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
Millions of unmarried couples to get ‘stronger’ rights and more financial security
Emily Sergeant
Millions of unmarried couples in England are set to get ‘stronger’ rights and more financial security.
As the Government continues to prioritise tackling Violence Against Women and Girls (VWAG) and working people, and ultimately meet the needs of modern relationships, more than 3.5 million unmarried couples are to be given more financial security under a new consultation which launched last week (Friday 5 June).
Designed to ‘shape future law’ and ‘better reflect modern society’, the consultation is looking to strengthen rights and make the separation process less financially difficult for cohabiting couples and those who simply choose not to marry.
The Government says it recognises that, due to cost of living pressures, financial security is more important than ever and the current ‘outdated’ system offers unmarried couples who live together limited financial rights if their relationship ends.
The proposals will help couples – including survivors of domestic abuse – gain independence at the end of a cohabitating relationship, whatever their marital status.
The consultation will also explore whether courts should give greater weight to the impact of domestic abuse, including controlling or coercive behaviour or economic abuse, when assessing finances for married couples and cohabitants.
Protections for cohabiting couples will also be ‘levelled up’ by giving automatic rights to inherit if their partner dies without a will.
The Government is also proposing making pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements legally binding.
Deputy Prime Minister, David Lammy, says these reforms ‘strike an important balance’ between tradition and modernity.
“When a relationship comes to an end, each partner should have the support and certainty they need to rebuild their life,” he commented. “We’re launching this consultation to make sure our new family law builds a fair system that offers the most vulnerable protection in the event of a breakup, and at a time where the country is facing cost of living pressures.”
Justice Minister Baroness Levitt KC concluded: “Financial independence should “be afforded to everybody – not just those who choose to marry or enter into a civil partnership.”
You can have your say on the consultation on the Government website here.
Police give update after bomb squad descended on Fallowfield and evacuated residents
Emily Sergeant
Police have given an update after officers were called to investigate reports of two ‘suspicious items’ found in front gardens in Fallowfield.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to Abram Close, in the Fallowfield area of Manchester, shortly after 6:05pm this past Saturday (6 June 2026) following a report of a ‘suspicious item’ being found in a front garden, and officers attended the scene alongside the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD).
After the EOD made an assessment of the scene, around 20 nearby properties were advised by police to evacuate ‘as a precaution’.
As the investigation continued across the weekend, a second suspicious item was then found outside a property on Rostherne Avenue at around 2:45pm yesterday afternoon (Sunday 7 June), and once again, officers and partner agencies attended the scene to put a cordon in place.
As a precaution, several other houses in the area of the second property were also asked to evacuate while this work continues.
No arrests have been made at this time, but enquiries are ongoing.
“We thank everyone for their patience so far whilst we deal with this incident, as our investigation into the full circumstances continues,” commented Detective Chief Inspector Peter Morley, of GMP’s City of Manchester Division.
“Incidents such as these are likely to cause alarm in the local community, but please be reassured that there is no wider threat.
“Officers will be on hand to ensure the safety of people in the nearby area, so please speak to them if you have any concerns. As our work continues, it is vital that anyone who has any information, no matter how small, should report it to us and allow us to investigate.”
Can you help? Any information, CCTV, dash cam, or mobile phone footage can be shared with police online via the LiveChat service at gmp.police.uk, or by calling 0161 856 4259, quoting the log number 1948 of 07/06/26.
Details can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Georgina Pellant -
22nd November 2022 
