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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.

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.

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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

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Music memorabilia shop with a difference opens in Manchester, and it’s a shrine to all things 1990s

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

A new music memorabilia shop filled with items created by the legendary design outfit Microdot has opened in Manchester.

For the uninitiated, Microdot – founded by industry icon Brian Cannon – was behind some of the world’s most famous album covers.

The studio created record sleeve artwork for every piece of music released by Oasis and Verve in the 1990s, from the living room of Definitely, Maybe to the sunken Rolls-Royce in a swimming pool for Be Here Now.

Unlike other music memorabilia stores, everything inside the new Microdot Manchester store has been created by the design outfit.

It’s all displayed on walls and rails like a museum – but just about everything is up for sale.

One exception is a fireplace standing on one wall, which featured on Oasis’s Definitely, Maybe album cover and is currently on loan from Bonehead himself.

Microdot Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Microdot Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Microdot Manchester. Credit: Supplied

Particularly fascinating are the annotated sketches from Brian, where’s he’s revealed some behind-the-scenes insight into these legendary album covers.

Like the familiar assortment of items around the pool on Be Here Now? Yeah, totally random stuff picked by Liam and Noel. No significance at all.

And that man with a moustache who pops up on three different Oasis covers, including the D’ You Know What I Mean artwork? It’s Brian’s dad…

You’ll also find walls covered in photo prints, from behind-the-scenes images to pictures of bands on tour, from the Gallagher brothers to John Cooper Clarke.

The shop is selling rare signed memorabilia dating back to the 1990s, alongside band t-shirts and prints.

Microdot founder Brian Cannon said: “We are very excited to be in Manchester, bringing with us a unique offering, friendly and knowledgable staff, and a great place to hang out.”

Operations manager Ben Mason added: “Manchester, for so long synonymous with musical heritage, is for us the perfect place to launch the new Microdot store.”

Microdot Manchester is located at 6 King Street and is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm, and on Sundays from 11am until 5pm.

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Featured image: Supplied

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Graeme Park thanks fans for ‘valued support’ and launches fundraiser in memory of late son

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Graeme Park has thanked fans for their “valued support” following the devastating passing of his teenage son last week.

The former Hacienda legend and his family have also set up a fundraiser in his memory.

The DJ took to social media last week to share the heartbreaking news that his “true warrior” son Oliver had passed away at the age of 18 after a year-long battle with a rare cancer.

In a tribute to the late teenager, Graeme described his son as a “kind, loving, and beautiful soul” who “fought so hard until the very end” but was sadly taken “far too soon” when he “had so much more love to offer to this world”.

Graeme’s initial post drew in thousands of messages of love and support from the Greater Manchester music and entertainment community and beyond, as well as from famous name including from Vernon Kay, Sacha Lord, and DJ Paulette.

He asked fans to “bear with me” and confirmed that he will not be performing DJ sets or appearing on the radio for the time being.

Graeme with his wife Jen and twins Oliver and Ben / Credit: Graeme Park (via Instagram)

Now, a week after sharing the news of Oliver’s passing, Graeme, his wife Jen, and son Ben have taken the time to thank everyone for their “wonderful and valued support” – adding that the family is “heartbroken” to have lost a son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.

“Your messages and kind words have been well received and have offered us all some much needed strength and hope at what has been a very difficult time,” Graeme continued.

“Friends, colleagues, fans, followers and complete strangers have all been in touch in person, via phone, email and social media offering support and more, and it really has been heartwarming to read all the messages and to listen to everyone who’s called.

“Apologies if I’ve not responded to everyone, but rest assured we all really do appreciate the sentiment.

“Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”

Oliver and Ben / Credit: Graeme Park (via JustGiving)

Graeme also confirmed that, after lots of discussion following so many reaching out and asking if there’s anything they can do to help, the family has decided to set up a JustGiving page in Oliver’s memory to help raise “much needed funds and awareness” for Sarcoma UK.

Sarcoma UK is a national charity that funds vital research, offers support for anyone affected by sarcoma cancer, and campaigns for better treatments.

“After complaining of leg pain over a long period, Oliver was eventually diagnosed as having a malignant nerve sheath tumour that was a type of sarcoma, hence our decision to help Sarcoma UK,” Graeme explained.

Sarcoma is a type of cancer that develops in the bone and soft tissue. It is difficult to diagnose and one of the hardest to treat – “but by donating in memory of Oliver, you can help change this.”

“Your donation will help researchers find answers, keep the specialist Support Line open, and raise awareness to improve treatment and standards of care,” Graeme concluded, “Your donations go so far in helping the sarcoma community.”

Over 200 people have already donated to the JustGiving fundraiser, with the total now at £6,900 and counting by the minute.

Read more:

If you’d like to support, help, or donate in memory of Oliver, you can do so here.

Featured Image – Graeme Park

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