Liberty X, Chesney Hawkes, and D:Rream are just a few of the famous names set to play at a “throwback” festival over in Stockport this summer.
Fancy a bit of a blast from the past? One of Greater Manchester‘s favourite retro music festivals, Hits On The Pitch, is back in a couple of weeks time, and organisers are promising it’ll be “bigger and better than ever” this year.
The epic one-day throwback festival will be happening at Stockport Rugby Club, in the Stockport suburb of Bramhall, on Saturday 13 July.
Music lovers from across the region can expect a “celebration” of the “golden age” of music.
Hits On The Pitch is back in Stockport with a “blast from the past” this summer (Credit: Supplied/Hits On The Pitch via Facebook)
Hits On The Pitch’s star-studded lineup is tipped to be a stand-out in the North’s 2024 summer festival season – with massive chart-topping icons such as D:Ream (yeah, the one Brian Cox was in), Damage, The Fizz, and Toyah taking to the stage.
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The legendary Leroy Lurve will be bursting back onto the pitch to get the crowd pumped up for performances from the 80s, 90s and 2000s, and will be introducing the likes of Liberty X, Sweet Female Attitude, and Baby D, as well as the much-anticipated return of Haircut One Hundred, who’ll be performing for the first time in over 40 years, after their UK arena tour sold out in under 20 minutes.
Festivalgoers can take a breather from the music and make the most of the multiple on-site bars and street food traders across the venue – with something to satisfy every craving on offer.
Plus, for those looking to add an extra touch of luxury to their day, there are two indulgent VIP packages available this year that come complete with fast-track entry and indulgent extras to give you the ultimate premium festival experience.
Speaking ahead of the festival’s return next month, Simon Taylor from Strawberry Radio, who is one of the organisers of Hits On The Pitch, commented: “It’s time to dust off your neon leg warmers, flannel shirts, and low-rise jeans because Hits On The Pitch is back for another throwback summer party to transport all back to the good old glory days.
“We have an epic musical lineup of guilty pleased and forgotten treasures spanning across three unforgettable decades.”
Featured Images – Hits On The Pitch (via Facebook)
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James Blunt announces huge Manchester gig on new European arena tour
Daisy Jackson
Singer-songwriter James Blunt is heading back out on tour next year, and has announced a massive Manchester gig as part of his run of arena shows.
The singer, perhaps best-known for his iconic 2005 pop ballad ‘You’re Beautiful’, is hitting the road again in 2027.
The newly-announced European tour is in celebration of his new album Airplane Mode, which is set for release this autumn.
James Blunt will kick off his tour in Leeds next spring, before heading over for a night at the almighty Co-op Live in Manchester.
Then he’ll head to more cities including Newcastle, Birmingham and London.
His new album, Airplane Mode, is being released on 6 November and will, according to his press release, be ‘exhilarating’.
James has already released the first single, ‘Tastes Like Summer’, and ‘Weight Of It All’, with 10 more songs to come on the record.
Airplane Mode was recorded with James’ brilliant long-standing live band, who’ll be back on tour with him next year.
Speaking of the new album, and recording in Pig Music Studios, he said: “Somewhere back there, I lost my way, but found it again in a studio in Banbury.”
James Blunt will be at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester on 3 April, 2027. Tickets go on sale from 10am on 9 September.
Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
Emily Sergeant -
28th June 2024 
