A brand-new open-air venue is coming to Manchester in June – and they’re hitting us with a belting launch lineup.
A former car park off the Mancunian Way will be transformed later this year to become Manchester’s hottest new outdoor clubbing destination – SQUARE ONE.
With the Deansgate Square towering overhead and Piccadilly Station just across the road, the space couldn’t be more in the heart of it all – right where we belong.
With multiple events planned throughout the summer, the team are promising us a stellar series of lineups featuring DJs from Manchester and beyond, including appearances from Zutekh, Jika Jika and Animal Crossing DJs.
They’re debuting the series with an opening schedule spanning three weekends first of all.
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Kicking things off on Saturday 26 June will be Fuse’s Enzo Siragusa, who is set to play a hefty all day long set. Then Sunday 27 June will see Mella Dee, Haider, Althea, Joe Motion and Zutekh DJs take on the SQUARE ONE space.
We’ll then have to wait three weeks for the next one on Saturday 17 July with no other than Denis Sulta, Matrefakt and Gina Breeze. Then Hot Since 82 and James Organ will close the weekend on Sunday.
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The opening schedule is complete on Saturday 24 July, with a showcase from PIV Records, an Amsterdam label who will be making this their first ever Manchester show.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CMU3Hj1hkfX/
With no 10pm curfew or socially distanced squares in sight, it’s looking like we can finally dance together again. And with all the events starting at 2pm and running until 11pm, we can expect a full day of dancing to make up for lost time.
After a tough year for the music and events industry, SQUARE ONE is a “beacon of light” in the return to clubbing, providing Manchester with a brand new way to get back to the music.
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Organisers of SQUARE ONE said: “Manchester is our home. This one is for the dancers, a new venue with no-nonsense. Let’s make up for the lost memories and come together, a good and proper open-air affair. Summer is coming and the dance floor is ready.”
Stay up to date with SQUARE ONE via their Instagram and get ready for tickets which go on sale tomorrow at 10am.
Music
Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics is returning to Manchester next year
Clementine Hall
IconicDJ and radio presenter Pete Tong MBE is making his way back to Manchester with a whole host of guests ready to help you dance the night away.
Known for his live radio shows such as the ‘Essential Mix’ on BBC Radio 1, Tong is bringing back his widely successful Ibiza Classics club night to Manchester with an equally impressive roster of guests.
The ‘Ibiza Classics’ concept originated and debuted back in 2015 with Tong and co. taking on Royal Albert Hall as part of BBC Radio 1’s Proms schedule, paying homage to the island’s infectious anthems.
Since then, the English DJ has built a music event bigger than he could have ever imagined, and after a milestone year marking the 10th anniversary of the acclaimed Ibiza Classics show, Pete Tong has announced a brand-new run of UK arena dates for 2026.
Some of Tong’s notable releases include ‘Where’s The Music Gone’ and ‘Apocolypse’, alongside some very respectable dance music artists.
Other tracks to his name include ‘You Got The Love’ and ‘Time’, both collaborations with Jules Buckley, one of the famous faces you’ll get to see on this special Ibiza Classics tour.
The seven-date arena tour kicks off in Glasgow’s before heading to Manchester’s AO Arena on Friday 4 December 2026.
He will also be playing in Leeds, Birmingham, and Nottingham, culminating the tour with two huge nights at The O2 London.
Ibiza Classics Live 2026
Thursday 3 December – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
Friday 4 December – Manchester, AO Arena
Saturday 5 December – Leeds, First Direct Bank Arena
Wednesday 9 December – Birmingham, Utilita Arena
Thursday 10 December – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December – London, The O2
He will be joined by long-standing collaborators Jules Buckley and The Essential Orchestra.
This night is expected to be filled with pure dance hits, and based on recent shows, there might even be appearances from even more musical talents and special guests.
Pete Tong, Jules Buckley, and The Essential Orchestra are bringing Ibiza Classics to AO Arena on Friday 4 December 2026.
Tickets go on sale next Monday 15 December, and you can get them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Music
BBC is back looking for more Mancs to test their music knowledge and win £10,000
Emily Sergeant
Consider yourself a music fan? Spend your days with tunes on in the background? Would you be able to identify a song within the first couple of seconds?
Well, this might be your chance to win £10,000 then.
Once again, the BBC is back casting for the next series of its smash-hit competition show The Hit List, where contestants get their music knowledge put to the ultimate test, and the broadcaster is now looking for people from across Greater Manchester to apply and be in with the chance of winning a massive pot of cash.
The Hit List, presented by popstar couple Marvin and Rochelle Humes, sees three pairs of music-lovers go up against each other.
Across three rounds, the contestants attempt to identify huge hits from across the years, and the three teams must prove their ability to recognise songs from across all genres of music, both artist and song title, if they want to take home the win.
A casting call for the next series of The Hit List on the BBC website reads: “Could your love of music win you a £10,000 cash prize? We are looking for lively pairs of contestants to take part.”
Any one can apply to take part in the show, but producers and casting directors say they would particularly love to hear from couples, grandparent and grandchild, siblings, best mates, and parent and offspring.
“Anything goes, as long as you love your music and know your hits,” the casting call concludes.
Anyone who applies to the show must be a legal UK resident, and be available for potential filming dates in early March 2026 up in Glasgow.
Hannah Starkie -
18th March 2021 
