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”
The funds will help improve the already incredible music scene in Manchester, benefitting staples likes Night and Day Café, Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club, SOUP and more.
All of the donations will be distributed across six independent music venues and will be used for various instruments, PA equipment, backline technology and other necessities depending on the requirements of each site.
Elbow have teamed up with Co-op Live in aid of supporting Manchester grassroots venues.Credit: Supplied
This initiative has been keeping Manchester’s Northern Quarter in the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to live music as well as the impressive Co-op Live.
Alongside providing vital resources for these local institutions, Elbow teaming up with Co-op Live also helps cement the North West as one of the main powerhouses in relation to live music.
The latest efforts from the largest indoor arena in Manchester fall in line with celebrating one year of bringing some of the best live music to the city, being officially open for 12 months in May.
Co-op Live have made a commitment to the people and the planet, promising to donate £1 million annually to the Co-op Foundation.
The stunning Co-op Live venue, Manchester’s largest indoor arena.Elbow performing at Co-op Live, marking history as the first act to grace the venue.Credit: Audio North/Supplied
Manchester’s latest live music venue also contributed significantly to selected charities, including Happy Doggo – chosen by Liam Gallagher and Eric Clapton’s addiction recovery centre, Crossroads.
As Elbow teams up with Co-op Live, even more money is making its way to necessary resources, this time in the likes of crucial live music establishments.
Elbow front-person Guy Garvey says: “Playing Co-op Live’s opening night will stay with us for a lifetime, not least because of how incredible the room sounded.”
“When the venue donated funds in our name to support the city we love, it made complete sense to carry that through to the Northern Quarter and to venues that have meant so much to my bandmates and I throughout our career.”
Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live, adds: “In the past year, I have been proud to see Co-op Live become an integral part of such an incredible city.”
“Teaming up with Elbow to directly support the venues that first put Manchester on the map, and to share something so intrinsic to us as venues – proper sound – is something truly special.”
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist, and more for tour
Thomas Melia
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe are bringing their Together At Home tour to Manchester, here’s everything you need to know for their AO Arena gig.
The boys are back in town, and by the boys we mean multi-million selling vocalists Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, who are heading to Manchester this month.
This duo are no stranger to each other’s company making six collaborative albums since 2016 covering songs from The Greatest Showman, The Lion King and New York, New York.
Their latest release ‘Together At Home’ which doubles as the name for the tour sees the pair back to their good old tricks covering hits like ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ and ‘Ferry Cross The Mersey’.
These two powerhouses know how to sing in style and that’s why they’ve chosen the impressive AO Arena to host their brand new show.
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe UK tour dates
Sat 29 March – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
Sun 30 March – Bournemouth, UK – International Centre
Tue 1 April – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
Wed 2 April – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena
Fri 4 April – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
Sat 5 April – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
Mon 7 April – Aberdeen, UK – P&J Live
Tue 8 April – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Thu 10 April – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
Fri 11 April – Birmingham, UK – BP Pulse Live
Sun 13 April – London, UK – The O2
Mon 14 April – Brighton, UK – Brighton Centre
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe tickets for AO Arena gig
Anyone looking at tickets for Michael Ball and Alfie Boe’s upcoming tour have plenty of opportunity to see these two singing their hearts out.
Fans of the duo better act fast as these tickets are very limited, starting from a reasonable £47.75 and reaching £98.75.
If you want to go all out on this occasion tickets are also available for The Mezz, which is the arena’s fine dining experience covering you before and throughout the show at a fixed price of £206.25.
What are the stage times for Michael Ball and Alfie Boe in Manchester?
AO Arena has a curfew of 11pm meaning you’ll still be able to make it home and pop the kettle on before you get your forty winks.
Their support act comes in the form of another duo, however these two mighty performers are magicians rather than singers.
The Conjurors are a worldwide renowned act famed by audiences and A Listers for their talents which they will be showing off in Manchester on the night.
How to get to AO Arena
Tram
For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily it’s in Manchester Victoria Station and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Train
Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena wherever they are.
Bus
A variety of buses cover AO Arena andVictoria Station on their route such as the 2 bus which stops a one minute walk away from the venue.
A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.
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Getting there by car and parking
The Arena have their own official parking partners CitiParkwith 958 spaces including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.
Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.
Walk/cycle
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.
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About the AO Arena
The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirements carefully before you travel.
For example, only one small bag per person is allowed, and bags like backpacks, travel cases and laptop bags are not permitted inside the arena.
All bags are scanned on entry to check for prohibited items like laser pens, flares, projectiles, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and even selfie sticks.
Georgina Pellant -
31st May 2023 
