A pair of the North West’s biggest and brightest up-and-coming acts, The K’s and The Lottery Winners are teaming up for the return of the Newton Music Festival, celebrating the best new music from around the region.
The loud and much-loved indie rockers have emerged as two of the fastest-rising artists in the genre, not to mention a pair of bands with heaps of personality that have made them firm favourites amongst countless fans as their names have grown.
Starting with our wonderful Wiganers, they have headlined multiple festivals, achieved a number-one album and even supported the likes of Noel Gallagher and Nickelback – and that’s just in the last 12 months or so.
Looking to build on their meteoric rise and keep the momentum going, The K’s have decided to set up a brand-new music festival in their hometown of Netwon-Le-Willows, and have invited our very own lot from Leigh to join them for a very special evening of music.
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Appearing alongside the two North West big hitters will be Manchester’s Meduulla, The Rolling People from Stockport, as well as a local duo of acts, Asian Blonde and Malarkey, who’ll be flying the flag for the North West town that also the legendary Rick Astley.
Newton Music Festival will be The K’s first homecoming event off the back of reaching number three debut in the UK with their smash-hit debut album, I Wonder If The World Knows, which was released earlier this year and proceeded a sell-out album tour.
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After playing to nearly 4,000 at Victoria Warehouse and embarking on a raft of summer festivals, including playing to a 12,000-strong crowd at Glastonbury’s iconic Woodsies stage, the Earlestown-formed four-piece are absolutely flying and now looking to bring some mates along for the ride.
Ryan Breslin, guitarist from The K’s said: “We’re all absolutely buzzing to be playing our hometown for the return of Newton Music Festival. Heading back to the park we grew up on, it’s come full circle. The lineup this year is class and the support we’ve had from our town so far has been unreal, we can’t wait – see you there!”
With mainstage gigs at Reading and Leeds this August and support slots for Liam Gallagher’s highly-anticipated Malta Weekender this coming September, they’ve got plenty on the cards but this just might be the most exciting announcement yet.
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What we’re hoping will be the first of many Newton Music Festival takes place at Mesnes Park on Saturday, 3 August, and if the headliners weren’t exciting enough, you’ll be treated to lots more North West talent on show to boot.
Thom Rylance, lead vocalist with The Lottery Winners said of the event: “Not only are The K’s our good friends, they are one of the most exciting bands out there at the moment, when they asked us to support them as special guests at their hometown festival which is just down the road from us it was an absolute no-brainer”.
Newton Music Festival takes place at Mesnes Park, Newton-Le-Willows on Saturday, August 3rd from 5-10pm and tickets are priced at just £20. You can grab yours HERE and we hope to see you there.
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)
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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.
Danny Jones -
28th July 2024 
