A club night in Manchesteris raising donations for its local foodbank by asking its punters to pay into an event with tins of beansnext week.
Hit & Run’s annual Food4Thought event, hosted by one of the city’s most legendary local promoters, is flipping the script – asking revellers to pay in with tins of beans and other non-perishable items instead of cash.
A minimum of six items are required to get inside, and once you’re in, you’ll be treated to a festival-worthy line-up, full of acclaimed artists who’ve all waived their fees for the cause – plus a massive screening of the FA cup final.
Alternatively, punters can opt to buy a ticket from £4.44 with all proceeds donated to support local food banks and MSF’s Palestine appeal.
Organised by local promoter Rich Reason, the charitable club night has been running since 2016 and every year raises a huge amount in food and financial donations for the Trussel Trust – a UK charity that both supplies and works to end the need for food banks in Britain.
Split across two stages, this year Food4Thought will welcome hit homegrown artists including Dub Phizix, Strategy, Fox , Jack Banner, Biome, Sparkz, TMan, Skittles, Tay Steppah and more, with further special guests set to make an appearance on the day.
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Speaking ahead of the event, Rich Reason told The Manc: “To our Government’s continuing shame, demand continues to outstrip supply in our nation’s burgeoning network of Foodbanks; that being the reality on the ground, there was no way we couldn’t return this year to try and support one of our local communities’ foodbanks.
“We’ve brought together some of the biggest names in Manchester and beyond’s Bass Music scenes, including the likes of Benny L, Dub Phizix, GLXY, EN:VY, Skittles, Stxylo, Emperor, Strategy, KAZ, SL8R and many more.
“We’re so grateful to each and every attendee for giving up their time and resources to make a difference.
“We are also raising money for MSF’s Palestine appeal, having raised over £4300 last year for their Yemen appeal.”
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Image: Supplied
Image: Supplied
Taking place at Six Trees Kitchen and Bar in Trafford on 3 June, the event will start at 2pm and finish at 3am the following day, with a two-stage line-up of some of Manchester’s finest bass music DJs, producers and MCs.
The full event description reads: “With demand far outstripping supply at the moment in the nation and city’s Foodbanks (a continuing tragedy), there was no chance that we couldn’t do another edition this year.
“Either claim a FREE Ticket and bring 6 Items for the foodbank (non-perishable food or toiletries) or buy a ticket – any profit will go to MSF’s Palestine appeal.
“Weather is looking sensational – AND we’ll be showing the football on the Big Screens – and then straight into the party (whether you’re celebrating or need distracting) after.
“Line-up: A-Z. BENNY L x MC NV, BIOME x FOX, DUB PHIZIX, EMPEROR, EN: VY x T-MAN, GLXY, KAZ, SL8R, STRATEGY, STXYLO, and DAWN RAID, DJ YAMi, EMMA ROSE x SELMA ZOE, FREDDY B, JACK BANNER, JADE LOUISE b2b WIGMAN, J KEN, KORZI, LEO SANDERSON b2b ADAM LITTLE, NORA, NUUSIC DJs, RICH REASON, SEBRED, SKITTLES, SLOWPO, SPARKZ, TAY STEPPAH, T-MAN, TRUTHOS MUFASA + Special Guests On Announced On The Day”
IDLES frontman Joe Talbot set for ’10 Songs That Made Me’ interview at AO Arena
Danny Jones
Cult favourite frontman Joe Talbot of IDLES fame is set to for an eye-opening sit-down interview as part of AO Arena’s ’10 Songs That Made Me’ series.
The lead singer of the politically-charged post-punk band will be joining the in-conversation event opposite BBC 6 Music host and popular radio host, full stop, Chris Hawkins.
Having often drifted into hardcore, art rock and even spoken word at times, Joe Talbot and co. have become known for the cutting lyricism and insightful songwriting in general, so we can only assume that diving into his own musical influences will be just as riveting.
Joining his fellow audophile on stage at the city’s legendary live music and entertainment venue this November, Talbot and Hawkins will be running through the tracks that quite literally helped create the musician we know today.
According to the AO, the arena will host an in-depth chat with the provocative 41-year-old artist as he walks Chris Hawkins through “the most important musical chapters of his life, his stunning musical journey from resident DJ at one of Bristol’s hottest clubs, through to headlining Glastonbury festival.”
It is quite the career he’s had when you break it down.
They go on to promise “raw honesty and trademark wit” as Joe reflects on the record, acts and cultural moments that shaped him as a young performer before breaking onto the scene with IDLES.
As for the ’10 Songs That Made Me’ series itself, it may be what it says on the tin, but most interestingly, being in the crowd and hearing it from each different group/individual changes the experience entirely.
“More than a story of success—it’s a journey of resilience, passion, and community”, they go on to add. “Expect an evening of candid conversation, unexpected anecdotes, and deep dives into the music that has not only defined Joe’s career but also resonated with millions around the world.
If you’re fans of the band or Talbot, in particular, you’ll already know they’re great orators; plus, if you caught even a small clip from his own fledgling Oh Gatekeeper podcast, you’ll know he loves nothing more than diving deep into tunes that shape not just the audio landscape but people at their core.
Just casually getting the lead singer of The Strokes on for in the first season, as you do…
On a personal note, we’ve watched the IDLES x Grammy Museum interview on multiple ocassions at this point, and know how much artistry there is behind everything they do.
The same goes for Talbot, specifically – there’s no doubt about that.
If you’re interested in being part of the audience for Joe Talbot’s in conversation event with Chris Hawkins as part of ’10 Songs That Made Me’, tickets for the date at AO Arena on Tuesday, 25 November are live now, and you can grab yours via Skiddle right HERE.
Last but not least, special mention goes to the interviewing expert himself, whose recent chat with Tim Burgess about The Charlatans getting back into the studio is also well worth a listen.
Tune in to 6 Music from 1pm today, @Tim_Burgess is my very special guest and rumour has it that we might get to hear a brand new Charlatans track… pic.twitter.com/vzoGDnvS7G
Wet Leg announce huge outdoor gig in Manchester as part of landmark live dates
Clementine Hall
Isle of Wight five-piece Wet Leg have announced their biggest headline shows to date, announcing a trio of huge outdoor gigs, including one right here in Manchester at Castlefield Bowl.
The multi-award-winning indie and alt outfit rose to fame back in 2022 with iconic tracks like Chaise Longue and Wet Dream, packing out stages at Glastonbury not long after releasing their critically acclaimed debut album.
Becoming their second consecutive number one in just as many attempts, moisturizer, is equally as fun and fabulous as the first – we cannot wait to hear it live in these.
Comprised of two lead singers in Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, Ellis Durand on bass, drummer Henry Holmes and guitarist Joshua Mobaraki, this lot can make plenty of noise.
And as you can see, to make things even better, they’ll be joined by Leeds’ very own English Teacher as the main support act at each one of the landmarks shows.
As for their down south show, they’ll also be playing Alexandra Palace Park down in the capital to round out this run of live dates next summer.
It goes without saying that we’re obviously buzzing to see them become the latest name on the lineup for the 2026 Sounds of the City series, with a hometown hero also joining the ranks as of this month:
Wet Leg are in good company when they rock up to Castlefield Bowl.
Set to play the Bowl on Wednesday, 8 July, before heading to Leeds and then London for consecutive nights, we’re sure you’ll see them playing tonnes more big stages throughout festival season.
Tickets for all three of Wet Leg’s confirmed dates for 2026 go on sale this Friday, 31 October from 9:30am, and you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
We reckon this one will be a real ticket scramble, so we wouldn’t mess about if you want to bag yourself a ticket; in fact, given that all of their live shows this year sold out, we know it will…
Georgina Pellant -
31st May 2023 
