The Manc Group has launched a new Audio North platform, created to showcase the music scene across all cities and towns in the North of England.
Through video-led content, Audio North will deliver artist interviews, backstage venue secrets, concert highlights, music-inspired vox-pops, live-streamed events and much more, bringing the thriving music scene in the north of England to life on social media.
Through The Manc Group’s websites, Audio North will also bring readers gig announcements as they happen, venue updates, festival line-ups, music reviews, artist stories and more.
We’re already behind pages including The Manc, The HootandThe Sheff, covering cultural news from Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and the surrounding areas.
With a combined 2.3 million followers across our social media platforms and a million website users each month, the group is now dedicated to showcasing the best of the music scene up North.
Audio North is all about championing local and visiting talent to the Northern region, including The Manc Group’s home cities plus neighbouring icons like Liverpool, Newcastle and beyond.
It’s about celebrating the region’s rich musical histories, from Oasis and The Beatles to Pulp, Take That, Pulp and more, while demonstrating to the world that the North is still king of the music industry.
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Building on existing partnerships with the UK’s leading venues including the AO Arena in Manchester and the First Direct Arena in Leeds, as well as smaller grassroots venues, plus a long-standing partnership with StreamGM, the new channel will celebrate and amplify British Northern music.
Video series that will launch with Audio North will include ‘Short Stuff’, 60-second videos delving into the histories and origins of local music scenes; ‘On The Street’, chatting to music lovers on the streets and in the queues outside venues; and ‘Audio Meets’, where rising stars and established artists will give their own insights into the music industry, plus an ongoing partnership with Spill The Sound.
Audio North at the First Direct Arena LeedsNight and Day Cafe in ManchesterSerge of KasabianCredit: The Manc Group
Abbie Bartlett, head of brand at The Manc Group, said: “We’re so proud of our northern roots and our home cities, and especially the world-famous music scenes that exist here.
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“From The Leadmill to the AO Arena, Night & Day Cafe to the First Direct Arena, The Cavern Club to Brudenell Social Club, we can’t wait to show off all the places and events that make the North such a vibrant and lively place to live.
“Nothing can compare to the buzz of seeing live music, but we hope through Audio North we can provide the next best thing to being inside an actual concert.
“It’s about time we change the London-centric narrative around the UK’s music scene and bring all eyes up North.”
Here’s an example of the kind of exclusive content you can expect from the newly unified entertainment brand and music outlet:
Laura Graham, StreamGM’s Producer said: “The North has always produced a rich source of incredible music, and StreamGM has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with The Manc Group because we share an innate passion, pride and dedication to the region’s music scene.
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“Having worked with The Manc Group on a number of very successful music and cultural campaigns over the years, StreamGM is thrilled about the launch of Audio North, and we are here for it!
“Together, StreamGM and Audio North will promote the diversity and global acclaim of our local music and culture. This will include exclusive, collaborative content with two of StreamGM’s biggest online music series: Spill The Sound – a northern indie music show presented by Louise Schofield that platforms renowned and breakthrough talent, and MainRoom; our live-streamed underground clubbing series that brings grassroots northern dancefloors to living rooms across the world, featuring exciting new DJs and club nights from across the region.”
Audio North launches on Thursday 18 July – you can follow it on Instagram HERE.
For more information and to share local music news, email [email protected].
Police granted extra time to question four people arrested over Manchester synagogue terror attack
Emily Sergeant
Extra time has been given to police to continue questioning the four people arrested over the terror attack at a synagogue in Crumpsall.
The shocking knife and car attack, which took place last Thursday 2 October on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar at the the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue, saw two men sadly lose their lives – Adrian Daulby, 53, who is believed to have been shot dead by police while trying to stop the attacker from entering the synagogue, and Melvin Cravitz, 66, a worshipper who also helped stop the attacker.
The attacker has been named as 35-year-old Jihad al Shamie – a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent who lived in Prestwich – who at the time was on bail for an alleged rape, before being shot by police.
Three other men also still remain in hospital at this time.
#UPDATE | Latest statement from Counter Terrorism Policing following the terrorist attack in Crumpsall as our investigation continues.
We would continue to ask that anybody with information please share that with us directly.
The ongoing investigation is being led by Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW), supported by resources from across the national Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) network and Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Police say ‘significant resources’ from across CTP have been ‘mobilised’ in order to establish the full picture into what happened.
This past Friday, the head of counter-terrorism policing, Laurence Taylor, gave an update on the investigation declaring that a ‘suspicious device’ attached to al Shamie’s torso was fake, and that police believed he ‘may have been influenced by extreme Islamist ideology’.
With the investigation said to be ‘continuing at pace’, GMP has now been given extra time to question four individuals currently in police custody.
The warrants relate to – which relate to two men, aged 30 and 32, and two women, aged 46 and 61 – have ben extended after their arrests on suspicion of commission, preparation, and instigation of acts of terrorism.
This means they can remain in custody for up to a further five days from the point that warrant was granted (Saturday 4 October).
“We understand there is significant public interest in this case, and appreciate many who may have known or had previous contact with Jihad Al-Shamie will be coming to terms with the fact this horrifying attack has been perpetrated by somebody they recognise,” GMP said in a statement.
Appealing to the public, the police continued: “We would also ask people to refrain from speculation or sharing unverified information as that could potentially cause unnecessary delays in our enquiries and additional upset for all those impacted by these horrific events.
Read more:
If you have information, then please contact police via the Major Incident Public Portal which is available online here.
Featured Image – GMP
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Gig guide | Lady Gaga at Co-op Live – tickets, times, setlist and more for ‘The Mayhem Ball’
Thomas Melia
Pop champion Lady Gaga is heading to the notable Manchester music venue, Co-op Live, for two nights of her spellbinding ‘Mayhem Ball’ this October.
Little Monsters, “It’s time to cast your spell tonight” as ‘Mother Monster’, a.k.a. 14-time Grammy-winning singing sensation, Lady Gaga, is treating us lucky lot here in Manchester to not just one but TWO theatrical performances.
This pop mastermind has soundtracked many over the past two decades, and her latest LP, Mayhem, continues this streak with the success of its enchanting and harsh-pop lead single, ‘Abracadabra.’
Gaga has cultivated a worldwide following thanks to hits like ‘Poker Face’, ‘Telephone’, ‘Bad Romance’ and ‘Die With a Smile’, which will all receive a huge reception when across the two nights at Co-op Live.
Lady Gaga is playing Co-op Live in Manchester twice on 7 and 8 October as part of her Mayhem Ball tour / Credit: Supplied
Most recently, the US vocalist found her hit ‘Bloody Mary’ trending alongside the coming-of-age Netflix series Wednesday, which led to her creating ‘The Dead Dance’ for the show’s second season.
Now we’re ready to see our much-loved monster in the flesh
Lady Gaga at Co-op Live, Manchester – all you need to know
Lady Gaga UK tour dates
Mon 29 September – London, UK – The O2
Tue 30 September – London, UK – The O2
Thu 2 October – London, UK – The O2
Sat 4 October – London, UK – The O2
Tue 7 October – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Wed 8 October – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Lady Gaga tickets for Co-op Live gig
If you want to see this ‘Perfect Celebrity’ through your own eyes, you’ll have to act fast, as there’s only a handful of seats left to witness the star in action. Get ready to ‘Just Dance’ the night away with tickets HERE.
After avoiding all the ‘Paparazzi’? Then why not treat yourself to exclusive tickets in one of Co-op Live’s luxury boxes on Tuesday 7 October and enjoy premium seats, a dining experience and more HERE.
‘The Mayhem Ball’ marks pop heavyweight Lady Gaga’s first time returning to Manchester in over 10 whole years (Credit: Supplied)
What are the stage times for Lady Gaga in Manchester?
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning that Mother Monster won’t get the opportunity to ‘Marry The Night’ – however, this does mean fans can get an early night.
There is no official support act listed for any date across her UK tour, with doors set to open from 6:30pm and no start time for the show, but her London dates did kick off around 8:30pm.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
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Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Daisy Jackson -
18th July 2024 
