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!
Neighbourhood Weekender confirmed for return in 2027 after standout year
Danny Jones
It’s official: Neighbourhood Weekender WILL be back next spring, making that three consecutive years of the big outdoor bash over in Warrington.
We think it’s time we just scrap this whole hiatus malarkey and make it annual forever and always.
Thankfully, NBHD Weekender won’t be taking a fallow year like Glasto any time soon, as they’ve just confirmed that the festival will be returning in 2027.
It will be a while before we see the lineup, of course, but if the roster is even half as good as the one we just enjoyed over the late May bank holiday, it’s bound to be a belter.
Neighbourhood Weekender 2027 starts here! 😎🎉
Sat 29th – Sun 30th May, Bank Holiday Weekend. Earlybird tickets on sale 10am tomo via: https://t.co/j5GRbT0jDE 🎟️
10% cheaper than 2026 price, and payment plans available via SEE. Earlybird ends Fri 5 June.
Following a standout weekend, the much-loved North West favourite continues to grow in reputation with each and every iteration.
If anything, the short break a couple of years back only confirmed how much people missed it, with people travelling all the way from London, Scotland, the Netherlands and more to attend the two-day celebration of live music.
Managing to welcome one of the largest and most varied audiences they’ve ever pulled in, they’re expecting spring ’27 to draw even bigger crowds.
With the likes of Richard Ashcroft and Blossoms as their two main headliners across Saturday and Sunday, several other big regional names topped the bill, from The K’s and Kaiser Chiefs, to The Fratellis, The Royston Club, Mel C and many more.
And then there was the raft of talent from further afield, like Keo, Example, Brooke Combe, and Aussie exports turned adopted-Notherners, DMA’S, just to name a few.
Safe to say our Audio North team had a blast after making yet another visit earlier this month.
Once again, the latest iteration only further cemented Neighbourhood Weekender as a staple of the UK festival calendar.
As the festival now sets its sights on following up on the rousing success, they’re aiming to continue that growth over the same bank holiday weekend in 2027, and tickets for the next full NBHD Fest will be going on sale sooner than you think.
In fact, a limited number of discounted early bird tickets will go live from 10am this Friday, 29 May and be available until Friday, 5 June via their official website, where you can stay tuned for all further news and updates in the coming weeks.
Last but not least, it’s also worth reminding that its sister spin-off event here in Manchester city centre kicks off in October, and there are still tickets left HERE. In the meantime, you can find our most recent write-up in full down below.
Featured Images — @nexusvisualsuk (supplied via SJM Concerts)/The Manc Group
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Gracie Abrams announces multiple nights in Manchester on latest UK tour
Danny Jones
Global superstar Gracie Abrams has just announced her biggest run of live dates in Manchester ever, with the US singer-songwriter set to play multiple big shows here in 0161.
Wait until you hear how many…
That’s right, Gracie Abrams is playing not one, not two, but THREE whole nights in Manchester city centre on an extensive European tour entitled ‘The Look at my Life’, with a lengthy UK leg next year, too.
Returning to the same venue she graced (get it?) back in March 2025, the American is rejecting all notions of the ‘nepo baby’ accusations and focusing on what she does best, messing things up and not just blowing smoke, but continuing to book huge gigs across the globe.
Posting on socials, the bedroom and indie-pop artist wrote: “Honoured to be joined by Rachel Chinouriri, Holly Humberstone, Del Water Gap, Charlotte Lawrence, Grace Ives, Bella Kay, Jensen McRae and The Japanese House across North America and by Samia and Jake Minch across the UK and Europe.
Advising fans across the pond to pre-order her new album, Daughter From Hell/sign up for her mailing list before 12 noon on Monday, 1 June, if they want the best chances of securing early access, she confirmed that tickets for all three Mancs go live as early next week.
She signed off by adding, “I have missed you, and I love you so much! More to come soon.”
To be honest, it’s not been all that long since we last saw her, so we can only applaud her work ethic.
As for the record itself, her newest LP will be her third studio project and definitely looks to be toying with the narrative spouted by her detractors to some extent…
‘Daughter from Hell’ My third album is out July 17 Hit the Wall this Thursday night Whoa whoa whoa Freaking out I am so ready for it to be yours ❤️ Available to pre-order nowhttps://t.co/hR1l0UShXcpic.twitter.com/i26tu5sJcx
Coming to Manchester and just a handful of other domestic locations in spring 2027, the only place she’s playing more concerts is London.
Daughter From Hell is set for a 7 July release date, and we can’t wait to see what the 26-year-old’s latest musical chapter entails.
Here in Manchester, warm-up will come from superb support act, Samia, who we caught opening up for Maggie Rogers a few years back, and we can only vouch for the quality of her live performances as well.
Once again, general admission tickets for her three Manchester gigs on 22, 24 and 25 April at 9am local time on Friday, 5 June.
Danny Jones -
8th February 2024 
