A brand-new comedy festival is set to arrive in Manchester this week, and there’s some seriously famous names gearing up to bring the laughs.
Laughterama is an all-new five-night festival that’s set to combine a packed lineup of some of comedy’s multi-talented names, with a handful of the city’s best-loved bars and traders from right across the street food scene.
A new venture from the sibling team behind a series of successful comedy festivals running annually across London and the South, comedy fans heading on down to Castlefield Bowl for Laughterama 2022 this week can expect a mix of the biggest names in stand-up to take to the same stage as some of the brightest new talents.
James Acaster, Aisling Bea, and Rosie Jones are just some of the famous names on the lineup.
Laughterama is taking over Castlefield Bowl in Manchester city centre from Wednesday 21 – Sunday 25 September 2022, and it’s promising to be “a seriously good time in the heart of the city”.
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Here’s everything you need to know.
The lineup for the brand-new Laughterama 2022 festival / Credit: Laughterama
Lineup & Stage Times
The Laughterama 2022 lineup is absolutely packed with heavy-hitting names and upcoming top talent set to make the people of Manchester laugh across the five-day festival.
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Here’s the lineup and stage times for each day of the festival:
Wednesday
Festival opens at 6pm and show begins at 7:30pm.
David O’Doherty
Rose Matafeo
Lou Sanders
Josh Jones
Daniel Kitson
Thursday
Festival opens at 6pm and show begins at 7:30pm.
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Nish Kumar
Simon Amstell
Amy Gledhill
Mike Wozniak
Catherine Bohart
The unflinchingly funny Jamali Maddix will be taking to the Castlefield Bowl stage / Credit: SuppliedThe “comic shooting to fame” Celya Ab, and the joyous Rosie Jones are on the lineup / Credit: SuppliedThe hilarious Kiri Pritchard-McLean will also be making an appearance / Credit: Supplied
Friday
Festival opens at 6pm and show begins at 7:30pm.
Milton Jones
Reginald D Hunter
Hannah Platt
Stephen Bailey
Kiri Pritchard-McLean
Saturday
Festival opens at 2pm and show begins at 3pm.
Phil Wang
Aisling Bea
Fatiha El Ghorri
Rhys James
Ian Smith
Festival opens at 6pm and show begins at 7:30pm.
Josh Widdicombe
Ivo Graham
Tadiwa Mahlunge
Esther Manito
John Robins
Sunday
Festival opens at 3pm and show begins at 4pm.
Dylan Moran
Tim Key
Fern Brady
Huge Davies
Maisie Adam
Festival opens at 6pm and show begins at 7:30pm.
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James Acaster
Josh Pugh
Celya AB
Rosie Jones
John Robins
You can find out more about the full Laughterama 2022 lineup here.
Some seriously famous names are gearing up to bring the laughs at Laughterama 2022 / Credit: Supplied
Food & Drink Traders
As well as catching some uproarious stand up sets, those heading to Laughterama 2022 will also get to feast on some of Manchester’s best street food throughout the event.
Alongside some established food favourites, the festival has also booked up and comer Thief Street, Mexican taco truck Nina’s, top-end kebab kitchen Eat Like a Greek, and beloved bagel company Triple Bagels.
Meanwhile, those with a sweet tooth will be catered to with pancakes from Eat Dutch Lekker or a range of sugary treats from Ravenous Fudge.
Festivalgoers will get to feast on some of Manchester’s best street food throughout the event / Credit: Supplied
Here’s the full lineup of traders:
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T’arricrii
Eat Like a Greek
Eat Dutch Lekker
Triple Bagels
Thief Street
Ravenous Fudge
Mi & Pho
Nina’s Taco Truck
Find out more about all the food and drink traders at Laughterama 2022 here.
How to get to Laughterama 2022
Laughterama 2022 is taking over Castlefield Bowl in Manchester city centre.
With the unique venue being in the heart of the Castlefield district, this means that the closest train station is Deansgate, the closest Metrolink stop is Deansgate-Castlefield, and there are several bus stops nearby – although, the venue is within walking distance from several of the city’s other major public transport stations.
There is no event parking, but there are many car parks in close proximity.
Festival organisers ask that all festivalgoers check tickets for information about the gate opening and show start times.
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You’re also asked to just bring one medium sized bag per person to the event, as this will greatly assist with security checks, and there are also set to be no cloakroom facilities at the festival either so personal belongings will need to be kept with you at all times.
You can plan your trip on the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) website here.
Laughterama is taking over Castlefield Bowl in Manchester city centre / Credit: Supplied
Weather Forecast
As anyone who is familiar with Castlefield Bowl will know well, the venue is an open-air arena with the majority of seating uncovered, which means that all festivalgoers are advised to keep the classic Manchester weather in the front of their minds, and check the weather forecast ahead of time so that you dress accordingly.
Although it could be a little too early to tell, especially as weather is forever changing, at this point, it looks like we’re in for a mixed bag of weather conditions across the five days of the festival.
On Wednesday, you can expect a dry day with cloud cover and temperatures ranging from 11°C-20°C, and then on Thursday, some rain showers are expected, but Friday looks to see the sun poke through the clouds with temperatures in the region of 11°C-19°C.
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On Saturday, we’re in for another dry and cloudy day with highs of 19°C, and then to round-out the festival on Sunday, some showers are expected, once again with highs of 18°C / 19°C.
Find out full advanced weather forecasts for Manchester on the Met Office website here.
It’s promising to be “a seriously good time in the heart of the city” / Credit: Supplied
Tickets
Like the sounds of what you’ve heard? Fancy nipping down this week?
Given the immensely-talented lineup of comedy names at Laughterama 2022, and the fact that tickets have been on sale for a good couple of weeks now to popular demand, some of the events and days are unfortunately completely sold out, and there are only a limited number of tickets left on the days that are available.
Tickets will set you back just £25 each, and you can find out more about which shows on the lineup are still available to catch on the Laughterama website here.
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Featured Image – Lloyd Winters (via Supplied)
Sponsored
Every bit of live entertainment coming to Haydock Park Racecourse this summer | The Jockey Club Live 2025
Danny Jones
With festival season officially underway and a music-filled summer approaching faster than Stone Folca down the final furlong, we’ll take any chance to sing and dance under the sun we can get, so it’s a good job that what’s on at Haydock Park Racecourse this year is great and there’s plenty of it.
That’s right, The Jockey Club Live experience at Haydock Park is back for 2025, and there’s another incredible lineup of acts joining the punters over the next few months.
Having already seen the likes of Craig David, Busted and the Sugababes, as well as rather fittingly named local band, Red Rum Club, most recently, we’ve had some ruddy good times soaking up The Jockey Club festivities and libations, and this year is already off to a storming start.
You can catch a glimpse of our latest visit to the races down below for a taster. In short, it was a blast.
As you can see, not only are the spirits high and free-flowing (if you catch our drift) at Haydock Park, but there’s more than just racing and betting slips when it comes to what’s on there during the summer.
In addition to plenty of food and drink, every year as part of their Music Night programme, The Jockey Club well and truly puts the Live in ‘live entertainment’ with a whole host of big names.
For instance, here’s who is coming up at Haydock this summer…
What’s on at Haydock Park Racecourse this summer?
Tom Jones – Friday, 4 July
Perhaps the biggest name on the bill this year is the legendary Welsh soul singer and pop veteran SIR Tom Jones; that’s right, you could be in the presence of a real knight this July.
The 85-year-old who has enjoyed a career spanning more than six decades on stage clearly couldn’t get enough the first time around, as Mr ‘Sex Bomb’ himself is coming back to the racecourse for a full headline slot as part of his ‘Defy Explanation’ tour.
Speaking ahead of another visit, he said: “Performing live is the centre of my life and I’m really pleased to be returning to Haydock Park Racecourse to play to such a welcoming audience. The Jockey Club Live shows are exciting dates in my calendar – the fans really enjoy the day, so [they] are always sensational.”
‘I can’t wait to spend a Summer’s evening with everyone this July.’ (Credit: Raph_PH via Flickr)
Becky Hill – Friday, 8 August
A month later, you can catch a contemporary pop queen and fellow British chart favourite, as solo star Becky Hill will be heading to Haydock for a headline performance of her own.
The Bewdley-born singer-songwriter and regular dance track feature artist already has 22 top 40 songs to her name and is pushing even further into the electronic music scene of late, with one of her newest hits, Swim’, becoming another big hit.
Jockey Club said of her date: “We’re so excited to be welcoming Becky and her phenomenal live show to Haydock Park. Tickets start from just £40, continuing our reputation for providing value-for-money entertainment destination for the region and beyond.”
‘With thousands of tickets for Red Rum Club sold in the presale alone, we’re urging fans to secure their spot for next summer soon to avoid disappointment.’ (Credit: Press shot supplied via Chuff Media)
Next up: Jamie Webster – 21 June
But before both of these big British names is a local Merseyside legend, as indie guitarist and Liverpool-fan anthem specialist Jamie Webster will be heading down the road for what is sure to be a very popular night on home turf.
The ‘Weekend In Paradise’ and ‘This Place’ singer may have got his break performing to supporters around Anfield, but his music journey since then has been nothing short of remarkable – a real Northern, working-class success story in action.
Our Audio North team spoke to Webster ahead of his Haydock Park show on Saturday, 21 June and let’s just say we’re now more invested than ever in hearing Jamie play his third studio album, 10 For The People, for… well – you get it.
Better still, the party doesn’t stop once the summer is over, as The Jockey Club Live will be holding a number of other events throughout the rest of the year, not to mention all the usual horse-racing action at Haydock Park.
You can find out more information on the above and everything else on at the racecourse, as well as grab tickets to any of the dates that take your fancy right HERE.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press shot (supplied)
Sponsored
A free open-air cinema is opening in the heart of Manchester’s skyscraper district
Daisy Jackson
A free open-air cinema is opening in Manchester city centre this summer, screening everything from film to sporting and cultural events.
Audiences will be able to recline in deck chairs surrounded by one of the city’s best views – the glittering towers of New Jackson.
With a backdrop of the modern Manchester skyline and a licensed outdoor bar, Screen on The Square will be a go-to hangout for Mancs this summer.
This new opening at New Jackson will also have its own licensed outdoor bar.
It’s all launching at New Jackson this weekend, Renaker’s world-class skyscraper district and thriving new neighbourhood that’s taken shape at the southern side of Manchester city centre.
Films on the schedule will include family favourites like Big Hero 6, Frozen, and Finding Nemo; cult classics such as Cool Runnings, Grand Budapest Hotel, and Back to the Future; and major musical blockbusters such as Mamma Mia and La La Land.
As well as a packed programme of film screenings, Screen on the Square will be showing major summer events like Glastonbury, Wimbledon and the UEFA Women’s EURO competition.
There’ll be family-friendly matinees and morning screenings, as well as later evening movie nights.
Screen on the Square will take place on The Square at the base of Deansgate Square towers
Screen on The Square will run from Saturday 21 June until Sunday 14 September, at The Square at Deansgate Square in New Jackson.
It’s the latest cultural and community offering from the new neighbourhood, which has transformed Manchester’s skyline with world-class skyscrapers.
The New Jackson district includes Deansgate Square, The Blade, Three60, Crown Street, and Contour, and (once fully complete) will bring 6,400 homes. The neighbourhood already includes public spaces, a primary school, play area, NHS medical centre, health and wellness clinic, hair salon, cookery school, padel courts and loads of independent restaurants and bars.
Full listings for Screen on the Square are below, and HERE.
Screen on The Square programme*
Saturday 21 June, 3pm – Wall-E
Saturday 21 June, 7pm – Back to the Future
Sunday 22 June, 10am – Big Hero 6
Sunday 22 June, 7pm – Tron: Legacy
Friday 27 June, 12pm-11pm – Glastonbury
Saturday 28 June, 12pm-11pm – Glastonbury
Sunday 29 June, 12pm-11pm – Glastonbury
Wednesday 2 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Iceland v Finland
Wednesday 2 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Switzerland v Norway
Thursday 3 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Belgium v Italy
Thursday 3 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Spain v Portugal
Friday 4 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Denmark v Sweden
Friday 4 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Germany v Poland
Saturday 5 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Wales v Netherlands
Saturday 5 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: England v France
Sunday 6 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Norway v Finland
Sunday 6 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Switzerland v Iceland
Monday 7 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Spain v Belgium
Monday 7 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Portugal v Italy
Tuesday 8 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Germany v Denmark
Tuesday 8 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Poland v Sweden
Wednesday 9 July, 5pm – Women’s Euro 2025: England v Netherlands
Wednesday 9 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: France v Wales
Thursday 10 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Finland v Switzerland or Norway v Iceland
Friday 11 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Italy v Spain or Portugal v Belgium
Saturday 12 July, 12pm – 7pm – Wimbledon
Saturday 12 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Sweden v Germany or Poland v Denmark
Sunday 13 July, 12pm – 7pm – Wimbledon
Sunday 13 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: England v Wales or Netherlands v France
Wednesday 16 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Quarter Finals
Thursday 17 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Quarter Finals
Friday 18 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Quarter Finals
Saturday 19 July, 3pm – Sing
Saturday 19 July, 5.30pm – Mamma Mia
Saturday 19 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Quarter Finals
Sunday 20 July, 10am – Kids’ Morning: School of Rock
Sunday 20 July, 7pm – La La Land
Tuesday 22 July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Semi Finals
Wednesday 23rd July, 8pm – Women’s Euro 2025: Semi Finals
Emily Sergeant -
20th September 2022 
