Manchester

Manchester cafe Idle Hands mobbed by huge swarm of bees who took over outdoor tables

'Fun day at the shop today'

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 4th June 2023

One of the Northern Quarter’s most popular cafes had an unusual issue on Saturday afternoon, when tens of thousands of bees paid a visit.

It seems the swarm of bees had got wind of Idle Hands’ legendary pies and took over one of the venue’s outdoor tables.

The cafe had to call in a local beekeeper after the busy insects rendered their outside space too risky for customers to use.

Incredible photos captured by local photographer Andrew Stuart and shared by the cafe show a jaw-dropping mass of the insects congregating beneath a table.

The cafe, on the corner of Dale Street and Tariff Street, was saved by the Manchester Honey Company, who humanely scooped them away to safety.

Idle Hands wrote on Instagram: “So, fun day at the shop today, with thousands of bees moving home and deciding to drop in on our shop and cluster under one of our tables (now forever to be known as the bee table) whilst on their journey.

“Massive thanks to @manchesterhoneycompany for coming and safely taking them away to a far more suitable home. And to @andrewstuart1 for capturing the event so well!”

They had previously posted on their stories: “Erm, anyone know what we do about this??? Swarm of thousands out of nowhere.”

Manchester Honey Company said: “This swarm landed @idlehandscoffee in Manchester and was collected by @manchesterhoneycompany. The bees were so friendly and calm and we were so well looked after by the friendly staff.

“The bees were collected from under a table and put in the hive. The queen was in the hive so the rest of the bees followed her in.”

The incident with Idle Hands is far from the first time that swarms of bees have caused disruption in the city centre.

Just last week, a massive swarm was spotted on a lamp post outside a popular pub near the Cathedral.

And in previous years, the creatures have taken over everything from people’s cars to posters advertising festivals.

@the.manc

Idle Hands is the best place for pie 😍 #themanc #manchestercafe #manchesterfood #fyp #eatinmanchester

♬ Chillest in the Room – L.Dre

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Featured image: Instagram, Idle Hands

Manchester

A big Taylor Swift listening party is coming to Manchester to celebrate her new album

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

An iconic Manchester music venue is hosting a Taylor Swift listening party to celebrate the release of her upcoming album this autumn.

The devil may work hard, but Ms. Swift sure works harder – as less than 500 days since the release of her eleventh studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor has announced her twelfth LP titled The Life of a Showgirl, meaning the pop titan is back in full force with an era full of glitter, glitz, and showbiz glamour.

To celebrate, Manchester’s historic Deaf Institute is hosting a night dedicated to the newest era, and you’ll certainly be able to make ‘make the whole place shimmer’ as you walk into this Grade ll-listed building this October.

Get ready to hear everything from Taylor Swift’s stacked discography – including her humble beginnings like ‘Tim McGraw’, all the way through to her claiming the title as the ultimate ‘Anti-Hero’.

The DJs on the night will be spinning every single new track from Swift’s twelfth studio album too, all while mixing in some of her other standout songs.

Anyone keen to attend this Taylor Swift ‘Wonderland’ must be over 18 years old, and have their ID with them on the night, as unfortunately, there’s no ‘invisible string’ you can use to sneak yourself into this venue.

And if you’re turning 22 -or celebrating any other birthday – between 4 and 18 October, then you can score yourself free entry into this live music venue too, isn’t that ‘Gorgeous’?

Deaf Institute is hosting The Life of a Showgirl album launch party on 11 October from 11pm onwards, with tickets on sale HERE;

Now you’ve got tickets secured, the next ‘Question…?’ is which era are you dressing for on the night?

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Featured Images – Disney (supplied)

Manchester

Richard Ashcroft says each Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour date is like a ‘World Cup final’

Danny Jones Danny Jones Richard Ashcroft talking about Oasis reunion shows inspiring him

Manchester music veteran Richard Ashcroft has come out to join Noel Gallagher to discuss just how special this summer’s Oasis reunion shows have been so far, comparing each and every night on stage to “a World Cup final.”

The Wigan legend has been supporting the Burnage boys on their Live ’25 concerts since the opening night at the Principality Stadium.

Following fellow long-standing scouse indie rockers, Cast, for each date, Richard Ashcroft’s own performances have been heaped with praise since day one of the world tour, with many fans praising his timeless vocals and impressive stage presence against the backdrop of the biggest band in the world.

In fact, his own renaissance as part of the whole phenomenon has not only seen excitement build for his first new album in seven years, but he’s even booked a massive arena run amidst all the buzz. Speaking to Virgin Radio this week, he says he continues to feel the weight of each and every gig.

Joining host Chris Evans via video call for the interview on Tuesday, 19 August, the former Verve frontman could only echo the elder Gallagher brother’s sentiment when it came to describing that first night in Cardiff, agreeing that it felt pretty “overwhelming” and kind of “passed like a movie.”

Struggling to fully articulate the magnitude of what has genuinely become a globally observed cultural event, as you can see, he explains that it isn’t just about “nostalgia” and fans rolling back the year; he says that this specific chapter in music history and collective feeling can’t be put into words.

While arguing that “we need to find a new word” for whatever this is, we think the closest you’ll get is the zeitgeist of the moment, or perhaps ‘collective effervescence’.

Having noted that he’s seen Noel a few times since the reunion got underway, Ashcroft insists the 58-year-old seems to be “in great spirits” and “in a good place” since the Oasis comeback began.

We’re sure you’ll agree this was a particularly touching moment from the interview – and not the only one we’ve got this week…

As for his 53-year-old songwriting peer – who the Oasis icon and High Flying Birds frontman has often cited as one of his favourite lyricists of all time and even dedicated ‘Cast No Shadow’ to – Ashcroft could only reiterate his own “respect” for both of the Gallaghers and the rest of the band.

He goes on to wax lyrical about “the power of the song”, too, expressing that even tracks he thought wouldn’t be the biggest favourites, adding that this is “what time does to a tune.”

Describing the entire journey thus far as a “healing, celebratory event” for the thousands who have already, he labelled it nothing short of an “amazing experience” thus far.

That was definitely the case for us here in Manchester when they played five unforgettable nights at Heaton Park.

Even those who didn’t manage to get tickets were still somehow able to create memories to last a lifetime, and what we would argue was one of the most surreal snapshots in music history – at here in Britain, certainly.

In memory of Gallagher Hill: an ode to one of the greatest moments in Manc music history
Countless numbers gathered on a muddy hill to listen to Ashcroft and Oasis’ hometown reunion.

As well as reinforcing just how creatively charging the tour has been for him so far – quipping that the 40+ shows overall could either “retire or inspire” him, but has certainly encouraged him to pull out his trusty acoustic guitar and write even more music – there was one comment that stood out the most.

Besides acknowledging how moving it is to see them walking out holding hands, laughing and joking mid-performance, as well as hugging at the end of each night, it was how Ashcroft portrayed how much it means not just him, but those out in the crowds.

“We play like a World Cup final every day and every time I play, I win 7-0; everyone’s on my side, and then they win 22-0 at the end. We’re all on the same team.”

Having just wrapped up the first leg of UK and Ireland shows, with just two Wembley nights remaining in September, the band and their tour mates are set to arrive in Toronto, Canada, for the North America shows this weekend.

You can watch and/or listen to Virgin Radio and Chris Evans’ full interview with Richard Ashcroft down below, and if you’re an Oasis fan, we would strongly suggest you do.

Even Evans looked visibly stirred by Ashcroft’s words, calling them “prophetic and profound.”

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Featured Images — Virgin Radio (screenshot via YouTube)/Audio North

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