Fans at last night’s Red Hot Chilli Peppers gig were left confused after the support act – rapper A$AP Rocky – ended up performing after the main act.
The American star had been chosen as the main support act for the group, alongside Thundercat.
Traditionally, support artists perform before the headliners – but last night, things went in an unusual order.
Screens at the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground informed the audience that A$AP Rocky would perform after the main act due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.
The 50,000-strong crowd instead had to wait until the end of the show to see him perform his hits.
ADVERTISEMENT
A$AP Rocky. Credit: Mr. iozo
A$AP Rocky also performed a much shorter set than was originally planned, wearing a pair of high-vis orange overalls.
Many fans said they felt that the Red Hot Chilli Peppers had cut their set short to fit in the supporting act, though the set list appears to be largely the same as other venues on the tour.
ADVERTISEMENT
One person said: “I love asap rocky but he turns up late to everything or cancels. Canny believe Chilis cut their set short for him to come out dressed like he’d been working on M62 instead of performing.”
When @asvpxrocky gave himself a stupid name it opened the doors to so many possibilities: “You’re late, get here A$AP”, or maybe a new name, Eventually Rocky, or maybe hand the $ back to everyone who got there on time last night. pic.twitter.com/HsbONbaqk9
Another commented: “Wtf is happening at the chili peppers show in Manchester? Why are they playing before ASAP Rocky??”
Someone else wrote: “Genuinely wish I’d not bothered. 2 nights in a hotel and £90 for a band who couldn’t wait to get out of there and an artist who couldn’t be bothered to be there on time. Absolutely fuming.”
ADVERTISEMENT
One person joked: “do u think asap rocky didn’t wanna play manchester bc he’s still upset that liam gallagher called him whatsapp ricky.”
Fans reported that a lot of the audience headed home as soon as main act Red Hot Chilli Peppers finished their set, leaving A$AP Rocky performing to an emptying venue.
Someone said it was ‘so awkward when he came on, the place just emptied’.
But another did look on the bright side, writing: “@asvpxrocky killed it in Manchester last night, even thought it was only 4 songs it were f***ing sick.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Respect to @ChiliPeppers for letting him do a set for the fans at the end of the gig after some logistical problems stopping him performing beforehand.”
Featured image:Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground
News
Manchester’s libraries to become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and WiFi this winter
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s libraries are set to become ‘warm welcome spaces’ offering free hot drinks and internet access to those in need again this winter.
After millions of local residents visited the ‘stigma-free safe spaces’ to escape and take refuge from the cold each year since they were first introduced in 2022, Manchester City Council has decided to reintroduce its popular ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ scheme again this year during the chillier months.
All 22 of Manchester‘s public libraries are, once again, taking part in the scheme this time around.
Designed to ‘provide support to people who need it’ over some of the most challenging months of the year when temperatures drop, the Council’s scheme is offering a range of different services – and they’re all for free of charge.
Free hot drinks, WiFi and internet access, data SIM cards, and newspapers are just some of the things people can make the most of inside these ‘warm spaces’, as well as get access to information, advice, and extra signposting to other support services they made need in the city.
Manchester’s libraries will become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and WiFi again this winter / Credit: Haydon Waldeck | koolshooters (Pexels)
There will be age-friendly spaces to connect with others, story times once a week at 11am for children under five, and even weekly digital drop-ins too.
Manchester Central Library, Miles Platting Community Library, Hulme High Street Library, Beswick Library, Longsight Library, and Abraham Moss Library are just some of the libraries taking part this winter.
All 22 libraries will be free to enter, and the Council says people can stay in them ‘for as long as you like’.
“For many years, the Council has been a proud supporter of the Warm Welcome Spaces initiative,” explained Councillor Thomas Robinson, who is the Executive Member for Healthy Manchester and Adult Social Care at Manchester City Council.
“In Manchester we have been all too aware of the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and the hardships people have suffered as a result.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say this work has the potential to be lifesaving. The simple act of offering a person a safe place where they can interact with other Mancunians, to not feel alone or get the help they need, can have a lasting and meaningful impact.”
Find your local free ‘Warm Welcome Space’ in Manchester here.
Featured Image – RawPixel
News
University fees set to increase in line with inflation but Government promises ‘better outcomes’ for students
Emily Sergeant
University tuition fees are set to increase in line with forecasted inflation for the next two academic years, the Government has announced.
Last year was the first year, since 2017, that tuition fees were increased in line with inflation, and now that the Office for Students is forecasting that 43% of institutions will be in deficit without further action to ‘shore up’ their finances, the Government has announced in its ‘landmark’ Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper – published this week – that fees will need to rise again.
To support universities in continuing to deliver world-class teaching and research, tuition fees will rise in line with forecast inflation for the next two academic years.
According to the Department for Education, legislation will then be brought forward, when parliamentary time allows, to enable automatic increases to fee caps in future years in line with inflation – but this will only be institutions that meet tough new quality thresholds set by the Office for Students.
Where standards are deemed to ‘fall short’, the Office for Students will then act quickly to stop the expansion of low-quality courses and will aim to hold providers to account.
University fees are set to increase in line with inflation for the next two years / Credit: PickPik
Universities that underperform could face financial and regulatory consequences, the Government has confirmed, as a way of ensuring public money is spent only on courses that deliver for students and the economy overall.
“Young people from all backgrounds feel they have been let down by a system that talks about opportunity but too often fails to deliver it,” commented Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, as the White Paper was published this week.
“Universities charge significant fees for their courses, but if they are going to charge the maximum, it is right that they deliver the world-class education students expect.
“These reforms will ensure value for money, higher standards across our universities and colleges and a renewed focus on the skills our economy needs.”
The Government has also said it will also work with universities and local authorities to ensure they offer ‘adequate accommodation’ for their students.
It will also support efforts to drive down the cost of living going forward.
Daisy Jackson -
23rd June 2022 
