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Popular live music festival returns to The Oast House this bank holiday weekend – and it’s FREE

ManiFest is back once again this Sunday 28 August to celebrate the August bank holiday weekend.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 23rd August 2022

One of the most popular city centre venues is back with another edition of its new music festival this August bank holiday weekend.

In case you missed it, award-winning Spinningfields bar and one of the city’s best-loved sun traps, The Oast House, has launched a new live music festival this year – which kicked-off for the first time over the extended Easter bank holiday weekend, with a full day of tunes provided by local musicians throughout the one-day event.

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It then returned for the early May bank holiday, and was back once again to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June.

Now, to mark the final bank holiday weekend of the year, ManiFest returns this Sunday 28 August and will take over The Oast House’s large outdoor terrace area with a dedicated stage set up.

ManiFest returns this August bank holiday weekend / Credit: The Oast House

Set to run from 1pm right through until 10pm in the evening, a packed roster of acts are lined up to perform, including bands, solo artists, and duos all taking to the stage throughout the day, with interludes provided by a number of resident DJs.

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As always, the Oast House says that festival-goers can expect a “party atmosphere” and sounds of rock, pop, soul, R&B, funk, disco and blues.

The event is not ticketed, and is free to attend on a first come, first served basis.

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It will take over The Oast House’s large outdoor terrace area with a dedicated stage set up / Credit: The Oast House

Given the fact that the event is not ticketed and knowing how popular The Oast House is on most weekends in general, the venue is recommending that people get there early to avoid disappointment.

And if the tunes weren’t enough of a draw as it is, The Oast House’s unique street food menu will also be on offer to try out throughout the weekend for those looking to line their stomachs during the festival – which has a wide range of signature dishes such as the Northern Poutine, Crispy Chicken Burger, and the famous Hanging Kebabs.

Read more: The Oast House launches new street food menu with gyros, poutine and more

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Some of the vegan options on the menu include Cauliflower Wings, Salt and Pepper Fries, and the Plant Based Gyro Wrap.

The Oast House says that festival-goers can expect a “party atmosphere” / Credit: The Oast House

Festival-goers will also get a glimpse at a new street art mural by Northern artist Sam Porter, which was unveiled to celebrate the launch of the new festival earlier this year, and has seen iconic Manchester scenes painted onto the inside of The Oast House stage.

Find out more about the final ManiFest of 2022 on the Oast House website.

Featured Image – The Oast House

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Tiffany & Co opens glittering new store within Selfridges at the Trafford Centre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Tiffany & Co at Selfridges Trafford Centre in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

One of the world’s most famous jewellery brands has opened a dazzling new store at Selfridges, as the Trafford Centre welcomes Tiffany & Co.

This heritage brand now has a presence on the lower level of the luxury department store, selling its most recognisable items. 

The glittering new Tiffany & Co space is just beside the San Carlo champagne bar.

And although it’s tucked right in the heart of Selfridges, Tiffany & Co has gone to the effort of recreating the iconic windows from the New York flagship store, building a blue mosaic wall with window displays inside. 

Shoppers will be able to perch on plush cream-coloured stools to try on items from its four Icons collections – HardWear, Lock, T, and Knot –  before carrying your purchase off in that instantly-recognisable Tiffany blue bag. 

Founded more than 180 years ago, Tiffany & Co is synonymous with New York City but loved globally. 

The heritage brand’s T collection was inspired by the grid system of the streets and avenues of Manhattan, it helped to design the dollar bill, and also designed the invites for the opening of the Statue of Liberty. 

Tiffany & Co at Selfridges Trafford Centre in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Tiffany & Co at Selfridges Trafford Centre in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Tiffany & Co at Selfridges Trafford Centre in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

The Tiffany setting was the first engagement ring to have the diamond displayed on the band (which is now the standard) rather than embedded within the band – even the emoji on all our phones is a ring design invented by Tiffany & Co. 

It was the first jewellery designer to bring 925 sterling silver to the USA and it remains proud of its silver pieces. 

This is also the only jewellery name with full traceability of its diamonds, and rejects a whopping 0.04% to ensure only the highest-quality gems are used in its jewellery, cutting them for beauty rather than size. 

Tiffany & Co at Selfridges Trafford Centre in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

The brand has a lot of famous names associated with it – Dua Lipa has been proudly wearing Tiffany & Co jewellery on her tour and public appearances, Lady Gaga launched the Hardwear collection, and Miley Cyrus wore the  ‘Elsa Peretti’ Bone cuff to receive her first Grammy Award. 

Beyonce’s cowboy hat and even her in-house ear monitors for her Renaissance Tour were even created with Tiffany.

Tiffany & Co is also the creator of possibly the world’s most famous piece of jewellery, The Tiffany Yellow Diamond necklace, worn by only four women – Lady Gaga, Audrey Hepburn, Mary Whitehouse, and Beyonce.

The new Tiffany & Co Manchester is now open in store at Selfridges at the Trafford Centre. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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VK has launched a divisive new festive alcopop flavour

Danny Jones Danny Jones VK new chocolate orange drink festive flavour 2024

Beloved British drinks company VK has just launched a brand-new festive flavour for Christmas 2024 and let’s just say it’s proved to be a divisive one.

Known as one of the most popular alcopop producers in the UK, their Blue, Tropical Fruits, Black Cherry and numerous other flavours remain a popular beverage of choice across the country, be it at the pub, a house party or a cheeky Christmas tipple.

That being said, this holiday season VK are mixing things up even more than usual with an eye-catching returning flavour combo that has already got people talking – not least because they’ve hired the biggest digital billboard in Manchester to let people know about it.

Anyone fancy a VK chocolate orange?

Credit: Supplied

As you can see, in typically bold fashion, VK’s marketing team not only took over one of the biggest digital billboards in Europe to promote this year’s festive flavour for 2024 but they’ve also made a cheeky nod to a beloved Christmas icon, posing the question ‘Who the VK is Terry?’ 

Oh, and as for the big fella in orange, no, he’s not called Terry – why’d you ask?

Follow VK’s TikTok and other social accounts to keep up to date with all of his shenanigans:

@vkdrink Terry, who? 🍊#christmas #vk #wearevk ♬ Young bad girls do it well – Kimkcz

In all seriousness, taking inspiration from the much-loved chocolate orange flavoured and shaped confectionery that many people gift, receive and devour in spades every Christmas, VK has bottled the classic combo for their seasonal special and created a divisive Christmas alcopop. 

The lightly carbonated bev remains the number one RTD (ready-to-drink) brand among students and is popular among various other demographics too, especially since there’s a flavour to suit pretty much everyone’s tastes.

However, the question is besides being a conversation starter, does liquid chocolate orange go down nicely and is it worthy of finding its way into stocking fillers this year? 

VK billboard Manchester
chocolate orange vk drink
The limited edition seasonal special
Credit: The Manc Group

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Holly Bolus, Senior Brand Manager for VK, commented: “This activation is part of our new, bold marketing strategy, leveraging VK’s reputation for creating memorable experiences for our audience.

“Our brand ethos is all about fun and personality, so what better way to lean into this than with a tongue-in-cheek OOH campaign?”

VK Chocolate Orange is now available in their VK mixed pack for a limited time only. Get yours from Tesco, ASDA, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Home Bargains and B&M – plus you could even get your hands on a free Christmas jumper too.

Targeting students and young adults who are looking for festive pre-drinks and party essentials, historically, VK’s seasonal flavours have a high rate of sale, making this year’s return even more significant for the brand.

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

Featured Images — VK (supplied)/The Manc Group

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