The brand-new Union co-living apartment complex is kicking off its grand opening with a VIP launch party right here in the city centre, featuring some massive Manchester artists including Everything Everything, Murkage Dave, IAMDDB and more— and you can win tickets to be there.
With local Manc band Everything Everything set to headline the exclusive party at the end of February when Union fully opens on the eve of their new album, there are plenty of eyes on the new residential building ahead of it being fully unveiled to the public.
Its construction won’t have slipped under anyone’s radar either: work on the 32-story tower at St John’s began in 2022 and is now nearing completion, already having made headlines for offering people residing in the region a new alternative to traditional renting or house shares.
And now they’re in the news again as they have confirmed that they will be kicking off their new co-living community here in Manchester with a VIP launch party with some of our most exciting musical artists. There’ll even be food from Picos Tacos, Eat New York and Great North Pie Co., as well as drinks from Manchester Union Lager — we see what you did there.
Everything EverythingIAMDDBMurkage DaveThe headliners for the launch of Union MCR’s co-living complex. (Credit: Supplied/Jordan Curtis Hughes/Romany Francesca)
With Everything Everything pretty much Manc royalty at this point, having played almost every UK gig venue and festival imaginable, the headliners will not only be flanked by urban jazz pioneer IAMDDB and soulful R’n’B star Murkage Dave but the likes of locals DJ G2, WHP resident Krysko and DJ Toni Rarri.
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All of these artists are heavily immersed in the Manchester music and late-night scene and with many people having already moved into their new flats, they will naturally be the first to be entered into an exclusive and randomised prize draw to gain access to the gigs.
However, over-18s all over the city are also being given the opportunity to join in with the party and night of live music, with Union MCR running competitions throughout February on their Instagram page — you just have to keep an eye out.
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It’s as easy as that. The event itself will be taking place on Thursday, 29 February (yes, the rare leap year gig), so if you want to be a part of it, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the giveaway competitions on their IG and other social media pages.
Created by the ever-expanding Vita Group, who already helped deliver the Circle Square development on Oxford Road just a couple of years back, Union is set to offer co-living spaces where residents will rent by the room with bills included but share amenities spaces almost like in first-year uni halls.
The multiple occupancy housing approach will provide young professionals and more with another way to find a new home, with the aim of not only meeting like-minded people to move in with but also helping build a residential community throughout the complex.
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A few of the other perks included flatmate matching, with the Union team helping pair up the best matches possible, as well as flexible stays rather than being locked into lengthy tenancy agreements and, crucially, no deposits, so you don’t have to worry about saving up for before moving in.
With a total of 2,326 beds in the pipeline, it’ll be interesting to see how Union knits itself into the fabric of the city over time, and for those of you lucky enough to secure a ticket for launch party performances, we hope to see you there!
Niall Horan is heading back to Manchester with a massive arena show just announced
Daisy Jackson
Niall Horan will be back in Manchester this year on a huge newly-announced European arena tour.
The former One Direction star (and chart-topper in his own right) has just announced his Dinner Party Live On Tour tour.
The tour comes in support of his upcoming fourth solo studio album, Dinner Party, which promises to be ‘cinematic and organic’.
Niall Horan will be performing at the Co-op Live in Manchester this September, along with gigs in other UK cities including Sheffield, Glasgow, and Newcastle.
He’ll then head right across Europe, playing music from his multi-Platinum-selling songbook.
Niall first shot to fame as one-fifth of One Direction, but has one of the group’s strongest solo careers, with three chart-topping albums and massive hits like Slow Hands, Heaven, and Our Song.
Niall Horan is heading back to Manchester with a massive arena show just announced
He’s also worked on some exciting collaborations with the likes of Anne-Marie, and most recently Myles Smith.
£1 from every ticket sold for Niall Horan’s Dinner Party tour will be donated to the LIVE Trust, which is dedicated to protecting, expanding, and supporting grassroots music across the UK.
Niall Horan will be at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Friday 25 September.
Tickets will go on sale from 10am on Thursday 2 April HERE.
Yard Act announce handful of new headline shows ahead of 6Music gig in Manchester
Clementine Hall
Yard Act are back as they announce first round of UK headline dates since 2024, including a show right here in Manchester – but not before their BBC 6Music Festival gig later this week.
We are so, SO back.
It’s been a few years, but Yard Act have just announced a limited run of domestic shows for later in the year including their homecoming gig at the O2 Academy in Leeds on Friday, 6 November.
But after playing over in Yorkshire, the lads will be performing shows at the O2 Victoria Warehouse on the following Friday (13 Nov).
Yard Act completed the touring for their critically acclaimed second album, Where’s My Utopia?, with a victory lap back home at the 5000 capacity Millennium Square in Leeds in August ’24.
It was a record that brought a stark change of pace to the acerbic, post-punk of their debut, embracing something altogether more playful and bringing a different energy.
It shifted the dynamic on stage too, with the addition of dancing backing singers and additional musicians and openly challenged listeners to reconsider who they thought Yard Act were.
Since then, the band have been keeping busy writing and recording their third studio LP, as well as heading out across the UK and Europe with The Hives – oh, and that intimate one-off show at Blackpool Tower last May.
Following a lengthy stint in the studio, the band now look to this coming autumn for three big UK dates and we cannot wait. We spoke to them a little while back and know how much big stuff they’ve got further pipeline; you can see the interview HERE.
Booking just three headline slots, the handful of tour dates are as follows:
06 Nov – Leeds
13 Nov – Manchester
26 Nov – London
Tickets go on artist presale from 10am on Wednesday, 25 March before hitting general sale at 10am on Friday, 27 March. Sign up to grab yours right HERE.
As for those wanting to find out more about this year’s 6Music Fest, you find the full lineup and more down below.
Danny Jones -
8th February 2024 
