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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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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