Two bands from Greater Manchester will perform at the first UK show without masks or social distancing since the start of the pandemic.
Stockport band Blossoms and Wigan group The Lathums will feature on the bill alongside Liverpool musician Zuzu for a pilot event at Sefton Park – which the government is using to test the safe return of big crowds.
5,000 people are expected to attend the event – 2,500 fewer than the venue can ordinarily accommodate at maximum capacity.
Ticket-holders will not need to adhere to any COVID measures – but must take a rapid lateral flow test at a local testing centre and provide a negative result to enter.
Attendees will also be asked to take another test upon leaving the event.
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The gig, which is scheduled for May 2, is being hosted by Festival Republic and forms part of an overall programme of pilot shows examining how venues can accommodate large audiences post-COVID.
Researchers are exploring how different approaches to social distancing, ventilation and testing protocols could ‘ease opening and maximise participation’ in events, gathering information to learn how venues could operate safely this summer.
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4,000 people attended the FA Cup semi-final between Southampton and Leicester on Sunday (April 18), with a reduced crowd also watching the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield over the weekend.
Under England’s current roadmap out of lockdown, up to 1,000 people could be permitted at indoor entertainment venues from May 17.
Up to 4,000 people may be allowed to attend outdoor venues from this date, and the largest outdoor seated arenas could accommodate up to 10,000 people.
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By June 21, the government is aiming to remove all COVID measures and allow venues to operate at capacity.
Managing Director at Festival Republic Melvin Benn said: “Secretary of State Oliver Dowden and his team at DCMS are showing real commitment to making this a reality by launching the Event Research Programme and including the Sefton Park Pilot.
“I’m delighted to be able to support the Government’s efforts to get the live music industry back up and running. This gig is about our absolute commitment to demonstrate that we can and will open on June 21st.”
Featured image: Blossoms / Twitter
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People heading to university to be offered MenB vaccine following Kent outbreak
Emily Sergeant
Thousands of young people who are heading to university this year are to be offered a two-dose MenB vaccine following the outbreak in Kent earlier this year.
Launching ahead of the 2026 academic year, and particularly concentrated on universities – where prolonged contact in halls and at social events can increase the risk of contracting the disease – the Government has confirmed that thousands of young people across England will get protection against meningococcal B disease (MenB) through a one-off vaccination programme.
Meningococcal disease is life-threatening and can result in life-changing disabilities such as amputations, hearing loss, and brain damage, and in around 10% of cases, it is fatal.
The viruses and bacteria that cause meningitis can be spread through close contact with a person who has them – for example through kissing, or sharing drinks or vapes, or having close contact with the person for long periods of time.
The MenB outbreak in Kent earlier this year was the fastest growing and largest ever seen in the UK.
While the response to that incident has now concluded, the Government has conceded that there has been more clusters on MenB ‘than normal’ this year, and some of which have been bigger than expected.
We're launching a one-off MenB vaccination programme ahead of the next academic year to protect young people from a life-threatening disease.
This will help reduce the risk of serious illness and larger outbreaks. Two doses are needed for full protection.
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) June 12, 2026
The UKHSA data shows that there were 313 confirmed cases of MenB in England during 2024/25, which accounts for approximately 83% of all invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases.
This one-off vaccination programme will help to protect those at highest immediate risk, while the Government aims to monitor and assess new evidence to determine whether there has been a change in the way MenB affects people and whether any further vaccine rollout response is required.
“The Kent outbreak and recent clusters indicate a possible change to the way MenB affects people,” explained Health Secretary, James Murray.
“While we assess the latest evidence, we are acting now to help protect young people at highest immediate risk as they enter university and residential colleges this autumn.
“By offering a two-doses of the jabs ahead of the academic year, we will help reduce the risk of serious illness and larger outbreaks of this horrendous disease.
“I urge all those students who are eligible to come forward for their two doses in July and August, to give them peace of mind as they head off to continue their studies.”
The one-off programme will make MenB vaccination available to people who complete year 13 of education in the summer of 2026, born between 1st September 2007 and 31st August 2008, as well as people under 25-years old starting university or moving into some residential further education settings for the first time in autumn 2026.
Featured Image – NappyStudio (via Unsplash)
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Girl, 14, charged with attempted murder after stabbing at Manchester high school
Emily Sergeant
A 14-year-old girl has been charged with three counts of attempted murder following a stabbing at a high school in Manchester earlier this week.
In case you need bringing up to speed, officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called to reports of a stabbing at a school on Plant Hill Road in Blackley – confirmed to be Co-op Academy Manchester – on Tuesday morning (9 June 2026), and when they arrived on the scene, they discovered that two students and a teacher had been injured.
A 14-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of section 18 assault, before being taken into custody for questioning.
It was confirmed yesterday by GMP that the girl had been detained under the Mental Health Act, but now, following authorisation from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), she was charged yesterday evening (11 June) with three counts of attempted murder and two counts of possessing a bladed article on school premises.
The three people injured during the shocking incident earlier this week have now all been released from hospital after being assessed.
Due to circumstances surrounding the incident, the investigation was passed to Counter Terrorism Policing North West, although at this time, it has not been declared as a terrorist incident.
The girl is set to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court today (Friday 12 June).
Speaking following the charges, Detective Chief Superintendent Jonathan Chadwick, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: “These are extremely serious charges against a young girl and, working closely with Greater Manchester Police, we continue to support the victims and their families and offer support to the wider school community, who have been deeply affected by what happened.
“Although charges have now been secured, our investigation is still ongoing, and we continue to work with local policing colleagues in the Blackley area.”
The Manc -
19th April 2021 
