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There’s a free music festival in Manchester this May bank holiday weekend

ManiFest is set to return to The Oast House on each bank holiday weekend throughout the spring and summer.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 21st April 2022

One of the most popular city centre venues is back with another edition of its new music festival this May bank holiday weekend.

In case you missed it, award-winning Spinningfields bar and one of the city’s best-loved sun traps, The Oast House, has launched a brand-new music festival, and it kicked-off for the first time over the extended Easter bank holiday weekend, with a full day of tunes provided by local musicians throughout the one-day event.

And now, it’s back once again for the upcoming May bank holiday on Sunday 1 May.

The festival, which is named ManiFest, takes over The Oast House’s large outdoor terrace area, with a dedicated stage set up.

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Set to run from 1pm right through until 10pm in the evening, a packed roster of acts are lined up to perform on Sunday, including bands, solo artists, and duos, all taking to the stage throughout the day, with interludes provided by a number of resident DJs.

The Oast House says that festival-goers can expect a “party atmosphere” and sounds of rock, pop, soul, R&B, funk, disco and blues – with headline acts and full artist lineups set to be announced over the next week.

The event is not ticketed, and is free to attend on a first come, first served basis.

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ManiFest is taking over The Oast House’s large outdoor terrace every bank holiday weekend this spring and summer / Credit: The Oast House

Given the fact that the event is not tickets and knowing how popular The Oast House is on most weekends in general, the venue is recommending that people get there early to avoid disappointment.

If the tunes weren’t enough of a draw as it is, The Oast House’s unique street food menu will also be on offer to try out throughout the weekend for those looking to line their stomachs during the festival, which has a wide range of signature dishes such as the Northern Poutine, Crispy Chicken Burger, and the famous Hanging Kebabs.

Read more: The Oast House launches new street food menu with gyros, poutine and more

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Some of the vegan options on the menu include Cauliflower Wings, Salt and Pepper Fries, and the Plant Based Gyro Wrap.

Festival-goers can expect a “party atmosphere” provided by a packed lineup of local musicians / Credit: The Oast House

Festival-goers will also get a glimpse at a new street art mural by Northern artist Sam Porter, which was unveiled earlier this month to celebrate the launch of the new festival, and has seen iconic Manchester scenes painted onto the inside of The Oast House stage.

ManiFest is set to return to The Oast House on each bank holiday weekend throughout the spring and summer.

More details of individual events will be released in due course on The Oast House website.

Featured Image – The Oast House

Audio

Angela Rayner and Manc music legends to join Andy Burnham in charity DJ battle

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Angela Rayner has been added to the bill for Andy Burnham’s immense DJ battle this weekend – which is a sentence we never thought we’d be writing.

The deputy Labour leader will be getting behind the decks at the charity event, alongside Manc music legends including Rowetta and Clint Boon.

The event will see Burnham battling against Steve Rotheram in a musical head-to-head between Manchester and Liverpool, all to raise money for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity for A Bed Every Night.

It’s taking place at Depot Mayfield, the home of Warehouse Project, on Friday 2 December – and we’ve got an exclusive discount for £1 tickets for The Manc readers.

All proceeds from bar sales on the night will go to support those who are experiencing or at risk of rough sleeping in Greater Manchester.

Andy Burnham doing a live-streamed DJ set during lockdown. Credit: GMCA

The line-up will be headlined by Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram (who first battled behind the DJ decks in lockdown), with guest appearances from Angela Rayner, Nihal Arthanayake, Stanley Chow, Clint Boon and Rowetta, plus guest DJs from the Warehouse Project.

Angela said: “I can’t wait to get on the decks and show everyone why Manchester is clearly the best city when it comes to music. I’ve got a lot of love for Scousers, but Team Liverpool will be second best on Saturday night.

“I’m delighted to be taking part in this event and helping to raise money for such a fantastic cause. I hope you like the songs I’ve picked. It was hard to narrow it down to three because there are so many Manchester music legends!”

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “We all know Manchester has the greatest musical heritage and I’ll be giving it my all in the set to prove that point once and for all. There’s serious pride at stake here.

“But competition aside, our passion for music unites our two city regions. What better way to put on an amazing celebration of our region’s culture and raise money for important causes, to support those who need it most at what is a really difficult time.”

Mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram said: “There can be no debate: the Liverpool City Region is the undisputed home of British music. We’ve given the world some of the greatest artists, albums and songs of all time – no area has had more number one hits than us.

“The fact we beat off competition from cities across the UK to host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine speaks to our world-leading reputation as the UK’s premier music scene – and it’s a legacy we’re continuing today.”

The battle is supported by The Warehouse Project, Elevate and Badger & Combes.

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Launched in 2018 by Andy Burnham and supported by the Charity, A Bed Every Night provides emergency accommodation for anyone rough sleeping across the city-region, regardless of status, as well as vital personal support.

Since its launch, A Bed Every Night has helped over 4,000 people and been instrumental in reducing rough sleeping in the region since its peak in 2017. But due to the current cost of living and energy crisis, there is an increased need to offer support this winter.

Currently, there are 619 people in A Bed Every Night accommodation across Greater Manchester who would otherwise be at risk of rough sleeping, with 21 organisations across the region providing accommodation.

To get your ticket for £1 (plus fees), use the code: TheManc – get yours here.

Featured image: Ramona / Supplied

Audio

Noel Gallagher announces major homecoming gig at Wythenshawe Park

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds have announced a massive homecoming gig for next summer.

The music legend and former Oasis songwriter and guitarist will be heading back to Manchester for his first headline show here since 2019.

Noel will be taking to the stage at Wythenshawe Park, the first major outdoor concert hosted in the park.

There are some massive support act joining him too, with both Primal Scream and Future Islands joining Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.

The special homecoming gig will take place near where Noel grew up and follows the announcement of the band’s new single, Pretty Boy.

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds poster for Wythenshawe Park gig
Noel Gallagher has announced a homecoming gig at Wythenshawe Park

The song has already been added to the A list across all key networks including Radio 2’s Record of the Week and has arrived ahead of a new studio album, due for release next year.

Pretty Boy was recorded at Noel’s Lone Star Sound studio, co-produced with Paul ‘Strangeboy’ Stacey, and features fellow Manc legend Johnny Marr.

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Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds now have three studio albums, a collection of EPs and have played hundreds of live shows, including an epic set on Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage.

Support act Primal Scream recently performed as part of the Sounds of the City series at Castlefield Bowl, while the Wythenshawe Park gig will mark Future Islands’ biggest Manchester show to date.

Pre-sale tickets for Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds will go live on Thursday 1 December at 12pm, with general sale from 10am on Friday 2 December – you can get your tickets here.

Featured image: Matt Crockett

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