Manchester

Becky Hill at AO Arena, Manchester – A show just as electric as her dance anthems

My heart won’t stop going la di da, da di da.

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 21st October 2024

Becky Hill didn’t just sing her songs at her AO Arena show – she transported us all on a free trip to Ibiza too with back-to-back club bangers that the crowd knew every word of.

The most successful The Voice UK contestant in history and Bewdley-born belter, Becky Hill put on a show that no audience member will ever forget with her stacks of addictive radio hits and even more fascinating deep cuts.

Supporting was Charlie Boon, who made the stage his own first bringing nothing but tunes playing some nostalgic and modern dance records to get the crowd up and moving, from the likes of ‘Free From Desire’ to ‘Prada’.

Next it was the drum and bass artist Catching Cairo and her house DJ guiding the AO Arena through a 30-minute slot of fast-paced melodies packed with snares, intricate loops and patterns merged with beat drops galore.

As she introduced her song ‘Touch’, she placed her microphone on the stand and schooled the crowd with her effortless vocals. If that microphone hadn’t been so held down by its stand, her vocals would’ve had it floating through mid-air in no time, what a musical force!

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Becky Hill had the AO Arena audience up on their feet for the duration of her show full of non-stop dance hits, feeding Manchester‘s legacy as a 24 hour party city.

Hill made sure she respected Manc culture too, as later on in her set she gave a special shoutout to our music capital explaining ‘This is where the Haçienda was born’ and ‘UK Dance music and clubbing both originated in Manchester’.

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The two-time BRIT award winning artist is helping prove that Manchester’s love of music has never been stronger and you can definitely see why Manchester’s nightlife scene has never been better than right now.

Having her debut single reach the top spot in 2014 is one feat but having over 14,000 people chanting the verses and choruses to almost every song on the setlist is an achievement many can only dream of.

The crowd captivated by Hill’s back to back dance anthems. Credit: The Manc Group

When it came to the inescapable ‘Afterglow’ the crowd were pumped. She may have just been a self-described ‘Little 19 year old girl from the West-Midlands’ when it released, but this song has a legacy of its own, one which the audience knew every single word to.

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Dance music has always been an important foundation to the UK soundscape and with 19 UK Top 40’s Becky Hill’s discography has contributed to keeping the genre alive and kicking.

Rileasa, Drag Queen and collaborator on ‘One Track Mind’ even made an appearance onstage to perform the album track duet together before hitting the splits mid-song, much like Hill’s latest album title we’re not making this up, Believe Me Now?

Hill is making sure everyone in the crowd gets the chance to see her up-close and personal this tour with a mini stage perched in the heart of the arena.

Fans were graced with some acoustic versions of her radio hits like ‘I Could Get Used To This’, giving us clubbers a chance to regain our breaths after a back-to-back dance workout, swapping rises and drops for intimate vocals and chilled piano chords.

Becky Hill getting up close and personal with fans on the B-Stage. Credit: The Manc Group

As the night went on, alongside delivering vocals upon vocals, the 30 year old would connect with fans during song changes. At one point, the star even commented on her own outfit joking ‘I feel like I raided the fancy dress shop’.

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These pauses and interactions really showed off her down to earth nature, but then when the instrumentals for her singles including dancefloor filler ‘My Heart Goes (La di da)’ began, popstar mode was activated.

The Dance and EDM singer closed out the show with her epic number and magnum opus ‘Remember’ and was greeted with roars from the crowds of Manchester’s magnificent 14,200 concertgoers.  

Based off the crowd’s reaction to the rest of the set and the tour closer, this concert is one we will certainly never forget.

Featured Image: The Manc Group

Manchester

Chorlton’s Horse and Jockey is reintroduced to the suburbs after stunning transformation

Danny Jones Danny Jones Horse and Jockey refurb Chorlton

The much-loved Horse and Jockey in Chorlton is back open for business following a major and marvellous refurb, which has seen the heart and soul of the pub restored to its former glory.

Opening just in time for the bulk of cosy boozer season, we’re about to spend A LOT of time in here.

As announced this past summer, the south Manchester favourite has been taken over by the impressive hospitality team behind the similarly revived Black Friar in Salford.

With an impressive culinary pedigree to boot, the ‘new and improved’ Horse and Jockey was always bound to be a hit with critics and natives alike, we just weren’t expecting them to knock it quite so far out of the park – or, in this case, Chorlton Green.

Giving the already gorgeous 200-year-old structure a new lick of paint and then some, the new Horse and Jockey looks set to reassert itself as one of the prettiest, cosiest and tastiest pubs you’ll find in central Manchester.

Benefitting from sitting just outside the city centre, you’ve still got plenty of footfall from those who have seen Chorlton become a foodie destination all of its own, and those who have lived there all their lives.

Yes, you’ll still find plenty of old boys sipping their well-deserved pints and dogs curling up on the carpets here.

Now boasting up to 82 covers outside in the familiar evergreen beer garden, with table service in the summer, you can see this being a go-to spot for grub and a reliable watering hole for all year-round.

It’s also worth noting that it’s a pretty roomy venue inside as well, with an entirely refurbished upstairs seating area and a dedicated private dining space now, too.

horse and jockey refurb
The Horse and Jockey is glistening once again ahead of reopening this month. (Credit: The Manc Group)

Other touches we especially liked are bringing Chorlton Pale Ale – which used to be brewed right here in the Jockey itself prior to Covid – back on draught. It may be made elsewhere nowadays, but we’re glad to see it being shipped back to and served out of its ancestral home.

And it just gets better.

As well as supporting the local art scene by sourcing works from Greater Manchester creatives, they really are aiming to make this a community cornerstone.

They’ve taken the holistic idea of a public house right back to its roots, providing not only a place to meet, eat and drink for regulars, but also a real social outlet right in the middle of the suburb.

It’s also about supporting and celebrating traditional British pubs and the Northern working-class culture that goes along with it.

There’s still a recognisable style and familiar feel to the Horse and Jockey refurb. (Credit: The Manc)

The majority of the furniture is even salvaged from the pubs we sadly lost up and down the country, not to mention other businesses that have unfortunately closed post-pandemic and the continuing struggles facing the industry.

We’re lucky to have people like this putting drinks in our hands and keeping our bellies full, so we’re glad that they’re doing what they can to pay homage to those who have come before them as well.

Perhaps most heartwarming is that not only have they kept pre-existing staff in post during the switch-over, but they’re all welcoming back familiar faces from the past. Once again, this is about championing the beauty of British pub culture in all of its facets.

This is a proper foodie pub at its core, boasting cosy vibes just in time for the colder months; they even restored three of the five original fires that used to burn through the autumn and winter back in the day.

Bookings are live already, and if you’ve tried the Sunday roast at The Black Friar, you expect this place to fill up just as quickly – we’d reserve our tables early if we were you…

The food offering is substantial, filling and full of flavour. (Credit: The Manc Eats)

This may be a big rebrand and transformation, but there are also still the same old Joseph Holt favourites on the taps for those who love the classic lineup, and they’ve even used their ‘Trailblazer’ stout glaze on one of their cheesecakes. Safe to say, they have our undivided attention with that one.

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Owner Neil Burke, who formally acquired The Black Friar two years ago and now heads up the revamped Horse and Jockey, said of the reopening: “I have a personal history with the Horse & Jockey and it’s always held a special place in my heart.

“It’s such a beautiful building, but it hasn’t been shining the way it should in recent years. As a local myself, I felt Chorlton deserved a proper foodie pub – somewhere that delivers brilliant food in a setting that does justice to the building’s history.”

To top things off, they’ve got Michelin-trained head chef Paolo Bianchi leading things in the kitchen.

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“The Horse & Jockey is an iconic part of Chorlton’s history and I’m proud to be leading its kitchen with the brilliant Black Friar team”, says Bianchi. “After gaining years of experience in Paris, Dubai and London, it feels great to be rooted in Manchester, a city I’ve really fallen in love with.”

“My vision is simple, to serve British classics that people know and love, elevated with seasonal local ingredients, touches from my Italian heritage and international experience. The menu will be ever-changing, so guests can expect something fresh every time they visit.”

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As for your job, it’s simple: expect great, hearty pub grub classics elevated to a gourmet level, with all the welcoming warmth of a traditional English pub.

This isn’t just a metropolitan boozer trying to be a country-style pub; the Horse and Jockey is a Chorlton gem reborn. It opens on Monday, 20 October, and you can guarantee you’ll be seeing us there.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Manchester

Manchester’s iconic Bridgewater Hall to host FIVE Christmas events this year

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Bridgewater Hall has five Christmas events on this year

The Bridgewater Hall, one of Manchester’s finest music venues and concert halls, has announced a busy programme of Christmas events this year. 

The beloved landmark has a schedule that includes something for all ages, from family-friendly shows and carol singing to epic orchestral evenings. 

Over the course of the festive season, the Bridgewater Hall will host the music of the world’s greatest composers, travel back in time with nostalgic swing nights, and welcome in fans of all ages to get into the festive spirit. 

This year’s schedule includes appearances from Sir Karl Jenkins, Horrible Histories, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and loads more. 

Have a read below for the five big Christmas events at Bridgewater Hall this year. 

Christmas with Sir Karl Jenkins

Christmas with Sir Karl Jenkins
Christmas with Sir Karl Jenkins

The Bridgewater Hall will welcome a musical icon this Christmas, with a very special evening with Sir Karl Jenkins. 

He’ll be conducting a spell-binding night of carols and festive classics, brought to life by the Manchester Concert Orchestra and presented by John Suchet. 

Expect choirs, a full orchestra and a timeless evening of live music to get you into the Christmas spirit. 

There’ll be music from Sir Karl’s hit festive albums Joy To The World and Stella Natalis, including Silent Night, Dulci Jubilo, Healing Light and plenty more. 

22 December at 3pm  | Tickets HERE

Christmas Carol Singalong

Christmas Carol Singalong
Christmas Carol Singalong

Can you think of a more magical way to ring in Christmas than with traditional carol singing on Christmas Eve? Because we can’t. 

The ultimate night of carolling will hit the Bridgewater Hall this winter, led by the inimitable Jonathan Cohen and featuring West End star Louise Dearman.

Belt your heart out to the likes of The Twelve Days of Chrismtas, Winter Wonderland, Frosty The Snowman, and plenty more beloved carols. 

24 December at 3pm | Tickets HERE

The Music of Zimmer vs Williams

The Music of Zimmer vs Williams returns to Bridgewater Hall this Christmas
The Music of Zimmer vs Williams returns to Bridgewater Hall this Christmas

Composers don’t get much more iconic than Hans Zimmer and John Williams, who between them have crafted the most legendary movie music soundtracks of all time. 

The 70-piece Manchester Concert Orchestra will be performing a selection of these in an almighty concert, where you’ll hear live renditions of soundtracks including Star Wars, Interstellar, Harry Potter, The Holiday, Pirates of the Caribbean, E.T., and loads more. 

This night will be an epic head-to-head battle between two of the film industry’s composing greats. 

27 December at 7.30pm | Tickets HERE

Horrible (Histories) Christmas

Horrible Histories
Horrible Histories

The legendary Horrible Histories team will bring Horrible Christmas to the Bridgewater Hall in December, taking audiences on a festive romp through British history. 

From Victorian villains to medieval monks, partying Puritans to terrible Tudors, and even a visit from St Nicholas himself.

The show will follow a Christmas that’s under threat from a jolly man in red (clue – it’s Santa), and one brave child’s mission to save the day.  

It’ll be a night packed with family-friendly laughs, villains, and seasonal cheer.

28 December at 2pm and 4.30pm | Tickets HERE

The Glen Miller Orchestra

The Glen Miller Orchestra
The Glen Miller Orchestra

Wrapping up the seasonal programme at the Bridgewater Hall is The Glen Miller Orchestra, stepping back in time to relive the music that defined an era. 

The UK’s most celebrated big band will perform war-time chart-toppers from the 1940s, harking Manchester back to the golden age of swing. 

Special guest Ray McVay will join the orchestra on stage, adding to the concert’s vintage charm. 

And for the second half of the show, the band will don the iconic US Army Air Force uniforms of the Second World War for a truly immersive experience. 

29 December at 3pm | Tickets HERE

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Featured image: Supplied

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