One of the biggest nights of live music in Manchester this year, the 90s Baby festival, is just around the corner and there are still some tickets left if you want to take a stroll down memory lane to some of the most iconic pop tracks of all time.
For anyone uninitiated in this huge celebration of ’90s and early 2000s that has now become a fixture of the Manc music calendar, 90s Baby is a day-long festival packed with non-stop chart-topping performances from pop icons past and present.
Tapping into that unmistakable era of commercial music when this city was on top when it came to pretty much every genre (I mean, we’d obviously argue we still are but that’s a conversation for a different day), the annual event sells out religiously, and we expect this year will be no different.
That being said, we thought we’d give you a nudge and hopefully an extra chance at getting your hands on some tickets if it is your cup of tea. With a lineup like this, how could it not be?
The likes of Pete Andre and Blue top the bill on the 90s Baby lineup for 2023. (Supplied)
Yes, not only will Mancs be treated to 90s favourites like Peter Andre, Boyzlife, East 17 and Five, but also a number of nostalgic Noughties too, such as boyband Blue, Nadine Coyle from Girls Aloud, Jamelia, Blazin’ Squad and many more.
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There’s even going to be a DJ set by H from Steps. Say no more.
Promising the most authentic and immersive old-school music experience you could hope for, you’ll get to relive the decade and remember countless artists that you’d forgotten just how much you loved.
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Gigs inside the AO Arena are always a blast anyway, but very few rival you and 15,000 others being part of a throwback festival, completely with impressive light displays, dancers, confetti, glitter and all the rest of it. How could you say no? They even held a summer event back in July.
With more than 20 different artists set to take the stage, it doesn’t matter whether you lived through it the first time around, or are just keen to know why it was such a special time for music and Manchester, there is no better way to experience them than at the biggest and best 90s Baby event to date.
The festival takes place on Saturday, 28 October, starting at 4pm and running right through till the evening. Available to anyone 14 and above, prices start from just £39.50 for a whole evening of music.
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You can grab your 90s Baby tickets now from Skiddle or via SeeTickets now.
Featured Image — Supplied/Press Image/90s Baby (via Instagram)
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Free Manchester home-buying event returns after attracting more than 750 aspiring buyers last year
Daisy Jackson
The Manchester Home Show will return this year, offering free advice and support for people looking to buy their first home.
The event brings together everything from housing providers to mortgage experts, and last year attracted more than 750 aspiring buyers.
You’ll be able to chat to experts, receive free financial and legal advice, and learn all about schemes like Shared Ownership, helping you to take that step closer to the property ladder in the North West.
There will also be the chance to learn more about some of the region’s most exciting new affordable homes developments, including L&Q at Victoria Riverside near the city centre.
This year, the Manchester Home Show will take place at Mercure Manchester Piccadilly Hotel, between 10.30am and 4pm on Saturday 19 September.
It will bring together advice, affordable homeownership guidance, and access to housing providers under one roof, and builds on the success of the long-running London Home Show (which has welcomed more than 87,000 prospective buyers since 2013).
This year’s industry sponsors are housing associations L&Q and Plumlife Homes, alongside 18 other expert exhibitors including Gecko Homes, Latimer by Clarion Housing Group, Snugg Homes, Your Housing Group, Together Homes and Onward Living.
Attendees will also benefit from access to legal and financial advice with the opportunity to meet mortgage brokers from Metro Finance, Smiths Financial, Just Mortgages and TMP The Mortgage People, along with solicitors from Shared Direction Conveyancing, Owen Paulo Legal Ltd, Alexander JLO Solicitors, and Talbots Law.
The Manchester Home Show is back. Credit: Supplied
Guests can sign up for jargon-free talks throughout the day, covering everything from top tips for first time buyers to the legal steps involved with buying a Shared Ownership property.
Nick Lieb, Chief Operations Officer at Share to Buy, comments: “We’re thrilled to bring the Manchester Home Show back to the North West and continue supporting aspiring homeowners on their journey.
“With many buyers unsure about where to start or what options are available, our aim is to make the home-buying process more accessible by bringing trusted experts, leading housing providers, and practical advice together in one place.
“Whether visitors are first time buyers, renters looking to save, or simply just exploring their options, the Manchester Home Show will provide the guidance they need to move forward with confidence.”
Attendees of the Manchester Home Show can even register their interest in some major affordable property schemes, from the Shared Ownership apartments near Manchester Victoria from L&Q Victoria Riverside, to apartments and townhouses in Salford from Plumlife Homes, and apartments in a restored pub (The Stamford Arms) in Little Bollington from Gecko Homes.
Tickets for the Manchester Home Show are free, but visitors must register in advance to attend, which you can do HERE.
You can also follow @sharetobuy_live on Instagram for further updates, top tips, videos and more.
Three major events announced for finale of Salford’s 100th birthday celebrations
Daisy Jackson
Salford’s 100th birthday celebrations are heading towards a spectacular finale, with three major events set to bring the city’s communities, creativity and history into the spotlight this autumn.
Following a packed programme of celebrations, performances and art commissions since the city’s official birthday in April, Salford City Council has revealed what’s still to come – including a huge outdoor projection featuring more than 1,500 local people, the biggest-ever Wagon Train finale, and a special live performance celebrating the sounds of Salford.
The free events have been co-produced by Salford creative organisations Walk the Plank and From The Other, with public funding from The National Lottery through Arts Council England.
The Salford 100 autumn events follow a year of activity designed to explore Salford’s past, celebrate its present and imagine its future.
The celebrations officially began on 21 April, Salford’s centenary birthday, with Birthday City — a day of surprises for residents who shared their birthday with the city.
Seven Salfordians were selected for special birthday treats, including a teaching assistant who had worked at the same school for more than 20 years, a nine-year-old boy, and the founder of local suicide prevention charity Jak’s World.
Performances from Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, Manchester Dhol Players and the BBC Philharmonic, alongside dancers and a giant birthday cake, appeared in unexpected locations around the city – including on a commuter train, at workplaces, a school and even a supermarket.
With the final major events now approaching, Salford’s centenary celebrations are set to end the year on a high.
And best of all, all three autumn events are free to attend.
For more information about Salford’s centenary programme Salford 100, and individual commissions, head HERE.
Salford Everywhere: A City Gathering
Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October, from 6pm – Peel Park
Salford 100
Salford is set to become the canvas for a spectacular celebration of its people when Salford Everywhere premieres this October.
Created by award-winning visual artist and filmmaker Matthew Rosier, the monumental artwork features more than 1,500 Salfordians, from NHS workers and builders to schoolchildren, supermarket teams, athletes, Royal Mail staff, dementia support groups and food bank volunteers.
On 9 and 10 October, video artworks featuring the local contributors will be projected onto buildings across the city.
The main free gathering will take place at Peel Park from 6pm to 10pm, where a 45-minute film will be projected at huge scale onto the University of Salford’s Maxwell Building, with two screenings each evening.
The film will be accompanied by a live musical score celebrating Salford’s rich musical heritage, featuring local choirs and brass bands. The score has been arranged by Michael Betteridge, with music direction from Salford-based composer and DJ AFRODEUTSCHE.
Meanwhile, Salford Shopping Centre in Pendleton will be illuminated from 7pm to 10pm, with the 1,553 local participants projected at monumental scale.
Rosier said the project captures the ‘humour, togetherness and toughness’ of Salford, after spending a month editing footage of the people who took part.
It promises to be a powerful celebration of the people who make Salford what it is today.
The Wagon Train Centenary Finale
Sunday 25 October, 6pm – Seedley Park, part of Buile Hill Park
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After travelling around Salford throughout the summer, the Wagon Train is heading to Seedley Park for its biggest celebration yet.
Created by outdoor arts curators Walk the Plank, the spectacular family event will welcome an audience of around 3,000 people, bringing together performance, music, fire and plenty of Salford spirit.
Expect aerial performances, a glittering glowing Time Capsule and the Wagon Train of Inventions, celebrating Salford innovations from electricity to space exploration.
And yes – the giant birthday cake is making a return.
The event will also celebrate Salford’s entertainment heritage, with dancers taking audiences on a journey through the city’s nightlife, from ballroom to northern soul. Drummers and DJs will provide the soundtrack.
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There will be plenty for younger visitors too. Children will work with artists to create Fuel of the Future — willow and tissue-paper lanterns that they can carry as part of the performance.
The evening will culminate with Pride of Salford torch bearers igniting a huge fire drawing designed by young people, followed by a short fireworks finale.
More than 350 Salfordians are expected to take part in the show.
Walk the Plank co-founder Liz Pugh said the finale will bring families and communities together ‘with a bang’, while celebrating homegrown talent and looking towards Salford’s future.
Songs of Salford: Live Preview
Saturday 14 November, 7.30pm – Swinton Grand Palais. Free tickets, limited spaces, details to be released soon
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Artists involved in Songs of Salford. Credit: Daniel Johnson
Salford’s centenary celebrations will also get a musical send-off with the first live performance of Songs of Salford.
From The Other and award-winning producer Charlie Deakin-Davies have brought together five Salford artists to create a new record reflecting the city, its people and its communities.
The project features classically trained vocalist and pianist Salo, spoken-word artist The Thirsty Poet (Matt Concannon), battle rapper and youth worker Che3kz, Zimbabwean-born songwriter and poet Meduulla, and singer-songwriter Sam Seth.
The record also brings together communities from Age Friendly Salford, Salford Youth Zone, Monton Community Choir and music engineering students from the University of Salford.
On 14 November, audiences will get the first chance to hear the complete record performed live at the iconic Swinton Grand Palais.
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The performance will feature all five artists alongside a 10-piece ensemble from the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.
The Songs of Salford record itself will be released in 2027.
Danny Jones -
6th October 2023 
