A renowned local artist has designed a range of face masks inspired by Manchester in the hopes of giving back to the city he grew up in.
‘Maskchester’ is the collaboration project by artist Justin Eagleton and Lisa Morton – the founder of Manchester-based agency Roland Dransfield PR – and features a selection of face masks showcasing Justin’s bespoke designs.
The masks have been made “by Mancs, for Mancs, for the benefit of Mancs” and are said to illustrate “the great and the good of Manchester”.
Each face covering features unique designs that pay homage to the city, including the Manchester skyline, famous faces and places that make up Manchester’s distinctive culture, a Factory Records-inspired mask, and masks that show support for both Manchester United and Manchester City.
— Justin Eagleton Artist (@JustinEyekons) July 21, 2020
A portion of sales from the initiative will be donated to two worthy local charities – The Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and Manchester MIND – with the overall aim of “giving back” and putting the city at the forefront of mask-wearing by promoting everything Manchester.
The release of this collection of bespoke masks comes after face coverings were made a mandatory requirement in all shops and supermarkets in England from 24th July.
Maskchester
Speaking on the motivation behind the initiative, artist Justin Eagleton said: “I wanted to create something a little bit more exciting than the ordinary face masks, which would also have the added benefit of showing some Mancunian spirit.”
“There has been a great deal of anti-mask rhetoric, so we wanted to do something slightly different that encouraged people to follow government guidance, whilst supporting two hugely important charities that have done so much to support people across Manchester.”
“We do things differently here in Manchester, and these designs show just what makes this city so great.”
Maskchester
Lisa Morton, CEO of Roland Dransfield PR, added: “Following the government announcement around the compulsory wearing of masks, we wanted to launch something that would benefit Mancunians,”
“Working with Justin has enabled us to create some truly wonderful designs, which embody the spirit of Manchester and what we’re all about here. It’s great to be founding Maskchester in partnership with Justin [and] I can’t think of anybody more suited to the job.”
She continued: “The support we have received from the Manchester public since launch has been great. We’re looking forward to evolving and will be releasing more designs in due course.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CC80ziqHkzv/
Maskchester masks are £10 each and you can get your hands on one here.
My Chemical Romance fans are losing it as emo favourites appear to tease UK tour
Danny Jones
American alt-rock and emo favourites My Chemical Romance aren’t just back for one last Black Parade; it looks like they might be heading to the UK for more tour dates.
Not just a phase, never was.
My Chemical Romance (an entirely different kind of MCR) made yet another mighty return to the fore earlier this year, nearly two whole decades on from the release of the seminal album, which dropped in 2006 and has now been toured live again by the New Jersey band.
Playing the album IN FULL for the first time in years, they’ve been busy in North America delighting die-hard crowds, but now a recent teaser has got My Chem fans gearing up for UK and Ireland shows.
As you can see, MCR released the somewhat cryptic comedy sketch above, in which they seem to spoof a gameshow centred around a robot named ‘Quizzo’.
The host of this fictional programme goes on to explain that the result will determine “who will be the next lucky country to win the grand prize of one nuclear winter.”
It might only last for a few seconds, but the main takeaway is that the ‘who’ selected as the recipient of this upcoming prize is none other than the United Kingdom.
Combine that with a simple caption that reads, “Let’s show them what they’ve won”, it’d be hard not to jump to the conclusion that we Brits are about to pretend we’re ‘Teenagers’ again and chant ‘Na Na Na’ until our lungs give out.
In the time since the post went live, fans on this side of the pond have understandably started getting very excited…
My Chemical Romance are coming back to the UK… For the 1st time since 2022 when we all thought it would be the last hurrah…#MCRpic.twitter.com/vHWO5mK89j
At first, some were wondering whether this year’s revival might have also seen the resurrection of their much-mythologised but ultimately scrapped 2019 record, The Paper Kingdom, but it seems pretty much nailed on that their transatlantic followers are about to get some gigs.
It remains unclear whether these still TBC dates will be an extension of the current ‘Long Live The Black Parade‘ tour, which began on 11 July, or something new entirely.
Either way, with this current run of shows due to end in September and hints at a ‘nuclear winter’, it’s a fair assumption to guess that My Chemical Romance will be coming to the UK either later this year or early 2026 – and you bank on a big Manchester booking to be thrown in there too.
Featured Images — NBSTwo (via Flickr)/Reprise Records
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Alejandro Garnacho set for Premier League switch as Manchester United shuffle attacking lineup
Danny Jones
Young Manchester United forward Alejandro Garnacho looks set to make a switch to another Premier League team as he has reportedly already reached an agreement regarding personal terms with his next club: Chelsea.
The promising winger, who graduated from Man United’s academy setup and has quickly made an impact even in just a short time in the first team, is now believed to be London-bound very soon, with Chelsea now “close” to completing a deal for the 21-year-old.
While there are no doubts surrounding his talent and potential, it is said the rift between him and the United head coach comes down to personality, character and conduct, with the latter not shying away from sharing grievances publicly.
🚨 Chelsea have stepped up talks with Manchester United over deal to sign Alejandro Garnacho. Clubs in touch on topic for some time & now advancing amid Benjamin Sesko joining #MUFC. 21yo winger wants #CFC or nothing + expects move to happen @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/vdc1dtnA0p
According to The Athletic, it now looks as though after having agitated for a move, Garnacho has got his wish and is set for the capital, in a move which could see him become the 51st senior player to sign for the Blues under Todd Boehly’s ownership.
It is, quite frankly, a staggering number – especially given the fact that he only purchased the club back in May of 2022.
Most notably in Garnacho‘s case, too, it also raises questions around where in the Chelsea squad he will fit and how much regular first-team football (a guaranteed starting spot rumoured to be a flashpoint with Amorim) he will be able to enjoy should the deal go ahead.
For instance, besides the plethora of other attacking players at Enzo Maresca’s disposal, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano says that the west Londoners are also pursuing PSG’s Xavi Simons.
Nevertheless, the Italian journalist claims that “every detail of personal terms with Chelsea” has now been agreed, with the Argentine prospect now fully set on a move to Stamford Bridge.
You can see what other Manchester United transfer updates he gave in his latest video.
Romano goes on to state that the deal is effectively done as far as the player side of things is concerned, adding that Garnacho is now only interested in Chelsea since and has been since July.
Although negotiations are yet to begin with Man United, it looks likely that they will push to get a transfer approved quickly as they look to cover the costs of the other business, having already brought in a number of players.
Emily Sergeant -
28th July 2020 
