Stockport and its street party scene seem to be thriving at the moment and now Manchester’s increasingly popular Block Party is getting involved too.
We’ve all seen how SK1 Records and their street parties have taken off over the past year or so, so it only makes sense for Block Party to team up with them and others to bring their tried and tested format to another Greater Manchester borough this summer.
No, we don’t care how many times you repeat it, it isn’t Cheshire and hasn’t been for ages.
But back to the matter at hand, Block Party – who have already seen great success over at Piccadilly Trading Estate with the help of Manc brewers Cloudwater, Track, Balance and Sureshot – are set to deliver a day of music entertainment, food, bevs drink and fun for all the family.
Block Party always goes off (Credit: Supplied)
Aptly named ‘Stock Party’ (some things just line up perfectly), the latest street party will be landing on the historic Underbank in collaboration with all their usual partners as well as local beer experts Robinsons Brewery and Runaway, as well as Michelin-recognised Where The Light Gets and many more.
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Being brought to life with the help of Stockport’s Business Improvement District (BID), Totally Stockport and Stockport Council as part of the growing ‘Old Town’ revival moment, they’re set to deliver a day of music entertainment, food & drink and family activities around the town centre.
‘Robbies’ Brewery on Lower Hillgate will be home to the main festival square and bar, pouring the freshest beers from each of the breweries, with tunes being pumped out onto the street by SK1 Records and a special DJ set curated by Bohemian Arts Club to ensure a proper party atmosphere.
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For those who prefer a nice pinot noir, Isca will be serving up a selection of their natural wines; plus Where The Light Gets In will be serving up BBQ and Honest Crust – one of the best pizza places anywhere in Greater Manchester – will be serving up slices… of heaven, we mean.
Although we can promise plenty of dancing and footfall, Underbank will also be lined with tables and chairs enabling festival-goers to enjoy an alfresco beer from a five-tap van located outside Rare Mags, while Yellowhammer pottery and bakery will see visitors can build their own tankard in a special one-off.
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There are even more offerings food and drink-wise too, with popular local bars Spinn Off and Cracked Actor, Cafe San Juan and Marley’s Tacos all serving up street food and pints for you to gulp down in the sunshine (fingers crossed).
Head just a few metres over the road and you’ll also find Stockport’s oldest and newly restored White Lion pub hosting an Old Town General Store DJ set and tap takeover, with Ginger’s Ice Cream Emporium on hand serving up their artisan ice cream. As if things couldn’t get any more summery.
Best of all, you don’t have to wait too long as Stock Party is happening on 20 July, lasting from 12-9pm and is completely free entry. You can bank on us being there and dancing along the cobbles until dusk. See you in SK next month!
Block Party first event in Stockport event beckons (Credit: Stockport BID)
Rap duo D-Block Europe add second Manchester arena date due to ‘phenomenal demand’
Danny Jones
London-based rap duo D-Block Europe have just added a second Manchester arena date due to “phenomenal demand”, with two other UK cities also getting extra shows.
The Lewisham-rooted hip-hip group, who have continued to skyrock in popularity over the past year or so, saw their Manc gig sell out in just a matter of hours.
With that in mind, the show has gone from an already impressive booking in the shape of their Co-op Live debut, to D-Block Europe playing two consecutive nights at the largest indoor entertainment venue in all of Greater Manchester.
Quite the achievement for a band already coming off the back of a huge 12-month period.
Updating fans on social media, the trap specialists said: “Ya’ll went so crazy we had to run it back. New dates just dropped, grab your tickets before they’re gone again.”
Comprised of two equally talented MCs, Adam Nathaniel ‘Young Adz’ Williams, and Ricky Earl Banton – a.k.a. ‘Dirtbike LB’, D-Block Europe have already landed some seriously big hits and collabs.
Working with the likes of Central Cee on ‘Overseas’, 9Goddy, Aitch, AJ Tracey and more, D-Block have racked up more than 10.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and much like their name would suggest, have garnered a solid following over in mainland Europe too.
Grime, garage, trap and everything in between – the British hip-hop scene is in a good place.
Best known for a tracks like ‘Kitchen Kings’, ‘Make You Smile’, recent release Ski Talk and more, fans will be looking forward to hearing plenty of tracks in real ‘Life’.
For instance, it might be a joint feature, but their verses on Cassö and soul singer Raye‘s track ‘Prada’ helped make it the one-time summer smash it was.
Banger.
They might be riding a wave right now, but its worth noting the boys have been at this for well over a decade now, and with a growing connection to Manchester, we’re glad to see them landing premier venues like this the Co-op.
Obviously, tickets are already on sale for the second date on 10 December, and even if disappear just as quick, be sure to keep an eye out for resale tickets for the Tuesday and Wednesday night gigs.
Ocean Colour Scene announce big Manchester show on special anniversary tour
Danny Jones
Veteran UK rock band Ocean Colour Scene (OCS) are hopping on the booming anniversary tour bandwagon and coming to Manchester for a big arena gig next year.
The key Britpop figures who also dipped their toes in everything from indie to shoegaze and the so-called ‘baggy pop’ era, are soon to celebrate 30 years since their seminal sophomore studio LP, Moseley Shoals, which dropped all the way back in April 1996.
As a key part of the 90s rock movement in this country, the record was not only an impressive follow-up that avoided the pitfalls of second-album syndrome, but features some of the group’s most beloved tracks, such as ‘The Riverboat Song’, ‘The Circle’, and most iconic of all: ‘The Day We Caught the Train’
For those of you who remember its release, it may seem hard to believe that it’s been that long, but if the Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour has taught us anything, it’s that those formative tracks NEVER get old.
The years may have passed…But their fandom still thrives.Credit: Dave Briggs (via Flickr)/Brian Sweeney (supplied)
Coming to the legendary AO Arena (not for the first time), Ocean Colour Scene will no doubt be tapping into that same old ‘Madchester‘ scene that helped fill their crowds in these parts back in the day.
Speaking on the upcoming tour, frontman Simon Fowler said, “It’s hard to believe that Moseley Shoals turns 30 in 2026. We owe so much to that album, so it’s exciting to be able to look forward to this very special anniversary and celebrate with our amazing fans at some of the UK’s most prestigious venues.”
There are a few Northern dates for us to make the most of here in England, too, including not just Manchester but Bradford and Newcastle as well.
You can see the full list of domestic dates for the Ocean Colour Scene Moseley Shoals 30th Anniversary Tour down below:
As you can see, perhaps one of the things we’re most excited about with this one is the support act, as fellow cult favourites The Enemy will also be joining as special guests on the road.
General admission tickets for OCS’s tour go live at 9am on 17 October, but those keen on presale can secure early access through the venue the day prior, and Three+ members can do so from as early as next Wednesday (15 Oct); get ready to grab yours HERE.
They’re not the only long-standing favourites of the decade who are toasting a big milestone with even bigger venues next year, either.
Danny Jones -
21st June 2024 
