The award-winning, world-famous nature documentary series Planet Earth is heading back to Manchester with a live concert experience.
The hit BBC series, narrated by the legendary David Attenborough, will be at the AO Arena in October with a full live orchestra.
Audiences will be whisked away to forests, oceans and deserts with breath-taking footage from the latest series shown on an enormous 4K LED screen.
We’ll see animal dramas that are funny and thrilling (and yes, sometimes a little sad – who could ever recover from the cliff-jumping baby goslings?).
The latest Planet Earth series and the concert will document how the natural world is adapting to an ever-changing planet, where humans play a critical role.
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And the Planet Earth III Live in Concert experience will be further heightened with a music score by Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, plus Jacob Shea and Sara Barone for Bleeding Fingers Music, performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic orchestra.
Hans Zimmer also worked in collaboration with Brit-winning and Grammy-nominated Bastille, and Mercury Prize Award nominated singer-songwriter RAYE.
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There’ll be just three special performances across the UK this year, including the spectacle arriving at Manchester’s AO Arena.
The announcement of the new show comes off the back of successful runs for Blue Planet II and Planet Earth II Live in Concert arena tours.
As always, the stunning footage will come from the multi-award-winning team at BBC Studios Natural History Unit.
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Hans Zimmer commented: “Creating scores for any of the BBC’s Natural History series is always an honour for me as there are no more epic stories than those occurring naturally every day in our own planet’s ecosystem.
“For Planet Earth III it’s been a further privilege to work with the incredible world class talents of Bastille who created wonderful vocals on the soundscape for the series, and RAYE with her a beautiful, poignant prequal track.”
The series itself was filmed over 1,904 days, in 43 countries and across six continents.
Mike Gunton, the Executive Producer of the Planet Earth III television series says: “Planet Earth III is about the resilience and adaptability of nature, and the remarkable animals that are changing their lives to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world dominated more than ever by a powerful force: us. It’s full of surprise and wonder but seen from a new perspective”.
Dominic Walker, Global Business Director at BBC Studios said: “After the successful Blue Planet II and Planet Earth II Live In Concert tours, we are delighted to continue our partnership with FKP Scorpio and bring the amazing Planet Earth III to London and Manchester, showcasing the BBC’s ground breaking natural history content on the stage for fans to enjoy once again.”
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Planet Earth III will be at Manchester AO Arena on Sunday 6 October, 2024.
Pre-sale tickets are available from Wednesday 20 February 2024 and general on sale tickets available from Friday 23 February 2024. For further ticket information go to www.Planetearth3concert.com
Major Christmas lights switch-on event announced at Manchester’s iconic Printworks
Daisy Jackson
Printworks has announced details of a major Christmas lights switch-on event, with celebrity guest Will Mellor.
Set to be the biggest switch-on event in Manchester city centre, the celebration will include a festive singalong and live entertainment, plus a 16ft digital tree and plenty more.
And as part of the wider festive celebrations at Printworks, there’ll be 25 prizes to be won all the way through December, including hotel stays and other goodies from the businesses based in the landmark building.
The Printworks Christmas Lights switch-on will take place on Saturday 29 November, kicking off at 4.30pm with a performance from the brilliant roaming brass band, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.
Then there’ll be a family Christmas singalong at 5pm on Printworks’ interactive gaming screen, where Mancs can belt out classic Christmas hits together.
At 6pm, the almighty 16ft digital Christmas tree will be officially switched on by TV legend Will Mellor, along with a new festive display appearing overhead on Europe’s largest digital ceiling.
Printworks will host its Christmas Lights switch-on event in November. Credit: Jason Lock Photography
Expect to see Santa’s sleigh flying across the building, and Santa Claus himself pointing out passers-by and revealing if they’ve made the naughty or nice list.
The event will finish with a one-hour DJ set from Jack Clark to keep visitors in the festive spirit. Throughout December, visitors to Printworks can enter daily prize-draws at the digital Christmas tree, with big prizes up for grabs.
Daniel Davis, Centre Manager, said: “Families loved last year’s festive switch-on, which brought light to the city when the citywide celebration was cancelled. We’re thrilled to bring it back even bigger and brighter.
“With our incredible digital ceiling and new interactive features, we’re giving visitors a Christmas experience like no other full of music, magic and surprises.
“Our 16ft digital tree is something truly unique to Manchester, and with 25 prizes up for grabs throughout December, there’s a real reason to keep coming back. Whether you’re joining us for the switch-on or popping in for a festive meal or film, we can’t wait to celebrate with the community.”
The Christmas switch-on event at Printworks in Manchester
4.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
5pm – Family singalong
5.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
6pm – Christmas switch-on with Will Mellor
6.30pm – Live band performance with Mr Wilson’s Second Liners
Luxury curling club and apres-ski bar to open in Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
A pop-up curling rink is set to open right beneath the skyscrapers in Manchester city centre this winter.
The Curling Club, already a top winter attraction down in London, has revealed plans to launch at the foot of the Deansgate Square towers later this month.
The alpine-themed winter village will be one of three across the UK, with two other Curling Clubs down in London.
As well as the state-of-the-art curling lanes, where Mancs can slide and shove their stones along the rink to giant bullseyes, there’ll be plenty more entertainment for the party season.
The Curling Club will bring apres-ski bars to the New Jackson district too, with DJs, dancers, and festive food.
Daren Whitaker, founder and chairman at Renaker – the developer behind The Curling Club at New Jackson’s site – said: “As the city centre’s first dedicated curling venue, the Curling Club will be an excellent addition to Manchester’s already strong competitive socialising scene.
“We are excited to be hosting The Curling Club in our New Jackson neighbourhood, bringing our residents together for a fun and unique experience and creating a lively destination for the wider community to enjoy.”
Luxury curling club and apres-ski bar to open in Manchester city centre. Credit: Justin De Souza
Trevor Bowers, chairman of The Curling Club, said: “This winter marks a milestone for The Curling Club as we expand to three incredible locations.
“Chelsea Winter Illuminations allows us to create something truly magical in a beautiful and adored area of London, while Manchester opens the door to new audiences, and Vinegar Yard gives us another exciting year in London Bridge. It’s our biggest and boldest season yet.”
Eve Muirhead, Olympic gold medallist and Team GB’s Chef de Mission, also returns as ambassador of The Curling Club, and will lend her experience and insider knowledge across all sites.
Tickets for The Curling Club Manchester are now on sale, with bookings available for groups between two and four people starting from £30 for 30 minutes – head HERE to get yours.
Daisy Jackson -
13th February 2024 
