Friday night’s gig at New Century Hall was one of those where you’re so stunned by the show that you’re left wishing the act in front of you was Manc so you could claim them as you’re own – but sadly Novo Amor is a Welshman and we had to give him back.
The stage name for the highly impressive multi-instrumentalist and producer, Ali John Meredith-Lacey, in truth seeing him for the first time here in Manchester proved that the Novo Amor really is the sum of many talented parts.
Much like Bon Iver in that sense and in style, sound and approach to making music, for without Justin Vernon and co. there would be no Novo, one of our first worries was that he would be unable to carry over the level of production and sound design heard on the albums to the stage performance.
That’s where his full band came in, who ensured not only that the whole thing sounded virtually studio-perfect but took a step beyond what we ever thought we’d get to hear at a Novo Amor gig. And it all started with Ed Tullet performing under his own stage name Lowswimer for the opening act.
Lowswimmer supporting Novo Amor in Manchester (Credit: The Manc Audio)
Anyone who listens to Novo will likely be aware of the little sub-group of artists that all swim in the same circle, from Ali himself to the likes Gia Margaret, Sean Carey (part of Bon Iver) and Yvette Young, to Hailaker – Tullet being one-half opposite Jemima Coulter – as well as Lowswimmer and several others.
He might have only played a handful of songs with only a guitar, including a couple of beautiful Hailaker tracks, but it was more than enough to leave an impression of the very sincere artist who clearly has a massive influence on all of those around him.
Explaining that this would be his second to last show perform with Novo Amor due to health issues and the general toll of touring, having helped write, record, produce and play the bulk of music ever put out under that name since day dot, it was a fittingly sombre and intimate warm-up.
However, even in delivering the more stripped-back set we were already half expecting from the headliner, we almost managed to get both sides of this little mini-music community: the quieter acoustic stuff where big vocals moments are left to shine, and they did, as well as the real deal.
There was even a moment when tiny embers began to flicker as if you were listening to the guitar around a campfire.
When Ali and the rest of his band finally walked out on stage, with Ed himself receding back into what looked to be the more comfortable position just outside of the spotlight, it suddenly dawned on us that it wouldn’t just be a few folky guitars and some nice piano playing.
After the Lowswimmer’s ironically low-lit stage had somehow managed to hide a quietly better-budget backdrop, the stage suddenly began to light up as Novo Amor wandered on to pick up their instruments and play and from here on out we were just as captivated by the lights and effects as we were the music.
Be it thin but sharp white lines tracing the borders of light boxes like a weird game of snake; solid blocks of electric blues, warm yellows and moody reds appearing on perfectly-timed musical cues or dots delicately twinkling into a slow-moving constellation, each song felt like an experience.
Not sure we’ll ever get over seeing this track being introduced in such a stunning way and in a venue as eye-catching as New Century:
Novo Amor stuns Manchester with ‘Same Day, Same Face’, fresh from his new album Collapse List at New Century.
Similar to Ed when he was busy tuning his guitar, Ali let on that his talent lies in bringing these intricately built-up tracks to life not only in record form but in translating them for the live shows too, choosing to ask ChatGPT for some ‘on-stage banter in the style of Novo Amor’ to fill the gaps.
Truthfully, as much as both parties said they were ‘not good at this kind of stuff’, he did a good job at handling the short lulls between songs by letting people ask questions, daft or not, as well as making sure water got to those feeling faint in the hot room. Everyone was fine, don’t worry.
In fact, when one girl seemingly passed out nearer to the front of the crowd as he came towards the end of fan favourite Halloween (you have no idea how gorgeous that song sounds with a full room of people singing it back, by the way), he still managed to check on her whilst quietly playing the outro. A total pro.
Those were the three key letters here in every sense the more we think about it; be it the effortless professionalism in recreating what you hear in your headphones down to the tee and then some live, or the production levels and simple but striking set design behind them, it was verging on surreal.
We might not have been anticipating such a put-together set and overall level of production both in terms of sound and the often mesmerising visuals but we don’t know why, because we absolutely should’ve.
This is what you get when you put a group of extremely talented musicians and multi-instrumentalists together in one place. They might make highly complex, heavily layered and often delicate sounds with electronics and technology playing a big role, but they also know how to ramp it up for an audience.
All we can pray is that the next time Novo is back in Manchester he brings at least one half of Hailaker along again and maybe a surprise showing from another corner of this collective.
A special shout-out has to go to Ed as well; we have no shame in admitting that watching Ali looking on at his long-term creative partner and mate with a smile as he signed off his time with the live band by belting out the final tune had us welling up.
Novo Amor might not be from Manchester but we want him back soon.
Olivia Dean announces HUGE Manchester gig at Co-op Live as part of UK tour
Emily Sergeant
Olivia Dean has announced she’s set to head out on the biggest UK and Europe headline tour of her career next year.
Fresh off-the-back of supporting the North East’s finest, Sam Fender, on his run of big outdoor gigs this summer – including a massive one at Wythenshawe Park this past weekend – Olivia Dean has now announced her very-own headline tour.
And of course she’ll be making a stop off here in Manchester as she heads around the UK.
The tour announcement comes ahead of the release of her sophmore album, The Art of Loving, which is out next month on 26 September, and follows the release of a collection of singles, including the already high-charting ‘Nice To Each Other’.
The 26-year-old singer-songwriter will first head out on a tour of some of the UK’s major cities, before taking on the rest of the continent and visiting cities like Berlin, Paris, and Amsterdam along the way.
From her earliest show in 2017 with a crowd of just 70 people, on to three triumphant sold-out nights at the Hammersmith Apollo, Olivia has been firmly building herself powerful live legacy and is already on her way to carving out a legendary path.
On release, the multi BRIT Award nominee’s debut album Messy received widespread critical acclaim and cemented her status as one of the most compelling voices across neo-soul and pop.
Olivia Dean announces HUGE Manchester gig at Co-op Live as part of UK tour / Credit: Jack Davison (Publicity Picture) | The Manc Group
While still relatively early on in her career, Olivia has already earned comparisons to the greats, and 2025 sees her ready to ‘scale up’ and ‘conquer’.
Olivia will kick off her tour next year in April, and will be taking to the stage of Manchester’s newest live entertainment arena, Co-op Live, on Saturday 25 April 2026, following a trip to Glasgow and before two huge gigs at London’s OVO Hydro Arena.
Tickets go on pre-sale at 10am next Wednesday 27 August for Co-op Members, and the general sale will follow on Friday 29 August, again at 10am – with tickets available here.
You can also re-order the album for early access to tickets here.
Featured Image – Gwen Trannoy (Publicity Pictures)
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Manchester Mardi Gras lineup and stage times in full – the ultimate guide to Pride 2025’s new event
Danny Jones
This year’s Manchester Pride festival is nearly here, and with the organisers introducing an all-new addition to the celebrations in the form of Mardi Gras, 2025 is going to be unforgettable.
Promising to be bigger, better and bolder than ever, this new entire sub-section/spin-off/side-event (whatever you want to call it) is designed to up the party atmosphere even further over the long August bank holiday weekend.
For anyone as yet unaware, Manchester Pride 2025 will not just boast the usual parade, Gay Village Party and numerous other specific events in and around Canal Street, but an entirely new series; this year, Mardi Gras is taking over Depot Mayfield and Freight Island too, promising a whole host of shows.
So, without further ado, let’s get stuck into what’s on where and when, shall we?
Now, for starters, you can see the full lineup down below, including the likes of blockbuster headliner Nelly Furtado, who was announced as the final act for the closing night of Mardi Gras 2025 last week.
The are plenty of other big names playing Pride this year – take a look for yourselves.
It’s also worth noting that wristbands for Mardi Gras still grant you entry to all of this year’s Gay Village Party events, too.
Mardi Gras stage times for MCR Pride 2025
Next up are the stage times, and while we can certainly lay everything out for you, as with any festival, having to painstakingly check all of the clashes is up to you.
Anna Phylactic – 2:45-2:50pm N-Trance – 2:50-3:20pm Louis III – 3:30-4pm K-Klass – 4:10-7:10pm Louisa Johnson – 5-5:40pm Banksie – 5:20-5:35pm Tayce – 5:45-18:00 Big Freedia – 6:30-7pm Tulisa – 7:20-7:50pm Olly Alexander – 9:40-10:40pm Nelly Furtado – 11:30pm-12:30am
The former Little Mix star is headlines the night of Mardi Gras.Gok Wan sets always go off.Credit: Press Shots (supplied)
Freight Island
Sat, 23 August
Sun, 24 August
Bongo’s Bingo – 4-5pm Red Bull ‘Dance Your Style’ – 5:15-35pm Yshee Black – 5:35-5:50pm Shanika Sunrise – 5:55-6:10pm Bailey J Mills – 6:15-6:30pm Red Bull ‘Dance Your Style’ (second set) – 7-7:20pm Charity Shop Sue – 7:20-8:05pm Queenz: ‘Drag Me To The Disco’ – 8:15-9pm Dean McCullough’s Pop Machine – 9:15-10:15pm The Danny Beard Show – 11:33pm-12:28am
Bongo’s Bingo – 3:45-4:45pm Lucky Roy Singh – 5:20-5:25pm Tequila Thirst – 5:25-5:30pm Fortune – 5:35-5:40pm Minara el Waters – 5:40-5:45pm Lady Imelda – 5:45-5:55pm DJ – Club Zindagi – 6-6:30pm Singh/Raj/Fortune/Kaan/Awas – 6:30-6:35pm Sitara Malik – 6:35-6:40pm Awais – 6:40-6:45pm Saki Yew – 6:45-6:50pm Raj – 6:50-6:55pm Duniya Dhoom – 6:55-7pm Khaan – 7-7:05pm Buffer – 7:05-7:15pm Zahirah Zapanta – 7:15-7:20pm Amirck Channa – 7:20-7:25pm DJ – Club Zindagi (second set) – 7:25-7:55pm House of MCR ‘Pride Edition’ – 9pm-12:04am
The Garden Stage is often the quieter, more laid-back part of Freight Island, but there’ll still be plenty of entertainment to be found there this bank holiday…
That’s just about everything you need to know ahead of the inaugural edition of Mardi Gras as part of the annual Manchester Pride celebrations.
We hope you all have a wonderful time this weekend – look out for one another, be happy, unapologetically yourselves, and show this city in its best light like you every year.
And last but not least, you can find out everything else you need to know from our complete MCR Pride 2025 guide right here.