Moovin Festival has released its line-up for its 2023 festival, back in the fields of Whitebottom Farm.
The boutique festival is set to take over the beautiful countryside in Etherow Country Park once again this August bank holiday weekend, with a line-up of returning favourites and some hotly-tipped newcomers.
Widely considered one of the region’s best music events, Moovin has gone from being ‘Manchester’s best kept secret’ to a staple in the calendar every year.
This year’s line-up includes headline performances from Laurent Garnier, house music mainstay Toddy Terry, plus local legend Mr Scruff.
The bill also includes Mungo’s HiFi feat Eva Lazarus, David Holmes, Massive Attack’s Daddy G performing a DJ set, Craig Charles, plus hip hop royalty Big Daddy Kane, Goldie live with his orchestra, Sister Nancy, Chali 2Una from Jurassic5, Children of Zeus, Gilles Peterson, Stanton Warriors, Plump DJs, Jaguar Skills, Krafty Kuts, Freestylers, DJ Paulette, Graeme Park and many more.
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Moovin Festival is famed for its bespoke and friendly atmosphere, and for its stunning setting in the Stockport countryside, just a stone’s throw from both Manchester and Sheffield.
The site is transformed into an ‘adult playground’ with world-class sound systems across several stages, including the Barn Stage – a large open-sided cow shed where festival-goers can relax on actual bales of hay.
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Moovin Festival 2023. Credit: SuppliedMoovin Festival 2023. Credit: Supplied
Moovin also brings an ethically-sourced food and cocktail offering to the site, plus yoga classes, live performers including magic and circus, and plenty more surprises along the way.
This will be the first year that techno pioneer Laurent Garnier plays the festival, with an extended set that will celebrate his 30-year career DJing at major clubs and festivals across the globe.
There’ll be a strong drum and bass presence too, with Metalheadz founder and scene pioneer Goldie playing a special show with a full live orchestra.
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The Moovin Festival line-up. Credit: Supplied
Moovin said on announcing its line-up: “One of the best mic men in the game in Manchester’s DRS will also be on stage to drop his deeply profound bars with a full band in support. He has been on records with all the greats such as Calibre, Marcus Intalex, Lynx, LTJ Bukem, Icicle and LSB so do not miss.
“Hip hop legend Big Daddy Kane is one of the most requested and talked about acts to perform on the Barn Stage so makes a welcome return to do it all again this year. Other hip hop royalty to play include Chali 2Una from the iconic US outfit Jurassic5, plus local heroes and new school innovators Children of Zeus.
“Funk fans will be glad to hear that 6 Music tastemaker Craig Charles is back again this year, while anything goes when Mr Scruff digs deep into his vast collection. Expect on point world music, jazz and broken beat from the one and only Gilles Peterson, while Massive Attack’s Daddy G also drops plenty of beat-based knowledge and the hugely influential New Yorker Todd Terry serves up one of his house masterclasses.
“Then there is the unequalled David Holmes who is famed for his left of centre mix of trip hop, big beat, electronic and rock, plus breakout Manchester star Anthony Szmierek who is a firm 6 Music favourite and introspective poet /hip-hop talent is certainly a name to watch out for plus the turn of Mungo’s HiFi with Eva Lazarus and the one and only Jamaican dancehall DJ and singer Sister Nancy.
“Breaks are well represented by pioneers Stanton Warriors, Plump DJs, Jaguar Skills, Krafty Kuts and Freestylers, and old school house comes from Hacienda Graeme Park while DJ Paulette, who also played the famous club and recently got a lifetime achievement award from DJ Mag, also lines-ups for an irresistible day of music.”
Green Island Festival and Nell’s team up for bank holiday street party in Northern Quarter next month
Emily Sergeant
Green Island Festival is teaming up with pizza pros Nell’s and taking over the Northern Quarter for a big street party early next month.
For one day only, Edge Street will be locked off and a ‘fiesta’ will be taking over.
This early May bank holiday weekend, Green Island Festival will be linking up with Manchester’s favourite New York-style pizza merchants, Nell’s, for a special street party takeover right in the heart of the Northern Quarter.
Set to take over from midday on Saturday 2 May, families are first invited to join in on the bank holiday fun, as Born to be Wild Child – celebrated for their family-friendly parties – will be first up, encouraging all daytime ravers to get down early doors with their little ones.
Deptford George then takes the reins afterwards with his signature blend of soulful house, disco, funk and deeper electronic music, while Manc heavyweights Sprechen are guaranteed to bring a mixture of groove, soul, and energy with no limits.
Into the evening, Manchester-based collective Me Gusta will be taking things up a notch, so you can expect to hear sounds ranging from Afro-Latin and Caribbean, to Middle Eastern musical diaspora.
Closing the street party is La Noche, who again, will be bringing the best of Afro and Latin music to the streets of the city.
Green Island Festival and Nell’s are teaming up for bank holiday street party in the Northern Quarter next month / Credit: Supplied | The Manc Group
All day long, Nell’s famous New York-style pizza slices and pies will be available to feast on, as will Yard & Coop’s legendary buttermilk fried chicken, burgers, wings by order.
And then to wash it all down with, RIPE Beer are also getting involved, so partygoers can sip on delicious pints of beer as they dance the night away right through to 9pm.
Green Island x Nell’s Bank Holiday Street Party is landing on Edge Street from 12-9pm on Saturday 2 May, and it’s completely free to attend with no booking needed – just turn up on the day.
Featured Image – Supplied
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‘If only he was here’: Peter Hook reflects on Ian Curtis as Joy Division join Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Danny Jones
We were lucky enough to play a part in a bit of music history (albeit only a small one) this week, as we had the privilege of chatting with the one and only Peter Hook of Joy Division and New Order, as the pair were finally admitted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
A long overdue bit of recognition, if you ask, but a momentous day nonetheless.
Chatting with Hooky and a long-time friend, collaborator, and beloved Manchester-based DJ, Graeme Park, in the aftermath of being named in the ‘Class of 2026’, he was visibly moved and honoured by the announcement. Here’s what he had to say…
Joking from the off by repeating Graeme’s initial question, “How does it feel?” (an absolute tap-in, that one), the 70-year-old bassist and co-founder of both iconic Greater Manchester groups admitted that they “had a couple of false starts”, to put it mildly, but went on to add: “we can only thank our fans.”
Confessing there has been somewhat of a mixed reaction about “what it means” to them and/or in the industry these days, he made it clear that on a personal level, it’s still a huge moment.
Put simply, he said: “Without the fans, we’d all be nothing.”
He also went on to praise the sort of no-nonsense, DIY and unapologetic approach of the Manc music scene, quipping: “You know, what would Simon Cowell have said about Ian Curtis, Bez, Shaun [Ryder] – Ian Brown, for god’s sake?!”
Acknowledging that while no one was necessarily an “accomplished singer” (often the case when you start early and just pursue a passion), his caveat was that “they had heart and soul” and “they embody something deep within us all that has lasted and will continue to last.”
Noting a de facto ‘Renaissance’ that a few names have enjoyed – especially following the passing of certain notable figures – he believes, rather, that they never went anywhere and that Northern crowds and beyond have helped those songs stretch to three, four, even five different generations.”
He’s not wrong: they’ve never stopped connecting with audiences, and they NEVER will.
Once more, it was an absolute joy (again, pardon the pun) to chat with Peter and Parky, who clearly haven’t lost their love for each other, nor this business – even after all these decades.
Congratulations to both bands, Hooky, Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, Gillian Gilbert, Tom Chapman, Phil Cunningham, as well as every session musician who’s ever played these tunes and kept them alive.
Last but not least: forever and always, rest in peace, Ian Curtis.
Daisy Jackson -
22nd February 2023 
