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.
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.
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.
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
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Police tell gig-goers to ‘remain vigilant’ as Oasis Live ’25 hits Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Anyone lucky enough to be heading to Heaton Park for the Oasis Live ’25 gigs this summer is being told to ‘remain vigilant’.
Manchester is all set for a sensational summer of sound, as more than 300,000 music fans prepare to descend on our city to see a little-known band called Oasis (sarcasm detected) reform for the first time in over a decade.
And today is finally the big day after what has been a very long-time coming.
With the Gallagher brothers staging five nostalgia-drenched gigs at Heaton Park starting today (11 July), Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has now issued some important advice and information for gig-goers attending what is likely going to be one of the best live shows of their life, and what is sure to be a momentous moment for the city.
Oasis Live ’25 Manchester gig-goers told to ‘remain vigilant’ / Credit: The Manc Group | Simon Emmett (Publicity Picture)
GMP confirmed that it will be working with partners to ensure Oasis’ homecoming shows ‘pass by safely’ on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July.
Planning has been underway within GMP over the past six months, alongside our partners at Manchester City Council, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS), and many more.
Police officers will be present around the Heaton Park site, working with event security staff to ‘prevent crime and disorder’, while off-site patrols will also assist with traffic management and policing in the surrounding areas and the city centre.
Efforts are also underway to ‘minimise disruption’ in Manchester city centre and the surrounding areas, GMP confirmed.
We’ll be working with partners to ensure Oasis’ homecoming shows pass by safely at Manchester’s Heaton Park starting from this Friday.
Planning has been underway within GMP over the past six months alongside our partners.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 10, 2025
“Our priority is to ensure everyone’s safety,” explained Assistant Chief Constable, Matt Boyle.
“We have worked closely with event organisers and partners to make sure the event is safe and enjoyable for those attending, whilst minimising any crime or antisocial behaviour impacts on local residents.
“We will have a large and highly visible policing operation in place in Heaton Park, the city centre, and on routes into and out of the venue to help people enjoy the event. We also have neighbourhood police officers and staff in place who are dedicated to dealing with local residents’ concerns.
“Our advice to fans attending is to enjoy yourselves but to remain vigilant, keep your belongings safe, and report anything suspicious to police or security staff so we can act on it.”
Major Co-op Live concert cancelled with fans already inside venue
Daisy Jackson
Major Co-op Live gig Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled this evening – after fans had already entered the venue.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO were set to perform the second of two nights at the huge Manchester venue tonight, as part of their final UK tour.
The Over and Out Tour should have been taking place on both the 9 and 10 July before heading to London’s BST Hyde Park Festival on Sunday.
But the show has been cancelled minutes before the legendary band were due to take to the stage.
Fans had already taken their seats inside the massive Co-op Live Arena when the news broke that the gig would not be able to take place ‘due to illness’.
77-year-old Jeff Lynne himself, who recently broke his hand in an accident, is said to be ‘devastated’ that he is unable to perform.
Jeff Lynne’s ELO has been cancelled at Co-op Live
A statement from the band said: “Unfortunately due to illness tonight’s (Thursday 10th July 2025) scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the Co-Op Live will not be going ahead.
“Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening.
“More information will become available as soon as possible. For refunds please go to your point of purchase.”
According to fans, audiences inside Co-op Live were told the show was cancelled with just 45 minutes to go.
One person wrote: “The concert that never was. Cancelled with 45mins to go. Get well soon Jeff Lynne.”
Literally mins after this picture was taken Jeff Lynn cancelled 😞 @JeffLynnesELO Broke his hand a few days ago and has played the best he can and well done to you ! But then decides to cancel 2nd night n Manchester very last minute ! But it’s ok just ask for a refund !!! 😡 pic.twitter.com/wv1JfWPwk5
Emily Sergeant -
21st April 2022 
