Manchester has been likened to Paris and New York by esteemed fashion magazine Elle, which has labelled us this year’s ‘fashion and creative capital’.
While our city has long been celebrated for its, ahem, grimier subcultures (from raves to Britpop to footie), things have grown a little more fancy in recent years.
The global spotlight really landed on the city when Chanel chose Thomas Street, of all places, to host its prestigious Métiers d’art last December.
The jokes came fast, the rumoured celebrity guest list went into overdrive, but at the end of the day, it was an impressive display of the city’s fashion credentials.
And now Elle magazine has singled our city out for its present day cultural icons as much as its celebrated past.
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In a feature written by Manc Becky Burgum, she pointed out that the Chanel show, rain and all, may have pushed Manchester into an entirely new era – one that’s a bit less about our ‘male-focused past glories’.
The glowing endorsement for the city’s current and future cultural scene spreads several pages in the glossy fashion bible this month.
It states: “Often ignored, always underestimated, the country’s second-largest city is manifesting an explosion of talent.”
In it, Elle sings the praises of massive venues like Aviva Studios, Co-op Live and the Manchester Art Gallery, as well as glamorous newcomers like Fenix and Soho House.
But the magazine also speaks of the ‘less polished Salford outskirts’ which is home to venues including The White Hotel, Paradise Works and Hidden.
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As for food and drink, Elle’s piece describing Manchester as a cultural capital singled out The Sparrows, Erst and Higher Ground, all Michelin-recommended spots with their roots planted in the north west.
Over in the ‘Chanel-approved Northern Quarter’, it was venues like Stray (a beautiful cocktail bar in a corner of Mackie Mayor’s building), Afflecks (Manchester’s iconic, eccentric shopping emporium), and Band On The Wall that got a mention.
Night and Day CafeFenix in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupErst in Ancoats. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Edinburgh Castle. Credit: The Manc GroupStray bar in the Northern Quarter. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Sparrows. Credit: The Manc GroupBand on the Wall. Credit: The Manc GroupYayoi Kusama exhibit at Aviva Studios. Credit: The Manc GroupThe Chanel Metiers d’art show in Manchester caught the world’s eye, Elle magazine said. Highlights of Manchester singled out by Elle magazine
Then there’s the Edinburgh Castle (best Guinness in the city, apparently), the ‘boundary-smashing’ HOME, and the upcoming Treehouse Hotel, all having their praises sung in one of the country’s most famous magazines.
The piece says: “But our (male-focused) past glories aren’t what makes Manchester so special – it’s all about what’s happening right now.
“There is often a blinkered, London-centric outlook that maintains creativity can’t possibly exist outside the M25. But how wrong that is.”
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But, it concludes, ‘don’t forget your umbrella – that’s the only stereotype that rings true’.
Nostalgic rock icons Weezer announce huge arena show in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Weezer have announced a massive gig in Manchester as part of an upcoming arena tour, celebrating a brand-new album release.
The nostalgic rock icons will be playing at the Co-op Live next spring, alongside gigs in UK cities including Leeds, Newcastle, and Glasgow.
The American rockers have announced The Gathering 2027 World Tour and released the music video for C.E.O, starring Tony Hawk, Curry Barker, and more.
They’ll also be releasing a self-titled new album, Weezer, on 21 August, which Rolling Stone has already called ‘one of the best Weezer albums of this century’.
It’s set to be their 20th (twentieth!!!!) studio album, joining chart-topping records like Make Believe, Maladroit, and the Green Album.
Weezer will be performing hits from their huge back catalogue, including Buddy Holly, Hash Pipe, and Say It Ain’t So.
The huge tour will kick off in the States in February next year before heading across to Japan and Europe.
And Weezer will have some huge support in the form of fellow American rock group, Taking Back Sunday.
Weezer will be performing at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 25 May, 2026.
You can pre-order the new album from the Weezer webstore before 3pm on Monday 10 August to get pre-sale access.
Then the general sale begins from 10am on Friday 14 August, with tickets on sale HERE.
Weezer, The Gathering World Tour – UK and European dates in full
Wed 12 May – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
Fri 14 May – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena
Sat 25 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Mon 17 May – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
Wed 19 May – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Fri 21 May – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Sat 22 May – London, UK – Alexandra Palace
Sun 23 May – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
Tues 25 May – Paris, France – Zenith
Wed 26 May – Amsterdam, The Netherlands – AFAS Live
Huge contemporary craft fair with 200+ makers is coming to Manchester later this year
Emily Sergeant
One of the UK’s largest craft fairs will be taking over a historic Manchester building later this year.
More than 200 of the UK’s finest contemporary makers and artists will gather in Manchester this autumn, as the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (GNCCF) returns to the magnificent Victoria Baths in October, creating a shopping experience like no other.
Set within the spectacular Grade II-listed venue, the fair will transform the building’s iconic empty Gala pools into one of the UK’s most distinctive settings for contemporary craft.
Since launching in Manchester all the way back in 2008, the GNCCF has showcased the work of more than 4,500 makers, welcomed over 90,000 visitors and generated more than £4 million in sales for independent creative businesses.
A huge contemporary craft fair with 200+ makers is coming to Manchester later this year / Credit: GNCCF (via Facebook)
Now in its nineteenth year and expected to attract thousands of visitors from across the UK, the GNCCF has become one of the highlights of Manchester’s cultural calendar, having showcased the work of more than 4,500 makers and generated more than £4 million in sales for independent businesses.
The fair will bring together designer-makers from the fields of ceramics, jewellery, textiles, furniture, glass, wood, metal, printmaking, sculpture, and fine art.
Every exhibitor is selected by an independent panel of craft experts – with 2026 set to welcome 70 exhibitors making their GNCCF debut, alongside many of the UK’s most respected makers.
Prices will range from affordable handmade gifts to collector-quality pieces, meaning the fair will offer something to suit every budget, every taste, and every stage of collecting.
“Victoria Baths is one of Manchester’s most remarkable heritage buildings and provides an extraordinary backdrop for the fair,” explained Victoria Scholes, who is the Development Director of GNCCF.
“The contrast between its beautiful Edwardian architecture and the very best in contemporary craft makes visiting GNCCF a truly memorable experience. People often tell us they love exploring the building as much as the craft.”
The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 2026 will be taking over Victoria Baths from 15-18 October, and you can get tickets here.
Daisy Jackson -
11th April 2024 
