Glastonbury has drawn to a close for another year.
As thousands of festivalgoers woke up bleary-eyed today after three days of eclectic shows, and with the usual massive clean-up operation now underway down at Worthy Farm, viewers and critics have been reflecting back on what was another successful year for the UK’s – and probably the world’s – biggest music event.
And by the looks of things, it seems one local star has stolen the show.
We are, of course, talking about none other than Rick Astley – who is now no longer a self-professed “Glastonbury virgin” after taking to the world famous Pyramid Stage on Saturday for one of the festival’s most talked-about sets.
It may have been 36 years since the iconic singer-songwriter from Newton-le-Willows first shot to fame with his massively-popular 1987 hit song ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’, but Rick Astley is arguably a more prominent force in popular culture now than he ever has been before.
ADVERTISEMENT
Over the past couple of years, the 57-year-old has been amassing new fans left, right, and centre, and has even claimed the strongest run of album chart positions of his entire career.
Fans will know that Astley had already teamed up with Blossoms to perform a selection of their favourite The Smiths songs back in 2021, and it went down so well the first time, that the Stockport indie rockers decided to bring Astley up on stage with them again for a surprise set to entertain the Glastonbury masses with some of the iconic Manchester band’s most well-known songs.
Taking over from Morrissey on vocals, Rick belted out some of the classics from The Smiths’ back catalogue – including ‘This Charming Man’, ‘Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now’, and ‘Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want’ – with the Stockport lads doing a brilliant job of providing the instrumentation.
But still, that’s arguably not what Astley’s Glastonbury debut year will be remembered for the most.
As it was his unexpected drums cover of AC/DC’s iconic 1979 classic ‘Highway to Hell’ that’s got viewers branding it one of the festival’s best moments.
ADVERTISEMENT
As Astley took to the Pyramid Stage for his highly-anticipated Saturday slot, the enthusiastic showman had the expansive crowd in the palm of his hands and appeared to win everyone over with his impressive vocals – but it was when he took a seat behind the drum kit for the penultimate song on his setlist that he won over even his harshest critics.
And they weren’t the only one to take to Twitter to sing Astley’s praises, as social media was flooded with viewers complementing his unexpectedly good drumming talents, and his set as a whole.
“I didn’t know how much I needed to see Rick Astley crushing AC/DC’s Highway to Hell on the drums at Glastonbury,” another fan wrote on Twitter.
Someone else even called Astley “the human equivalent of flare jeans” as both are “making a comeback in 2023”, while another person called the cover a “legendary performance”, and more fans called to “Protect Rick Astley at all costs.”
One fan wrote on Twitter in praise: “Watching him play every instrument in every genre while covering vocals without mimicking the original singer like a single trick cover band singer is really quite something.
“Rick has been one of the pleasant surprises of Glastonbury,” another fan summed it up best, adding that he’s “a proper ray of sunshine.”
Featured Image – BBC
Audio
Dispute over Manichester now ‘resolved’, say Mounfield family
Danny Jones
The family of the late, great Manchester musician, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, have said that the drama surrounding the highly-anticipated tribute festival in his name, Manichester, has now thankfully been settled.
Now the focus can once again return to remembering him as best as possible.
Following plenty of talk about the project following his passing late last year, a live music festival honouring Mani was finally confirmed in March, and the reaction following the event’s announcement has been unsurprisingly phenomenal.
Well, at least for the most part, as there was also some confusion over whether or not Manichester was still a charitable effort as advertised, with son Gene Mounfield disputing claims online. Fortunately, it all seems to have been put to bed now.
On behalf of the boys, and as their legal guardian, I want to thank everyone for the kind messages and concern for their wellbeing. There was a misunderstanding regarding the upcoming Manichester tribute concert, but we’re pleased to share that everything has now been resolved. pic.twitter.com/j8jEMrFzsD
Being organised by Madchester.com and locally-founded fashion label, GIOGOI, the debut edition was said to have the total blessing of Mani’s family, including his brother, Greg Mounfield.
It was also said that the funds raised by the show would be going to the legendary Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassists’ twins, George and Gene, but the latter recently argued that “nothing” was going to either him or his brother and that the news was “dropped” the plans just a fortnight prior.
Gene also said that “if it was a charity gig it would be at Co-op [Live] or Heaton Park, and it would be done by SJM [Concerts]”: a Manchester-based promoters and events company.
All of this was also wrapped up in ever more paper talk and sensationalism, as some were reporting that Noel and Liam Gallagher, as well as other members of Oasis, would be surprising fans as the still yet to be revealed ‘major headliner’.
These rumours have since been quashed, as has whatever miscommunication caused the misunderstanding between the parties concerned, and we are now back to simply looking forward to seeing an already stacked lineup here in the city centre this May.
Damon Minchella of Ocean Colour Scene (a fellow bassist who also tours with Richard Ashcroft) is helping organise and will also be performing on the night itself. As for the surviving Mounfields, they went on to add in an accompanying Instagram post: “We would also like to express our gratitude to PH.
“It means a great deal to all of us that so many people loved Mani enough to give their time and energy to honour his memory in this way. We are genuinely touched by the support.
“It has been an incredibly difficult few years for the boys and for our whole family. We hope this event will bring some much‑needed joy and create new, positive memories for everyone who cared about him.
“With love and thanks – The Family”
It goes without saying that we can’t wait for this city and Greater Manchester as a whole to honour a Manc icon and are looking forward to another year celebrating the thing that never fails to bring us all together: music.
Featured Images — livepict.com (via Wikimedia Commons)/Publicity pictures (supplied)
Audio
A big Christmas sing-along concert with Alexander Armstrong and Aled Jones is coming to Manchester
Emily Sergeant
We know it’s only April, but brace yourselves… we’re about to talk about Christmas.
You are reading today’s date correctly, but whether you can believe it or not, this isn’t an April Fool, as it’s time to get ready to lift your voices and celebrate the festive season because The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long starring much-loved performers and presenters, Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong, is heading out on its debut UK tour later this year.
This heartwarming live experience is promising to be an ‘unforgettable’ evening of music, laughter, and Christmas cheer.
Performing in some of the most beautiful cathedrals and venues across the UK, when the concert arrives in Manchester in late November, it’ll be taking over the stunning Manchester Monastery.
On the night, Aled Jones – who is one of the UK’s most iconic voices – will perform some beloved highlights, including his signature rendition of ‘Walking in the Air’, alongside a selection of classic festive carols, and joining him on stage will be Alexander Armstrong, whose rich vocals and natural charm will bring ‘humour, warmth, and festive sparkle’ to every performance.
It may be Aled and Alexander’s show, but audiences are also being told to expect some special surprises along the way too.
As this is a sing-along event, audiences will be invited to put on their favourite Christmas jumper and join in with a joyful mix of traditional Christmas carols and modern festive favourites.
The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long – UK Tour Dates 2026
Tuesday 24 November – Llandudno Venue Cymru Theatre
Sunday 29 November – Manchester Monastery
Tuesday 1 December – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Wednesday 2 December – Durham Cathedral
Thursday 3 December – Bath Forum
Friday 4 December – Guildford G Live
Wednesday 9 December – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Thursday 10 December – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Friday 11 December – York Barbican
Sunday 13 December – Edinburgh Queens Hall
Tuesday 15 December – Birmingham Town Hall
Sunday 20 December – Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion
Monday 21 December – London Union Chapel
The tour kicks off in Llandudno on 24 November and wraps up in London on 21 December – with a stop off here in Manchester on Sunday 29 November.
The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long is coming to Manchester Monastery on Sunday 29 November, and is expected to capture the true spirit of Christmas, offering a magical evening filled of festive cheer and uplifting songs that everyone can join in with.
Emily Sergeant -
26th June 2023 
