The Old Pint Pot is hosting a pop-up gig series with local artists to raise money for Manc foodbanks
What's better than a party at a great pub? A party at a great pub with live music from local artists where the money goes towards local charity — that's what.
Beloved local boozer The Old Pint Pot is holding a new pop-up series of live gigs, DJ sets and day-into-night parties to help raise money for Manchester charities.
One of the most popular pubs in Salford, the iconic watering hole and its owners are hosting the first of what they hope to be many of these charity music-based events in March from their storied attic space which has seen plenty of live entertainment and partying down the years.
Welcoming the headliners DJ Absolutely Sh*t (Il Bosco and Metrodome‘s spin-off) — a favourite duo over at White Hotel — North West-based DJ BUNNEY and her mix of acid, electro and breakbeats, as well as Manc legend and esteemed selector, Rhod Parry.
Rhod alone is at the heart of the Manchester DJ scene, whether it be programming the extended vinyl set party ‘Open to Close’ on Thursdays at Eastern Bloc or his own production/shows on NTS and Reform Radio, so it’s no surprise that he’s got his in this local community event too.
Powered by the REC. arts, entertainment and promotions collective, the very first of the parties over at The Old Pint Pot kicks off on Saturday, 9 March, having previously streamed past events via their YouTube channel.
ADVERTISEMENT
All that being said, this is the first time they will playing sets and hosting community-driven parties around Manchester city centre and all of the money raised will be going directly to their chosen local charity partner, Manchester South Central Foodbank.
So yeah, you can dance the night away at one of the most inviting riverside pubs in Salford and Greater Manchester full stop, all whilst helping put food on the table for those who need it most.
ADVERTISEMENT
As the organisers themselves said, “Who doesn’t love a tear-up in your local boozer?” — plus it’s all for a good cause, so you’d be a fool not to go along really.
The Old Pint Pot has seen many a gig in its time but not many as important as this one. (Credit: Supplied/Rhod Parry via Instagram)
Sticking with the theme of locality, the acts hand-picked to play this first event haven’t just played at the likes of Glastonbury, Lost Village, Boiler Room and Love International, they are regulars in the late-night music culture here in our area, so they know all about what this city and its people mean to each other.
Tickets are live now and will set you back just a fiver, with all the proceeds raised going directly to local Manc foodbanks and emergency relief across Hulme, Whalley Range, Moss Side, Old Trafford and more. You can grab yours HERE.
ADVERTISEMENT
The fun kicks off from 6pm at The Old Pint Pot on Adelphi Street in Salford, with live music and partying right through till midnight and beyond. Say no more, we’ll see you there and hopefully, we’ll be back again for plenty more this year.
And to learn more about the Manchester South Central Foodbank, please watch this recent and truly moving video down below.
When Siobhan had to give up her job to care for her dad, she got little support from the social security system. This isn’t right. Universal Credit should protect people from going without the essentials. 💚 Sign @TrussellTrust and @jrf_uk petition 👉 https://t.co/oFPsOd4KfVpic.twitter.com/CLjhta2Gso
James Blunt announces huge Manchester gig on new European arena tour
Daisy Jackson
Singer-songwriter James Blunt is heading back out on tour next year, and has announced a massive Manchester gig as part of his run of arena shows.
The singer, perhaps best-known for his iconic 2005 pop ballad ‘You’re Beautiful’, is hitting the road again in 2027.
The newly-announced European tour is in celebration of his new album Airplane Mode, which is set for release this autumn.
James Blunt will kick off his tour in Leeds next spring, before heading over for a night at the almighty Co-op Live in Manchester.
Then he’ll head to more cities including Newcastle, Birmingham and London.
His new album, Airplane Mode, is being released on 6 November and will, according to his press release, be ‘exhilarating’.
James has already released the first single, ‘Tastes Like Summer’, and ‘Weight Of It All’, with 10 more songs to come on the record.
Airplane Mode was recorded with James’ brilliant long-standing live band, who’ll be back on tour with him next year.
Speaking of the new album, and recording in Pig Music Studios, he said: “Somewhere back there, I lost my way, but found it again in a studio in Banbury.”
James Blunt will be at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on 3 April, 2027. Tickets go on sale from 10am on 9 September.
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Danny Jones -
7th February 2024 
