One of Manchester’s best-loved music venues has finally confirmed when it’ll be reopening after a prolonged closure.
After quietly – and somewhat mysteriously – shutting up shop due what were cited as “unforeseen circumstances” back in the spring, Gorilla has finally taken to social media last night to confirm when it will be reopening its doors to the public, and has revealed how it plans to properly welcome back Manchester music fans.
The intimate music space and bar on Whitworth Street had originally said back in April of this year that it would only be “temporarily closed”, which left many to assume it would just be back open after that weekend – but sadly, that wasn’t quite the case.
Forfeiture notices appeared in the windows of the venue a couple of weeks later, and the countless gigs that were scheduled to be held there kept getting moved to alternative similar-sized venues around the city centre.
Since then, several months passed with no formal word of reopening.
ADVERTISEMENT
Manchester music venue Gorilla finally confirms its reopening date after a prolonged closure / Credit: Gorilla
Until back in June, that is, when the venue confirmed that it will be reopening, but fans would just have to sit tight for a bit longer, as the space was having some “essential building work” done by its landlord.
And now finally, after six long months, Gorilla took to its official social media platforms tonight to thank all its supporters for their patience and the love they’ve shown during the prolonged closure, and more importantly, confirm the date it’ll be reopening once again – which is MUCH closer than most were probably expecting.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gorilla will be throwing its doors open to the Manchester public on Friday 3 November.
Announcing its reopening plans in a statement to Instagram last night, Gorilla wrote: “Well it’s been a wild six months, but we are so buzzing to finally announce that we are back [and] we honestly have not stopped thinking about getting back to Gorilla since we found out we were being closed.
“We reopen on 3 November with ‘Hits Different’, a night dedicated to all the pop bangers.
“Our first gig back is with our good mates and local legends Spangled, which we think is a perfect way to kick off celebrations [and then] straight after Spangled, we kick-off another party with Revolver, all the indie tracks, all night long.
“Whilst we have everyone’s attention, we just wanna say a big thank you to everyone for being so sound and supportive to us whilst all this has been happening.
“It’s been a big battle – but not one we ever gave up on.
“To the Gorilla team, we adore you all and never take any of your dedication for granted. Gorilla babes for life. See you at the bar.”
Featured Image – Gorilla
Music
Iconic Salford music venue The White Hotel to reopen under new ownership from 2027
Clementine Hall
After announcing plans to close at the end of the year, famed Manchester club The White Hotel is changing hands.
Just a couple of months ago back in May, it was announced that one of Greater Manchester’s most cutting-edge and best-loved nightlife venues would be closing its doors for good.
Despite ‘continuing to draw full houses’, co-founder Ben Ward told The Guardian that the venue had found itself in a flood-risk zone, saying: “Basically, it’s a swamp.”
He added that it was better ‘to go out on our own terms, long before we became a museum’.
But it seems the swamp may live on…and although it is the end for the cult favourite nightclub as we know it, the former garage in Salford will be reopening in new ownership from 2027.
From January onwards, the disused Dickinson Street space will be known as BASTION according to a social media post shared to Instagram yesterday.
It will be run by the team who operate neighbouring venue The Bag Factory and will be supported by the Strange Art Collective CIC.
Images: The Manc
The Bag Factory shared a black and white illustration of the iconic White Hotel’s exterior, along with coordinates to the venue, stating: “The underground has a new stronghold”.
Rather cryptic we must say, and although we hope The White Hotel that we know and love could stick around forever – we hope the new owners will keep some of its magic alive.
Violet Grohl addresses fans after cancelling Manchester gig just hours before doors opened
Daisy Jackson
Rising rock star Violet Grohl has addressed fans after cancelling her sold-out Manchester gig just hours before fans entered the venue.
The singer (who, yes, is the daughter of Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl) had been set to perform to a packed-out crowd at Band On The Wall last night.
But just hours before doors opened, Violet announced that the show would be postponed, along with tonight’s show in Glasgow.
She said in a statement that she was ‘really f**king bummed’ to be cancelling the shows.
Violet told fans that the gigs had to be cancelled because she ‘doesn’t have a voice right now’.
She is due to perform on The Canopy stage at Leeds Festival this Friday, and its sister site Reading Festival on Sunday.
The star added ‘it pains me to make this decision’ as she officially postponed her Manchester show.
Those who had tickets will receive updated information soon, with the plan to reschedule them.
She wrote: “hey everyone. really f**king bummed to have to let yall know i’m canceling tonight and tomorrow’s shows in Manchester and Glasgow.
“i don’t have a voice right now and it pains me to make this decision, but i just can’t perform.
“we’re rescheduling these shows and everyone who bought a ticket will receive the updated info. looking forward to seeing you soon xx i’ll be back!!!”
Violet Grohl released her debut album, Be Sweet To Me, back in May, produced at the home of acclaimed producer Justin Raisen.
Her music takes influence from late 80s and early 90s rock, including Pixies, Soundgarden, Bjork, PJ Harvey, and more.
When she announced her UK tour dates, demand was so overwhelming her Manchester show was upgraded from The Deaf Institute to Band On The Wall.
Emily Sergeant -
25th October 2023 
