Manc music icons Courtneers have finally announced their long-awaited seventh studio album along with revealing the new debut single and music video to boot.
Christmas come early.
It’s been four long years since the beloved indie band from Middleton last released new music in the form of More. Again. Forever., and while the local lads have been playing plenty of shows in that time, including a number of solo performances from frontman Liam Fray himself, it’s felt like an eternity.
Now though, Courteeners can not only celebrate the fact that the new record is on its way at long last but that they can already get stuck into the first song from it too. Without further ado, ‘Solitude Of The Night Bus’:
Offering a first glimpse at what the new album, entitled Pink Cactus Café, will sound like, the new Courteeners song has been described as a “luminous fusion of euphoric electronic pop, framed within the familiar architecture of their indie origins, and embellished with an infectious whistle that lingers long after the last note fades.”
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Hard agree.
Centring around that oh-so-familiar late-night motif of the last bus out of town, the band were looking to capture “the poignant dualities of solitude and expectation, exploring the soul’s quest for clarity amidst loneliness.” We can confirm we’ve done some of our most existential thinking on the bus home.
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Reflecting on the track himself, lead songwriter Fray said: “This came at a time of real questioning. Things weren’t going particularly well. No confidence. No direction. I think that’s why – whisper it – it’s on the fun side. This is the new us. I’d previously worked with Ola [Modupe Ojo of Bipolar Sunshine] on ‘Hanging Off Your Cloud’ and, like then, there was just a magic in the room that was irresistible.
“It’s a summer breeze. But it’s a winter’s night. Either way, sometimes you have to block out the noise. My late Uncle Pat loved a whistle so it’s a bit of a homage to him. Get on the bus; headphones in; go your own way. It’s the feel-good, imposter syndrome hit of the summer.”
The new single and album artwork for Courteeners’ forthcoming 2024 record.
Hinting at the further eclecticism of the new album, it features collaboration and co-production from a number of artists that Fray describes as his “Indie Rolodex”.
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Names involved in the latest project include Aussie outfit DMA’S, rising Scottish star Brooke Combe, James and Ian Skelly (The Coral), Ormskirk singer-songwriter Pixey; the aforementioned Ola, Theo Hutchcraft of Hurts and Blossoms‘ Charlie Salt, just to name a few.
Pink Cactus Café is set to be released via Ignition Records on 25 October and after seeing their 2008 debut album St. Jude go straight back to number one for its 15th anniversary at the start of 2023, we expect the new record to achieve similar success.
With a full summer of festival slots still left to play, including TRNSMT, Boardmasters, Victorious Fest and Liam Gallagher’s massive Malta Weekender, it’s going to be a big few months for the Manchester heavyweights.
You can pre-order/pre-order Courteeners’ new album HERE and judging by the scenes at Lytham, they haven’t skipped a beat when it comes to live performances.
Science and Industry Museum’s adults-only ‘after hours’ event returns with a Halloween twist this month
Emily Sergeant
A popular adults-only ‘after hours’ event is returning to Manchester later this month… and there’s some spooky surprises in store.
If you need an excuse to leave the little Mancs at home, or you just fancy releasing your inner child, then one of Manchester’s most visited museums might have just what you’re looking for, as the Science and Industry Museum has announced that its popular After Hours event especially for adults is returning for one night only at the end of the month.
The museum will become your playground once it’s closed for the day as you settle in for a unique evening of live music, giant interactive games, and spooky surprises for Halloween.
Science and Industry Museum’s adults-only ‘after hours’ event returns with a Halloween twist this month / Credit: Science Museum Group
The Museum’s permanent galleries and displays will be open after hours, so you can get hands-on with science in Experiment, meet mighty machines in the Textiles Gallery, and discover Manchester‘s rich legacy of industrial innovations, creativity, and world-changing ideas in Revolution Manchester.
You’ll also get free access to the popular Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition, which just opened earlier this year, and get to indulge your playful side in Power Up – with more than 150 consoles to choose from in the ultimate gaming extravaganza.
Especially for spooky season, you can look forward to some very special one-off events too, like stellar performances from Manchester drag royalty, Anna Phylactic, a cosmic cabaret with live vocals, and a monster mash-up soundtrack guaranteed to get you into the Halloween spirit.
There’ll also be a chance to meet Albert Slime-stein – a larger-than-life monster popping up the museum as part of Halloween in the City’s iconic Manchester Monsters trail.
And as this is an adults-only event, the museum’s events bar will be open on the night, serving up a wide range of wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks to wet your whistle while you’re looking around, with some delicious food to accompany too.
Museum After Hours is happening on Thursday 29 October from 7pm-10pm, with tickets setting you back £12 each or £6 for concessions.
The Good Clothes Show returns to Manchester next month for a weekend of ‘fashion, shopping, and creativity’
Emily Sergeant
A weekend of ‘fashion, shopping, and creativity’ is returning to Manchester next month.
Taking over Manchester Central in early November, The Good Clothes Show is set to make a return to our city for one of the most fashionable weekends of the year, and will bring together dozens of brilliant independent brands, vintage and pre-loved treasures, hands-on workshops, catwalks, expert talks, and more all under one roof.
Visitors can expect an extensive shopping lineup of independent fashion brands, local artisans, contemporary labels, vintage specialists and pre-loved sellers.
At the heart of the weekend is a huge programme of opportunities to ‘learn, make, mend, and transform.’
The Good Clothes Show returns to Manchester next month / Credit: Supplied
You’ll get to try everything from darning, sashiko, and crochet, to creating makeup bags, transforming shirts, and upcycling football tops. Or if you fancy something completely different, there’ll be a chance to make a fascinator from scrap materials, create a statement necklace, or give tired old shoes a spectacular new lease of life.
No matter whether you’re a complete beginner or already quite handy with a sewing needle, organisers say The Good Clothes Show it’s all about learning new skills and leaving inspired.
And this year, TV star Leigh Francis is joining the fun as the show’s special guest for the weekend too.
Get ready for a weekend of ‘fashion, shopping, and creativity’ / Credit: Supplied
There’s plenty happening beyond the shopping and workshops, as you can take a seat beside The Good Catwalk, get ideas and advice at The Style Stop, hear from fashion voices and changemakers, or simply stop for a glass of sparkling and compare shopping finds.
And it’s not just about the grown-ups either, as The Kids Club will encourage the next generation to discover design, textiles, and creativity through hands-on activities of their own.
Danny Jones -
9th July 2024 
