Manchester’s favourite ‘queer party for all’ Homobloc has this afternoon revealed the line-up for its hotly-anticipated 2022 day festival.
Returning to Depot Mayfield to ‘reunite the clans once again’, the all-day, all-night block party will take place this Autumn on Saturday 5 November – bringing some of its longstanding DJ favourites back to the decks once again, alongside a selection of exciting newcomers from 2pm to 4am.
Characterised by its eclectic mix of artists and performers, the by-now legendary Manchester party is gearing up to present what organisers have described as “one of the greatest coalitions of the LGBTQ+ community.”
Image: Jody Hartley
Image: Jody Hartley
Image: Jody Hartley
With a special Bollox presents Homosquat takeover at iconic Manchester music venue the Star & Garter, plus next level production and performances across Mayfield stagess Depot, Concourse and Archive, there’s no question this will be a sell-out event.
With headline sets from Róisín Murphy, Honey Dijon, The Blessed Madonna and Self Esteem, plus more from HAAi, Job Jobse, Horse Meat Disco, Saoirse, it’s set to be a packed-out party stretching across 14 hedonistic hours.
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Further sets will come from the likes of I.Jordan, Meme Gold, Little Gay Brother, Roi Perez, Tama Sumo, Absolute, Lakuti, DJ Holographic, Kiwi, Luke Solomon and Hannah Holland, not to mention the likes of Homoelectric resident favourites Gina Breeze, DJ Paulette, Jamie Bull and more.
Homobloc will also continue supporting its many charity partners and the work that they do to make the world a better place for the community, including the LGBT FOundation, The Proud Trust, George House Trust and Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Community Fund.
Between them, these charities offer advice, support and information to the wider community, help to support people through youth groups, peer support and mentor programs, inspire people living with HIV to live healthy, confident lives and distribute small grants to LGBTQ+ and HIV grassroots good causes.
Carl Austin-Behan, former Lord Mayor of Manchester, and LGBTQ+ Advisor to the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Homobloc is such an important date for many people as it brings the community together all under one roof – from dancing and performing, to fundraising.
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Image: Jody Hartley
“It is amazing to see the team get behind these charity partners and continue to support their vital works for the LGBTQ+ community in Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Rod Connolly from Homobloc, added: “We are excited to announce a powerful Homobloc festival programme that unites the biggest International and homegrown LGBTQ+ artists, with a clear spotlight on the wonderfully diverse nightlife community that Manchester is World famous for.
“Following a challenging year for LGBTQ+ rights, the time is now for everyone to come together, step into the light and recharge the city’s vibrant queer energy once more.”
Tickets will go live for pre-sale this week on Thursday 21 July at 10am, with general sale available from Friday 22 July at the same time via the Homobloc website.
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The full line up, as it has been announced so far, can be seen below with more artists still to be revealed over the coming months.
Image: Jody Hartley
The full 2022 Homobloc line up:
Róisín Murphy | Honey Dijon | The Blessed Madonna | Self Esteem
HAAi | Job Jobse | Horse Meat Disco | Saoirse
Jennifer Cardini b2b Krystal Klear | Moxie b2b Shanti Celeste
I.Jordan | Little Gay Brother | Roi Perez | Tama Sumo
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Absolute | Lakuti | DJ Holographic | Kiwi | Luke Solomon
Amy Douglas presents Hard Feelings | Hannah Holland
Grace Sands | DJ Paulette | Joshua James | Jamie Bull
Mix-Stress | Black Betty | Kim Lana | Guy Williams | Lukas
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Bollox presents Homosquat: Queer House Party | Grove
Kath McDermott | Supernature | Club Zindigi
DJ Claud Cunningham (Black Angel) | The Niallist | Queer Latifah
Gut Level | What She Said | Philippa Jarman | Tokky Horror | Fat Camp
Eat Me | Fatty Acid | What Do I Tell My Friends | Limp
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Allsorts | Alexa Allana | Anna Phylactic | Ashraf | Banksie | Brandy X Mandella | Cece Sinclair Cheddar Gorgeous | Cleo Panther | Club Clam | Creature’s of Catharsis Archive Takeover
Cute Cartel | Cretina | Danni Spooner | Dak Attack | Dave Tester | Donna The Domme
Finn Love | Fuck Pigs | Ghetto Fabulous ft DJ KL | Hotline | House Of Apex | House of Blaque House of Kendoll | Jordan Roberts | Joshua Hubbard & Friends | Liv Wynter | Lucinda B.Hind
Meme Gold | Miss Chief | Miss Daubs | Mister Molly | Mx Romeo De La Cruz | Nadiva
Natasha Moonshine | Night People | NoirGayze | Prinx Silver | Sinz Dynasty | Soft Yoni
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Strutty Bitch | Sue Veneers | Taboo | The Cavalcade | YDSA | Yung Reenie
Feature image – Supplied
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Michael Ball and Alfie Boe at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist, and more for tour
Thomas Melia
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe are bringing their Together At Home tour to Manchester, here’s everything you need to know for their AO Arena gig.
The boys are back in town, and by the boys we mean multi-million selling vocalists Michael Ball and Alfie Boe, who are heading to Manchester this month.
This duo are no stranger to each other’s company making six collaborative albums since 2016 covering songs from The Greatest Showman, The Lion King and New York, New York.
Their latest release ‘Together At Home’ which doubles as the name for the tour sees the pair back to their good old tricks covering hits like ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ and ‘Ferry Cross The Mersey’.
These two powerhouses know how to sing in style and that’s why they’ve chosen the impressive AO Arena to host their brand new show.
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe UK tour dates
Sat 29 March – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
Sun 30 March – Bournemouth, UK – International Centre
Tue 1 April – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
Wed 2 April – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena
Fri 4 April – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
Sat 5 April – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
Mon 7 April – Aberdeen, UK – P&J Live
Tue 8 April – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Thu 10 April – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
Fri 11 April – Birmingham, UK – BP Pulse Live
Sun 13 April – London, UK – The O2
Mon 14 April – Brighton, UK – Brighton Centre
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe tickets for AO Arena gig
Anyone looking at tickets for Michael Ball and Alfie Boe’s upcoming tour have plenty of opportunity to see these two singing their hearts out.
Fans of the duo better act fast as these tickets are very limited, starting from a reasonable £47.75 and reaching £98.75.
If you want to go all out on this occasion tickets are also available for The Mezz, which is the arena’s fine dining experience covering you before and throughout the show at a fixed price of £206.25.
What are the stage times for Michael Ball and Alfie Boe in Manchester?
AO Arena has a curfew of 11pm meaning you’ll still be able to make it home and pop the kettle on before you get your forty winks.
Their support act comes in the form of another duo, however these two mighty performers are magicians rather than singers.
The Conjurors are a worldwide renowned act famed by audiences and A Listers for their talents which they will be showing off in Manchester on the night.
How to get to AO Arena
Tram
For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily it’s in Manchester Victoria Station and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Train
Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena wherever they are.
Bus
A variety of buses cover AO Arena andVictoria Station on their route such as the 2 bus which stops a one minute walk away from the venue.
A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.
Getting there by car and parking
The Arena have their own official parking partners CitiParkwith 958 spaces including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.
Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.
Walk/cycle
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.
About the AO Arena
The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirements carefully before you travel.
For example, only one small bag per person is allowed, and bags like backpacks, travel cases and laptop bags are not permitted inside the arena.
All bags are scanned on entry to check for prohibited items like laser pens, flares, projectiles, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and even selfie sticks.
Band on the Wall buys adjoining The Rose and Monkey pub
Danny Jones
Beloved Manchester music venue Band on the Wall has announced that they have bought the equally popular Rose and Monkey pub and hotel next door.
The two Great Ancoats St favourites on the edge of the district and the Northern Quarter have both served as reliable, entertaining gig spaces for years now, not to mention a great spot for a drink, and their business models have always aligned so perfectly, with visitors heading from one into the other for years.
With that in mind, and in a concerted effort to support the local music and hospitality industry, Band on the Wall have decided to turn that long-standing relationship into an even closer collaboration.
Confirming the acquisition of The Rose and Monkey earlier this week, Band on the Wall and its next-door neighbour are now official partners.
Speaking in an official statement on their website, the latter wrote: “This exciting development marks another step in Band on the Wall’s mission to support grassroots music and enhance its role within Manchester’s vibrant cultural scene.
“The Rose & Monkey (formerly The Burton Arms) has a long and chequered history dating back to 1783, but in recent years has been transformed into a beloved destination for music lovers and locals alike.
“Known as one of the city’s oldest public houses, originally built as part of the original Smithfield Markets and over the road from what was the ‘New Cross’ area of the city, the venue boasts an intimate atmosphere and commitment to live music.
“The pub is now a vital part of the Northern Quarter’s creative fabric with unique features, including a beer garden, small music stage, and even Airbnb accommodation upstairs; the venue perfectly complements Band on the Wall’s (BOTW) ethos of fostering community through music.”
As it turns out, the deal to take over The Rose and Monkey was actually agreed upon a while ago and fully finalised last 2024.
With backing from Figurative – a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in ‘impact investment’ throughout the cultural and creative sector – this most recent development follows the £3.5 million refurbishment of BOTW, which was finally completed back in March 2022.
Audio North was still ‘The Manc Audio’ back then, but Band on the Wall was busy being reborn first.
Gavin Sharp, CEO of Band on the Wall, said: “We are delighted to welcome The Rose & Monkey into the Band on the Wall family. This acquisition allows us to expand our footprint while preserving one of Manchester’s most cherished independent venues.
“Together, we aim to create even more opportunities for emerging artists and provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.”
As for the pub and lodging house itself, The Rose and Monkey Hotel, to use its full name, will still remain its own bar and live music entity but will now work closely with Band on the Wall to achieve better and more diverse programming.
In addition to a place to stay on the first floor, the pub now features a newly installed ‘Wurlitzer Jukebox’, too, which has been curated by none other than American alternative rock band Pixies, BBC 6 Music DJ Chris Hawkins and the in-house team.
Finally, Band on the Wall went on to add: “The Rose & Monkey is ideally positioned to become an even greater hub for Manchester’s thriving music scene.
“Visitors can look forward to an enhanced calendar of events as well as continued dedication to inclusivity and creativity, and a jukebox specially curated by several high-profile friends and supporters of the venue.”
Georgina Pellant -
20th July 2022 
