For a city with a cultural footprint as rich, historic and significant as ours, it really is no surprise that Manchester has left its mark and made itself known on the global nightlife scene.
It’s probably why we’re known for being the city of 24-hour party people – and we think that’s something worth celebrating.
Now more than ever.
Over the past 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve watched musicals from our cars, experienced Zoom parties, solo kitchen discos, and seated half-capacity gigs – but nothing beats the buzz of a Greater Manchester night out in person, right?
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To celebrate the long-awaited lifting of restrictions and the reopening of some iconic venues, StreamGM and The Manc teamed up last month to show some serious love and support to the region’s renowned theatres, nightclubs and live music hubs with the launch of SeeGM – a digital campaign to shine a bright spotlight on many of the amazing events, club nights, gigs and shows in our region.
#SeeGM is all about encouraging people to post happy memories of their times spent at gigs, shows and events on their social media platforms.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/CSM7hJyIBKC/
Now that it’s been a good few weeks since venues reopened, we thought we’d get stuck into asking our 700K loyal audience of Mancunians on Facebook the all-important question – ‘Where has your best night out been since restrictions were lifted and clubs reopened?’.
The Crown & Kettle (Instagram – @jahoe22) | History Nightclub (Instagram – @historymcr)
But what’s our take?
The Manc Group put our heads together with the team over at Stream GM to come up with a short list featuring a handful of our favourite venues that have recently reopened doors with a packed schedule of events for the summer, and here’s our recommendations:
‘Funkademia’ is Manchester’s longest-running club night.
Born in 1995 and taking place every Saturday at Mint Lounge in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter to a consistently full house, Funkademia is said to “feed a friendly crowd with a diet of pure unadulterated soul-funk”. Billing the night as a “chronological history of soul”, there is a collective of talented DJs taking you on a journey through four decades of the very best soul, funk, disco and hip-hop, with a touch of smooth R&B and big house classics.
You can find out more about Funkademia and grab tickets here.
Tucked away at DownTex Mill in Cheetham Hill is Manchester’s “award-winning music and arts playground” that’s covered with idiosyncratic graffiti and offers a creative environment like no other. There’s also no shortage of action happening this summer and throughout the year, with regular promoters at Hidden including Homoelectric, Hit & Run, Lo-Fi, You&Me, Zutekh, High Hoops, Cirque Du Soul, Ossia, B.L.O.O.M., Teletech, Pooku, and so many more.
Find out about upcoming events at Hidden Nightclub here.
First opening its doors on Oldham Street all the way back in 1991, Night & Day eventually began morphing from a humble cafe into a dual venue that doubled as a boisterous live music club, and is nowadays known as an important meeting place for all the city’s creatives.
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TOYC, Jesse Malin, Scuttlers, American Aquarium, and Manchester’s-own Tim Burgess from The Charlatans are just some of the acts set to put on a show at the Northern Quarter institution over the coming months.
Lions Den may be slightly off the beaten track at Great Northern’s quirky Deansgate Mews, but it’s the perfect sun trap and one of the best places to head to for a laid-back night out and a laugh this summer.
Known as “a social space for everyone”, Lions Den is known for its large covered outdoor seating area, its real ales and craft beers, and for welcoming DJs, live music, various events, open mic nights, and a popular stand-up comedy night every Thursday courtesy of The Laughięnda Comedy Club.
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It’s also a great place to play some pool, darts, and other retro games.
Gorilla & The Deaf Institute / Credit: Gorilla | The Deaf Institute
Ask any Mancunian music fan about Gorilla and The Deaf Institute, and they’ll only tell you good things.
These city centre stalwarts are two of the most historic and iconic music venues in Manchester, and although they may have gone through a well-documented rocky patch due to the COVID pandemic last year, they are having a new lease of life in 2021 with a packed calendar of events and so much to get stuck into.
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You can find out what’s on a Gorilla this year here, and The Deaf Institute here.
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Not found somewhere that takes your fancy? Still after some more recommendations? Head on over to our post on Facebook to check out more audience suggestions here.
You can also find out more about the #SeeGM campaign here.
Featured Image – Pxfuel
Gigs & Nightlife
Kacey Musgraves announces massive Manchester arena show early next year
Danny Jones
Country star Kacey Musgraves is returning to Manchester after what feels like forever away from the city, with a brand-new album and a run of live dates.
The female singer-songwriter is one of the most successful female musicians on the country scene, and after a little while away from the UK – barring a recent pre-album launch show down in Kingston – the Texan artist will be coming back to the North next year.
In support of her latest record, the sixth studio Kacey LP, the ‘Middle of Nowhere Tour’ will kick off in Glasgow, before Ms Musgraves makes her way to Manchester city centre.
One of just three British cities named as part of the leg, we can count ourselves lucky.
Hailing from the Southern US town of Golden, Middle of Nowhere, serves as the follow-up to 2024’s Deeper Well (DW), with the solo star now having won multiple Grammys and CMA Awards.
Speaking on this latest project, with finally dropped at the start of May and was immediately met with a positive reaction from fans, even after her lead single, ‘Dry Spell’, she said in a statement: “I started this record while still in the throes of DW after going through a pretty ridiculous breakup.
“The bulk of the record was made during the longest single period of my life, and I found that for the first time, it actually felt incredible being alone and existing in a space not defined by anyone else. I needed that period to really understand that I really don’t need someone to be happy.
“I became fascinated with the concept of liminal spaces, both geographical and emotional. We don’t linger in these spaces long enough. We rush to define where or whatever is next.
“I had a lot of time for reflection, clearing, and leaning into my roots in different ways […] heartbreak-soothing traditional Country music brought me comfort when I was sad.”
Coming to the AO not just for her venue debut but a very first arena slot here in Manchester, we CANNOT wait to hear these songs live for the first time.
Kacey goes on to add: “This album has a lot to do with borders. Unique things brush up against the edges of other things, and the way those melt together makes something new.
“My favourite artists are pretty genreless and have subtle infusions of so many things. But at the core of it, there’s a specific and linear feeling you get in your heart from it.”
Those looking for early access can do so by joining either her official mailing list or via the Arena’s specific venue presale window, which will open from 10am this Thursday, 14 May.
As for general admission, tickets to Kacey Musgraves here at AO Arena in Manchester in February 2027 will be available from the same time the following Friday (15 May). You can get ready to grab yours when go live right HERE.
Country really is having a huge moment right now, isn’t it?
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via AO Arena)
Gigs & Nightlife
A beloved Manc gig venue is hosting a special afterparty following Manichester tribute festival
Danny Jones
A much-loved live music institution in Manchester is set to host a dedicated afterparty for the inaugural ‘Manichester’: the live tribute festival in memory of Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.
Seeing the grassroots music scene gathering together in moments like this is the kind of stuff that would make the man himself SO proud.
With Manichester 2026 announced this past March and set to take place later this month in honour of the legendary Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, tickets for the main event sold out very quickly.
This came as no surprise, of course, but now other Manc venues are joining in toasting the life and career of Mani for one very special evening.
Shared by Madchester.com, who are helping organise the Manichester ’26 along with surviving members of the Mounfield family, as well as Mani’s friends and peers such as his brother Greg and Damon Minchella of Ocean Colour Scene, gig space Gorilla are hosting it.
The small-cap live music room, bar and restaurant has hosted many a special night over the past decade or so – hosting multiple War Child charity shows in the past few years, for instance – and even when they’re not hosting a set themselves, they’re always more than happy to join in the celebrations.
With that in mind, there always likely to pay their respects to the late, great and iconic local musician in some way, but now they’re teaming up with Madchester directly.
Positioned as the official ‘aftershow’ following the mini tribute festival, as you can see, there will be just 600 tickets available, with general admission for the main event already gone as mentioned.
At one point, it looked like the kind-spirited and well-meaning idea might be scrapped altogether after some confusion between the organising partners.
Thankfully, that all looks to have been put to bed, and all those involved can focus on what’s important: honouring Mani in the best way possible – with a load of live tunes and a good time.
In terms of those who will be playing on the night ahead of the aftershow, the likes of the equally legendary Peter Hook, Rowetta, The Kowloons, Jon McClure from Reverend and the Makers, plus many more, have been announced as part of the lineup.
There is also still a ‘AAA’ headliner still yet to be confirmed, so watch this space.
As for the Manichester afterparty at Gorilla, keep an eye out on socials for the ticket link to drop and, hopefully, we’ll see you there for a night to remember.
Emily Sergeant -
13th August 2021 
