Wilmslow is set to host its first flagship live music festival this upcoming May bank holiday weekend.
There’s lots of stuff going on this long weekend – be it the FA Cup final, the Great Manchester Run, the Manchester Jazz Festival and various other gigs – but if you fancy getting away from the bustle of the city centre, then this one is right up your street.
We’re talking about Wilmslow Live ’24: the affluent Cheshire suburb’s inaugural festival, which is set to be packed out with up-and-coming local acts, lots of food and drink, as well as plenty of fun for all the family.
Taking place on Saturday, 25 May over at the iconic Bank Square building, the local community and people from all over the region, Greater Manchester and beyond are being welcomed to the maiden live music festival just down the road.
BlackSheepLadSiren SoundsCredit: Wilmslow Live
Organised by Wilmslow Business Improvement District (BID), on behalf of the town centre businesses, the event will celebrate the very best in North West talent.
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The main stage in Bank Square, hosted by Cheshire’s local station Silk FM and sponsored by Orbit Developments, will see live performances from 12–6pm.
The lineup kicks off with the Neil Matthews Band, followed by performances from Aura Music Academy, Wilmslow High School’s Sunstate Band; the all-female Siren Sounds choir and Alderley and Wilmslow Musical Theatre Group (AWMTG), just for starters.
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You’ve also got singer-songwriter Jess Scragg, soul and funk band Violet Line, as well as indie folk-pop musician BlackSheepLad to round off the line-up.
But it doesn’t just stop at the music, there are also lots of free things to do for people to get involved with, including plenty to keep the kids busy over in Wilmslow Live’s dedicated Family Fun Zone at the music festival site on the bottom of Green Lane.
Sponsored by handcrafted furniture retailer, Arlo & Jacob, activities include mini golf, free face painting, games and balloon modelling.
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Oh, and then you’ve got all the scran. Sponsored by Langricks Chartered Accountants, a whole host of Wilmslow cafés, restaurants, pubs and bars are helping put on a street food-style service throughout the day. We often hate this phrase but there really is something for everyone at the bank holiday festival.
Wilmslow BID Manager, Lisa Russett, said: “We can’t wait for the first-ever Wilmslow Live! We’re delighted to be able to showcase local talent and with lots of options for food and drink and family-friendly activities on offer we’re confident it’s going to be a fantastic day with a brilliant atmosphere.”
Tickets are selling out fast but you can grab yours HERE.
Manchester’s Block Party comes to the streets of Stockport town centre this summer
Danny Jones
Stockport and its street party scene seem to be thriving at the moment and now Manchester’s increasingly popular Block Party is getting involved too.
We’ve all seen how SK1 Records and their street parties have taken off over the past year or so, so it only makes sense for Block Party to team up with them and others to bring their tried and tested format to another Greater Manchester borough this summer.
No, we don’t care how many times you repeat it, it isn’t Cheshire and hasn’t been for ages.
But back to the matter at hand, Block Party – who have already seen great success over at Piccadilly Trading Estate with the help of Manc brewers Cloudwater, Track, Balance and Sureshot – are set to deliver a day of music entertainment, food, bevs drink and fun for all the family.
Block Party always goes off (Credit: Supplied)
Aptly named ‘Stock Party’ (some things just line up perfectly), the latest street party will be landing on the historic Underbank in collaboration with all their usual partners as well as local beer experts Robinsons Brewery and Runaway, as well as Michelin-recognised Where The Light Gets and many more.
Being brought to life with the help of Stockport’s Business Improvement District (BID), Totally Stockport and Stockport Council as part of the growing ‘Old Town’ revival moment, they’re set to deliver a day of music entertainment, food & drink and family activities around the town centre.
‘Robbies’ Brewery on Lower Hillgate will be home to the main festival square and bar, pouring the freshest beers from each of the breweries, with tunes being pumped out onto the street by SK1 Records and a special DJ set curated by Bohemian Arts Club to ensure a proper party atmosphere.
For those who prefer a nice pinot noir, Isca will be serving up a selection of their natural wines; plus Where The Light Gets In will be serving up BBQ and Honest Crust – one of the best pizza places anywhere in Greater Manchester – will be serving up slices… of heaven, we mean.
Although we can promise plenty of dancing and footfall, Underbank will also be lined with tables and chairs enabling festival-goers to enjoy an alfresco beer from a five-tap van located outside Rare Mags, while Yellowhammer pottery and bakery will see visitors can build their own tankard in a special one-off.
There are even more offerings food and drink-wise too, with popular local bars Spinn Off and Cracked Actor, Cafe San Juan and Marley’s Tacos all serving up street food and pints for you to gulp down in the sunshine (fingers crossed).
Head just a few metres over the road and you’ll also find Stockport’s oldest and newly restored White Lion pub hosting an Old Town General Store DJ set and tap takeover, with Ginger’s Ice Cream Emporium on hand serving up their artisan ice cream. As if things couldn’t get any more summery.
Best of all, you don’t have to wait too long as Stock Party is happening on 20 July, lasting from 12-9pm and is completely free entry. You can bank on us being there and dancing along the cobbles until dusk. See you in SK next month!
Block Party first event in Stockport event beckons (Credit: Stockport BID)
Band fronted by Liam Gallagher’s son announces headline gig at iconic Manchester venue
Emily Sergeant
A band fronted by Liam Gallagher’s son have announced a headline gig at one of Manchester’s most iconic music venues.
In the same week that his old man has been playing a run of sold-out – and absolutely biblical, if we do say so ourselves – shows at Manchester‘s newest live entertainment arena, Co-op Live, Gene Gallagher and his band, Villanelle, have just announced their debut UK headline tour, and tickets are going on sale in a couple of days time.
The upcoming indie rock quartet is formed earlier this year by Liam Gallagher‘s youngest son, who takes on the role of lead vocalist and guitarist.
Gene’s joined by Ben Taylor on guitar, bassist Jack Schiavo, and Andrew Richmond on drums.
The four-piece is yet to actually release any music formally, but Gene says he’s been writing songs for as long “as he can remember”, and they’re already making waves.
The lads are currently introducing themselves in the biggest way possible by opening for LG himself on his ongoing ‘Definitely Maybe: 30 Years’ tour… but as that run of shows nears an end, Villanelle are now preparing to step out on their own for the first time ever.
They’ll be taking to the stage at some legendary smaller venues all across the UK on their debut headline tour.
They’ve already played a handful of gigs at places such as renowned London rock ‘n’ roll pub, The Marquis, and beloved Manchester venue, Band On The Wall, but this is the first time they’ll be heading out on tour.
And of course they’ll be coming back to visit our city.
Manchester music fans curious to hear what the rising band’s sound is all about will be able to head on down to Night & Day Cafe later this year on 22 November and see for themselves.
Villanelle – UK Tour Dates 2024
19 November – Stereo (Glasgow)
20 November – The Grove (Newcastle)
22 November – Night & Day Cafe (Manchester)
23 November – Oslo (London)
24 November – Mama Roux’s (Birmingham)
26 November – Dareshack (Bristol)
27 November – The Bodega (Nottingham)
28 November – Oslo (London)
Tickets to the UK tour dates – including Manchester – are going on sale later this week.
Anyone looking to grab tickets to the Manchester gig at Night & Day Cafe on 22 November will be able to get their hands on them when they go on general sale this Friday (21 June) at 9am.
Danny Jones -
22nd May 2024 
