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Warning issued after ‘fake ecstasy’ found at Manchester Pride

It is said the drug isn't something that has been detected in Greater Manchester before.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 28th August 2023

Manchester City Council, Greater Manchester Police and Manchester Pride have all issued warnings after ‘fake ecstasy’ or MDMA has been found in circulation at this year’s celebrations.

On Sunday evening, the local authorities put out a warning regarding a substance being passed off as ecstasy and sold to punters. As people prepare to close Pride 2023, there are still thousands who will be making the most of the bank holiday and partying into the late hours.

The city council said local testing behind the scenes found the mystery drug “contained a substance which has not been observed” in our region before, with many samples of BMDP (cathinone benzylone) found in the fake MDMA pills.

A council spokesman has described the problem as “concerning”, adding that, “if anyone should feel unwell when out celebrating we’d urge them to seek medical attention urgently”.

Pride organisers themselves put out the fake ecstasy warning on Sunday night.

Manchester Pride 2023 began on Friday, 25 August and ends this Monday, with countless visitors having travelled into the city to be part of the festivities.

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This year’s event marks nearly four decades since the celebration of all things LGBTQ+ began and also marks a full 10 years since it became legal for same-sex couples to marry in England and Wales.

Pride 2023 has delivered some truly memorable moments, including the latest edition of the Gay Olympics, performances from the likes of Natasha Beddingfield and even Gok Wan’s DJ set, as well as PLENTY of rain. And still, the party goes on.

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Make to enjoy the rest of the bank holiday weekend but, as always, be safe and look after each other.

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Featured Image — Manchester City Council/Manchester Pride

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Stockport band Blossoms set for BIG return to Leeds Festival this year

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Blossoms have just announced their big return to Leeds Festival, as the four-day music event continues to impress with its stacked lineup.

They might have a ‘Joke About Divorce’ from time to time, but when it comes to entertaining a Leeds Festival crowd, Blossoms take it very seriously, having played at Bramham Park three times in the past decade already.

The Stockport band have captivated audiences since the rise of standout track ‘Charlemagne’ and more recently with the addition of their fifth studio album, Gary, named after an eight-foot fiberglass gorilla.

Known for always putting on a stellar performance, Tom, Joe, Charlie, Myles, and Josh are bringing a brand-new set to Leeds when they visit this August bank holiday weekend.

As well as releasing new music, Blossoms are making a big return to Leeds Festival 2026 / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)

Currently, Leeds Festival 2026 has seven headline acts spanning all genres from Dance and EDM to Pop and Rap with the likes of Charli XCX, Raye, Dave and more topping the bill.

The Stockport five-piece are featured alongside three other insane artists as ‘Special Guests’, appearing next to Skepta, Sombr and Role Model.

Also listed on the lineup are rising stars like R&B vocal powerhouse Skye Newman, pop princess Jade, Merseyside indie rockers The K’s and Wigan-formed The Lilacs with more to be announced.

Although nothing is confirmed yet, this upcoming Leeds Festival set from Blossoms will contain high energy and obviously all their biggest and best bangers from across their four chart topping albums as well as new music.

Whether you’re there for ‘Your Girlfriend’ or ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry’, one thing’s for sure, you’re guaranteed to have an absolutely spectacular night.

Blossoms are making their big return to Leeds Festival 2026 which is taking place from 27 to 30 August at Bramham Park with tickets live HERE.

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Stage and Radio issue defiant statement in response to concerning development plans

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stage and Radio petition and statement against new flats redevelopment Manchester

Manchester centre bar, music venue, and nightlife institution, Stage and Radio, has shared an impassioned and defiant statement in the face of proposed plans to be built next to the venue.

And when we say next to, we mean next door – and by that we mean practically on their doorstep, not to mention that of other local businesses.

Situated within one of the city’s most important creative and cultural hubs, in the form of the Northern Quarter, the gig space, club and popular meeting place finds itself under serious threat.

Here’s their statement in full:

Speaking in the accompanying caption, they said: “Comment below and we’ll DM you a link to take action (It’s also in our bio!).”

They go on to say, “We’re urgently asking for the public to support Stage & Radio by voicing concerns by 10th June 2026 about a future development going up within a few meters of the venue.”

Unsurprisingly, the post has been met with an outpouring of not only shared rage, frustration and confusion, but more importantly, they’ve received a huge amount of support in the comments, too.

Fellow Manc favourite nighttime venue, Hidden, added, “Sit tight @stageandradiomcr you’re not going anywhere; meanwhile, several people across multiple sites have simply written, ‘Stage and Radio 4 Life.”

New developments and residential ventures continue to pop up all over the city and surrounding regions, as they always will, and Manchester City Council has stressed that this latest development – an eight-storey residential block by This City – will not be under threat.

Leader of the Council Bev Craig said: “Music and arts venues like Stage and Radio are the soul of our Northern Quarter. Music is woven into the very fabric of Manchester, it’s part of what makes our city so great. It is not under threat on my watch.

“Across the country we are seeing too many venues close down, in Manchester we want to protect and nurture them. That’s why we have worked in partnership with the Music Venues Trust in recent months to provide almost £250,000 in grant funding to support small venues and operators in an increasingly difficult economic climate.

“This is a vital lifeline for many smaller grassroots businesses, and we know that without them there won’t be the next big star.

“Cities are always changing, especially when new affordable homes are being built, but let me be unequivocal – Stage and Radio is not under threat. They were here first, and our Agent of Change principle defends that.

“Any new development nearby will have the top level of sound proofing and the onus is on the council as the builder not the music venue. We are also working with the venue to consider what investment our This City housing company can make to the venue building to limit sound escaping.

“I’ve offered to meet with the venue operators personally to give my commitment that venues like theirs help create the artists of the future and make our music scene what it is today.”

As for Stage and Radio, we’ve had the pleasure of spending a fair few late nights there (not to mention well into the early hours of the next morning) over the years.

Besides being a great place to watch up-and-coming live acts, DJ sets, and more, it’s also one of the best places to go before and after a gig in Manchester city centre.

Releasing a direct statement to The Manc and Audio North, they told us: “We are deeply concerned about whether residential flats positioned directly beside an established grassroots music venue can realistically provide appropriate residential amenity and conditions suitable for long-term human
habitation, while also protecting an existing venue from future conflict.”

S&R also noted these circumstances are not entirely unlike those that have jeopardised the future of fellow NQ neighbours and live music venue, Night and Day Cafe, in recent times.

The countdown is now ticking away for Stage and Radio – quite literally, as you can see by the banner now showing on the homepage of their website.

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If you want to help save not just this venue but the culture, community and artistic scene it stands for, you can sign the protest petition and get involved in the fight right HERE.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Audio North

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