The MTV EMAs will touch down in Manchester tomorrow, bringing a mass of famous faces and celebrities to our city for a night celebrating the music industry.
The star-studded event will be taking place at the Co-op Live on Sunday 10 November, and also streamed and broadcast live.
Ahead of the event we had a chat with the host of the evening, Rita Ora, who filled us in on what we could expect for the big night.
Image: The Manc Group
Tomorrow is the big day, the MTV EMAs live right here in Manchester, how are you feeling about it?
I’m very excited, a bit nervous but that’s normal you know. It’s really nice as this is my third time now, with the same crew so you know, I trust everyone now. It’s always just a bit mental, because you don’t really know what’s going to happen, but it’s just the best part of it for me.
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This is your third time hosting the EMAs so you’re clearly a favourite among the MTV crowd – what is it about this event that makes it so special?
I think for me, what I love is that it’s so global, you know, internationally, the artists are coming from Korea, Mexico. It’s just kind of one of the only award shows that really do make a point of the international global musician aspect of things.
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I love seeing everybody flying in, and, you know, it’s in Manchester so it’s kind of like coming back home so it feels just like a reunion as I love seeing all the artists and especially the ones I know.
There are some big names nominated tomorrow and a fair few I’m sure you know very well, is there anyone you’re particularly rooting for tonight?
There’s so many, I think it’s it’s great to see Shawn Mendes again I love what he’s doing. Teddy Swims is also one of my favourite vocalists in the world.
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I think for me, though, it’ll be great to have a reunion with Raye, all the females have been killing it this year.
We know you love a night out in Manchester – where are some of your favourite spots?
When I was last here I performed at Pride so I would just walk up and down Canal Street and it was great. It was just me and the queens and that’s all I need.
Canal Street is always a class night out – what is it about the Manchester party scene that sets it apart do you think?
Well, first, the history is just incredible, musically and everything like that. You know, you’ve got the amazing attitude of Manchester which is very rock and roll, you know, the Gallaghers and everything. I think it really sets the tone of the, I would say how to be a rock star.
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And I feel like that kind of trickled into the culture of Manchester into the bars. And, you know, you walk in and you just get a feeling of like, you’re welcome.
And could you give us one artist that’s really excited you this year and that everyone needs to look out for?
You know I never want to singular them out because I do feel like everyone deserves to be here but I did see the rehearsals of the new Korean girl group, Le Sserafim, and they’re really, really cool.
Let’s finish off with a few quick fire questions. Who is your favourite Manc in the world?
You know, I think I’ve got to say the lads from The Happy Mondays. I love them, they’re icons.
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Who’s your favourite artist from the north?
It’s got to be The Beatles.
And finally, can you sum up Manchester in three words?
Oh, gosh, that’s a big one. Vibrant, brave and talented.
You can see the full list of nominees for the MTV EMAs – and thus the potential celebrities you could spot – HERE.
Jewish leaders call for cancellation of huge Fontaines D.C. gigs in Heaton Park
Daisy Jackson
Jewish leaders have expressed ‘profound concerns’ regarding the two enormous Fontaines D.C. gigs taking place in Heaton Park next summer.
The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region has called for the shows to cancelled.
They said that ‘the safety of our community must be paramount’.
Irish rockers Fontaines D.C. have been outspoken at their concerts in the past in their support for Palestine, displaying ‘Free Palestine’ messaging on huge screens across the globe.
Now, the JRC has publicly expressed concerns about ‘the potential consequences of inflammatory rhetoric from the band’.
They added: “At a time of heightened antisemitism, the comments and chants associated with the band risks importing tensions from the Middle East into the UK, with Jewish people here becoming the targets.”
Fontaines D.C. are set to play two massive shows at Heaton Park next summer, on 3 and 4 July.
Manchester City Council has stressed that they will be working closely with members of the Jewish Representative Council as event management plans are developed, and added that ‘partners from the Council, emergency services including Greater Manchester Police (GMP), and event organisers, will comprehensively review the plans in place ahead the concerts’.
In a statement, the JRC said: “The JRC has registered our profound concerns with Manchester Council regarding Fontaines D.C.’s forthcoming concert at Heaton Park and has called for it to be cancelled.
“Despite our representations, it appears the concert will be going ahead. We expect and will be working with the council to ensure robust and adequate safeguards are in place to protect the Jewish community.
“We have no objection to Heaton Park hosting concerts.
“Our concerns are not about legitimate political expression but the potential consequences of inflammatory rhetoric from the band.
“At a time of heightened antisemitism, the comments and chants associated with the band risks importing tensions from the Middle East into the UK, with Jewish people here becoming the targets. The safety of our community must be paramount.”
A Manchester council spokesperson said: “We understand the very real concerns that members of our Jewish community have in the wake of the horrific antisemitic terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue last year and a wider rise in antisemitism. Our thoughts remain not just with those who lost their lives and their loved ones but with the whole Jewish community.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with them in saying there is no place for antisemitism or discrimination of any form in Manchester and continue to work with the police, communities and other partners to provide reassurance and support.
“On the specific concerns expressed by some members of the Jewish community in relation to the two Heaton Park concerts in summer 2027, addressing these concerns will be front and centre in preparations for these events. We have met recently with members of the Jewish Representative Council and will continue to work closely with them as we develop event management plans.
“Partners from the Council, emergency services including Greater Manchester Police (GMP), and event organisers, will comprehensively review the plans in place ahead the concerts. This is standard practice for all major events in the city and is there to ensure events take place safely and successfully.
“In advance of the concerts, as with any other large-scale events, a thorough risk assessment of every aspect of the event will be carried out, focused on ensuring the safety and security of the event, its attendees and the wider community.
“The organisers, City Council and GMP will put in place suitable and proportionate mitigations and assurances to make sure that the concerts are delivered in full compliance with the licensing conditions. Organisers would also be happy to meet with concerned parties to help address any concerns. They are clear that discrimination or intimidation, including antisemitism, have no place at their events.”
Manchester’s beautiful winter Teepee is back, with free pints this weekend and live music every day
Daisy Jackson
Nothing heralds the arrival of the autumn/winter seasons quite like the appearance of The Oast House’s beautiful winter Teepee.
The popular seasonal space is officially reopening its doors this weekend, and inside you’ll find roaring fires, a giant disco ball, live music, and plenty of pints to keep the colder months feeling a little less grim.
After giving its beer garden a major glow-up this spring and hosting a summer packed with live music, The Oast House is bringing back one of Manchester’s favourite winter hangouts – and it’s kicking things off with a proper belter of an opening weekend.
We’re talking twinkling fairy lights, faux fur throws, and a dedicated bar pouring Staropramen fresh from the tank, all inside its massive winter Teepee.
And there’s even better news for the first few through the door.
To celebrate the Teepee’s return, The Oast House team will be cracking open a full tank of fresh Staropramen on Saturday 10 October, with free pints up for grabs for the first 440 guests.
There’ll be live music every night in the winter TeepeeManchester’s cosiest venue is back
The Teepee will be keeping things lively seven nights a week throughout autumn and winter, with The Oast House’s much-loved Open House programme moving indoors for the season.
Expect everything from Bandeoke and Musical Bingo to Retro Sounds and Oast Acoustic sessions, meaning there’ll be something different on the cards every night of the week.
The venue’s free monthly live music festival, Oast House Live, isn’t going anywhere either. It’ll continue inside the Teepee on the last Saturday of every month, bringing even more live music to the heart of Spinningfields.
Of course, it wouldn’t be The Oast House without a menu worth getting stuck into.
The kitchen will be serving up its 12-hour-brined rotisserie chicken, alongside a line-up of tempting sides like Ziggy Fries tossed in chicken salt and chicken butter, cheddar and onion slaw, and charred corn on the cob drenched in house-made Scotch bonnet butter.
Food in The Oast House Winter TeepeeThere’ll be 450 free pints given away on SaturdayRotisserie chicken
And if you’re after something a bit different, the house-special ‘addictive’ Chicken (T)oastie is one you won’t want to miss.
Sundays are all about the roast, too, with the kitchen dishing up its signature rotisserie chicken alongside chicken-butter roasties tossed in chicken salt, all the trimmings and bottomless house chicken gravy.
Basically, if you’re after somewhere to escape the cold without sacrificing a good night out, you know where to head.
The Oast House and its Winter Teepee are open daily from 11am until late throughout the season.
The Oast House Winter Teepee opens Saturday 10 October, with free Staropramen pints for the first 440 guests.
For more information and to book your table, head HERE.