Now we have the go-ahead that allcurrent COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted on 19 July, venues are finally able to confirm their plans for the big day – including Escape to Freight Island.
The huge former railway station venue at Mayfield Depot has revealed it’ll be putting on one of the city’s first restriction-free events – aptly titled ‘Let’s Start the Dance’.
So, to help wave goodbye to restrictions and finally start dancing again, there’ll be a series of extra special one-off, back-to-back sets from some of Manchester’s most legendary DJs.
From 5pm until midnight, there’ll be no less than 14 DJs spinning all the best feel-good house, disco, garage, and drum and bass tunes to soundtrack your post-lockdown mood.
Featured on the night will be:
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Rich Reason b2b Chimpo
P-RO Jones b2b Katbrownsugar
DJ Paulette b2b Dave Haslam
Jenna G b2b Mix-Stress
Krysko b2b James Holroyd
Gina Breeze b2b Will Tramp
Unabombers b2b Tom Wainwright
Hit&Run boss Rich Reason has hosted a number of more chilled out hip-hop fuelled Sit&Bun Sessions here over the past year, so he’s got the vibe well under control whatever the occasion.
Meanwhile, Mix-Stress and DJ Paulette are also familiar faces, having played countless times across the last couple of months. And not to mention there’ll be appearances from solid Manc faves Gina Breeze, Will Tramp and Jenna G.
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So, it’s good to know we’re in safe hands here.
DJ Mix-Stress back behind the decks at Escape to Freight Island. Credit: @mix_stress/IG
Freight Island has provided the city with such a unique atmosphere over the last 12 months. And alongside a full (and free) music and arts programme, there’s been a selection of top-quality street food vendors and drinks on offer to keep everyone fed and watered.
The venue has proven a massive hit amongst socially-distanced drinkers since opening in July 2020. But now, customers will be able to experience Freight Island in a brand-new unrestricted way for the first time.
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Dan Morris, Managing Director of Escape to Freight Island, said: “We are proud to be preparing Manchester for one of the first restriction free parties happening on Monday 19 July at Escape to Freight Island. This will be a special gathering for everyone in attendance.
“The setting of Freight Island is perfect – outdoor and overlooking the city as the sun sets, with sunny weather, great DJs and a rich diverse mix of people that Manchester is known for. It will be a beautiful moment, a special one-off event to celebrate.”
Tickets for Let’s Start the Dance are free but they are limited. Grab yours here before it’s too late.
See you on the platform.
Featured image: Escape to Freight Island
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Elbow teams up with Co-op Live to donate equipment to Manchester grassroots venues
Thomas Melia
Bury band Elbow have joined forces with Manchester’s biggest indoor arena, Co-op Live, in aid of supporting local grassroots venues.
The funds will help improve the already incredible music scene in Manchester, benefitting staples likes Night and Day Café, Matt and Phred’s Jazz Club, SOUP and more.
All of the donations will be distributed across six independent music venues and will be used for various instruments, PA equipment, backline technology and other necessities depending on the requirements of each site.
Elbow have teamed up with Co-op Live in aid of supporting Manchester grassroots venues.Credit: Supplied
This initiative has been keeping Manchester’s Northern Quarter in the forefront of people’s minds when it comes to live music as well as the impressive Co-op Live.
Alongside providing vital resources for these local institutions, Elbow teaming up with Co-op Live also helps cement the North West as one of the main powerhouses in relation to live music.
The latest efforts from the largest indoor arena in Manchester fall in line with celebrating one year of bringing some of the best live music to the city, being officially open for 12 months in May.
Co-op Live have made a commitment to the people and the planet, promising to donate £1 million annually to the Co-op Foundation.
The stunning Co-op Live venue, Manchester’s largest indoor arena.Elbow performing at Co-op Live, marking history as the first act to grace the venue.Credit: Audio North/Supplied
Manchester’s latest live music venue also contributed significantly to selected charities, including Happy Doggo – chosen by Liam Gallagher and Eric Clapton’s addiction recovery centre, Crossroads.
As Elbow teams up with Co-op Live, even more money is making its way to necessary resources, this time in the likes of crucial live music establishments.
Elbow front-person Guy Garvey says: “Playing Co-op Live’s opening night will stay with us for a lifetime, not least because of how incredible the room sounded.”
“When the venue donated funds in our name to support the city we love, it made complete sense to carry that through to the Northern Quarter and to venues that have meant so much to my bandmates and I throughout our career.”
Guy Dunstan, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Co-op Live, adds: “In the past year, I have been proud to see Co-op Live become an integral part of such an incredible city.”
“Teaming up with Elbow to directly support the venues that first put Manchester on the map, and to share something so intrinsic to us as venues – proper sound – is something truly special.”
Award-winning The Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon to kick off UK tour in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Multi award-winning musical Sunny Afternoon is set to kick off its UK tour here in Manchester later this year.
Following a sell-out run at Hampstead Theatre, the musical production featuring all the hit songs by legendary rock band The Kinks opened to critical acclaim at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End, where it ran for two years ahead of its sensational UK and Ireland tour throughout 2016/17.
It also collected four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music for Ray Davies, along the way.
Award-winning The Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon is kicking off its UK tour in Manchester / Credit: ATG Tickets
Set against the backdrop of Britain on the cusp of the rebellious 60s,Sunny Afternoon is described as being an ‘exhilarating and moving’ celebration of the music, life, and the band that changed it all, The Kinks.
Sunny Afternoon celebrates The Kinks’ raw energy, passion, and timeless sound.
Charting the ‘euphoric highs’ and ‘agonising lows’, the smash-hit production tells the band’s story through an incredible back catalogue of chart-toppers – including ‘You Really Got Me’, ‘Lola’, ‘All Day and All of the Night’, and of course, ‘Sunny Afternoon’ itself.
Tickets are on sale now from just £15 each / Credit: Kevin Cummins
Producers Sonia Friedman Productions and ATG Productions announced last week that the show would be returning for another UK tour later this year, and it’ll be opening right here on one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages.
The hit musical will open at Manchester’s Palace Theatre on 10 October 2025 and it will run right through until 18 October.
Sunny Afternoon has music and lyrics, and an original story, all by the band’s frontman Ray Davies, along with a book by Joe Penhall, direction by Edward Hall, design by Miriam Buether, and choreography by Adam Cooper.
Hannah Starkie -
14th July 2021 
