Andy Burnham surprised festival-goers at Kendal Calling last night by popping up on the main stage.
The Greater Manchester Mayor briefly swapped the political stage for a music one to introduce Blossoms for their massive headline performance.
Blossoms have gained a few famous pals over the years, from Liam Fray of the Courteeners to the legendary Rick Astley – but they turned to their old mate Burnham for this job.
The Stockport five-piece have worked with the Mayor in the past, including at his Raise the Roof charity concert, raising money for Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity #BedEveryNight campaign.
So it wasn’t a total shock when Andy Burnham rocked up to introduce them, dressed in cargo pants and a shacket.
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And before anyone starts commenting that he should be doing his day job – it’s the weekend. Have a day off.
Burnham asked the crowd where the coolest place in the north west is, dismissing his home city of Liverpool and his adopted city of Manchester.
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He then said the Stockport is, in fact, the coolest place in our region – which was welcomed with a fair few disagreeing boos from the huge crowd.
Burnham said: “Kendal Calling how we doing? This is the Mayor of Greater Manchester reporting for duty.
“I’m just here to check that you’re all okay, yeah? You all okay? You having a good time?
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“Isn’t the north west of England the best place on Earth? It is, isn’t it. And d’you know where the coolest place in the north west is right now? It’s not Liverpool. It’s not even Manchester. It’s Stockport!
“Stockport! Honestly, it is! And do you know why Stockport is the coolest place in the north west?
“It’s because 10 years ago, five lads got together, and they formed a band, and they named it after the local pub. And 10 years later, they smashed Glastonbury, and now they’re headlining the biggest festival in the north west.
Andy Burnham introduced Blossoms to the stage at Kendal Calling. Credit: The Manc GroupAndy Burnham introduced Blossoms to the stage at Kendal Calling. Credit: The Manc Group
“Kendal Calling, give it up, for Stockport’s finest, the north west’s finest, give it up for Blossoms!”
Reaction to his appearance has been a little mixed, to say the least.
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One person labelled him ‘The king of the north’ while another said the was actually ‘the c*ck of the north’ – so that’s nice.
Someone else said: “He can p*ss off, along with his CAZ proposals too.”
Then he was defended by a few saying: “He’s a great Mayor. Only the Tory scum hate him.”
And then there’s the comment we all saw coming a mile off – “Stockport is still sh*t!”
Manchester Day is back with a ‘mammoth day’ of music-themed FREE fun next month
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Day is making a grand return for 2025 this summer, and you can expect a day filled with loads of music-themed fun.
Oh, and it’s free fun at that… doesn’t get much better.
With a whopping 1.3 million music tourists expected in Manchester this summer – apparently a little band called Oasis is performing or something? First we’ve heard of it – and a massive lineup of live music legends set to take over venues and parks across the city these next couple of months, this year’s Manchester Day is aiming to get everyone ‘in the groove’.
Manchester City Council is working with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme that promises something for music fans of all ages and all musical abilities.
From the English National Opera teaming up with Manchester’s football fans, to community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, hip-hop wrestling, and loads more, this year’s Manchester Day has got all musical tastes covered.
Manchester Day is back on Saturday 26 July. 🎉
Inspired by music, expect pop-up performances, spontaneous sing-a-longs and have-a-go activities. 🎶
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) June 2, 2025
As always, activities will be taking place right across the city centre – from St Ann’s Square to Cathedral Gardens, and everywhere in between.
Organisers say there will be plenty of chances throughout the day for visitors, both young and old, to get stuck in, try their hand at making music and maybe even uncover a hidden musical talent they didn’t know they had.
You can expect strum-along ukulele sessions, spontaneous sing-alongs, dancing to a steel pan band or some surprising Ska, and the stand-out music parade event travelling from St Peter’s Square to the Cathedral, with families invited to take a ‘musical meander’ through the city streets.
Manchester Day is back with a ‘mammoth day’ of music-themed free fun next month / Credit: Manchester City Council
“We’ve got a mammoth summer of live music coming up in the city this year, which means it’s only right that we max out on the music for Manchester Day,” commented Councillor Pat Karney, who is the Chair of Manchester Day, as this year’s theme was announced.
“Everyone in Manchester loves music, Mancs have music in their bones, there’s so much talent here – we’re either making it or playing it, and that’s why everyone’s on the guest list for this year’s Manchester Day to help us celebrate the music that Mancunians make best.
“We’ve got a fantastic day lined up, so loosen up those vocal chords, grab a guitar, grab your granny, all the family, and don’t miss it.”
Manchester Day is taking over the city centre on Saturday 15 July, and will be kicking off at midday right through to 5pm that same evening.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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Drake announces two HUGE Manchester gigs… and they’re next month
Emily Sergeant
Talk about last minute, Drake has just announced he’ll be coming to Manchester for two huge gigs this summer.
Yes, that’s right – he’s literally here next month.
You may remember that on Valentine’s Day, the GRAMMY award-winning and multi-platinum global artist Drake teamed up with fellow Canadian rapper PARTYNEXTDOOR to release their collaborative album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, and now to celebrate the release, the duo are making their highly anticipated return to the UK and Europe.
The arena tour, aptly named ‘$ome$pecial $hows 4 UK’, will kick off on 20 and 21 July at Birmingham Utilita Arena, before Drake comes to visit us Mancs shortly after.
JUST ANNOUNCED @drake Drake returns for the first time in six years. Bringing the $ome$pecial$hows 4 UK tour to Manchester on 25 & 26 July 2025. Support from @partynextdoor.@coopuk Member Presale: 4 JUNE 12:00 General Sale: 6 JUNE 12:00
The Toronto rapper will be taking to the stage at Manchester‘s newest live entertainment arena, Co-op Live, on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July, following three nights of headlining Wireless Festival at London’s Finsbury Park.
The tour will then continue across Europe, with stops in Munich, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and more, all before wrapping up on 23 September in Hamburg at Barclays Arena.
The tour marks Drake’s first return to Europe and the UK in six years, following his 2019 Assassination Vacation Tour.
$ome $pecial $hows 4 UK 2025 dates:
Sunday 20 & Monday 21 July – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July 25 – Co-op Live, Manchester
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Drake completed his monumental sold-out 80-date It’s All A Blur Tour across North America, featuring special guests 21 Savage and J. Cole.
Breaking more records along the way, Wireless announced Drake as the 2025 headliner for all three nights, each featuring unique setlists and special guests, and the festival sold out within minutes – which is the fastest sell-out in its 20-year history.
Drake will be at Co-op Live on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July, and in true last-minute fashion tickets go on sale in the pre-sales tomorrow (4 June), before general on sale begins this Friday 6 June.
Daisy Jackson -
30th July 2023 
