Sacha Lord has announced that he is to exit his role at Parklife and The Warehouse Project with immediate effect.
Greater Manchester‘s Night Time Economy Advisor, and the current Chair of the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), co-founded The Warehouse Project alongside business partners, Sam Kandel and Rich McGinnis, all the way back in 2006, and following the undeniable success of the venture, went on to launch Parklife festival in 2010.
But now, after 30 years at the top of Manchester’s music scene, Sacha has decided now is the time to step away from the industry and move on to “the next chapter” to focus on a number of other exciting future endeavours.
He has today confirmed he will be departing the businesses following a transfer of shares to LN Gaiety – which was agreed in 2021.
“The decision to step down was not an easy one,” Sacha said in an official statement.
“I will miss the team, the events, the customers, I’ll even miss the stress and the late nights, but I’ve known for a long time that Parklife 2024 was going to be the last for me. There could not have been a more perfect moment for me to step away than now – exactly 30 years since my first event at The Hacienda.
Sacha, who last month announced he is expecting a baby with his wife, Demi, says he’s “so excited for what’s to come” in the future.
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He continued: “This decision will free up my time to focus on my roles in the night time economy and hospitality sectors, and of course, most importantly, the birth of my first child with my beautiful wife Demi later this year.”
Sacha Lord announces he’s leaving his role at Parklife and The Warehouse Project / Credit: Greater Mancunians Project (via Supplied)
The Warehouse Project has regularly been named one of the best nightclubs in the world, and was even described by DJ Mag as “the concept that flipped the British nightlife script”, thanks to the countless internationally-acclaimed artists that have featured on the lineups over the last two decades.
Parklife, on the other hand, is Europe’s largest metropolitan music festival held annually, and has welcomed some of the biggest names in music, including Liam Gallagher, The 1975, and 50 Cent, to its Heaton Park stages.
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Closing out his exiting statement, Sacha said he’d like to thank the “millions of people who have stepped foot into The Warehouse Project or Parklife over the last few decades”, as well as express its gratitude to “those who have supported me and the team”.
The Warehouse Project was founded in 2006, and Parklife first began life in 2010 / Credit: WHP | Steve Turvey (via Supplied)
“I would also like to thank the tens of thousands of staff members we’ve had over the years, the suppliers, and those closest to me for putting up with the late nights.
“I am very excited to watch from afar, and I’d like to wish the team the very best going forward.”
Looking ahead, Sacha says he will now continue his work as “a voice for hospitality” across the UK, and will focus on several other avenues of business.
As well as having served as the region’s Night Time Economy Adviser since 2018, and currently holding the position as Chair of the NTIA, Sacha is also the Chair of the local football team, Wythenshawe FC, and is the founder of his very-own charity, the Sacha Lord Foundation.
The Sacha Lord Foundation is a charitable organisation seeking to encourage and support young people entering the hospitality sector.
Featured Image – Darren Robinson Photography (via Supplied)
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Elbow get behind campaign to save Jodrell Bank from closure
Danny Jones
Manc band Elbow are among the latest to get behind the campaign to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from closing permanently.
The Greater Manchester natives famously played a sold-out gig at the important scientific and cultural landmark for a very special live album recording well over a decade ago, and know all too well the site’s national and, indeed, global heritage.
Choosing the Observatory and the rare chance to perform a show in the shadow of the world-renowned James Lovell Telescope, it probably remains one of their most significant standalone UK date ever.
With that in mind, the local lads have been left just as worried by the news of its impending closure as everyone else, and have therefore issued a fresh appeal to help keep it open.
Posting a timely statement on social media, the group wrote: “Jodrell Bank has long been close to elbow’s heart. In 2012, the band played beneath the Lovell Telescope for one of the most memorable shows in our history.
“The recent news that funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network is set to end in 2028 puts the future of the scientific work at Jodrell Bank under serious threat. It is a remarkable place, with an extraordinary history, and one that continues to play an important role in science, culture and education.”
In addition to reliving clips and images from the historic live set all the years later, they also pointed people towards their ‘elbow – Live at Jodrell Bank‘ album documentary, which has now been made available online for the very first time as part of wider efforts to raise awareness around the cause.
Directing people to key online resources shared by the institution and astrophysics centre itself following their unfortunate update late last month, the push to not only find the funding but sustain support for the facility continues to ramp up throughout the world of science, arts and industry.
For anyone who somehow missed the news – 2028 being the current deadline handed down as per budget cuts across the sector – concerned parties here in the North West and all over the country have since started petitioning to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from shutting down for good.
In addition to being described as a “huge blow” to the field by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), some have even gone so far as to describe the decision as a form of “vandalism” when it comes to research and British culture as a whole.
Having also served as the host venue for the annual bluedot Festival since 2016, the multi-genre science and arts celebration could soon be forced to find a new home.
The battle is far from over yet, and the community has time to rescue Jodrell Bank Observatory from its fate, but it will take lots of money and more notable public figures to make it happen.
Once again, you can do your bit by signing the petition mentioned above right HERE.
Featured Images — Emma Farrer (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group
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Manichester organisers confirm tribute festival will return in 2027
Danny Jones
For anyone who didn’t manage to make it to the inaugural ‘Manichester’ festival held earlier this year in memory of British music legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, you’ll be glad to hear that the tribute festival will be returning in 2027.
Set up in the name of the late, great Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, the event sold out in the blink of an eye, as hordes of Mancs and more turned up to honour the local icon through live music.
Following paying their respects in the immediate aftermath, his surviving family members, peers and other figures from within the industry then held that wonderful evening, where several big names turned up to remember with live performances – and it’s official: they’re not done yet.
Writing in a lengthy caption, the brand said, “The family of Stone Roses legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield have thanked everyone who made Manichester at Diecast such a special day — performers, organisers, and the thousands who turned up to celebrate a true Manchester icon.”
The evidently emotional and grateful statement goes on to read: “On behalf of Gene, George & the Family — thank you to everyone who performed, contributed and attended Manichester on 30 May 2026, and for all your kind words of support.
“The response was massive — fans travelled from everywhere, demand through the roof, love for Mani louder than ever. [Local fashion label] GioGoi even said they could’ve filled Old Trafford.”
Revealing that the team of organisers have now green-lit the follow-up edition next year, they promise to deliver the same kind of magic, only “bigger, better, built properly” and with more music and people involved this time around.
They also thanked Manc-Mexican musician and creative, Alejandro Reyes Knight, for filming and editing the content on the night, adding that since he “grew up in Madchester”, there was no better person to be tasked with the job.
For anyone who was there at Diecast on the special memorial evening itself, we don’t need to tell you how special the energy was in the room.
We spent a good week or so looking back at footage following the maiden Manichester festival, as we’re sure plenty of you did, too; safe to say we’re glad we’ll have another opportunity to celebrate his life and career in the best way we know how: with plenty of tunes and singing our hearts out.
It remains to be seen whether Diecast will remain the host venue for the sophomore tribute fest, and the next date is also still yet to be fully set.
All we do know is that with such a good lineup and turnout the first time around, you can expect an excellent and equally heartfelt sequel in 2027.
You can register your interest right HERE. Wherever and whenever it is, we’ll see you there.
@the.manc Yesterday, Manchester laid one of the city's greatest music legends, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, to rest at Manchester Cathedral. 🍋 Fellow band member and life-long friend Ian Brown read out a speech as hundreds gathered outside the cathedral to pay their respects to The Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist. Mani will be missed by many, and we send love to all his family and friends. ❤️ #manchester#mani#ianbrown#thestoneroses#stoneroses♬ original sound – The Manc
Emily Sergeant -
18th July 2024 
