Mancs were surprised last week by a very special, intimate appearance from grime superstar Bugzy Malone at JD.
The rap sensation hosted a private lock-in event at JD in Manchester, just ahead of his massive homecoming gig at the AO Arena.
Fans got to get up close and personal with Bugzy at the event, where he took part in a Q&A with fellow rapper Specs Gonzalez.
The Resurrection Tour is Bugzy’s last – he’s confirmed that he’ll step back from the touring circuit to focus on music, his acting career, and (of course) his budding fashion line, B.Malone.
Speaking of the sold-out tour at the JD event, Bugzy said: “It’s an emotional thing, you get what I’m saying, it’s The Ressurection Tour and it’s my final tour.
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Bugzy Malone with Specs Gonzalez in Manchester. Credit: JD Official
“A lot of people have gone out their way to support me and it’s a big deal to me.”
He said that performing at the Arena in front of a crowd of 20,000 was, quite simply, ‘sick’, adding: “People that are fans of me are connected to me, so when I get to stand up and perform in front of pure people that I’m connected to, it’s a bit spiritual. It’s mad.”
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He’s a proud Mancunian too, saying: “People never used to take Manchester seriously and then when I started breaking records and making serious money, they take us seriously now.
“So now I’m breaking down doors in the clothing industry so that people behind me can come through and get took seriously.
“People underestimate Manchester, it’s a talented place. There’ll be waves and waves that come through.”
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His foray into fashion has seen him launch his own clothing line, B.Malone, which is stocked in JD.
On the day of the in-store lock-in, he was unveiling his new Skeleton kicks, inspired by the anatomy of a scorpion.
Bugzy said: “Fashion’s obviously something I’m interested in. As I kid I used to like drawing and all that. I’m just trying to do things that I enjoy and that I’m passionate about.
“My fans, the people that message me on Instagram that I connect with, I feel like a lot of them are like younger versions of me, so I try and design them something that they’re going to like, from my perspective.”
He also touched on his accident, which saw him seriously injured after a quad bike crash in early 2020.
It changed his mindset, he said, telling the crowd: “I’m not afraid to die. I’m willing to give it everything to go where I’m trying to go.
“I think sometimes we get a little bit shy in life when you’re trying to believe in yourself whereas now, I don’t give a f***.”
Featured image: JD Official
Music
More artists added and stage splits confirmed for Neighbourhood Weekender 2026 lineup
Danny Jones
Two waves for NBHD Weekender’s 2026 lineup have now been officially confirmed, and Greater Manchester leads the way in terms of headliners, with local music legend Richard Ashcroft and Stockport’s finest, Blossoms, both already confirmed for the big slot on the main stage.
Now THAT is how you follow up a comeback.
Yes, Neighbourhood Weekender always promises a healthy dose of Northern acts on the lineup, including plenty of Mancs, scousers and others from Cheshire and the region at large, but to get two much-loved music artists from our boroughs topping the 2026 bill is an absolute treat.
With other noteworthy appearances in the Kaiser Chiefs, DMA’s, Jamie Webster, Example and many more on there already, it feels like next year’s festival is shaping up to be a potential all-timer, with a second wave of acts being added and the stage splits now set.
As you can see, the first pair of waves of the NBHD 2026 lineup includes returning crowd-pleasers like Shed Seven, Razorlight and The K’s, as well as other additions like rising stars Basht., Better Joy and North West favourites, The Kairos, as well as fellow Manc lads, M60.
Other acts that also caught our eye include our own natives like Arkayla, The Guest List, Luvcat and The Covasettes, just to name a few, as well as rising ‘Britainicana outfit’, Westside Cowboy, who just so happen to star on our most recent round-up of what we’ve been listening to.
In fact, there are a few past Manc bands of the month features on this lineup, not to mention more nearby names in Lucvat, The Royston Club, Keyside, Nxdia and so on, who are all well worth earmarking ahead of the stage splits being announced.
As for the headliners, indie heroes Blossoms need no introduction; nor does Wigan’s most famous musical son, with Ashcroft riding a real resurgence at the moment – he’s also one of our artists of the month, naturally.
In fact, confirmation of both Ashcroft and his Oasis Live ’25 support act partners, Cast, being booked for Warrington’s Victoria Park and the next NBHD Fest comes after the 54-year-old confirmed a fellow hometown band for some very big shows of his own.
This coming May Bank Holiday Weekend (Saturday 23-Sun 24 May 2026) is shaping up nicely, and we can’t wait to see what else is new to the festival site this year.
General admission tickets are already available, and new for this year, there will also be different payment plans via their website.
You can grab your tickets HERE. See you in the fields!
Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)/Audio North
Music
Dispute over Manichester now ‘resolved’, say Mounfield family
Danny Jones
The family of the late, great Manchester musician, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, have said that the drama surrounding the highly-anticipated tribute festival in his name, Manichester, has now thankfully been settled.
Now the focus can once again return to remembering him as best as possible.
Following plenty of talk about the project following his passing late last year, a live music festival honouring Mani was finally confirmed in March, and the reaction following the event’s announcement has been unsurprisingly phenomenal.
Well, at least for the most part, as there was also some confusion over whether or not Manichester was still a charitable effort as advertised, with son Gene Mounfield disputing claims online. Fortunately, it all seems to have been put to bed now.
On behalf of the boys, and as their legal guardian, I want to thank everyone for the kind messages and concern for their wellbeing. There was a misunderstanding regarding the upcoming Manichester tribute concert, but we’re pleased to share that everything has now been resolved. pic.twitter.com/j8jEMrFzsD
Being organised by Madchester.com and locally-founded fashion label, GIOGOI, the debut edition was said to have the total blessing of Mani’s family, including his brother, Greg Mounfield.
It was also said that the funds raised by the show would be going to the legendary Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassists’ twins, George and Gene, but the latter recently argued that “nothing” was going to either him or his brother and that the news was “dropped” the plans just a fortnight prior.
Gene also said that “if it was a charity gig it would be at Co-op [Live] or Heaton Park, and it would be done by SJM [Concerts]”: a Manchester-based promoters and events company.
All of this was also wrapped up in ever more paper talk and sensationalism, as some were reporting that Noel and Liam Gallagher, as well as other members of Oasis, would be surprising fans as the still yet to be revealed ‘major headliner’.
These rumours have since been quashed, as has whatever miscommunication caused the misunderstanding between the parties concerned, and we are now back to simply looking forward to seeing an already stacked lineup here in the city centre this May.
Damon Minchella of Ocean Colour Scene (a fellow bassist who also tours with Richard Ashcroft) is helping organise and will also be performing on the night itself. As for the surviving Mounfields, they went on to add in an accompanying Instagram post: “We would also like to express our gratitude to PH.
“It means a great deal to all of us that so many people loved Mani enough to give their time and energy to honour his memory in this way. We are genuinely touched by the support.
“It has been an incredibly difficult few years for the boys and for our whole family. We hope this event will bring some much‑needed joy and create new, positive memories for everyone who cared about him.
“With love and thanks – The Family”
It goes without saying that we can’t wait for this city and Greater Manchester as a whole to honour a Manc icon and are looking forward to another year celebrating the thing that never fails to bring us all together: music.
Daisy Jackson -
13th December 2021 
