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
Uber has officially started trialling driverless taxis in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… driverless taxis have hit the streets of Manchester.
As the leading transportation company looks to bring robotaxis to other major cities around the UK, it has been confirmed that a trial of autonomous vehicles is now underway in Manchester – with the services being operated using the technology of Uber’s partner firms, Pony and Verne.
Uber said it was ‘excited’ to take this first step toward ‘making this technology accessible’ to people across the UK.
The three companies first collaborated on the deployment of a commercial robotaxi service back in March of this year, combining Pony.ai’s autonomous driving system, Uber’s global mobility platform, and Verne’s service ecosystem and operational framework.
At this time, there has been no official application to launch passenger services in Manchester, according to The Guardian.
However, posts on various social media platforms – such as X, LinkedIn, and Instagram – by each of the companies this week have confirmed that trials are underway in the city.
“New technologies play an increasingly important role in the growth of our city region,” TfGM said. “But they need to be introduced responsibly, safely and with real thought about what it means for our residents.
“Safety will always be our top priority, and we will need strong assurances that no vehicles will operate on our roads that pose any risk to residents.”
Manchester, we’re on our way! Today, we’re announcing that we’re partnering with @Verne_robotaxi and @PonyAI_tech to pilot autonomous vehicles in Manchester. Building on our service together in Zagreb, Gen-7 Robotaxis are now testing in Manchester.
We’re excited to take this first step toward making this technology accessible to people across the UK. 🇬🇧
“By bringing together Pony.ai’s proven autonomous driving technology, Verne’s operational and market expertise, and Uber’s global platform, we’re taking an important step toward making autonomous ride-hailing available to more riders in more places.”
Featured Image – Uber Investor
City Centre
Printworks is hosting a FREE ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling this Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
Printworks is hosting a free ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling next month.
Aiming to ‘bring Bonfire Night to life’ next month, Printworks has announced it’ll be hosting a dazzling evening of lights, music, stories, and Manchester spirit, as the iconic venue transforms Europe’s largest digital ceiling into a spectacular celebration for all the family.
Kicking off from 4:30pm, the free event will begin with an incredible display of ‘Manchester Stars’, where hundreds of stars will appear across the ceiling, each carrying the name of a real Manchester hero, creating a unique celebration of the people who make the city shine.
Members of the public can nominate someone to become a star, whether it’s a child, parent, grandparent, friend, colleague, community champion, or simply someone who deserves a little extra recognition. Nominations can be made here.
Printworks is hosting a free ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling this Bonfire Night / Credit: Jason Lock (via Supplied)
Two cosy story time sessions with BBC Radio One and former CBBC presenter, Katie Thistleton, and children’s favourite, Hacker T Dog, will follow the star display, and each child will receive light-up headphones to enjoy the sessions in a dedicated chill-out zone.
Then comes the main event, Printworks’ digital ceiling will take centre stage for two firework displays between the story time sessions, including a dedicated SEN-friendly display at replacing the traditional loud noises with incredible visual effects, designed to offer a more accessible and welcoming way for families to enjoy the festivities.
The main fireworks and music experience will follow at 6:15pm, before the fun continues on into the evening with a live choir.
If you get a little peckish throughout the evening, there will also be a pop-up dessert cart serving Bonfire Night-inspired sweet treats, while Barney’s Coffee offers up an autumn drinks menu featuring seasonal favourites, such as pumpkin spice lattes and chocolate orange hot chocolates.
“We’re really excited to welcome back Printworks’ Bonfire Night event for the third year running,” explained Sophie Rooney, who is the Marketing Manager at Printworks.
“With fewer bonfire and firework displays taking place in the city, it’s the perfect opportunity for families to come together and enjoy an evening of celebrations right here at Printworks.”
Printworks is promising an ‘immersive evening’ for all the family, free of charge. Find out more information and timings HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
17th November 2021 
