One of Manchester’s biggest, best-loved and most iconic Irish bars sadly seems to have closed for good this week.
Just days after St Patrick’s Day, Waxy O’Connor’s has shuttered up.
It’s safe to say that Waxy O’Connor’s was one of Manchester’s most unique bars, containing a labyrinth of different areas connected by staircases and passages, and a centuries-old tree, brought over from Ireland standing as a focal point in the bar.
But after spending almost two decades at its Printworks site, the large unit has now been left with ‘To Let’ signs displayed in the windows on Corporation Street.
It was loved for its wooden interior, hearty pub food and Irish classics.
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The venue was also known for being a frequent host of a range of live music acts, as well as screening big sports games.
While branches of the Irish pub chain still remain in London and Glasgow, the Manchester site has now been quietly removed from the Waxy O’Connor’s website, and the venue’s Facebook page also confirms that it is permanently closed.
A sad day for Mancunians, and another hole in the city centre hospitality scene.
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Grammy-winning hardcore band Turnstile perform ‘exceptional’ cover of a Stone Roses classic
Danny Jones
In a cover version we never knew we needed, multiple Grammy award-winning hardcore band Turnstile have taken social media timelines by storm with a cover of a true British rock classic by The Stone Roses.
Described as everything from “pretty damn brilliant” and “exceptional” by CLASH Magazine to “one of the best triplej covers ever”, it’s fair to say they smashed it with this one.
This one was always likely to go down well with us Mancs, but you never know how possessive people are going to be with iconic tunes treasured not just by regions but entire eras like this.
Without further ado, please enjoy Turnstile’s cover of ‘I Wanna Be Adored’ by The Stone Roses:
Lost track of how many times we’ve watched this now.
Truly excellent.
Not only did they manage to capture the ambient atmosphere of that legendary intro, but they managed to tow the thin paint-splattered line between simply trying to imitate the original and making it their own.
There’s something about frontman Brendan Yates’ vocals that suits this particular cover so very well right from the off.
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We’re, of course, not saying that he sounds like Ian Brown in any way, but his range and top notes, in particular, seemed to fit almost perfectly.
Pair that with a contemporary rock band helping rejuvenate their particular guitar-driven genre, and those raw, driving D-beat-centric drums, and you’ve got a winning combo.
As you can see, the majority of the internet seems to agree with us…
.@TURNSTILEHC step into the @triplej studio to recover their take on The Stone Roses' debut album opener 'I Wanna Be Adored'.
The bulk of social media didn’t just hail the reimagining as one that did Brown, John Squire, Reni and the late, great Mani justice, but perhaps one of the greatest that the popular Australian radio station, YouTube channel and Spotify playlisters have seen in a long time.
In fact, in Audio North‘s humble opinion, we’d go so far as to say this is the best we’ve heard in the platform since their native Royel Otis’ delightful duo of The Cranberries and Sophie Ellis-Bextor covers.
Safe to say it’s been an incredible year for Turnstile, who mopped up all manner of accolades in 2025 and were even nominated for International Group at the BRITs here in Manchester this past weekend. They might not have won that one, but they get all the plaudits from us for their song selection alone.
What did you make of it? Better still, do you have a favourite triplej ‘Like a Version’? Actually, no – scrap that: is there a better cover of a Manc artist‘s track that you can think of?
Featured Images — triplej (screenshot via YouTube)/Silverstone Records
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The 10 maddest moments of the BRIT Awards in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Last night, the BRIT Awards came to Manchester for the first time ever, bringing some of the world’s biggest music names to our city.
And, in true Saturday-night-in-Manchester style, there were more than a few mad moments over at the Co-op Live.
This year’s BRIT Awards saw Olivia Dean go home the most-decorated performer of the night, scooping Artist of the Year, Mastercard Album of the Year, and Pop Act, among others.
There were also performances from Harry Styles, Mark Ronson, Raye, Olivia Dean and Rosalia – with plenty of surprises along the way.
And on a night that was heavily censored on TV, here are 10 moments you might have missed from the BRIT Awards 2026.
It just wouldn’t be a big Manchester event without Happy Mondays icons Bez and Shaun Ryder picking up a microphone – even if no one knows exactly what will happen next.
With Bez sporting a bright red outfit that was halfway between a tomato and a bell boy, they made it pretty neatly through their presenting section, handing Wolf Alice the Best British Group Award (though Bez did keep interrupting Shaun’s speech to shout ‘MANCHESTER’).
But then host Jack Whitehall made the mistake of sitting at the table with them, and Paddington Bear, with the ensuing chaos breaking Jack’s professional facade for the first time of the night… you can see the rest for yourself above.
The Manchester jokes came thick and fast at the BRIT Awards, but a particularly odd moment occurred when Jack Whitehall headed into the pit with the BRIT School students.
He said: “This year, because we’re in Manchester, we wanted to mix it up a bit – by throwing in some proper old-school ravers with the BRIT School kids.
“Yeaaah! There he is, the big man keeping the spirit of the Hacienda alive.
“Don’t look concerned kids, he’s actually the same age as you, he’s just from Preston.”
The ‘stage invasion’ during Sombr’s performance
sombr gets pushed and called a “Homewrecker” during his performance at The BRIT Awards. pic.twitter.com/e4pmki2fay
Halfway through Sombr’s set at the BRIT Awards, there was a moment where chaos broke out – stage invader wrestled off stage by security, set collapsing around him, sparks flying.
And for a brief moment, the audience panicked that the star was in real trouble.
But no. Just a stunt. Not a very good one. Sombr is alive and well.
Angry Ginge and Luke Littler on the same stage as Rosé
In a night that poked non-stop fun at the North, it was refreshing to have an actual Manc have a moment in the spotlight – and our unlikely hero of the night was none other than social media star and King of the Jungle Angry Ginge.
He hopped up on stage with Luke Littler – yes, him off the darts – to present the International Song of the Year award, which went to Blackpink star Rosé and Bruno Mars’ hit APT.
There was just something about seeing one of the world’s biggest pop stars sandwiched between two such utterly British characters that felt a bit crazy.
As well as delivering one of the stand-out performances of the night, BRIT Award-winner Rosalía also delivered one of our favourite moments.
While chatting with Jack Whitehall about her multilingual album Lux, he asked her if she spoke any Manc.
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To which she turned straight to the camera, addressed Liam Gallagher directly, and dropped a ‘Sunsheeeiiiiiine’. Amazing woman.
Surprise Dua Lipa
The moment Dua Lipa made a surprise appearance at the BRIT Awards
During Mark Ronson’s medley of hits, as part of his Outstanding Contribution to Music award, he pulled out plenty of surprises.
There was Ghostface Killa popping up out of a car parked on stage, a beautiful tribute to Amy Winehouse featuring her original vocals with a live band – and then the glitterball started lowering from the ceiling, with Dua Lipa herself perched on top of it.
It was an especially fun moment for those in the audience at the Co-op Live, who saw the star had been hiding up in the rafters since the last ad break for her moment in the spotlight.
The table of politicians, including Andy Burnham
"The only party he's allowed into these days" Political banter as Jack Whitehall passes Andy Burnham at the #BRITspic.twitter.com/8jCoI67pkJ
In amongst all the music heavyweights and pop culture darlings in the Co-op Live, sat in arguably the best seats in the house, was none other than a gaggle of local politicians.
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Andy Burnham, Bev Craig, and Lisa Nandy all sat right beside the stage, with Jack Whitehall joining them for a brief roast.
He said: “Oh my god it’s Andy Burnham! Legend! The only party he’s allowed in to these days.”
Jack added: “And Lisa Nandy! This must be the politician’s table, I wonder who else is here,” before making a joke about Peter Mandelson that was quickly censored on ITV… more on that later.
There was another special guest on stage with this year’s BRIT Award performers, but this one came with remarkably less fanfare than Dua Lipa and Bjork.
Yep, the pianist performing behind Alex Warren was James Blunt, complete with velvet smoking jacket.
The camera barely even zoomed in on him throughout the performance, and in the Co-op Live it was mostly a chorus of people saying ‘… is that James Blunt…?’
The stuff you didn’t hear on TV…
The main difference between being in the room at the BRIT Awards in Manchester and watching it on telly at home is the lack of censoring happening in the venue itself.
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Fans watching at home were baffled at what jokes they were missing out on as ITV slammed the *white noise* button at every swear and political joke. So here are some of the bits you might have missed.
Addressing the table of politicians, Jack Whitehall said: “I wonder who else is here? I think I saw Peter Mandelson on the list – no, sorry, that was another list.”
On stage, Angry Ginge said: “It is an absolute privilege to see the BRITs in Manchester, because it shows people are realising London’s a sh*thole.”
Geese’s Max Bassin’s acceptance speech was also censored, with him opening with: “Free Palestine, f*ck ICE.”
The Manc -
19th March 2021 
