Tonight, Manchester’s audiophile bar NAM will present a night dedicated to womxn from Manchester’s music scene and beyond, bringing the likes of Pip Millett, The KTNA and Katbrownsugar together for the evening.
Thursday night sees the second of its Lotus events, held in collaboration with size?, take over the Ancoat’s basement with free entry and a free welcome drink courtesy of Japanese whiskey brand The House of Suntory.
Bartenders will be on hand to shake up Toki High Ball cocktails, a mixture of Whisky Toki, grapefruit, soda and Suntory Essence Drops, from 7-11pm.
Taking place in Ancoats, Manchester, the night will deliver a panel of Womxn in R&B – commencing at 7:15pm – hosted by BBC Radio 1’s Future Soul presenter and singer-songwriter, Victoria Jane.
Then, from 8pm the NAM basement will welcome a host of female selectors to take over the decks and bring the party vibes.
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Image: Supplied
As part of the panel event, Victoria Jane will be quizzing four of Manchester’s finest female talents in the R&B realm and shining a light on their incredible journeys.
A woman of many talents, singer-songwriter superstar, Pip Millett will be joining the panel.
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Beloved for her timeless sound – an ethereal amalgamation of R&B and jazz – coupled with her natural ability to harness the power of music, to make the listener feel in all the senses. Pip will share an exclusive insight into her whirlwind of a career that’s seen her rise to the top of the UK R&B game in just four years.
Hope and Millie Katana, who form the soulful duo The KTNA, have long championed the northern spirit, and are true symbols of what can be accomplished when talent is combined with determination. They’ll be sharing their stories from their debut tour and experiences of navigating the complex industry.
Also sharing her voice, Robin Knightz. A big character blessed with a unique pen game, Robin will discuss how she made her genre-bending sound stand out, her mission to break out of the Manchester scene and her ascent to becoming a beacon for her city.
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After the panel, those heading down can expect a legendary line-up of womxn selectors getting behind the decks to take-over the basement’s elite audiophile sound system.
First up, Zèyla, who prides herself on her genre-crossing crate. Attributing her enriched mixing style and individual artistry to being raised on a range of sounds spanning across jazz, soul, hip-hop, electronica, Latin, reggae and funk. Bringing a fresh approach to every set, no show is ever the same.
Image: Supplied
Next up, producer, singer-songwriter and DJ in her own right, Katbrownsugar. The NTS resident has amassed a global following with her distinctive style, that encompasses neo-soul with lo-fi hip-hop and jazzy feels for the mind, body and soul.
With two Mixcloud awards under her belt for Rising Star Best Online Hip-Hop, R&B, Afrobeats Show, we’re highly anticipating her debut set at NAM.
Closing the night, selector, producer, curator of arts collective RebeccaNeverBecky, and one half of Queer Latifah collective, Mix-Stress, will be bringing a scorching soulful set.
Always one to relocate everyone to the dancefloor, her central ambition behind the booth is to celebrate the music of her culture, exposing it to fresh and seasoned ears alike.
Feature image – Supplied
News
Family pays tribute to ‘much-loved son’ who died after Wigan bus crash
Daisy Jackson
The family of a man who died in a tragic bus crash in Wigan have paid a moving tribute to him.
Luke Hill, 28, was involved in a collision between a bus and a motorbike earlier this month, and sadly passed away in hospital the following morning.
The incident occurred on the Wigan Road junction of Alexandra Road, at around 11.54pm on Thursday 6 August – and GMP are still appealing for members of the public to come forward with CCTV, dashcam, or information.
The driver of the bus remained at the scene following the crash, and continues to support police with their investigation.
Paying tribute to Luke, his family described him as a ‘rock and much-loved part of the family’.
His mother said that living without him feels like a ‘terrible nightmare’.
Paying tribute, Luke’s mum, Sharon, has said: “Luke was my son, my rock, and a much-loved part of our family. There are simply no words to describe the pain of losing a son, especially in such a tragic way.
“It still doesn’t feel real. I keep expecting this terrible nightmare to end and for you to be here with us again.
“Luke was a beloved son, brother, uncle, nephew and grandson. He meant so much to so many people, and he will be deeply missed by all his family and friends.
“We miss you more than words could ever say. The pain of losing you is something we will carry with us forever, but so will the love and memories you gave us.
“The whole family is deeply saddened by this heartbreaking loss. We kindly ask that everyone respects our privacy and allows us the time and space we need to grieve.
“You will never be forgotten, Luke.
“We love you and miss you so much.”
Officers are continuing to appeal for any witnesses who may have seen the moments leading up to this incident, or anyone who has mobile phone or dash cam footage, to come forward and assist the investigation.
Anyone with information can contact police via 0161 856 4741 or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk, quoting the log number 4225 of 06/08/2026.
Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Government issues UK-wide temporary ban on sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk
Emily Sergeant
A temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues has been issued nationwide.
Following the UK’s fourth heatwave of the summer, and as many regions declare drought conditions, the Government has made the decision to issue a temporary ban on the sale of disposable barbecues due to wildfire risk.
A disposable barbecue is defined as a fuel tray or grill grid that includes charcoal fuel ‘sufficient to provide cooking temperature for the duration of a single cooking episode’.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the UK as a ‘tinderbox’ and urged ‘all retailers big and small’ to withdraw the sale of disposable barbecues to prevent further wildfires, but following the shocking scenes in Stourbridge which raged overnight, it appears this has been escalated to a formal temporary ban.
The ban applies to all producers and distributors of the product – including retailers that make disposable barbecues available on the British market – and includes online sales too.
A Government statement reads: “During the current drought and heatwave conditions, the Government considers that the supply and subsequent foreseeable use of disposable barbecues poses a significant risk to the public, and the environment, and therefore cannot be considered a safe product.
“They should not be made available for supply either in store or online at the current time.
“These guidelines will be kept under review, and will be withdrawn in consultation with relevant departments and agencies, as weather conditions change sufficiently to significantly reduce the risks.”
Georgina Pellant -
15th September 2022 
