A legendary music venue that once hosted the likes of Tina Turner and Jimi Hendrix is set to reopen this summer.
New Century Hall was a thriving dance hall and events venue in the 1960s and 1970s but has been standing silently for the best part of a decade.
The venue, which is part of the NOMA neighbourhood in the city centre, is now set to be restored and reawakened in a £10m project.
Once complete, the reopened New Century will be a three-floor social hub home to an 800+ capacity live music venue, a large food hall, and a creative college.
New Century in Manchester. Credit: Supplied
The Grade II-listed building’s incredible heritage, like its sprung dance floor, 1960s ‘disco ceiling’ and vintage wood panelled walls, will all be preserved.
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In its heyday, New Century Hall hosted acts including The Bee Gees, The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix, as well as famous club nights in the 1980s.
It’s set to become a busy events venue again, hosting emerging talent and global touring artists, as well as comedy, performance and conferences.
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Credit: Supplied
The ground floor, meanwhile, will become the 300-cover New Century Kitchen, with five independent food operators working alongside a more permanent pizza and coffee offering.
A central bar will serve local beers, wines and cocktails, with an entertainment space in the plans.
New Century Kitchen will also operate in the outside space at Sadler’s Yard.
The basement, meanwhile, will be home to Access Creative College, which counts Ed Sheeran as one of its alumni and a patron.
This will be the college’s third site in Manchester and will help people to kick-start careers in the creative industry.
Taking inspiration from the trailblazing spirit of the 1960s when the building was developed, New Century will celebrate the past to inspire an exciting new chapter – an everyday place for unforgettable experiences.
New Century is expected to reopen this summer.
Featured image: Supplied
Gigs & Nightlife
Parklife has ALREADY put 2024 tickets on sale at a bargain price – but there’s only 1000 available
Daisy Jackson
Parklife has barely begun, with thousands pouring into Heaton Park for the first day of the festival – but for the first time ever, tickets for next year are already on sale.
The massive music event has made a surprise announcement that it’s putting its 2024 tickets on sale while the 2023 edition is underway.
Tickets for Parklife 2024 are on sale at a discounted price too, until this year’s wraps up tomorrow night.
So that means you have until The 1975 finish their Parklife Stage performance at 11pm on Sunday to secure your entry for next year.
There’s a really limited number of tickets available – only 1,000 – in the super early-bird sale.
Anyone who books their ticket now will be able to lock in their festival for next year for just a £15 deposit.
From 11pm on Sunday, that deposit price will jump up by £25.
2024 let’s go, super early birds onsale for 48hrs — £15 deposit
Parklife announced the new on Twitter this afternoon, writing: “2024 let’s go, super early birds onsale for 48hrs — £15 deposit.”
The festival added on their website: “For the first time ever we’re putting Parklife 2024 on-sale while the 2023 festival is underway.
“We’re offering a SUPER early-bird 2024 ticket prices for 48hrs that go live on Saturday as soon as the gates open at 11AM and increase by £25.00 on Sunday when last headliner The 1975 finishes at 11PM.
“There are only 1,000 available, so get them from a £15 deposit while you can!”
Payment plans are available – you can pay £15 now, then pay off the remainder of your ticket in 11 monthly instalments finishing in May 2024.
Parklife main stage artist pulls out just before festival ‘due to being ill as f**k’
Daisy Jackson
One of the artists due to perform on the main stage of Parklife today has pulled out just hours before his scheduled appearance.
Joesef was meant to hit the Parklife Stage at around 2pm today, but has had to cancel his slot at the huge festival.
The Scottish singer updated fans on his social media, writing that he was ‘ill as f*ck’ and that his voice was too affected to sing.
He said that he chose to pull out of the line-up because he would be ‘completely pish up there’.
Joesef then promised to make it up to Manchester fans in the near future.
Parklife posted on Twitter: “Unfortunately Joesef can no longer perform today due to illness. Please refresh the app for updated set times.”
Joesef himself then wrote: “ello troops unfortunately won’t be able to perform at @parklife_festival due to being ill as fuck.
“usually i’d power through but it’s affecting my voice and i’d be completely pish up there.
“sorry to let anyone down who wanted to see us, I’m f*cking gutted about this. hopefully can make it up to the manchester crew sooner rather than later.”
Joesef has received praise from the likes of Elton John and has become a staple on radio airwaves as well as social media.
He released his debut album Permanent Damage early this year.
He’s still set to perform at other massive festivals, including Reading and Leeds Festival, this summer.
The huge festival has kicked off today, with 70,000 music fans flocking into Heaton Park on both days of Parklife.
Today’s line-up includes headline performances from Aitch, Fred Again and Little Simz.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd February 2022 
