BBC Radio 1Xtra is broadcasting a special show dedicated entirely to Manchester’s renowned music scene and celebrates all our local talent tonight.
From 7pm-9pm tonight, BBC Radio 1Xtra’s DJ Target will cast aside his usual schedule and dedicate his entire show to the music of our brilliant city, celebrating the achievements of our local talent and artists, and getting to know a little bit more about the city’s unique and growing musical scene.
BBC Radio 1Xtra will be connecting with artists and DJs in our area, and during the show, will speak to special guests about the rising prominence and influence of the city on the UK’s music scene.
It’ll also shine a spotlight on the success that’s already been achieved by local artists such as Aitch and Bugzy Malone.
This show will feature an interview with rising star, Nemzzz, and include some worthy contributions from 1Xtra’s Hot For 2022 artist, Meekz, as well as by local youth-run radio station, Pie Radio.
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The special show is part of BBC Radio 1Xtra’s UK Touchdown Tour, which will see the station touchdown in a total of 22 different cities across April, including Birmingham, Newcastle, Cardiff, Bristol, Brighton, Edinburgh, and Liverpool, as well as here in Manchester.
For each show, including tonight’s Manchester special, BBC Radio 1Xtra will be sourcing tracks using BBC Music Introducing’s extensive network of local Introducing shows and feature the music of undiscovered and emerging artists from the city.
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Artists set to be included in Manchester’s show tonight include KSR, Frenzy, July 7, Children of Zeus, Piri x Tommy Villiers, and more.
BBC Radio 1Xtra’s DJ Target is shining a light on Manchester tonight on the Touchdown Tour / Credit: BBC Radio 1
“I’m so excited to take the Touchdown Tour to Manchester,” DJ Target says ahead of the show.
“At 1Xtra, we’re all about finding and supporting the best new talent wherever they are in the UK and there are some incredible artists coming up in Manchester’s scene right now [so] this tour is an amazing way for us to connect with the region and shine a spotlight on Manchester.”
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Tune in to DJ Target’s UK Touchdown Tour show tonight on BBC Radio 1Xtra 7-9pm, or listen back afterwards on BBC sounds.
The White Hotel is a go-to haunt for Mancs seeking a late-night (or indeed, all-night) dance, with a packed programme of music running year-round.
The independent arts venue opened inside a former garage in Salford, just outside Manchester city centre and in the shadow of HMP Manchester.
Not only has The White Hotel defined Greater Manchester’s modern nightlife scene, but it’s become known globally as one of the best underground nightclubs on the planet.
Known for its raw DIY atmosphere and boundary-pushing line-ups, the Salford venue up there among the UK’s most respected club spaces.
But despite ‘continuing to draw full houses’, The White Hotel will close in January, according to The Guardian.
Ben Ward told the paper that the venue has found itself in a flood-risk zone, saying: “Basically, it’s a swamp.”
He added that it was better ‘to go out on our own terms, long before we became a museum’.
When The White Hotel opened in 2015, they planned to stick around for a year, then move to LA – but now a decade on, it’s cemented itself on Manchester’s club scene.
The area where The White Hotel stands will become a wetland park.
Neither artistic director Austin Collings nor Ward are ‘sentimental about losing the premises’, The Guardian wrote, quoting Ward as saying: “It’s come as a surprise that it’s lasted this long anyway.”
Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze
Daisy Jackson
Festival-goers have been warned not to take wheelie bins full of alcohol to festivals with them this summer.
The warning has come ahead of this year’s Download Festival, which takes place next month and kicks off the summer’s biggest run of festival dates.
But a major train operator has said there have been incidents in the past of passengers trying to travel to festivals with wheelie bins and luggage trolleys.
Passengers have had to be reminded that wheelie bins are not permitted on board, and they should instead only carry as much luggage as they can comfortably carry.
The warning comes from East Midlands Railway, one of the key services that will whisk people to Download Festival between 10 and 14 June.
Customers returning from the festival are also encouraged to use boot-cleaning brushes provided at stations to help remove mud before boarding trains.
Philippa Cresswell, customer experience director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We’re encouraging customers to travel light.
“Last year, some festive goers tried to board services with wheelie bins or festival trolleys full of beer. While it might seem like a great idea for getting your supplies to the festival, it just isn’t safe or possible to bring them onboard train services.”
Festival-goers urged to stop taking wheelie bins full of booze
EMR has also warned customers to plan journeys in advance, with engineering work taking place at various locations on the Midland Main Line, near where Download Festival takes place.
She continued: “We’re advising customers travelling to Download Festival to plan their journeys in advance and be aware that essential engineering work will affect services across the weekend.
“As a result, some services will be reduced or amended, and passengers should check before they travel and allow extra time.”
Emily Sergeant -
11th April 2022 
