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Hard Rock Cafe celebrates 20 years in the city by creating ultimate Manc playlist

The legendary Hard Rock Cafe Manchester is turning 20 this month - and to mark the occasion, the restaurant is attempting to create the ultimate playlist.

Hannah Starkie Hannah Starkie - 4th September 2020
Hard Rock Cafe Manchester

The legendary Hard Rock Cafe Manchester is turning 20 this month – and the restaurant is attempting to create the ultimate playlist to mark the occasion.

Working together with Mancs, Hard Rock Cafe is building a list that best represents Manchester’s insanely rich music heritage.

The 20-track virtual album, aptly titled ‘Manc You For The Music’, is being chosen by a panel of industry experts made up of musicians, music journalists and promoters.

DJ Paulette, BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nihal Arthanayake, I Am Kloot drummer Andy Hargreaves, Sounds From the Other City Manager Rivca Burns, and Happy Mondays Singer Rowetta are all chipping in with their suggestions.

But Hard Rock Cafe is also asking for input from from the public.

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Aneta Jarzmik, General Manager at Hard Rock Cafe Manchester said: “Hard Rock has been at the heart of Manchester for 20 years, and we are thrilled to celebrate not just our birthday, but the amazing music that this fantastic city has produced.

“We can’t wait to see the tracks that are suggested and those that make the final cut.

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“Hopefully, there will be some stone-cold classics as well as a few surprises in there.”

You can make your suggestions over on the Hard Rock Cafe’s social media pages.

The final selections will be made this month – with the playlist going live on Spotify on September 25.

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Keep a look out to see your faves have made the list!

Get involved by checking out Hard Rock Cafe on Twitter and using the hashtag #MancYouForTheMusic.

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Fontaines D.C. announce massive gig at Manchester’s Aviva Studios as part of UK tour

Danny Jones Danny Jones Fontaines D.C Manchester tickets Aviva Studios

Irish post-punk pioneers Fontaines D.C. have just announced a brand new UK and Ireland tour ahead of their new album later this year and leading new arts and live entertainment venue, Aviva Studios, has been selected for their massive Manchester date.

The Dublin powerhouses have emerged as one of the most exciting acts on the planet for our money, combining everything from new wave, alternative and often grungey guitars, to more classic rock and even indie sounds, making them one of the most instantly recognisable sounds on the modern scene.

With all that being said, we cannot wait for their return to Manchester and what will no doubt be one of the biggest and best gigs Aviva Studios has seen yet.

Fontaines D.C. roll up to 0161 in Fall 2024 and they’ll have a brand new album under their belt to boot.

Fontaines D.C. return to Manchester for the first time since 2022.

Home to Factory International, which kicked off an incredible debut calendar of cultural events last year, Aviva Studios is already proving to be an impressive addition to the Manc skyline, especially now it’s coaxing names like Fontaines D.C. to come and perform there over other gig spaces.

Tipped to generate over a £1 billion in revenue for the local economy over the next decade, the importance of this new state-of-the-art venue is hard to overstate.

As for the band themselves, they dropped the lead single entitled ‘Starburster’ this week and it proved to be quite the sea change for often fast, frantic and no-nonsense five-piece. If you haven’t heard it yet, strap in and get ready to be over-exhaling out loud non-stop for the next hour – you’ll see what we mean.

With their fourth record Romance set to release on 23 August, we think it’s fair to say this new record – the first with new producer James Ford (Blur, Arctic Monkeys) – is off to a much more experimental start than their heavily acclaimed 2019 debut, Dogrel.

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Set to take the stage in Aviva Studios’ Warehouse space on Friday, 29 November, Fontaines’ Manchester date is part of a new run of shows announced as part of their full European which kicks off in June.

Heading back from the continent in August and starting off the UK leg in Wolverhampton on 20 November, it’ll be a fast and furious nine-show run culminating with a homecoming concert in Dublin.

Tickets for all headline dates go on general sale at 10am next Friday, 26 April and for first access to presale, fans can pre-order the album by 3pm on 23 April.

You can grab your tickets HERE.

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

Featured Images — Press Images/Aviva Studios

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Masked Manchester rapper Meekz bursts back with surprise gig in Piccadilly Gardens with JD

Charlie Watkinson Charlie Watkinson Masked Manchester rapper Meeks performed a surprise gig in Piccadilly Gardens

Local rap sensation Meekz is back, if you hadn’t noticed – he burst back onto the scene last week with a surprise gig with JD in Piccadilly Gardens.

The masked Manchester rapper is celebrating the release of his latest single Mini Me’s – and a handful of Mini Meekz posters appeared around town, pasted there by artist collective Pattern Up (then swiftly removed) last week.

Meekz continues to impress with his latest release, a track that’s quickly gaining popularity.

True to form, Meekz delivers not only sonically but visually, teaming up once again with KC Locke to create a stunning music video.

Their collaboration underscores the significance of music videos, reaffirming their lasting impact in the industry.

The video pays homage to their previous work, particularly ‘Like Me’, while also pushing boundaries with a post-apocalyptic CGI rendition of Manchester, reminiscent of scenes from GTA and Marvel movies.

This innovative approach demonstrates the remarkable synergy between Meekz and KC Locke, marking a new pinnacle in their collaborative efforts.

Following the premiere, Meekz treated fans to a memorable performance in Piccadilly Gardens, organised with JD, where he made a grand entrance by gifting miniature Air Max 95’s to his fans before taking the stage atop a large storage container.

Meekz's 'Mini Me's' posters popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu
Meekz's 'Mini Me's' posters popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu
Meekz's 'Mini Me's' posters popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu
Meekz's 'Mini Me's' posters popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu
Mini Meekz posters briefly popped up around Manchester last week. Credit: Supplied, patternup.pu

I had the opportunity to speak with Meekz after the premiere, where he shared insights into his upcoming tape, ‘Tru’, slated for release on 24 May.

Additionally, he hinted at exclusive news related to GTA/GTA 6, leaving fans eagerly anticipating his future endeavours.

It’s clear that Meekz continues to innovate and redefine the game with each new project, and we’re excited to see what he has in store next.

KC Locke said: “In the time that the mainstream media is writing articles about the decline of the music video industry, swords and eagles are here to make a stand and show not only are music videos here to stay but they are more important than ever.

“This is a testament to community, bound by a shared vision, we rise and rise again, together, for the culture.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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