Manchester’s iconic Victoria Baths to turn into a dancefloor for a new phones-free daytime rave series

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Victoria Baths is turning into a dancefloor this autumn.

That’s right – the iconic Grade II-listed venue will become the home of a new series of immersive daytime raves from October, as Escapism launches inside the empty swimming pool space – promising to champion electronic music culture in Manchester and provide a new chapter in ‘elevated’ daytime experiences.

Created from the visionary mind of Geoff Oakes and joined by founding partner Dez Derry, Escapism is a new bespoke events company dedicated to creating carefully curated electronic music experiences in extraordinary locations… with Victoria Baths being the latest.

Musically, Escapism will aim to offer an expertly curated lineup headed by an extended four-hour set from Grammy-winning duo Deep Dish, pioneering DJ Smokin Jo, and rising talent Pattn.

Beyond the music, you can expect a selection of yummy street food vendors, specialist barista coffee, and fully stocked bars, while a second room in the venue will be transformed into an immersive installation to create an ‘alternate atmosphere’ that complements encourages exploration on the day.

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Central to the Escapism philosophy is a ‘commitment to genuine connection on the dancefloor’, and this means that the event will operate a strict no-phones on the dancefloor policy.

The inaugural Escapism event takes place at Victoria Baths on Saturday 10 October, running from 3:30pm until 11:30pm.

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Due to limited capacity and demand for this intimate event, tickets are expected to fly and are on sale now here.

Featured Image – Chris Payne (via Unsplash)

Multi award-winning musical Hadestown is coming to Manchester on its UK tour next year

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Multi award-winning musical Hadestown is heading out on tour next year, and of course it’ll be stopping off in Greater Manchester.

The Tony and Grammy Award-winning production is currently playing its third smash-hit year in London’s West End, but once 2027 rolls around, Hadestown is embarking on its first-ever tour of the UK and Ireland, and tickets are officially set to go on general sale this morning (5 June).

If you’re unfamiliar with this modern-day classic, Hadestown takes you on an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back, intertwining two mythic love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone.

Described as being a ‘deeply resonant’ and ‘defiantly hopeful’ theatrical experience, audiences are invited to imagine how the world could be.

Having been seen by over six million people, streamed by nearly a billion, and adored by fans around the world, critics have called this record-breaking musical ’the most exhilarating ride’… and once you watch it for yourself, it’s not hard to see why.

Hadestown will be taking to the stage at the Lowry in Salford next March, arriving in the city on Tuesday 9 March and running through until Thursday 11 March 2027.

Other northern cities the production will be visiting on its upcoming tour include Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool, Hull, and Chester, while there’s many other major locations on the list before it closes in Sunderland in mid-November 2027.

Multi award-winning musical Hadestown is coming to Manchester on its UK tour next year / Credit: Marc Brenner (Supplied)

While the production is touring, the critically acclaimed West End run will still continue at London’s Lyric Theatre, more than eight years after its sold-out debut at the National Theatre in 2018. 

Hadestown will be at the Lowry from Tuesday 9 – Thursday 11 March 2027.

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Tickets officially go on general sale from 10am this morning (Friday 5 June) and can be booked on the Lowry website online here.

Featured Image – Marc Brenner (Supplied)

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