collaboration underscores the significance of music videos, reaffirming their lasting impact in the industry.

The video pays homage to their previous work, particularly ‘Like Me’, while also pushing boundaries with a post-apocalyptic CGI rendition of Manchester, reminiscent of scenes from GTA and Marvel movies.

This innovative approach demonstrates the remarkable synergy between Meekz and KC Locke, marking a new pinnacle in their collaborative efforts.

Following the premiere, Meekz treated fans to a memorable performance in Piccadilly Gardens, organised with JD, where he made a grand entrance by gifting miniature Air Max 95’s to his fans before taking the stage atop a large storage container.

Meekz's 'Mini Me's' posters popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu — Mini Meekz posters briefly popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu

Meekz's 'Mini Me's' posters popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu — Mini Meekz posters briefly popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu

I had the opportunity to speak with Meekz after the premiere, where he shared insights into his upcoming tape, ‘Tru’, slated for release on 24 May.

Additionally, he hinted at exclusive news related to GTA/GTA 6, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his future endeavours.

It’s clear that Meekz continues to innovate and redefine the game with each new project, and we’re excited to see what he has in store next.

KC Locke said: “In the time that the mainstream media is writing articles about the decline of the music video industry, swords and eagles are here to make a stand and show not only are music videos here to stay but they are more important than ever.

“This is a testament to community, bound by a shared vision, we rise and rise again, together, for the culture.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group