Greater Manchester’s Night Time Economy Adviser has taken to social media this morning to provide an update and share a new hope in the fight to save Deaf Institute and Gorilla.
It was sadly announced yesterday evening that Deaf Institute and Gorilla – two independent venues that are integral to Manchester’s music scene and a part of the lifeblood of the city – would close indefinitely as a result of struggling to see the future after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
It shocked the world of music in Manchester and beyond.
The announcement offered a stark reality into the effects of the pandemic on the arts/entertainment industry and prompted a mass outpouring of support online, as many began to rally around the venues and join in the fight to save them.
Now, Sacha Lord – Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester – took to Twitter this morning to share an update from overnight and reassure fans that “there is hope”.
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He confirmed there is interest from “potential buyers” and has personally written to owners Mission Mars.
Mr Lord’s tweet read: “Gorilla and Deaf Institute update: There is hope. Over night I have received interest from potential buyers.”
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“This morning I have written to Mission Mars asking them to share with me the sale details.”
“Further updates will follow.”
Gorilla and Deaf Institute update: There is hope. Over night I have received interest from potential buyers. This morning I have written to Mission Mars asking them to share with me the sale details. Further updates will follow.
Please keep pushing this. As one of the managers of Gorilla I can say that the loss of these sites is not only a tragedy for the live music scene but is also genuinely heartbreaking for our whole team. Gorilla is more than just a place of work; it's home.
Of course Shell. Anyone who knows me knows that I love these two places. Please be assured that I will be working with @Sacha_Lord on this and we will both be doing everything we possibly can to save them as live music venues going forward. https://t.co/7BcyfEAaXR
Love to see it. If anyone can keep both Deaf Institute and Gorilla alive it’s @AndyBurnhamGM and @Sacha_Lord. Probably two of the people we’ve spotted inside those venues more than anyone else ?? https://t.co/dib9HWxUlx
Following the closure announcement yesterday, Roy Ellis – CEO and Founder of Mission Mars – encouraged any interested buyers to get in touch. He said: “The Deaf Institute and Gorilla have been at the forefront of the music scene in Manchester for many years and it is with great sadness that we announce that we will not be reopening.”
“This difficult decision has been made against the backdrop of COVID 19 and the enforced closure of all of our sites and with continued restrictions upon opening of live music venues.”
“We appreciate that these music destinations are well loved and have provided an early stage for many acts in the North West and are therefore well known in the world of music, [and] we would encourage any industry and music entrepreneurs who might be interested in this as an opportunity to please get in touch.”
He closed out his statement thanking the “hardworking teams and guests and followers for their loyal support over years”.
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Loyle Carner announces THREE massive Manchester gigs to follow Glastonbury headline slot
Daisy Jackson
Loyle Carner will perform three huge gigs in Manchester as part of a newly-announced UK tour, chasing his headline Glastonbury slot.
The groundbreaking British artist will be heading to the O2 Victoria Warehouse later this year alongside shows in cities including London, Glasgow, Newcastle and Birmingham.
Loyle Carner has also confirmed today that a brand new album is on the way – hopefully! is set for release on 20 June.
It’ll give fans a week to listen and love his new music before he headlines The Other Stage at Glastonbury festival on 27 June.
He’s already released two surprise new songs – ‘all i need / in my mind’, as his new chapter sees him explore fatherhood, childhood and alternative music.
Loyle Carner has sung, produced and ‘accidentally’ formed a band for this latest release, which includes audio clips of his son.
Loyle Carner first emerged in 2013 with his A Little Late EP, followed by his debut album Yesterday’s Gone in 2017, with plenty more releases in the years since.
He’s been shortlisted TWICE for the Mercury Prize and has scored BRIT and NME Award nominations too, as well as 1.1 BILLION streams.
You’ll recognise his face from campaigns with global brands like YSL, New Balance, and Nike, not to mention his sold-out shows including Alexandra Palace, Wembley Arena and the Royal Albert Hall in his beloved London hometown alone.
Loyle Carner will perform at the O2 Victoria Warehouse in Manchester on 23, 24, and 24 November 2025.
Tickets will go on sale at 9am on Friday 2 May – you can get tickets HERE.
Scouting For Girls announce stacked UK tour with Manchester date
Thomas Melia
British boyband Scouting For Girls are heading out on an extensive UK tour with dates up and down the country, including right here in Manchester.
If the first thing that pops into your mind when you read this headline is “I don’t know, I don’t know, I don’t know how we’ll make it through this”, then you’re on the right side of history.
Nearly 20 years since their single ‘She’s So Lovely’ reached catastrophic heights and had everyone putting on their best Roy Stride accent, Scouting For Girls are heading back on the road.
This UK tour announcement comes two years after their last project, The Place We Used To Meet, reached our ears and was coined by the band as “Our best work since our debut”.
It’s been 18 years since this Brit trio captivated our hearts with their eponymous debut album, which sold over one million copies and went number one on the UK official charts for two weeks.
Whether you know them for ‘Heartbeat’ or ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’, it’s clear to say this band had their fair share of smash hit singles throughout the noughties.
This tour, however, celebrates the sophomore follow-up: Everybody Wants To Be On TV, which went on to continue their legacy and secure them their only number one, ‘This Ain’t A Love Song’, back in 2010.
Now, the boys are treating UK fans to an array of live performances, and if you can’t make one date, fear not because there are 20 different locations for you to choose from.
The group will also be playing the likes of Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle and a whole host of other Northern cities, so you have plenty of chances to catch them.
If you can’t wait all the way until March 2026 for your next Scouting For Girls fix, lead singer Stride has his own cameo account where you can get the star to read out a message or even sing you a song: “‘Michaela Strachan’ in full, please?…”
Scouting For Girls are coming to O2 Apollo in Manchester on 21 March 2026, with tickets going on sale next Friday, 2 May at 10am HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
17th July 2020 
