The Charlatans’ Tim Burgess has taken over the tannoys at Manchester Metrolink stations this week and become the voice of our tram network.
Commuters since Monday have been hearing Tim’s friendly voice piped over the speakers.
Mancs are loving the cheery announcements from the Salford-born singer and DJ, which occasionally captures him bursting into song.
It’s all ahead of the Vinyl Adventures Record Fair on December 5, held at multiple venues and shops in the region.
A live gig will be taking place close to a city centre Metrolink stop at the weekend.
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Tim will also be revealing the locations of 500 hidden lanyards right across Greater Manchester, which grant whoever finds them free weekend tram travel.
“I always fancied being a station announcer when I was a kid so a big thanks to Metrolink for making that dream come true,” said Tim.
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“We have a brilliant weekend lined up, with a Charlatans gig on the Saturday and Vinyl Adventures on the Sunday is going to be amazing with live sets, DJs, interviews, podcasts and more records than you can shake a stick at – and if you’re lucky enough to find a lanyard you can travel for free thanks to our friends at Metrolink.”
On Twitter, one person said: “I’m enjoying @Tim_Burgess voicing @MCRMetrolink stops! Thought someone had hacked the mic!”
Another tweeted: “This is awesomeness! Bet there will be many #Charlatans fans riding round trips on @MCRMetrolink this week”
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Someone else posted to Tim: “Just heard you on @MCRMetrolink to brighten up a drizzly Manchester morning!”
The Vinyl Adventures Record Fair is taking place at venues including Piccadilly Records, Mars Tapes, Vinyl Resting Place, Clampdown Records, Eastern Bloc Records Vinyl Revival, and Wax and Beans in Bury, with gigs, podcasts and talks.
Artists such as Pete Doherty, We Are Scientists, Badly Drawn Boy and the Lovely Eggs will be hosting their own stalls, while Clint Boon will be selling his vintage organ and synth collection.
Manchester Piccadilly station will also be hosting three musical performances on Sunday, with Apollo Junction taking to the mezzanine at 11.30am, followed by a very special guest at 12.45pm and Cold Water Swimmers at 1.30pm.
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Danny Vaughan, head of Metrolink at Transport for Greater Manchester, said: “This year Tim Burgess’s Vinyl Adventure Record Fair is back, better than ever and we are delighted to support him.
“It’s the only thing I know that’s definitely worth checking out this weekend. Whether you’re a vinyl hobbyist or just looking, it’s going to be a great experience for everyone.”
Featured image: Supplied / Unsplash
Music
A candlelit Queen tribute concert is returning to Manchester
Danny Jones
Yes, you read that right: a candlelit tribute concert to the one and only Queen is coming to Manchester city centre.
In fact, it’s coming home, as this wonderful event started right here in 0161 back in 2021.
Concerts by Candlelight themselves host concerts up and down the country at various points throughout the year, but their much-loved ‘Queen by Candlelight‘ special knows all about lighting up Manc venues.
Having since gone on to become an internationally acclaimed live concert experience, we’re glad we still get to see the ‘Princes of the Universe’ on our doorstep.
Credit: Concerts by Candlelight (supplied)
With the likes of Bridgewater Hall and the magical Manchester Monastery all having played host to the promotion on many ocassions, this time Queen by Candlelight is coming to the legendary Manchester Opera House in the new year.
One of our most historic and legendary theatres, it’s only fitting, really, that they be chosen to welcome a night of equally iconic tunes.
But it’s worth reminding more casual fans that these aren’t just British rock and pop anthems; Queen‘s discography is one that still has global recognition to this day.
That’s why this specific show has been taken to virtually every corner of the world, with the incredibly talented cast of singers and musicians delighting audiences in Dubai, Australia, New Zealand and New York, to domestic crowds here in town and down in London’s West End.
‘Queenies’ or ‘Darlings’, as Freddie Mercury used to call them, can expect all the big hits, from ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We Are The Champions’, to ‘It’s a Kind of Magic’ and ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ and plenty more from the back catalogue.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store this coming January:
With tickets already flying out fast, we really would recommend securing your seats early before they inevitably sell out.
To quote the promoters themselves, “this spectacular celebration of Queen’s biggest hits is guaranteed to rock you.”
Coming to the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, 6 January, you can book your tickets for Queen by Candlelight right HERE.
And if you’ve never been to one of their candlelit events before, you only need to see how much of a ball we had at their country event earlier this year to find out how much fun they are…
Featured Images — Concerts by Candlelight (supplied)
Music
The Warehouse Project named one of the best nightclubs in the world
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester can add another big blue ribbon to its already richly adorned totem of music heritage, as The Warehouse Project has been named one of the best clubs in the entire world.
Not that we’re the least bit shocked, to be honest.
That’s right, our very own Warehouse Project – or WHP to use the more commonly thrown around shorthand – isn’t just the great successor to the likes of The Haçienda, Jilly’s Rockworld and many more Manc live music institutions, it’s become a raver’s rite of passage in its own right.
So it’s no surprise that it landed itself in the International NightLife Association’s best 100 clubs on the planet – but where exactly on the list did it land?
As you can see from the full NightLife International rankings for 2025, Warehouse Project didn’t just make it into the 100 club or even the top half; WHP broke into the best 30 clubs in the whole world.
Finishing in 27th position, specifically, Mayfield Depot‘s major tourist attraction was sandwiched between Ibiza’s Amnesia nightclub and the equally iconic Ministry of Sound in London.
Not bad company to keep, eh?
Writing in the caption, the organisation said: “From Ibiza to Singapore, Miami to Marrakech, and every nightlife capital in between, this year’s ranking showcases the venues that continue to elevate global nightlife with innovation, quality, and unforgettable experiences.”
“Cheers to all the clubs that made it onto the list”, they continued, thanking sponsors, artists and collaborators alike before adding, “Your commitment drives the industry forward.”
With the likes of Worried About Henry, Homobloc, Barry Can’t Swim, and the first-ever winter edition of Repercussion having already passed this year, the 2025 programme really has been electric.
But they’re not done yet; you can see the rest of what is on this year’s lineup down below.
One of the biggest dates on the current WHP calendar is, of course, their massive New Year’s Eve Party, which returns for 2025.
The team behind Warehouse is yet to respond to the prestigious international recognition, as they’re clearly still too busy putting on some of the best nights not just in town or the UK, but anywhere around the club.
You can get a closer look at the in-depth list of NightLife International’s top 100 clubs HERE.
Speaking of Manc nightlife, it’ll be interesting to see where a returning cult favourite will place itself on the leaderboard when it makes its full comeback very soon…
Daisy Jackson -
1st December 2021 
