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Manchester’s iconic Victoria Baths to turn into a dancefloor for a new phones-free daytime rave series

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Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 5th June 2026

Victoria Baths is turning into a dancefloor this autumn.

That’s right – the iconic Grade II-listed venue will become the home of a new series of immersive daytime raves from October, as Escapism launches inside the empty swimming pool space – promising to champion electronic music culture in Manchester and provide a new chapter in ‘elevated’ daytime experiences.

Created from the visionary mind of Geoff Oakes and joined by founding partner Dez Derry, Escapism is a new bespoke events company dedicated to creating carefully curated electronic music experiences in extraordinary locations… with Victoria Baths being the latest.

Musically, Escapism will aim to offer an expertly curated lineup headed by an extended four-hour set from Grammy-winning duo Deep Dish, pioneering DJ Smokin Jo, and rising talent Pattn.

Beyond the music, you can expect a selection of yummy street food vendors, specialist barista coffee, and fully stocked bars, while a second room in the venue will be transformed into an immersive installation to create an ‘alternate atmosphere’ that complements encourages exploration on the day.

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Central to the Escapism philosophy is a ‘commitment to genuine connection on the dancefloor’, and this means that the event will operate a strict no-phones on the dancefloor policy.

The inaugural Escapism event takes place at Victoria Baths on Saturday 10 October, running from 3:30pm until 11:30pm.

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Due to limited capacity and demand for this intimate event, tickets are expected to fly and are on sale now here.

Featured Image – Chris Payne (via Unsplash)

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Phoebe Bridgers announces long-awaited return with HUGE phones-free arena gig in Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

It’s official, Phoebe Bridgers is back on earth.

More than six years since her last studio album, Punisher, was released to the world, cementing her status as one of indie folk’s leading figureheads, Phoebe Bridgers has given fans the news they have been waiting so patiently for.

A new tour North America and EU tour is on the horizon, and she’ll be stopping off here in Manchester later this year for a huge arena gig.

Following a sold-out acoustic show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden last night (4 June), Phoebe has now revealed details of ‘The Lost Tour’ for 2026.

Other than the series of surprise pop-up acoustic shows that have wrapped around the country over the last few weeks – beginning in Roswell in New Mexico on 8 May, and continuing on to smaller venues in other US cities before culminating in last night’s dazzling MSG show – this upcoming full band tour marks the first Phoebe Bridgers shows since early 2023.

Phoebe will be taking to the stage at Co-op Live here in Manchester for one night only on 26 November 2026 – with tickets going on sale next week.

And just like the pop-up shows, the use of mobile phones, cameras, and other recording devices will be strictly prohibited on this tour, encouraging fans to be more present in the moment.

This means the Co-op Live event will utilise secure pouches to store all devices during the performance.

Phoebe Bridgers is playing a huge arena gig in Manchester on her UK tour later this year / Credit: Supplied | Raph PH (Wikimedia Commons)

Upon arrival, all phones, smartwatches, and related accessories will be secured in these pouches, the pouches will be unlocked at the conclusion of the show, and any guest observed using a non-permitted device during the performance will be escorted out of the venue. 

If the news of Phoebe’s return wasn’t exciting enough for fans as it is, she won’t be the only one making a highly-anticipated return to the stage, as support on the UK & EU leg of the tour is to be provided by former Black Country, New Road frontman, Isaac Wood.

Wood stepped away from the ensemble band – and the limelight as a whole – right before the release of BCNR’s critically acclaimed debut album, Ants From Up There, in 2022, citing mental health reasons.

Phoebe has also partnered with PLUS1 so that €1/£1 from every ticket sold on the European tour leg goes to local organisations throughout the EU/UK working to support those impacted by sexual assault and violence.

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Phoebe Bridgers will be playing Co-op Live as part of ‘The Lost Tour’ on Thursday 26 November 2026.

Tickets officially go on sale first through the Phoebe Bridgers Pass Presale via Fan3, and Co-op Member Presale starting at 10am on Wednesday 10 June, before general sale then begins on Friday 12 June, again at 10am.

You can get tickets when they go live here.

Featured Image – David Lee (Wikimedia Commons)

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DMA’S announce latest UK and Ireland tour, including a pair of Manchester dates

Danny Jones Danny Jones DMA's Manchester gigs dates tickets

Aussie trio and adopted Mancs, DMA’S, have officially announced a brand-new headline tour across Great Britain and Ireland, confirming not one but two nights here in Manchester.

We’re also the only city getting double dates, because they clearly love us as much as we love them.

The Sydney-formed indie and alt-rock favourites have always had plenty of success in this part of the world, and with DMA’S getting ready to release a new self-titled studio album – their fifth up to this point – they’re obviously getting ready to tour it.

Having just dropped the latest single from it entitled ‘Hurracane’ (they spell things however they want, as we know), they have now revealed a full list of UK and IE live dates.

Speaking on the fresh track, lead guitarist and secondary vocalist Matt Mason said in a press release: “Hurracane has a recurrent musical motion that’s a nod to the song lyrically, and we used the idea of a displacing storm to tell the story, leading into a style that we hadn’t recorded ourselves before.”

Meanwhile, the latest LP is set to drop this August; we’ve already heard the lead single in ‘My Baby’s Place’ and the second song, ‘Heatin Park’, all of which have gone down well with fans.

The early reviews of this third track and accompanying music video also look to be largely positive, with the almost folky mandolin riffs showing a different kind of approach from the group.

As for their upcoming tour dates, besides a pair of Manchester gigs, they’ll also be playing the likes of the Olympia in Liverpool, Sheffield’s Octagon Centre, and the Barbican in York, just to name a few.

Their popularity up here in the North was only further proved by how many people came along to NBHD Weeekender 2026 (review HERE) seemingly just for them.

For those looking to grab tickets, you can obviously secure early access by pre-ordering their album and signing yourself up for the band’s mailing list.

General admission to see DMA’s in Manchester on Friday, 5 and Saturday, 6 February 2027, as well as all other domestic tour dates, will be available from 10am on 12 June, 2026; you can get ready to grab your tickets right HERE.

All we’ll say is that after we saw them on their Hills End anniversary tour earlier this year, you have to make sure you go to at least one of these shows.

Roll on more nights like this…

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Featured Images — Audio North/Roman Jody (supplied)

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