Salford Lads Club has announced that Manc music legend Shaun Ryder is the special guest for a fundraising event at the iconic venue next month.
To celebrate the launch of his new book, Salford born and bred Shaun – who’s one of the UK’s best-loved music and television personalities – will be in conversation with journalist, musician and presenter John Robb on Sunday 17 October 2021.
Most-known as the frontman of legendary Madchester band Happy Mondays and for having written a Sunday Times best-selling autobiography, Twisting my Melon – which is being turned into a film biopic to be screened in 2022 – Shaun was runner-up in I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, and has most recently become the star of Celebrity Gogglebox along with his partner in crime, Bez.
Shaun’s new book, How to Be a Rock Star – which is being released on Thursday 7 October – will include “insights from three decades touring the world, which took him from Salford to San Francisco, from playing working men’s clubs to headlining Glastonbury and playing in front of the biggest festival crowd the world has ever seen, in Brazil, in the middle of a thunderstorm.”
When he takes to the stage at the iconic Salford Lads Club next month, Shaun will be sharing some stories of his childhood growing up in Little Hulton, and as Shaun and host John Robb know each other well, audience members will be treated to the “real inside story” of Shaun’s extraordinary life.
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Shaun’ll also be chatting to about the making of his new solo album Visits from Future Technology – which is already receiving rave reviews.
There’ll also be a Q&A, with audience members given the chance to ask Shaun a question.
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Shaun will be sharing some stories of his childhood growing up in Salford, talking about his new book, solo album, and more / Credit: Geograph (Peter McDermott)
While Shaun Ryder is undeniably the main event, this special event will also act as a timely fundraiser for the Salford Lads Club itself and projects for its young members, especially after sadly being badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Salford Lads Club is run by a team of volunteers who will be happy to show everyone around and talk about the famous club’s history, and visitors can also have a look at the impressive ‘Wall of Names’ and ‘The Smiths Room’ – which now has two unique hinged panels to display the increasing number of photos and post-it notes from fans.
Salford Lads Club merchandise will also be on sale throughout the evening, and there will also be the opportunity to buy signed copies of ‘How to be a Rockstar’.
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Tickets for the An Evening With Shaun Ryder fundraising event will set you back £22.
Doors will open at 5pm, the event will start at 6:30pm and will finish at approximately 9pm, including an interval, and the bar will open from 5pm-9:30pm.
Stretford’s free neighourhood festival returns this weekend
Danny Jones
Stretford’s still fledgling and completely free all-day festival is BACK for 2026 and is happening this coming weekend.
So, if you didn’t have plans this Saturday, you do now.
Simply named StretFest, this is the third edition of the now annual celebration in one of Manchester’s fastest growing neighbourhoods – and an increasingly up-and-coming one at that.
Kicking off in the morning and running right into the wee small hours thanks to a healthy dose of varied daytime activities, evening events and de facto afterparties, there’s plenty on the cards.
🎉 It's the big one on Saturday! Stretfest is back & we're thrilled to have a fab selection of LIVE Music on from 3pm – 8pm for it!
We can't wait to greet loads of faces, old and new. #Stretford will be buzzing with activity so come on down & make a day of it ! 🍻 pic.twitter.com/16Rnn5w1qj
StretFest only started back in July 2024, but it has quickly grown into a cult favourite not only among locals living in and around the Trafford town, but also among plenty of people from all over Greater Manchester, with last year seeing more visitors than ever.
Based not just over at Stretford Mall but the surrounding parks, Public Hall, across the bridge and an area they dub ‘The Beach’, there are several distinct but equally vibrant hubs, all offering something different.
For instance, venues like Longford Tap, Head Bar and Stretford Canteen are all involved, as are the likes of the Library and Martin Luther Church, but also recently opened cafes like Swig and Cuppello’s, as well as many, many more.
To be honest, we’ll probably be popping over for all the food and drink alone.
And, of course, there’s going to be plenty of live music, DJ sets, other bits of entertainment, and all-around fun to be enjoyed; there’s even going to be everything from arts, crafts and workshops, to pirates and boat rides.
Getting underway from as early 9am – thanks to the likes of the regular Stretford parkrun crew teaming up with the festival, and Mr & Mrs hosting a coffee morning for their first birthday – there really is going to be something for everyone from start to finish.
You can see the full StretFest schedule or build your own personal day-into-night programme HERE.
As for what else is on the cards for the final few days of March (give or take a couple), you can find out what else is on in and around the ten boroughs down below.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures/Adrian Michael (supplied)/The Manc Group
What's On
Embrace announce intimate live show in beloved Bury music venue
Danny Jones
British alternative veterans Embrace have announced another intimate show here in Greater Manchester, only this time it’s over in Bury at a stunning small-cap arts venue.
It’s not often you get to see such a long-standing band play outside of the city centre so far into their career, especially in gorgeous grassroots spaces like this one.
A fellow Northern outfit, they’ve often been lumped in with that ‘post-Britpop’ era of music, and plenty throw around the so-called ‘dad rock’ label, but honestly, we couldn’t care either way: they remain among the UK’s perennially underappreciated underdogs that never get old, as far as we’re concerned.
Revealing a handful of new live dates for their album launch this summer, they’ll be making just two appearances in the North West on the run.
Writing in the post, the group said: “We’ve lined up a run of exclusive UK dates in venues that are some of the smallest we’ve played in years. It’s going to be special, but capacity is extremely limited.”
As you can see, besides the Jacaranda Baltic in Liverpool, the only other place in this region where they’re set to play for this mini tour is The Met over in Bury.
One of the most beautiful gig spots, not just in the town but in all the 10 boroughs, for our money, the room only holds around 400 standing and roughly 250 seats.
For seasoned artists like this lot, who are more used to playing big festival stages and big domestic headline tours – which they’re also doing later this year – it’s sure to be a special night.
Toasting the release of their ninth studio LP, Avalanche, this spin-off on the tried and tested in-store format wouldn’t be possible without the help of local record store, Wax and Beans, who are promoting and hosting the show.
But we can’t lie, there’s something about the idea of seeing them decades on from when they first tightly-packed out crowds of this size.
If you want to be part of the Embrace album launch tour, you can get ready to grab your tickets at 10am this Friday, 27 March, right HERE. And speaking of great record shops…
Emily Sergeant -
1st September 2021 
