Gigs & Nightlife

Manchester Pride announces major new Mardi Gras event at Depot Mayfield

Let's get this party started!

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 4th March 2025

There’s a brand new event launching that coincides with Manchester Pride and it’s coming to Depot Mayfield.

Manchester Pride is adding a completely new event as part of its summer showcase which gives us one more reason to look forward to those sunny skies and warmer months.

Titled ‘Mardi Gras’, anyone interested in attending the event can expect two days of high energy live performances and unity.

The name of this new event pays homage to the origins of Manchester Pride before the celebration adopted its official title.

‘Mardi Gras’ will be hosted between two neighbouring venues, both of which are popular for their ability to create outstanding shows, Freight Island and Depot Mayfield.

Freight Island is renowned for its use of indoor and outdoor spaces, and this two day spectacular will utilise all areas of the venue meaning everyone gets a chance to party.

Then Depot Mayfield, best-known for hosting the enormous Warehouse Project season, will also be used for Mardi Gras.

As well as this new concept, Manchester Pride will be running its usual joyous occasions in the Gay Village.

Once again, partygoers will live get the chance to see live entertainment across two stages, including the Alan Turing Stage and the Indoor Arena, both of which are set to be electric.

Cheaper Early Bird tickets are already on sale for Manchester Pride Festival 2025. Credit: The Manc Group
Gay Village will be adorned with various decorations this summer for Pride. Credit: The Manc Group
The Manchester Pride Parade is back for 2024. Credit: Carl Sukonik
Some of the festivities you can expect for Pride. Credit: Carl Sukonik
The huge main stage at Manchester Pride Festival as 2025 tickets go on sale. Credit: The Manc Group
The huge main stage at Manchester Pride Festival as 2025 tickets go on sale. Credit: The Manc Group

Guests who are looking forward to Manchester Pride can expect a roster of independent food vendors, market stalls and funfair attractions helping to celebrate the festival in style at the Gay Village Party, keeping the city’s LGBTQ+ heart at the heart of the festival.

While Mardi Gras is expected to be a big part of the festival, Manchester Pride will also see the return of much-loved events such as the Manchester Pride Parade, Gay Village Party, The Rally, Candlelit Vigil, Superbia, Family Pride MCR, and Youth Pride MCR.

The celebration will, as usual, close with the Candlelit Vigil in Sackville Gardens on Monday 25 August, in partnership with George House Trust.

David McGovern, Chair of the board of trustees at Manchester Pride, said: “Manchester Pride has always been about pushing boundaries, creating new opportunities for people to come together, and celebrating the incredible diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.

“Mardi Gras represents the next step in this journey. Every year our audience has grown and with that, the demand for more ways to celebrate Pride has increased. Introducing this new dedicated venue at Depot Mayfield will mean we can invite new audiences and make Pride even more accessible for all to enjoy.”

Phil Burke, Chair of the Village Licensed Business Association, said: “The VLBA is thrilled to support this exciting new addition to Manchester Pride. It’s fantastic to see the celebrations expanding across the city while keeping the Gay Village at the heart of the festival.

“Mardi Gras was originally organised by Village venues back in the 1990s, so it’s wonderful to see our community’s rich history celebrated with this revival.

“Our members are proud to host the street parties, showcasing the brilliant LGBTQ+ venues and talent Manchester has to offer. We look forward to welcoming thousands to the Gay Village Party this August and remind attendees to purchase a ‘Gay Village Party Supporter Band’ which will give them access to all the venues within the Village, and ensures the safe delivery of the celebrations.”

Councillor Garry Bridges, Deputy Leader, Manchester City Council, said: “Manchester Pride is one of the biggest and best Pride events in the country. It gives an opportunity for Manchester residents from all walks of life to celebrate LGBT+ culture and to continue the fight for equality and against injustice. It also sees huge numbers of people visit our city and shows us in our best, most inclusive light.

“As both Manchester and the event continue to grow, we look forward to seeing Pride celebrated across even more of the city this year whilst keeping the things we value most such as the Parade and the Vigil.”

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The festival will kick off on Friday 15 August lasting 10 days until Monday 25 August, featuring the notable annual parade which still champions the fight for equality.

To register for tickets and to be on the mailing list for updates about Manchester Pride you can sign up HERE.

Featured Image: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)

Gigs & Nightlife

Sugababes announced as headliner for this year’s Homobloc queer block party

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Homobloc is returning for 2025 - full line-up announced

Homobloc has unveiled its line-up for this year’s massive queer block party, and they’ve roped in Sugababes as a headliner for 2025.

The phenomenal LGBTQ+ party, which takes over Depot Mayfield every year as part of the Warehouse Project season, will also see performances from Honey Dijon, The Blessed Madonna, and Beth Ditto.

The huge line-up also includes Patrick Mason, Slayyyter, Peaches (DJ) b2b Erol Alkan, Hercules And Love Affair – Live, Todd Edwards and many more.

As well as music, there’ll be performance art from queer collectives like Pxssy Palace, Butch Revival, T4T, Feel It, Ghetto Fabulous, House of Spice x Zindagi, and Red Rodeo Club.

Taking place in December, Homobloc will be returning for its sixth edition, with its most diverse line-up yet.

Once again, it’ll be an all-evening-and-into-the-night party that’s all-inclusive to all artists, performers, spectators and clubbers.

Homobloc is one of the biggest dates in the calendar for Manchester, with a diverse line-up of live acts, DJs and performers, showcasing rising talent and queer icons alike.

It’s a party with purpose, too, raising £137,399 for vital LGBTQ+ charities since its inaugural event in 2021.

This year, the team have hosted a series of one-off events, including events with Romy, Princess Superstar, and closing Manchester International Festival, as well as making its Ibiza debut at Amnesia.

This winter, Homobloc will be lead by pop royalty Sugababes, fresh from their European tour.

Sugababes will headline Homobloc 2025
Sugababes will headline Homobloc 2025. Credit: Jody Hartley
Sugababes will headline Homobloc 2025
Credit: Jody Hartley

Homobloc favourites Honey Dijon and The Blessed Madonna will be back once again, plus Berlin-based techno powerhouse and creative director Patrick Mason, the iconic Ana Matronic of Scissor Sisters fame, and a rare DJ set from Gossip’s magnetic frontwoman, Beth Ditto.

The line-up also includes American singer Slayyyter, a special b2b DJ sets from electroclash icon Peaches and Erol Alkan, live performance from dance music project Hercules & Love Affair, and a set from Grammy Award-winning house legend Todd Edwards.

There will be DJ sets from Sally C b2b I.Jordan, Roi Perez, Eliza Rose, Joshua James, Fat Tony, Grace Sands, and Manchester’s Aiden Francis, Gina Breeze and Kim Lana.

It’s all taking places across all three main stages at Depot Mayfield, as well as The Plant Room, the Star & Garter pub next door, and the Loft up on the rooftop.

Rod Connolly, Promoter from Homobloc, commented: “We can’t wait for people to dive into our 2025 lineup of queer excellence, proudly merging global and local artists, returning friends, and scratching the underbelly of the scene to showcase the rawest talent from the queer underground.

Homobloc 2025 line-up annouced
Homobloc 2025 line-up announced. Credit: Jody Hartley

“In a time of rising division, events like Homobloc matter more than ever. We deserve a space for our community and allies to come together and hold each other up on a dancefloor full of love and resistance.

“We are the beings the bastards can’t grind down and we invite everyone to join us to shake off the bullshit, recharge, realign and carry our queer power back out onto the streets of Manchester.”

Sophie Bee, Homobloc Creative Director, added: “The team are super excited to be back. We’ve got some unreal collaborations booked in for this year, from Jodie Harsh and Clayton Wright’s London community strong, weekly club night Feel It to local hot talent Rojak.

“Loads of favourites are back like the Fvck Pigs, Sue Veneers, Ghetto Fabulous, Cute Cartel and Jay Jay Revlon, and there’s some really exciting b2b’s. We’re working with mind blowing producers such as Runway X Banksie and the nations favourite, Lill, producing a fabulous line up of queens.

“We’re also cooking away at some special happenings with Sam Buttery and Beau Azra. As always, we just want to blow your socks off and have the best time with all our pals.”

House Of Spice commented: “Homobloc is more than a festival to us – it’s a celebration of queerness, music, and chosen family.

“As a South Asian, Middle Eastern and North African queer brown collective, House of Spice is proud to bring our flavour to 2025, featuring Club Zindagi, Armana Khan, Shanika Sunrise, DJ Chafik, and our performers Lucky Roy Singh (Mother), Mixed Spice, Chilli Spice, Saffy Saffron Spice, and Rachel Pro-Filing.

“Together we’re excited to create a space that is unapologetically free, joyful, and rooted in community. Homobloc represents unity and visibility, and we can’t wait to dance, perform, and celebrate with everyone under one roof.”

This year’s Homobloc is set to take place on Saturday 6 December – grab your tickets HERE.

Pre-sale will be live on Thursday 11 September at 10am ahead of general sale from 10am on Friday 12 September.

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Featured image: Supplied, Jody Hartley

Gigs & Nightlife

Country star Tyler Childers is coming to town for his biggest Manchester show to date

Danny Jones Danny Jones Tyler Childers Manchester tickets

US country music star Tyler Childers is returning to Manchester for his biggest ever show in this city, and tickets go on sale very soon.

Fresh off the back of his new album, Snipe Hunter – which was only just dropped back in July – the 34-year-old singer-songwriter is riding a fresh wave of excitement after years of hard work within the genre, mixing in plenty of classic bluegrass and folk into his modern take on the classic American sound.

As one of the most-streamed and well-respected contemporary country musicians on the scene right now, the Kentucky-born solo star and understated acoustic guitarist often falls into that category of your favourite artist’s favourite artist.

Now Tyler Childers is coming to our most legendary arena as part of his UK and European tour early next year, and we’ll certainly be queuing online for tickets.

As far as AO Arena shows booked in for the new year go, we’re very excited about this one.

His seventh studio album has been well-received by his die-hard followers and newcomers alike, delivering that same traditional Appalachian storytelling and hard-bitten humour, as well as plenty of attitude and anecdotal idiosyncrasies, not to mention plenty of vocal range as always.

Having not long come back from a pilgrimage to India, Lawrence County king teamed up with legendary producer Rick Rubin (along with some help from Sylvan Esso’s Nick Sanborn) to create one of his most eye-opening, broad and best records yet.

Post-release, the Associated Press went on to label him “one of country music’s most compelling and unpredictable artists”, and we tend to agree.

The LP immediately spawned plenty of fan favourites, and we certainly have ours – and the video has definitely had a hand in it:

It may just be his best work yet.

Experimenting with his current unique take on country rock sound more than ever, you couldn’t ask for a better time to go and see him live.

To quote the words of Rolling Stone magazine, he’s “one of his generation’s most important voices”, and you really should see him live if you can.

Once again, Tyler Childers comes to the AO Arena in Manchester on Sunday, 8 March 2026, with an official pre-sale available via Three+ from 9am on Wednesday, 10 September.

As for general admission, tickets go live at the same time on the following Friday (12 Sep); you can get ready to grab yours HERE.

We don’t know about you, but we’re very much enjoying our country moment at the minute…

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Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

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