Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham gave partygoers in Ancoats a bit of a surprise last night when he brought out a surprise guest to jump on the mic.
Manchester’s own ‘King of the North’ and former MP for Leigh was booked to play a set of Manchester classics at renovated MOT garage Ramona as part of the bar’s five-week ‘Ramona Radio’ series.
The show was also live-streamed on Mixcloud via Mixmag last night, but no one in the audience was prepared for the Member of Parliament for Wigan to be filling in on MC duties.
As he opened his set with Badly Drawn Boy’s ‘Tony Wilson Said’, little did the audience know that he’d soon be pulling up Lisa Nandy to join him – handing her a mic and a pair of headphones as he blasted out hits like ‘Ever Fallen IN Love’ by The Buzzcocks, ‘Transmission’ by Hot Chip and ‘1989’ by rapper Aitch.
DJ trade union not impressed; @AndyBurnhamGM & @lisanandy taking jobs from our hard(ish) working colleagues.
Pictures shared online from last night’s gig show the Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities laughing as she speaks into the mic with a pair of headphones around her neck, standing next to Mr Burnham in the Ramona DJ booth.
It’s not the kind of sight we’d typically expect from our politicians, but it definitely makes a refreshing change – no matter which side of the cringe debate you find yourself on.
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Well-known Manchester DJ Dave Haslam was quick to chime in, joking that the ‘DJ trade union [was] not impressed’ with Andy Burnham and Lisa Nandy ‘taking jobs from our hard(ish) working colleagues’.
Another person jibed: “Nandy standing next to a trade union? Good job Starmer’s on holiday.”
Know your place – don’t come the big ‘un; Or you’re gonna have to deal with the Member for Wigan!
A third joked “Who next? May and Iain Duncan Smith?”
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Whilst a fourth rhymed: “Know your place – don’t come the big ‘un; Or you’re gonna have to deal with the Member for Wigan!’
During the course of the night, Burnham also played ‘Tart Tart’ by The Happy Mondays as a tribute to the late Paul Ryder who sadly passed away last week.
Read more:Frankie’s has opened a Breville toastie stall inside the Arndale Market
Speaking on his decision to pay tribute to Ryder during his set, Burnham said that he was “someone who played a big part in the building of the Manchester scene” before adding, “we’re all in his debt.”
He also told the crowd to huge cheers on the night: “This is a global capital of music, this is EXACTLY what the Mayor should be doing. Absolutely!”
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The Mayor has since shared his full setlist online, you can see the track list from last night here and listen to the full set on Mixcloud here.
Feature image – Ramona
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Delays on M60 continue after man dies falling from bridge near Trafford Centre
Daisy Jackson
A man has tragically died after falling from a bridge on the M60, near the Trafford Centre.
Police closed the motorway in both directions at around 10am this morning as they responded to the concern for welfare.
The man was on Barton Bridge on the M60, but tragically fell and passed away at the scene.
The motorway was shut anti-clockwise between junction 12 for the M602 and junction 10, and on the clockwise carriageway between junction 9 and 11, with a huge diversion in place.
Although the motorway has reopened as the afternoon has worn on, disruption is ‘likely’ to continue for several hours yet.
National Highways is reporting up to two miles of congestion on the M60 around Barton Bridge.
In a statement released earlier today, a GMP spokesperson said: “Officers are currently responding to a concern for welfare on Barton Bridge on the M60, reported at around 9:40am today (Tuesday 31 March).
“The M60 remains closed in both directions while emergency services are in attendance. Significant delays are expected and drivers are advised to avoid the area where possible.”
GMP later added: “Earlier today, officers responded to a concern for welfare on Barton Bridge on the M60. The man sadly fell from the bridge and passed away at the scene.
“The road remains closed while enquiries continue. Please avoid the area and plan alternative routes where possible as disruption is likely to continue for the rest of the day.”
Molly-Mae Hague and adidas drop new collection inspired by matcha and iced lattes
Daisy Jackson
Today, adidas has finally released its hotly-anticipated parnership with Manchester-based influencer Molly-Mae Hague.
The social media superstar has collaborated with the sportswear giant for a limited-edition footwear collection inspired by matchas and iced lattes.
Molly-Mae and adidas Originals have just given fans a look at the shoes for the first time.
The star has curated a limited-edition collection of iconic Originals silhouettes – a Samba and a Superstar.
The first is the Samba Matcha shoes, a premium leather and suede shoe in a soft green colour, with double pink and white laces.
The other is a Superstar II Latte, which again features double laces in coffee-coloured hues, but in the iconic leather Superstar silhouette.
In behind-the-scenes footage of the design process on Molly-Mae’s Amazon Prime documentary series, Behind It All, she described them as ‘matcha cool girl in London’ shoes – and the vision has definitely come to life.
Molly-Mae said: “Seeing my creative vision come to life on two iconic adidas Originals silhouettes that have long been staples in my wardrobe is a true dream.
“Being so closely involved in the design process and creating products that feel fun, timeless, and an authentic extension of my own personal style has been the best experience.
“I am so excited to see how others style them in their own way.”
Steve Marks, VP Brand adidas UK commented: “At adidas, we partner with individuals who define style through authenticity and a deep-rooted connection to our brand.
“Molly-Mae’s relationship with adidas Originals has developed organically over time as a key advocate of the brand and this partnership represents a natural evolution – bringing her signature aesthetic to two of our most iconic silhouettes.”
The limited-edition adidas Originals x Molly-Mae collection drops in stores and online on 9 April, priced at £100 per pair.
Georgina Pellant -
4th August 2022 
