A concert hall in the city centre has announced a series of ‘rush hour’ gigs – each one costing just £5.
The cheap gigs have been created so that Mancs have an alternative to sitting in traffic, or getting a bit too cosy on packed trams and trains around Greater Manchester.
And as they’re all taking place at The Stoller Hall, they’re handily right across the road from Manchester Victoria train station.
As well as giving us all a break from the commute, the gigs will support up-and-coming musicians, showcasing some of the brightest new talent in the country.
Every concert will cost just £5 (no, really) and last just one hour, with 6pm start times. You’ve got very little to lose.
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You can even pre-order a drink to collect and enjoy inside the concert hall.
The Stoller Hall hopes it will help us all avoid rush-hour and relax with an hour of live music instead.
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It’s been announced as part of The Stoller Hall’s Emerging Artists Scheme, supported by The Haworth Trust, which sees musicians in the early stages of their career given a platform at a world-class music venue.
Fran Healey, creative commercial director for The Stoller Hall, said: “We are passionate about nurturing new talent and giving a platform to musicians in the early stages of their career.
“Our new programme of ‘rush hour performances’ is a double whammy – you can support these exceptional young people and avoid busy travel times.
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“We’re very grateful for the generous support of The Haworth Trust who have made this new programme possible.”
The Stoller Hall’s rush hour gigs are taking place between September 2023 and March 2024, and tickets are available now.
The Stoller Hall’s cheap ‘rush hour’ gigs series in Manchester
13 September, 6pm – Phoebe Raynor
Mezzo-soprano Phoebe Rayner has a passion for contemporary vocal repertoire, premiering works by Professor Rachel Beckles Willson, Philip Grange, Cee Haines, and various student composers.
6 November, 6pm – Ensemble Raynard
Ensemble Renard are a wind quintet who are passionate about bringing a huge range of music to audiences of a variety of different backgrounds. Ensemble Renard is Ellie Blamiers (flute), Francesca Cox (oboe), Patrick Bolton (bassoon), George Strivens (horn) and Holly Isherwood (clarinet).
18 January, 6pm – Asaka Quartet
The Asaka Quartet is Ioan McDonald, Eriol Guo Yu, Susie Xin He and Jonathan Ho Man Fong. Through presenting creative and innovative programmes, they invite their audiences to discover new repertoire from a fresh and exciting perspective.
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6 Feburary, 6pm – Smorgaschord Collective
Smorgaschord Collective is a group of ambitious musicians aiming to cut away from ‘normal’ formalities of musical experiences, who come together to collaborate and create, with a strong emphasis on the new and the unusual.
13 March, 6pm – Helena Ricci
Forging her own path as a visionary classical musician, Helena Ricci is a trailblazing harpist praised for her expressive, dynamic playing and captivating stage presence. She is currently working on her debut album.
Featured image: The Stoller Hall
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Avril Lavigne announces huge Manchester gig as she joins Sounds of the City 2024 lineup
Danny Jones
The queen of pop-rock, Avril Lavigne, has been announced as the latest act on the Sounds of the City 2024 lineup.
It doesn’t how much we’ve aged, she never does and neither does her music.
Confirming her first-ever gig at Castlefield Bowl, the Canadian songstress returns to Manchester and the UK at large next summer as part of the popular week-long gig series, Sounds of the City, which is already shaping up to be a truly memorable year for the event.
A pioneer of pop-punk during its heyday and now back on top following its resurgence over the last few years, having released her seventh studio album Love Sux back in 2022 — her first new material in over three years — Avril Lavigne will be playing at the beloved outdoor venue in July.
Confirmed as part of an announcement for a pair of special summer performances, the other being at Cardiff Castle, the 39-year-old (there’s no way that we’re having she’s nearly 40) will be playing Castlefield Bowl on Wednesday, 3 July 2024.
She joins the likes of Jungle, Tom Grennan, The National and several others already announced for the festival, not to mention other non-SOTC-related concerts scheduled for the amphitheatre, like Loyle Carner, Fat Boy Slim and more.
The multi-platinum-selling noughties icon will undoubtedly be one of the biggest names to ever play the Bowl when she rocks up next summer and in addition to hearing some of her more recent tunes, you’re simply not prepared for how loud we’re about to scream ‘Complicated’ and ‘Sk8er boi’.
Better still, she’s also bringing along fellow pop-punk favourites Simple Plan along with her to both shows, so you can enjoy a real throwback vibe come July.
We’re not even going to bother telling you how much general admission will set you back because we already know you’re willing to pay extortionate amounts to see her.
Tickets for Avril Lavigne’s massive outdoor Manc gig at Castlefield Bowl go on sale this Friday, 1 December from 9am and you can grab yours HERE.
Bloody Nora, that Sounds of the City 2024 lineup is looking immense, isn’t it?
Featured Images — Avril Lavigne (via Instagram)
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Massive homecoming New Order gig announced at Wythenshawe Park
Daisy Jackson
Another huge gig for Wythenshawe Park has just been announced, with New Order set to perform there next summer.
The Salford-formed rock band will call in some massive names to support them too, with local legend Johnny Marr on the bill.
The very special homecoming show will be New Order‘s first full headline performance in the city since 2021.
The group are widely accepted to be one of the most influential bands of all time and this year celebrated 40 years of their hit Blue Monday.
They were founded in 1980 by vocalist and guitarist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook and drummer Stephen Morris, who had all been together in Joy Division, which disbanded after the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis.
This year, the band announced reissued editions of their classic compilation ‘Substance 1987’, the band’s biggest-selling album to date.
They also headlined Barcelona’s Primavera Sound before they commenced their UK and European tour this autumn.
New Order will be supported by Johnny Marr, good friend of the band and legendary guitarist of The Smiths.
Marr and Sumner previously worked on synth-dance act Electronic together, and released three albums.
Johnny Marr announced a new album earlier this year – ‘Spirit Power: The Best of Johnny Marr’ will celebrate the first ten years of his solo career, featuring songs from across his four solo albums.
Fans can expect to hear Johnny’s greatest hits alongside the brand new track ‘The Answer’ as he takes to the stage at Wythenshawe Park next August.
Also supporting New Order at Wythenshawe Park will be adopted Manc Roisin Murphy, known in the 1990s as one half of pop duo Moloko.
The Irish singer and songwriter recently released her universally acclaimed sixth studio album, Hit Parade.
Presale tickets will go on sale from Monday 4 December at 10am, while general sale tickets go on sale on Tuesday 5 December at 10am, and you can grab yours here.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd September 2023 
