Roger Waters will perform a huge show at the AO Arena in Manchester tonight – despite repeated calls for his show to be cancelled.
The Pink Floyd founder has drawn criticism and caused outrage over claims he has been sharing anti-semitic views at his shows on the tour so far.
Even politicians have voiced their opinions on the rockstar, with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer saying he ‘fully condemns’ Waters for having ‘clearly espoused antisemitic views’.
Christian Wakeford, who serves as MP for Bury South, said he was ‘concerned’ that Roger Waters was still set to perform at Manchester’s AO Arena.
Waters himself lashed back at the labour MP, saying in a YouTube video that it was ‘insane’ that Mr Wakeford was ‘trying to get him banned from performing in Manchester’.
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The musician said: “Some f***ing Labour MP in Manchester, Christian Wakeford…you are trying to get me banned from performing in Manchester. Me, the [bloke who] wrote Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here and Animals and the Wall and the Final Cut.
“And I’m really proud of it and it’s a huge body of work. And he wants to cancel my rock and roll show for my bothers and sisters in Manchester, it’s insane.
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“If we shout the lie loud enough ‘Roger Waters is an antisemite’, we’ll be all right, we’ll get people to believe it, we can vilify him, we can probably destroy him and we will get him in the end.
“Well, no you won’t because it is a lie. You can gather as many f***ing morons as you want to repeat you lie, but it remains a vicious lie.”
It was in response to comments Christian Wakeford made in the House of Commons, when he said: “The city of Manchester has a rich and vibrant history in which those of different faiths and backgrounds have lived together as well as stood together through difficult times and times of division.
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“So I am concerned to note Roger Waters is due to play at the AO Arena in Manchester.”
Roger Waters is best-known for being – as he would put it – the creative genius behind Pink Floyd, but 57 years after the band’s formation, he’ll be back in Manchester with his ‘This Is Not A Drill Tour’.
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Daisy Jackson -
10th June 2023 
