Local musicians can take half-price taxis home after their gigs in Manchester, thanks to a new partnership between GigPig and Uber.
The three-month pilot scheme, which has drawn support from Night Time Economy Adviser (and boss of Parklife and Warehouse Project) Sacha Lord, has been created to help late-night workers get home safely.
It follows on from the Get Me Home Safely campaign, which called for safe, affordable transport home, backed by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
That campaign initiated by Unite Union said that those who work late at night shouldn’t need to dip into their earnings just to get home at the end of the day.
The GigPig and Uber partnership will be available to all artists registered on the GigPig platform in the city, offering 50% off rides home when performing at gigs that finish after 11pm.
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It’s hoped it will save them thousands of pounds in transport costs.
Live music marketing platform GigPig has partnered with more than 750 artists and facilitated hundreds of gigs int he city each week.
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A three-month pilot scheme offering local musicians half price transport home after late-night gigs is being launched in Manchester, thanks to a partnership between live music marketplace GigPig and Uber.
Two Manchester-based DJs have thrown their support behind the partnership. Joe Roche said: “Currently cash flow and cost issues for our sector are being felt across the board, and it’s nice to see GigPig identifying the issue and helping beyond the traditional means.
“This initiative addresses an all too familiar concern. There’s nothing worse than being on your feet for up to 14 hours on a Saturday doing consecutive gigs if you’ve got invoices which hadn’t been cleared beforehand – the walk home is completely out of the question and your bank balance is in bits. “
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DJ Fry Ups, who secured a residency at Box in Deansgate via GigPig, added: “The majority of my gigs finish after 11pm, so I welcome this initiative. Not only will it help reduce costs but it’s also fantastic to know that myself and other artists will be able to get home via a trusted mode of transport afterwards.
“Safety and affordability are key considerations for me when taking on any gig and I know can be barriers for many others. I hope it’s the catalyst for more artists feeling confident to book even more gigs in the city.”
Michael Forster, CEO of GigPig, said: “At GigPig we support artists all the way. We know safety is a top concern for many artists and we’re pleased to be able to play our part in helping them access safe and affordable transport options home. The nature of gigging means that artists are often out late at night and we’re committed to implementing ways to support them to feel safe when travelling.
Incredible feedback from @djeeanmathews in response to our partnership with @Uber.
“Manchester has a vibrant night time economy which is dependent on artists performing in a variety of venues – footfall in bars, pubs, restaurants and clubs are all boosted by live music. We are sure this pilot partnership will be well received by the artists who are doing a brilliant job entertaining audiences across the city.”
Andrew Brem, General Manager, Uber UK said: “We are delighted to be partnering with GigPig to help its music artists get home after late night concerts and gigs. Safety is a top priority for Uber, and with millions of trips happening regularly on our platform across the UK, we want to help everyone, no matter where they are going, get home at the touch of a button.”
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Sacha Lord, Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester, added: “Manchester has recently been crowned the UK’s Capital of Nightlife, by the Sunday Times. We’ve always been proud of our music scene and the city is known for it, globally.
“I’m delighted to support the incredible initiative and partnership between GigPig and Uber. We need to support our up and coming artists, to which the expense of travel can be a barrier. This initiative will pave the way for the next generation of artists.”
The GigPig platform, which gives artists free access to find, play and get paid for gigs in venues of all sizes across the UK, represents more than 3,000 live music performers and more than 750 in Manchester alone.
If the pilot scheme in Manchester is successful, it will be rolled out to all 12 major cities where GigPig operates across the UK.
Featured image: Unsplash
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Lorde at AO Arena, Manchester – stage times, setlist, tickets and more essential info
Daisy Jackson
Lorde is performing a huge gig at the AO Arena in Manchester this week, as part of her Ultrasound World Tour.
The New Zealand-born singer burst onto the music scene at the tender ages of 16 with her smash-hit single Royals, way back in 2013.
Since then, she’s gone on to break several records with the releases of her four studio albums, and scooped up a handful of GRAMMYs and BRIT awards along the way too.
As well as her gig at the AO Arena here in Manchester, Lorde will also be calling at major UK cities including London, Birmingham and Glasgow.
The tour comes hot off the heels of the release of her latest album, Virgin, which once again topped the Official UK Album Charts.
If you’re heading to see Lorde at the AO Arena, here’s everything you need to know.
Lorde UK tour dates
15 November – AO Arena, Manchester
16 November – The O2, London
17 November – The O2, London
19 November – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
20 November – Utilita Arena Birmingham
Who is supporting Lorde at the AO Arena?
Experimental musician and producer Blood Orange, otherwise known as Devonte Hynes, will be the main support act for Lorde in Manchester.
The British musician has worked with the likes of Florence and the Machine, Mac Miller, Kylie Minogue, and – of course – Lorde, and will be warming up the crowds ready for our headliner.
Also taking the stage before Lorde will be electronic and indie pop star Jim-E Stack, whose solo releases have featured everyone from Bon Iver to Charli XCX.
Tickets for Lorde’s gig in Manchester
Credit: Thistle Brown
At the time of writing, there are just a handful of random tickets left for Lorde’s gig.
These are priced between £48.60 and £161.30.
Otherwise, your best bet is to look at resale tickets from a reputable site.
Stage times for Lorde at AO Arena Manchester
The AO Arena hasn’t yet confirmed the exact stage times for Lorde, but has said that doors will open from 6pm with a start time of around 7pm.
At other shows, Lorde has typically arrived on stage at around 9pm.
You can roughly expect stage times to be as follows:
Doors 6pm
Jim E-Stack 7pm
Blood Orange 8pm
Lorde 9pm
Keep an eye on the AO Arena’s socials for the latest.
Aitch’s brief statement as Moston rapper heads into the I’m A Celebrity jungle
Daisy Jackson
Manchester rapper Aitch is officially taking party in this year’s series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.
The rumoured line-up had been swirling for days as stars were spotted touching down in Australia ahead of the ITV series restarting for 2025.
And now I’m A Celebrity has officially revealed its line-up, which includes MOBO and Brit Award-winning Aitch, Ruby Wax, Martin Kemp, and Jack Osbourne, to name a few.
Aitch has said on his final post on Instagram before he disappears into the Australian bush that he’s ’bout to go f*ck up the jungle the Manchester way’.
He wrote: “I’ve made songs with most people I grew up listening to, now I’m going on the show I grew up watching.
“Mam this one’s for you. bout to go f*ck up the jungle the Manchester way. Cinnabit.”
Aitch, real name Harrison Armstong, hopes to raise awareness about Down Syndrome while he has the platform of the I’m A Celebrity camp – a genetic disorder his beloved sister Gracie has.
He said: “I feel like I have got this calling to raise awareness for Down syndrome and I feel that’s the perfect place.
“Also, you don’t always want to be stuck in the same world forever. You can branch out and do other things. You don’t have to stick to the code (rap world), because you think that’s cool.
“I did have to cancel some gigs for it. But you are never going to branch out if you do the same thing all the time.”
Joining Aitch in the I’m A Celebrity jungle will be presenter, author and comedian Ruby Wax, who wants the public to see that she’s not as ‘aggressive and pushy’ as her TV persona sometimes seems.
The full I’m A Celebrity 2025 line-up, including Manchester rapper Aitch. Credit: ITV
Also heading in will be Martin Kemp, whose presenter son Roman finished in third place on a previous series.
Martin said: “I’ve had to cancel some jobs, but when Roman was on I’m A Celebrity, I was addicted. I watched it every day and enjoyed it so much. I felt it was now time in my life for an adventure.”
DJ and model Kelly Brook said that she has surprised herself in several ways since being with her husband, including starring on Race Across The World and running the London marathon – now it’s time to see if she can be queen of the jungle.
Jack Osbourne, son of the late, great Ozzy Osbourne, will be starring on I’m A Celebrity and said the hardest thing for him will be being away fro his ‘lots of kids, my wife, and my family still int he wake of my dad passing’.
Also on this year’s I’m A Celeb line-up is former Lionness Alex Scott MBE, who said her partner Jess Glynne thinks she’s ‘absolutely mental’ for signing up for the reality show.
Social media sensation Angry Ginge will be appearing in the Australian jungle this year, saying he’s interested to see how he’ll cope without a phone, having only ever spent a week away from it before.
Joining him is Eastenders star and West End actor Shona McGarty, who is a ‘massive fan’ of the show and is excited for audiences to see what she’s like when she’s ‘completely myself’.
Comedian and radio host Eddie Kadi says he’s been prepping for his stint in the I’m A Celebrity jungle by doing intermittent fasting, but doesn’t know ‘how he will survive’ without flavour.
The final campmate joining Aitch in the I’m A Celebrity jungle is Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley, who finally said yes to ITV ahead of her milestone 50th birthday next year.
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I’m A Celebrity starts Sunday at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV & STV Player.
The full I’m A Celebrity 2025 line-up
Aitch – Rapper
Ruby Wax OBE – Presenter, author and comedian
Martin Kemp – Actor and pop star
Kelly Brook – DJ and model
Jack Osbourne – TV Personality
Alex Scott MBE – Sports broadcaster and former Lioness
Daisy Jackson -
16th June 2023 
