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There’s an ‘immersive’ Alice in Wonderland-themed cocktail experience coming to Manchester

This "alternate reality" will take you down the rabbit hole and through the looking glass.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 11th May 2021

Manchester is gearing up to become host to a series of Alice in Wonderland-themed immersive cocktail experiences this summer.

Returning for 2021, each 90-minute “tea party to end all tea parties” – hosted by the interactive team behind the already-successful and popular events, The Wizard’s Den, Beyond Cinema and The Art of Murder – invites you on an “adventure”.

Tea partygoers are taken on a “topsy-turvy journey” into the magical realm of Wonderland.

The description for the event series – which is set to take place in a soon-to-be-announced location in Manchester city centre – reads: “Join us for a theatrical, alternate reality experience that will take you down the rabbit hole and through the looking glass.

“Create two bespoke Wonderland cocktails, solve riddles and challenges just like Alice, devour “Eat Me” cake, paint the roses red, and much more”.

Previous tea partygoers have got plenty of positive things to say about the event too, with one admitting: “We came for the Alice in Wonderland experience and we were entranced by the effort and detail in the show and the games. The interactive show with the hosts was wonderful, they were funny and high energy [and] it was a great laugh and a fabulous way to spend an afternoon”.

She was also sure to complement the “great cocktails”, and said she would “definitely recommend for a fun day out”.

Another satisfied customer said “the cocktails were delicious and the games were great”, and also said they would “100% recommend”.

A third commented on the “themed experience and delivery”, and said it was “a blast”.

Wonderland Bar The Alice – An Immersive Cocktail Experience is arriving in Manchester from 1st July – 22nd October 2021.

Limited tickets will be available, and you can now register your interest here.

Featured Image – An Immersive Cocktail Experience

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Manchester Cathedral will be hosting a series of huge concerts this year

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Manchester Cathedral will be hosting a series of huge concerts this year

Manchester is famed for its music venues, from the tiny (The Peer Hat) to the massive (The Co-op Live) – and now our beautiful cathedral is getting in on the concert action too. 

Manchester Cathedral will be the host of a captivating concert series this year as the Echoes live music series comes to town. 

The packed programme of concerts ranges from pop music to soul and reggae, all set against the backdrop of the Grade I-listed landmark. 

Running from September all the way into November, Echoes will bring together live entertainment with timeless architecture in the city’s most majestic setting. 

The line-up includes nostalgic pop royalty like Peter Andre, B*Witched, and Vengaboys, who’ll be bringing pure party energy to the Manchester Cathedral. 

Some of the world’s most soulful voices will also be filling the grand building, with performances from Tunde of Lighthouse Family, Heather Small of M People, and Sister Sledge.

Sister Sledge
Peter Andre
Marvin Humes will present Noughties Baby
The Feeling

There’ll be more 90s energy with Noughties Baby, as JLS’s Marvin Humes brings Dappy as a special guest. 

Completing the line-up this autumn are indie rockers The Feeling and a night of reggae with Maxi Priest and David Rodigan.

Expect nostalgia, energy and soul beneath the historic vaulted ceilings and sandstone arches of the Manchester Cathedral.

Whether you’re reliving the soundtrack of your youth, soaking in some proper anthems, or just basking in the acoustics of the magnificent cathedral, Echoes will have something for you.

The concert series is brought to you by JBM Music with tickets on sale on Friday 27 June from 9am HERE.

You can see the full line-up with dates below.

Echoes at Manchester Cathedral concert line-up in full 

  • Thursday 25 September – Sister Sledge
  • Friday 26 September – Tunde Of Lighthouse Family
  • Saturday 27 September – B*Witched
  • Thursday 2 October – Peter Andre
  • Saturday 4 October – Marvin Humes Presents Noughties Baby with special guest Dappy
  • Friday 31 October – The Feeling
  • Saturday 1 November – Boney M
  • Thursday 27 November – Maxi Priest & David Rodigan
  • Friday 28 November – Vengaboys
  • Saturday 29 November – Heather Small – The Voice Of M People

Read more: Rising Manc star Lusaint and more to serenade cricket crowds at The Hundred 2025

Featured image: The Manc Group

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Rising Manc star Lusaint and more to serenade cricket crowds at The Hundred 2025

Danny Jones Danny Jones Lusaint performing live music at The Hundred in Manchester

The Hundred crowds inside Emirates Old Trafford are in for a real treat as rising Manchester star, Lusaint, is set to join the lineup of live music acts playing the 2025 tournament.

We’re so excited about this up-and-coming local singer and the rest of the live music lineup on show at this year’s competition.

Ahead of the fast-paced, family-friendly format returning to Emirates Old Trafford this August, the bands and musicians offering yet more entertainment on matchdays have now been announced, along with details of more activities for all ages.

The Hundred Final at Lord’s in London will be headlined by solo singer, Perrie (a.k.a. Perrie Edwards, formerly of Little Mix), and the Manchester games are boasting some great names too.

In addition to Perrie, other big names signed up for 2025 are the likes of York four-piece Glass Caves, Bristol experimental live-looper, Bexx, as well as the best of soul and R’n’B in Brighton, Iyamah.

But we can’t lie, naturally, it’s all about whose playing The Hundred fixtures at Old Trafford that we’re most fussed about.

Following past years where the competition has seen the likes of Zara Larsson, Rudimental, Bastille and Jax Jones; Raye, Becky Hill, Everything Everything and Self Esteem, they’ve managed to pique our interest yet again.

Really channelling the platforming power of the BBC Introducing partnered stages for the latest edition, Lusaint was the first name to catch our attention for obvious reasons.

She featured on our Manchester artists of the month list not too long ago, and if you haven’t given her music a try before, now’s the perfect time before seeing her in person at The Hundred – worth the ticket price on her own, if you ask us.

Better still, she’s not the only name we’re excited about seeing this summer, as joining the live music lineup in Manchester is native hip-hop, grime, soul and afrobeats musician, Prido, whose storytelling style has been making waves not just within the genre but across the city.

For instance, his last live set for BBC Introducing at Reading Festival 2024 saw plenty of attention online, and he’s definitely one to watch, even if you don’t manage to catch him at the cricket. Aimei 媚 and Lowes complete this year’s lineup and are set to take the stage throughout August.

Manchester Originals women’s player Sophie Ecclestone said: “The live music at The Hundred is one of my favourite things about playing in the competition. It brings an extra element to The Hundred which is different to other forms of cricket.”

With early bird tickets available from just £5 for under 16s and for £17 adults, it’s no surprise that 9,000 have already been sold for the Originals‘ derby against Northern Superchargers on Sunday, 17 August.

You can find out more information on what else is in store at The Hundred 2025 beyond the live music lineup and grab your tickets for Manchester HERE.

lusaint manchester
You can read our review of her recent show HERE.
Perrie
prido manchester
Prido
Just some of the names that make up The Hundred live music lineup for 2025. (Credit: Press shots/Audio North)

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/The Hundred (supplied)/Press Shot/Prido (via Facebook)

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