An art exhibition and all-day rave showcasing underground, queer clubbing culture and more is going on show at Manchester’s newest music venue, The Loft.
Set inside a warehouse-style nightclub on an industrial estate in Miles Platting, PALOMA will be part exhibition, part rave: shining a light on the young local talent busy capturing the world of underground clubbing – as well as day-to-day life in and around Manchester.
Sound-tracked by a special line-up of DJs including Unity Radio’s Adele Tondu, multi-disciplinary artist Jordan K Joseph (whose artwork will also be on show), Zuri, and Manami B2B UK techno bass fusionist selector INGI, here music fans can explore images captured on blurry nights and dark rooms whilst vibing to meandering beats.
As for the artwork on show, those heading down can expect to see works from DJ curator Jordan K Joseph, Stockport-based photographer, Annie Woodall, Documcr AKA Harry Flaherty, Abbie Fowler, Rhianna Austin, and Egle Bidvaite.
Rhianna Austin will be bringing her varied style of photography, focusing on people in places whether that be incorporated within landscapes or nightclubs. Image: Supplied
Manami will go B2B with UK techno bass fusionist selector INGI
From work by Lithuanian native Egle Bidvaite, known for capturing the extraordinary fashion of underground queer raves and hidden moments of blurry nights, to photographs from Jordan K Joseph, whose style and artistic direction are informed by his love for music and the underground clubbing world, music and art lovers will find plenty to explore across the day.
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Elsewhere, there will be work on display by Annie Woodall, who captures scenes from her day-to-day life in South Manchester, and signature postcards from Abbie Fowler exploring the realms of photojournalism and landscape photography, all captured exclusively in film.
Documcr, AKA Harry Flaherty (the first collaborator of PALOMA.) creates art that brings to life familiarities of places and faces we know, and experiences we share, whilst Rhianna Austin will be bringing her varied style of photography, focusing on people in places whether that be incorporated within landscapes or nightclubs. Her main goal, to highlight a sense of beauty in any setting.
Taking place on 26 November, The Loft will be transformed for the day with one hundred free Paloma cocktails on offer to those first through the door, courtesy of tequila brand El Jimador.
Tickets are available to purchase for £7 on Resident Advisor or Skiddle, which admits entry to the exhibition and day party. Tickets can be purchased on Resident Advisor or Skiddle. The Loft is located in Unit 1, New Street, M40 8AW.
Feature image – The Loft
News
Police confirm man was arrested ‘on suspicion of making an explosive device’ in Gay Village
Daisy Jackson
Police have confirmed that the man who was detained in the midst of an incident in the Gay Village yesterday was arrested on suspicion of making an ‘explosive device’.
A huge cordon was in place in the Canal Street area in the city centre on Monday 11 May, after members of the public reported a ‘chemical smell’ coming from a hotel at around 10.45am.
Emergency services attended the scene and found chemical substances in a hotel room.
The man, who was believed to be the occupant of the hotel room, was detained at the scene.
Greater Manchester Police have since confirmed that he was ‘detained on suspicion of making an explosive device’ and was taken into custody for questioning.
In an update shared yesterday, they wrote: “The response to the incident on Canal Street in Manchester city centre is being reduced following reports of chemical substances being found.
“Emergency services examined items within a room inside a hotel following calls from the public at about 10:45am.
“A man, believed to be the occupant of the room, was detained on suspicion of making an explosive device and is currently in custody being questioned.
“Chemical substances found in the room have been examined and are in the process of being safely removed. The subsequent examination ruled out any explosive risk.
“We are working with the hotel management to return the establishment to normal after staff and guests were evacuated as a precaution.
“Staff from the fire service’s Hazardous Materials and Environmental Protection team remain in attendance to conduct tests and ensure the area is safe.
“We would like to thank the public and surrounding businesses for their patience as we continue with our work.”
No trams to run on major Greater Manchester line for two weeks as part of £150m improvement works
Emily Sergeant
Major disruption is on the horizon, as no trams are set to run on a major Greater Manchester line for two weeks this month.
As the next phase of the ongoing £150m investment into Greater Manchester’s tram network gets under way this month, essential track replacement work is set to be be carried out in a bid to make the network ‘safer’ and ‘more resilient and reliable’ for years to come.
Due to improvement works on the Oldham-Rochdale line – which is being carried out between Monsall and Newton Heath & Moston – there will be no trams between Manchester Victoria and Rochdale town centre for two weeks, starting from this Saturday 16 May right through to Friday 29 May.
The work being carried out will involve replacing sections of track and improving drainage along the route.
The track foundation will also be replaced where needed, as well as work to correct the alignment and level of the track.
No trams will be running on a major Greater Manchester line for two weeks from this weekend / Credit: TfGM
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has conceded that this is a ‘big and complex job’ – with 290 new concrete sleepers and 2,000 tonnes of pea gravel being used, and more than 5,000 tonnes of ballast set to be replaced.
But, when the work is done, it’s aiming to make journeys ‘smoother and more reliable’ for passengers, while improving the condition of the track for the long-term.
While the work is being carried out and the line is closed, bus replacement services will be in place between Victoria and Rochdale Town Centre, and more frequent Bee Network bus services will also call at the bus stops near each tram stop too, however tram tickets will only be accepted on the replacement bus, not on numbered bus services.
Elsewhere, work at Derker will also take place at the same to ‘minimise disruption’.
The track was made safe following a landslip in summer 2024, but now, a longer-term solution will see teams drive steel sheets into the ground to hold it in place and prevent further movement, before further work will be needed later in the year to complete the job.
And to top it off, from Monday 25 to Friday 29 May, improvement work to update equipment that has been in place since the line opened in 1992 will also take place at Piccadilly Gardens, and that means no trams will run between St Peter’s Square/Market Street and Piccadilly during this time.
Customers may need to change trams, take a short walk, or hop on the free bus to continue their journey.
Tram services will resume as normal from the start of service on Saturday 30 May, and passengers travelling during this period are urged to ‘plan ahead’.
Everything you need to know about the planned works is on the TfGM website here.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd November 2022 
