A three-day outdoor festival full of food, drink, live entertainment, and more is set to take over a hidden street in Manchester city centre.
Back by popular demand after what were successful runs in both 2021 and 2022, city centre dining and leisure destination, Great Northern Warehouse, has announced that its outdoor street festival, Deansgate Mews Festival, is once again making a return at the end of this month – with live music, al fresco dining, independent traders, and so much more on the packed lineup.
Just as the name suggests, Deansgate Mews – which is a hidden street nestled just above the city’s main thoroughfare – will welcome the three-day festival this late May bank holiday weekend from Friday 26 – Sunday 28 May.
The festival is all about championing the very best of Manchester culture, as well as the eclectic range of independent businesses on the street.
Festival full of food, live entertainment, and more to take over ‘hidden street’ in Manchester city centre / Credit: Phil Tragen (via Supplied)
Completely free to attend, festival organisers are this year promising a lively celebration of food, entertainment, and stalls from a variety of independent local retailers, as well as a plenty of family-friendly activities to get stuck into.
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Over 45 live music acts are booked to play over a number of stages across the extended weekend.
A pop-up outdoor stage at local neighbourhood bar, Lions Den, will see headline performances from Mancunian indie rock band Strawberry Lemonade, North London-based band The Social Club, and Mansfield-based indie rock band The Publics, while there’ll also be additional indoor and outdoor stages at Low Four, and another indoor stage at Manchester One Media.
William KZ, Bright Light Rooney, Dan Disgrace, Nikki & The Waves, Jackie Moonbather, Norrisette, Terry Venomous, and Hank Stankovic are just a handful of the other names set to entertain crowds.
With Deansgate Mews being the perfect place to spend an afternoon basking in the sunshine on the large outdoor terrace, festivalgoers can make the most of al fresco dining from some of the street’s best-loved bars and restaurants – including The Mews Bar, Another Hand, and Acai & The Tribe.
There’ll also be a pop-up ‘gift emporium’ with talented traders, fashion labels, and local artists such as Bah Florals, The Lemur Arts, Helen Jones Art, Hoop and Fred, NoWear To Go, and IOLLA all celebrating the best of Manchester’s independent brands.
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Deansgate Mews / Credit: GNW
All the festival’s proceeds will be donated to community charity Forever Manchester.
“Following on from the success of previous years, we are delighted to once again be hosting Deansgate Mews Festival,” Great Northern’s centre director Mark Schofield said ahead of the festival.
“We hope to welcome locals to enjoy a free weekend of music and socialising, alongside the best of outdoor dining, drinks, and shopping that Great Northern Warehouse has to offer.”
Find out more about Deansgate Mews Festival 2023 here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Smirnoff teams up with Co-op Live for new Summer Series
Danny Jones
Smirnoff, the world’s number-one vodka brand not to mention a leading force in wider music culture, has officially partnered with Co-op Live to mark the opening of the new state-of-the-art venue and its debut calendar.
The partnership will see the new ‘Co-op Live Summer Series presented by Smirnoff‘ run until 13 September 2024. As part of the collaboration, the vodka brand will surprise and delight guests visiting the venue with great-tasting drinks and the ultimate night out, with VIP packages and more.
Co-op Live has curated a stacked lineup of popular bands, singers and entertainers, including some of the biggest names in music, who are set to perform at Europe’s largest indoor entertainment venue.
Starting the Summer Series off with a bang presented by Smirnoff celebrations, the brand is offering friends a chance to win tickets to see their favourite stars perform live, hosted by celebrities including TV favourite Callum Jones, as well as social media and makeup virtuoso Mitchell Halliday.
Alongside their hosts, winners will enjoy access to the exclusive Decibel Club and enjoy the concert from a private suite hosted by Smirnoff, fully immersing themselves in the ultimate venue experience. Competition details (18+ only) can be found on Smirnoff’s Instagram page.
Attendees at the 23,500 capacity Co-op Live arena will have the opportunity to choose from a range of Smirnoff favourites, including Smirnoff Raspberry Crush, Smirnoff Mango and Passionfruit Twist, Smirnoff No.21 and more.
These drinks will be available to guests over 18 at bars and grab-and-go stations throughout the venue, including the Smirnoff Founders Bar. Guests can also try the newest addition to the range, Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind, at the bar located on the concourse – fingers crossed there’ll be plenty of sun too.
There is a unique must-try experience for all gig attendees: a 360-photo booth on Level 3, where guests can use fun props to snap the best and most high-end selfies they’ve ever taken, and have a chance to get their tickets upgraded that evening.
Operated by holding group Diaego, the aim of Smirnoff’s Co-op Live Summer Series is to reflect the vodka brand’s ongoing commitment to making music more accessible to everyone.
Smirnoff recently rolled out its ‘WE DO US’ campaign, activated through a series of initiatives that aim to reignite social connections and lower barriers to socialising.
Tyler Monk, Smirnoff Brand Manager at Diageo Great Britain, said: “Smirnoff is on a mission to make music more accessible and create unforgettable experiences that bring people together through live music. We’re proud to partner with Co-op Live and be part of Manchester’s vibrant music scene, offering great-tasting Smirnoff drinks, music, and unique experiences to a wider audience.”
Check the website for the full schedule of events at Co-op Live HERE.
Featured Images — Smirnoff (supplied)/The Manc Group
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Printworks adds running track, Sir Mo Farah waxwork and more for Summer of Sport
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s legendary entertainment complex, Printworks, has unveiled a packed programme of events to celebrate a Summer of Sport.
The popular city centre destination, which recently completed a staggering transformation including installing the biggest digital ceiling in Europe, has created a series of events celebrating the return of the Olympics.
Sir Mo Farah’s lifelike wax figure will be on display from Madame Tussauds in Blackpool, inviting visitors to do the Mobot and snap a selfie with the sporting great.
You’ll also be able to watch the Olympics opening ceremony live at Printworks, underneath that incredible ceiling and from the terraces of Tank & Paddle and Chiquito.
You can even play multi-player games on the big screen inside, hosted by a BBC Radio Manchester presenter.
It all kicks off this week with the Opening Ceremony Party on Friday, with free candy floss and Team GB face painting for the first 250 visitors.
Any children with Team GB face paint on will be able to get a free hot fudge sundae from Hard Rock Cafe with the purchase of a kids’ meal.
Other free events will include weekly gaming sessions, a basketball tournament, a kids’ archery class, and appearances from famous faces.
Printworks will even have a running track lined up all summer.
The digital ceiling will join in on the sporting action, dazzling visitors with animations of synchronised swimmers, athletes, cyclists and divers.
Throughout August, BBC Radio Manchester’s Remmel Dawodu will return to host free weekly interactive gaming sessions on the 1, 8 and 15 August.
You’ll also be able to witness an artist live at work, as they create a mural of an iconic sports person on 1 August.
Slam Dunk-a-Basketball will take place on the 8 August, with archery on 15 August.
The Printworks Opening Ceremony Party will take place between 3.30pm and 6pm on Friday 26 July.
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “We are thrilled to offer a vibrant and engaging summer of sports for families at Printworks. Our diverse line-up of free events is designed to bring people together, celebrate athleticism and create unforgettable memories over the summer holidays.”
For more information on a Summer of Sport at Printworks, head here.