We enjoyed another night at Castlefield Bowl on Thursday evening and Sounds of the City 2024 continues to impress, as the almighty Jungle took to the stage for one of the smoothest all-round performances we’ve seen in a long time.
The modern dance icons have been flying the flag for the disco renaissance over the past decade and, pound for pound, have become one of Britain’s very best live acts.
The coolest customers within a 20-mile radius, Jungle did have an opening DJ set to help warm the crowd up a little but, to be honest, it’s not like they needed it. The Bowl was read.
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From the moment we heard that instantly recognisable and ever-so-unique synthy and almost kazoo-ey intro to ‘Busy Earnin”, the funk was very much in full swing and it quickly became apparent that those in attendance were going to dance all night long until the very last note. And that’s exactly what they did.
That might sound pretty standard for a gig, but to actually get that many people properly grooving non-stop for more than two hours on a muggy Thursday night in Manchester, when most people are still knackered from the celebrations from the footy, is quite the statement.
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And we’re not just talking casual two-stepping: one of the things that we loved the most about this show was how many people fully threw themselves into the pure disco of it all. Us Mancs can dance, trust us; we spotted Aljaž from Strictly in the crowd and he looked impressed too.
Pretty sure we saw a 10 scorecard go up and one point, hard to say…
Jungle got a very warm welcome as they walked out into Castlefield Bowl (Credit: The Manc Audio)
But seriously though, the set was bop after bop, be it long-standing favourites ‘Time’, ‘The Heat’, ‘Heavy California’ and ‘Happy Man’, or other radio hits like ‘Romeo’, ‘Keep Moving’ and, of course, Volcano bangers such as ‘Us Against the World’ and ‘Candle Flame’.
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And yes, we did get to see a few people pull out the ‘Back on 74’ dance and yes, it was wonderful.
Honestly, the list goes on and on when it comes to these lot and one of the highest compliments we can pay the dance music collective is that they also managed to bring some of those album tracks that we’ve never been as fussed about to life on the stage in a way that we now can’t get them out of our heads.
If that isn’t the hallmark of a good live band then when we don’t know what it is. We also don’t think you’ll find many live acts where the whole team and touring crew of musicians feel just as big a part of the core group as its frontmen.
The main duo might be the geniuses that are Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland but where they excel is in spotlighting all of these various individual performers in moments and celebrating the ensemble – something that has always been at the heart of dance music as a genre.
Petition to make orange the official colour of Jungle and all good disco music? Just feels right, doesn’t it?
We might not have been able to get tickets for Glasto (literally the one act we would have been fighting through the crowds to see) but, for now, we’ll happily relish having seen Jungle on our home turf and simply watching as they turned Castlefield Bowl into a dancefloor.
With the Manics and Suede, as well as Hacienda Classical still set to play this weekend, we’ve got a couple more days to sign off this year’s festival in the best style possible.
Bunny Jackson’s offer Foo Fighters and Mancs incredible deal if they play their stage after Ritz gig
Danny Jones
Beloved dive bar Bunny Jackson’s has offered the Foo Fighters and Mancunians alike an incredible deal, provided the legendary band if they play on their stage after their gig at the O2 Ritz.
As well as Manchester ramping up the 2026 BRITs Week buzz ahead of the awards at Co-op Live this weekend, a little-known American rock group called the Foo Fighters decided to announce a surprise gig here in town.
But the bigger story now, we’d argue, is that the city centre boozer – which serves as a regular go-to both before and after gigs – is offering free drinks if Dave Grohl and co. pop up to perform on their usual bandaoke platform. As in for EVERYONE.
As explained by the Bunny’s boss, if the Foos make what is quite literally a minute trip down the road to OG Jackson’s wing joint and late-night watering hole after their Ritz gig is over, they’re promising to hand out free booze to all inside the venue.
Joking that they can quite literally “do anything” and may not even fit on their even smaller stage – with this being one of the tiniest of Manchester’s small-cap venues – it’s worth reminding that they wouldn’t be the first big name to surprise punters.
It was only a couple of years ago that both The 1975 and Olivia Rodrigo showed their faces, with the former getting behind the bar and pouring drinks themselves, and the latter even hopping on the mic herself – yes, really.
Just last March, members of Bilmuri also hopped behind the decks for a DJ set, and saxophone player Gabi Rose couldn’t resist hitting some horns live for the crowd, too.
You might want to be at Bunny’s even if you’re not going to the gig anyway. (Credit: Bunny Jackson’s)
So what we’re telling you is that this isn’t entirely beyond the realms of possibility. Keep absolutely everything crossed.
BJ’s was already hosting a pre- and post-curfew party for the big Manchester gig, as they often do, but just think how incredible it would be if the rock icons actually turned up in person. You can find out what else they’ve got planned on the night HERE.
Not only would it mean free-flowing beer for everyone in the gaff, but this would go down as one of the greatest stories in Greater Manchester music history.
If you want to up the chances of this happening, make sure you share it far and wide, getting @ing and pestering them, and hopefully we’ll see you at Bunny Jackson’s with the boys from Foo Fighters!
Oh, and lads, if you’re wondering why we all love it here, look no further:
MCR Basketball to play special knockout game for the 2026 MOBO Awards in Manchester
Danny Jones
Manchester Basketball are set to play an exclusive knockout game here as part of the official MOBOs Fringe events for 2026, with this year’s awards coming to Co-op Live.
There’s a place in the last eight if they can seal a victory, too.
After what feels like a tricky couple of years for Greater Manchester’s main basketball franchise, things look to be on the up for the local team.
Rebrands and rebuilds aside, the Super League side is gradually climbing back up the standings, and with their European North Basketball League (ENBL) campaign still going strong, they could book their spot in the quarters with a win ahead of a big partnered evening in just a few weeks.
Set to face off against Croatian outfit, KK Dubrava, from Zagreb on 10 March, just a couple of weeks before the MOBO Awards get underway in Manchester, the match will be one of several events that the organisation are collaborating with.
With this year marking the MOBOs’ 30th anniversary year and, like with the BRITs, our city set to host it for the first time ever, this special game sets the tone for what’s to come in and around event week.
Fans can expect not just the major red carpet moments, but live DJs spinning hip-hop and afrobeats (courtesy of DJ Kay and special guest, DJ G2), plus a live halftime performance from a MOBO artist.
It’s yet to be confirmed who’ll be popping up centre court, but watch this space…
In case you missed the previous announcements, the 2026 MOBO Awards will see global rap icon Eve and acclaimed comedian and broadcaster Eddie Kadi host the landmark night for the North, not mention lots of other exciting stuff throughout the full Fringe schedule.
Performances already confirmed on the night include rising British superstar Olivia Dean, as well as FLO and Tiwa Savage, with more still to come.
Better still, for MCR Basketball, they also have the Super League Cup final coming up over at the AO Arena next month, too.
Tickets for all of these events are live now and available to purchase as we speak.
However, with prices for Manchester Basketball vs Dubrava, specifically, priced at just £5, we don’t expect these ones to last long.
Once again, set to be hosted on Tuesday, 10 March at the National Basketball Performance Centre over in Belle Vue, the tip-off is set for 7pm; you can secure your seats HERE.
And in case you were wondering what other big competitive events are coming to Manchester, Co-op Live is booked for its first-ever big sporting final.
Danny Jones -
12th July 2024 
