Bolton comic Peter Kay was treated to a standing ovation from thousands of fans at the Manchester Apollo this weekend as the Bolton comic made his big comeback at a charity show.
The star of Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy’s Road To Nowhere returned to the stage for the first time since 2017 for two Q&A sessions in aid of the Doing it for Laura charity on Saturday (7 August).
The fundraisers were organised for University of Manchester student Laura Nuttall – who was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma multiforme in October 2018.
Kay knew the family (having met Ms Nuttall’s mother during her time working at Granada studios 20 years ago) and had “called up out of the blue” to ask how he could help.
Ms Nuttall’s sister Gracie introduced Kay to the audience and said her family was “eternally grateful” to the comic and attendees for “potentially saving my sister’s life”.
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Thousands queued in bucketing down rain to see the comedian’s live performances – with both Q&A sessions selling out in minutes last week.
Kay enjoyed a rousing reception and joked: “I’ve never in my life had a standing ovation when I came on… I’m going to go away for four more years.”
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Answering questions submitted by fans, Kay said he was now “too embarrassed” to buy garlic bread from stores after a joke he made years ago has been widely quoted ever since.
Kay also revealed that he had written two Christmas specials of Max and Paddy with Paddy McGuinness, but the duo had never got round to making them.
Kay – who has been crowned as Mancunians’ favourite ever comedian – stepped back from the limelight in 2017, abruptly cancelling tours and projects due to “unforeseen family circumstances”.
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He has only appeared sporadically in the past four years – including the 2018 finale of his sitcom Peter Kay’s Car Share and as a guest on Cat Deeley’s BBC Radio 2 show back in January.
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
Gigs & Nightlife
Fontaines D.C. announce massive gig at Manchester’s Aviva Studios as part of UK tour
Danny Jones
Irish post-punk pioneers Fontaines D.C. have just announced a brand new UK and Ireland tour ahead of their new album later this year and leading new arts and live entertainment venue, Aviva Studios, has been selected for their massive Manchester date.
The Dublin powerhouses have emerged as one of the most exciting acts on the planet for our money, combining everything from new wave, alternative and often grungey guitars, to more classic rock and even indie sounds, making them one of the most instantly recognisable sounds on the modern scene.
With all that being said, we cannot wait for their return to Manchester and what will no doubt be one of the biggest and best gigs Aviva Studios has seen yet.
Fontaines D.C. roll up to 0161 in Fall 2024 and they’ll have a brand new album under their belt to boot.
Become a Factory International Members to gain early access tickets on Wednesday 24 April, 10am.
Fontaines D.C. return to Manchester for the first time since 2022.
Home to Factory International, which kicked off an incredible debut calendar of cultural events last year, Aviva Studios is already proving to be an impressive addition to the Manc skyline, especially now it’s coaxing names like Fontaines D.C. to come and perform there over other gig spaces.
As for the band themselves, they dropped the lead single entitled ‘Starburster’ this week and it proved to be quite the sea change for often fast, frantic and no-nonsense five-piece. If you haven’t heard it yet, strap in and get ready to be over-exhaling out loud non-stop for the next hour – you’ll see what we mean.
With their fourth record Romance set to release on 23 August, we think it’s fair to say this new record – the first with new producer James Ford (Blur, Arctic Monkeys) – is off to a much more experimental start than their heavily acclaimed 2019 debut, Dogrel.
Set to take the stage in Aviva Studios’ Warehouse space on Friday, 29 November, Fontaines’ Manchester date is part of a new run of shows announced as part of their full European which kicks off in June.
Heading back from the continent in August and starting off the UK leg in Wolverhampton on 20 November, it’ll be a fast and furious nine-show run culminating with a homecoming concert in Dublin.
Tickets for all headline dates go on general sale at 10am next Friday, 26 April and for first access to presale, fans can pre-order the album by 3pm on 23 April.
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 22 – 28 April 2024
Emily Sergeant
Can you believe we’re already into our last full week of April, and May is right around the corner?
So far, April has been full of foodie festivals, cultural celebrations, wholesome spring-themed events, and so much more – and thankfully, there’s more where that came from as there’s loads more in the Greater Manchester social calendar for everyone of all ages to be getting involved with throughout this week too.
If you’re finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do, we’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Here’s some of our recommendations.
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Bloomtown Blossom Trail
Manchester City Centre
Monday 22 April – onwards
Bloomtown Blossom Trail / Credit: The Manc Group
Manchester never looks better than it does when all the blossom trees burst back to life, right? Well now there’s a walking trail through town that shows off the best bits.
From the iconic purple blooms outside the Central Library, to the surprising sprays that pop up in the middle of Ancoats, there are pretty colours appearing all over, so the National Trust is once again shining a spotlight on Manchester and bringing back its new-and-improved Bloomtown Map.
There are 39 spots all over the city centre (and slightly beyond) included along the route, each one showcasing one of the city’s most picturesque locations.
A brand-new art exhibition curated by visual artist Emma Evans in partnership with six other creators is now open in Manchester, and it’s completely free to visit.
Tales of Manchester 2.0 down at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel is a collection of multi-platform art celebrating our brilliant city, and it’s showcasing six spoken word pieces by established Manchester based poets – Griot Gabriel, Ilaria Passeri, Lisa O’Hare, Mark Jackson aka Keith’s Brother, Matt Concannon aka The Thirsty Poet, and Sarah Attwell.
The spoken word is paired with visual pieces painted by self-taught artist Emma Evans, where the words have served as inspiration for the art.
The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition
Manchester Central Library
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Monday 22 April – onwards
The Manchester College ‘Greater Mancunians’ Exhibition / Credit: Supplied
Photography students from The Manchester College will be showcasing their ‘Greater Mancunians’ project as part of a landmark exhibition at Manchester Central Library’s Main Exhibition Hall from this week.
150 students have participated in the groundbreaking photography project, and it features images of some of Manchester’s most famous and influential people shot at numerous locations across the city.
More than 100 contributors are featured in the project, including musicians Noel Gallagher and Johnny Marr, athletes Diane Modahl and Ricky Hatton, local politicians Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, and Bev Craig, actors Maxine Peake and Bill Roache, artists Stan Chow and AKSE P-19, and other local figures like Jonathan Warburton, Simon Martin, and Professor Erinma Bell MBE.
Did you see that one of the biggest charity shops has recently opened here in Greater Manchester?
The independently-run Regenerage superstore is the newest resident at the massively-popular Middlebrook Retail Park in Bolton.
Inside the huge 10,958 sq ft store, shoppers can find everything from ladies and menswear, to homeware, furniture, and children’s clothing too, plus books, and new white goods – including washing machines, fridge freezers, and more.
There’s also a specially-created bridal and occasional wear department too.
And if all of that didn’t sound brilliant enough as it is, there’s even the chance to get your hands on designer brands like Vivienne Westwood, Ralph Lauren, and Armani, all without the hefty price tag.
Did you know there’s a huge gaming event currently happening in Manchester?
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With more than 160 consoles and hundreds of games to play, Power UP is back for more in 2024 down at the Science and Industry Museum, and it’s taking ticket-holders on a journey through five decades of gaming every weekend.
There’s everything from retro arcade games, to state-of-the-art virtual reality, and so much more to get stuck into, and each ticket includes unlimited play all day.
Pieminister’s Bottomless Brunch / Credit: The Manc Group
Pieminister’s legendary pie bottomless brunch with free-flowing drinks has finally made a comeback.
The popular pie restaurant chain – which has two sites here in Manchester city centre on Church Street in the Northern Quarter, and on Deansgate – is known and loved all across the UK for its thick and chunky pies, but its bottomless brunch offering is something else.
Whether you’re a meat lover, a veggie, vegan, flexitarian, or gluten free, there’s something to suit everyone on the menu.
Find out more and book your bottomless brunch slot here.
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The Wizard of Oz
Palace Theatre Manchester
Wednesday 24 April – Sunday 5 May
The Wizard of Oz / Credit: ATG Tickets
A sensational new take on of one of the world’s most beloved musicals, The Wizard of Oz, is arriving here in Manchester this week.
Taking to the iconic Palace Theatre stage, starring award-winning comedian and musical theatre star Jason Manford as The Cowardly Lion, JLS sensation Aston Merrygold as The Tin Man, and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner and Dancing On Ice star The Vivienne as The Wicked Witch of the West, this new production is set to be truly magical for all the family.
The Botanist has brought back The Botanist LIVE to “help everyone celebrate summer” with free live music every weekend.
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Set to “supply the soundtrack to your weekend” every Friday and Saturday night, The Botanist’s talented artists are set to play live from 8pm until late, and guests can expect a vibrant party atmosphere with sounds of rock, pop, soul, R&B, funk, disco, and blues.
The events are not ticketed and are free to attend, so all you need to do is turn up and wait for its house band get the party started.
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region this week.
Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 March right through to November this year, East Lancashire Railway’s Red Rose Diners are described as being “the ultimate first class foodie experience”, as they start with a glass of fizz and stretch over an almost three-hour steam train journey through the Irwell Valley.
The experience includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.
Fancy heading out a walk somewhere in Greater Manchester and beyond this week?
The weather is FINALLY warming up a little, and it’s beginning to feel like we might finally have made it through winter.
So that means it’s time for a walk, right?
Some of the green spaces that wrap around Greater Manchester are in their prime right now with blossoms, bluebells, and more – and that’s saying something, as they’re pretty spectacular all year round – so it couldn’t be a more perfect time to go for a walk to appreciate their beauty.
Read our round-up of stunning spots for a spring walk here.
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Spring Fest
Alderley Park
Saturday 27 April
Farm Weekend / Credit: Jody Hartley
Spring Fest is taking over Bruntwood SciTech’s Alderley Park this Saturday.
With families from all across Greater Manchester and the North West set to make their way to Macclesfield, Spring Fest is a chance to celebrate the magic of spring and everything that it means for wildlife, animals, and nature.
You can expect a jam-packed day full of different outdoor family-friendly activities, performances, markets, and lots of local food and drink.
A festival especially for dogs is all set to take over a popular Manchester city centre park for some “paw-tastic fun” this weekend.
And the best bit about it? It’s absolutely FREE to head on down to.
Back by popular demand, the Ex-Paw Extravaganza festival is returning to Angel Meadow Park near Manchester‘s Green Quarter this Saturday for a jam-packed day of “pawsome activity”.
Kicking off from 11am and running right through until 4pm, this year’s dog-themed festivities include a selection of different stalls to shop from, dog agility courses, puppy play areas, hands-on pet first aid courses, and so much more.
Looking for somewhere to go for a hearty roast dinner in and around Greater Manchester this weekend?
From the moment we start to feel the weekend rolling in, we can’t help but turn our thoughts to Sunday roasts, steaming jugs of gravy, and big glasses sploshing over with red wine.
It’s just the best feeling, and there’s plenty of it to be found here in our region.
We’re used to it being wet and miserable most of the year, and while we do love Sunday lunch on a sun-soaked afternoon in the beer garden when we get the chance, nothing warms the cockles more on those darker days than a giant plate piled high with roasted meats, vegetables, and gravy.
Read our round-up of some of the best Greater Manchester roast dinners here.
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Featured Image – Ex-Paw MCR | The Manc Group | Bruntwood
The Manc -
8th August 2021 
