Manchester has a new Cloudwater bar in the unlikeliest of places – and this week it’s showing off its Manchester music credentials with a massive party.
Located at Low Four on Deansgate Mews, it’s also home to a music venue, recording studio and online music TV platform – proving that one venue really can be all things to all people.
The Mews, a stretch of indie bars, restaurants and bakers at the top of the Great Northern Warehouse is probably one of the most overlooked places in Manchester city centre due to its lack of passing footfall – but now we’ve got another reason to visit.
Image: Low Four
Quietly opened in September this year, the Low Four studio – previously based at Old Granada Studios – has worked with a host of impressive artists including the likes of Everything Everything, Alexis Taylor, GoGo Penguin, Dutch Uncles, the Halle Orchestra and Francis Lung.
Having launched earlier this year with a special performance from Francis Lung, who showcased six new songs from his second album Miracle in an intimate preview session, the venue is now gearing up for a big party – due to take place this Thursday, 18 November.
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Low Four alumni Francis Lung / Image: Low Four
Held in collaboration with Design Manchester, Low Four will host the closing DM21 party with a stellar line-up curated by Poppy Ro Jones of band Lovescene.
The night will bring forward sets from Manchester’s own Meme Gold and Jenna G (of Jenna and the G’s fame), alongside a performance from exploding soul scene, neo-soul collective Lovescene itself.
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Kicking off from 6pm, it will close off a week of limited series of real-world and virtual events focusing on local and global co-design by communities and creatives.
Image: Low Four
Those heading down can expect an evening of great beer, floor-filling beats and more as not-for-profit organisation Design Manchester/s 2021 festival draws to a close.
Throughout 2021, Design Manchester has focused on global collaborations, delivering hybrid projects with people and communities around the world, linking diverse communities, designers and artists.
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Partners include Nairobi Design Week, Shenzhen Fringe Art Center, SICK! Festival, 2NQ, MODA-FAD in Barcelona and universities in Manchester, Salford, Reading, York, Birmingham, Barcelona, Milan, Dortmund and Stuttgart, in a programme supported by the British Council and Manchester School of Art at Manchester Metropolitan University.
Featured image: Low Four
City Centre
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is roaring back into Manchester with a brand-new show next year
Emily Sergeant
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live will be roaring back into Manchester with a brand-new show early next year.
Following the runaway success of last year’s Glow-N-Fire show – named the Pollstar Family Show of the Year – Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live has announced that it’ll be making a big return to Manchester’s AO Arena in early 2027 with an all-new show called Colour Bash.
Colour Bash takes the action to a whole new level, transforming the arena into a full-throttle collision of colour.
Manchester audiences can expect vibrant paint-splattered trucks, bursts of colour, and electrifying lighting turn every smash and crash into a vivid spectacle for the whole family.
A description for the event reads: “When the mischievous Skelesaurus drains all the colour from Monster Truck Island, it’s up to the crew of Rhinomite, Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, Bone Shaker, and Bigfoot to win it back – one massive stunt at a time, joined by a mysterious new ally – to be revealed this fall.”
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live will first be pulling up in London at The O2 in January 2027, then going on to visit Glasgow and Birmingham, before arriving here in Manchester on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 April 2027.
“Colour Bash is the most vibrant Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live experience we’ve ever created,” said Ken Hudgens, who is the CEO of Family Entertainment Live.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is roaring back into Manchester with a brand-new show next year / Credit: Supplied
“We took everything fans love about the show – the massive trucks, the jaw-dropping stunts, the can’t-look-away energy – and supercharged it with colour. It’s a brand-new way to experience the action live, and we can’t wait to bring it to families in the UK in 2027.”
Before the trucks take the floor, ticket holders can add on the Pre-Show Party for an up-close, hands-on experience.
And then for fans who want the ultimate day out, a range of VIP packages are available to book, offering exclusive pre-show access, official VIP merchandise, and the chance to get up close with the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks before all the smashing and crashing begins.
Find out more and book tickets from £25 here when they go on presale on 16 and 17 September, and general sale on Friday 18 September.
Featured Image – Supplied
City Centre
Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 opening date announced – including new spots
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Christmas Markets are merely months away, and the opening date and important details for 2026’s return have been announced.
It’s official… holidays are coming, and the countdown is on.
Just as we do every year, the Greater Manchester public has been eagerly awaiting news of when the city’s iconic Christmas Markets would be making a comeback for the 2026 festive season. And now, Manchester City Council has announced – initially via the MEN – that the famous wooden huts will be lining the city’s streets once again from the first week in November.
Now in their 27th year, Manchester Christmas Markets are known and loved for bring thousands of people into the city centre each year to fill up on the fantastic festive treats and to soak up all the Christmas atmosphere.
This year will see a bigger return of Albert Square, after the headline-grabbing partial return at last year’s event, with the big wheel also set to make a comeback.
The Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 return date has officially been confirmed / Credit: The Manc Group | Flickr
And there’s also set to be some new locations too for 2026, with Lincoln Square joining in on the action this year.
There will also be big changes to St Ann’s Square this year, according to the Council, with what is being described as a ‘brand new layout’ bringing in a bigger number of market stalls.
There will be a total of 210 stalls spread out across the city centre.
There’s officially eight weeks to go until the iconic wooden huts line the streets / Credit: Manchester City Council
Promising to be plenty on offer for seasonal shoppers of all ages, it has been confirmed that 2026 will see the iconic wooden ski chalet market stalls take over Albert Square, Lincoln Square, King Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, Cathedral Gardens, and Market Street.
Of course, everyone’s favourite big red legend, Zippy Santa, will also be back this year, although his location has not been set in stone just yet, so stay tuned.
“There’s nowhere that does Christmas quite like Manchester,” commented Councillor Pat Karney, who is the Christmas spokesperson for Manchester City Council.
“The return of Christmas festivities last year to Albert Square was a triumph and we’re looking to build on this success with a fantastic festive offer there again this year that is sure to be a hit with everyone who visits.
“Our legendary Christmas markets draw thousands upon thousands of visitors every year from right around the world and this year’s markets look set to be the very best yet, with a brand-new location in Lincoln Square just around the corner from Albert Square, and a brand-new look and even more stalls in St Ann’s Square.”
He concluded: “Christmas in Manchester will be absolutely magical this year and we can’t wait to welcome everyone and celebrate the festive season with them.”
Manchester Christmas Markets 2026 will officially open across the city on Friday 6 November and close on Tuesday 22 December – with the exception of Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens, which will remain open right through until Sunday 3 January.
Georgina Pellant -
17th November 2021 
