Have you had the chance to dance the night away at Manchester’s newest nightclub that’s opened in the heart of the city centre yet?
These past 18 months amid the COVID-19 pandemic haven’t exactly been the smoothest of rides for the night time economy industry, with many venues sadly having to close their doors for good – but now that the hustle and bustle of city life has returned to Manchester once again, it’s time to get back on that dance floor.
If you’re keen to catch up on all the clubbing you’ve missed, then get yourself down to the Printworks’ new nightlife addition, Cargo Manchester.
Part of a London-based nightlife group, with venues dotted across the UK, Cargo Manchester welcomed its first clubbers back in July, and the party is only just getting started as it brings “the energy of Shoreditch with a Mancunian twist.”
As Cargo wants to be Manchester’s premier nightlife spot that’s able to accommodate all kinds of celebrations and events, it’s brought everything we know and love about the city’s scene, while still adding its own unique expertise and character to make your night “iconic and unforgettable”.
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Think big neon signs, booming cutting-edge sound systems, bottomless brunches, spaces for private hires, booths, and more.
Most importantly, there’s three massive rooms of music, so you can take your pick from ‘Vault’ – the room playing all the club classics – ‘Locker’, which blasts out the best of RnB and Hip Hop, or ‘Bunker’, which spins the best pop and indie anthems.
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There’s also plenty themed nights and offers to make the most of too, including ‘Bonkers’ student nights on a Wednesday, Rumour Fridays, and ‘Manifest’ on a Saturday – which also gives students with a valid NUS card the chance to sip on a range of unmissable discounted drink offers throughout the night.
“Our goal is to provide the best nightlife experience for those in Manchester,” Cargo’s General Manager Andy Brett said ahead of the club’s opening earlier this year.
“We’re working with locally based, up-and-coming DJs and artists, with the aim to be at the forefront of the clubbing culture in the city, and are already in discussions with several local and national promoters and brands who will bring their amazing parties to our club.”
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Get yourself down to the Printworks’ new nightlife addition, Cargo Manchester / Credit: The Manc GroupThink big neon signs, booming cutting-edge sound systems, bottomless brunches, and more / Credit: The Manc Group
“We want to create a location where people can come to party until the late hours of the night, as well as enjoy a cocktail in a more casual atmosphere,” he added.
“We want late night party-goers to find a solid spot to end the night on a high note.”
Featured Image – The Manc Group | Cargo Manchester
Gigs & Nightlife
Mercury Prize 2026 review: RAYE takes home the crown as Newcastle celebrates the very best in music
Clementine Hall
One of the biggest nights in music kicked off last night as the Mercury Prize 2026 was awarded.
If there was ever a night to fall head over heels in love with British and Irish music, the 2026 Mercury Prize made a very convincing case.
Bringing together some of the country’s most exciting artists under one roof in Newcastle, this year’s ceremony was a reminder of just how much talent is packed into the current music scene.
From established legends to the names shaping what comes next, it was an absolute belter.
Images: Audio North
Held at the Newcastle Utilita Arena for the second year running, I think everybody in that room felt very lucky to be there to see firsthand who took home the coveted prize.
The shortlist brought together an impressive mix of artists, with Florence + The Machine, Olivia Dean, JADE, Suede, Pulp, Dave and Sir Paul McCartney among the big names making the lineup very star studded indeed.
Suede kicked things off with ‘Dancing With The Europeans’, bringing their unmistakable energy to the ceremony, while Pulp delivered ‘Begging For Change’ as part of the HELP(2) charity compilation.
It was a line-up that demonstrated the sheer range of music being made across the UK and Ireland, from contemporary pop to established rock and even jungle thanks to Bradford’s own Nia Archives.
And of course, there was one woman who had every reason to leave with a smile on her face.
RAYE took home the coveted Mercury Prize for THIS MUSIC MAY CONTAIN HOPE., an ambitious, genre-hopping album that blends jazz, soul, R&B and classical influences into something so fabulously unique.
Image: Audio North
Newcastle’s own Knats performance was definitely a highlight of the evening, combining slick jazz with spoken-word poetry against a projection of The Tyne Bridge.
A fitting image, and one that underlines the importance of holding such huge events in the north and highlighting the obvious talent that thrives here.
The 2026 Mercury Prize was a brilliant showcase of the country’s music at its best.
And with RAYE taking home the trophy, it’s clear there is plenty of ‘hope’ left in British music.
Alex Warren announces massive Heaton Park gig in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Alex Warren has just announced a huge summer gig in Manchester, performing to massive crowds at Heaton Park.
The chart-topping star will be performing on the hallowed grounds that have hosted the likes of Oasis, Courteeners, and Catfish and the Bottlemen.
Heaton Park will also be the site of two enormous Fontaines D.C. gigs next summer.
And now Alex Warren has added his name to the list, announcing that he’ll be taking the stage here in Manchester in July 2027 – one of the biggest gigs of his career.
The news follows a massive 12 months for the star, whose second album WILDCHILD topped charts around the world.
After first rising to fame as part of the TikTok group The Hype House, he went on to release music independently, eventually getting signed to Atlantic Records.
Since then, he’s topped charts globally with his songs and gone four-times platinum in the UK with his massive track, Ordinary.
He has also won an MTV VMA for best new artist, and has been nominated for a Grammy.
As well as Heaton Park, Alex will play summer shows at Cardiff’s Blackweir Fields, Belfast’s Belsonic, Dublin’s Malahide Castle, Live At Glasgow Green and Live at Powderham in Exeter, plus Blenheim Palace Festival, Scarborough Open Air Theatre, and two huge headline shows at Crystal Palace Park Live in London.
Alex Warren will play at Heaton Park in Manchester on 2 July – tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday 30 October, with a number of artist, promoter and O2 presale available beforehand.
Emily Sergeant -
14th October 2021 
