Festivals are unreal places, aren’t they? Not just for the music, the memories, and the 10am tinny from breakfast, but for the people you meet and the friendships you cement for life.
One person that can vouch for this is Harry James.
A few years back, Harry and his mates attended Houghton Festival. Lost in the hedonistic mood that a festival can so easily induce, they were inspired by the non-gimmicky simplicity of the weekend.
They realised the key was to strip things back and focus on the music and the atmosphere.
The same night, they cooked up the concept for a brand-new Manchester club night, bred from a pure passion for music and the community of people it brings together.
Harry DJing at the very first Partial event held at The Whisky Jar in November 2019.
They spent the best part of a year nailing it all down before launching at The Whisky Jar at the back end of 2019. With a clear ethos for the brand, they directed their attention into nailing the simple things first. And in doing so, they’ve created something worthy of our attention.
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“We put a lot of care and thought into the environment that we’re creating for people to dance in,” Harry told The Manc Audio.
“We make sure the venue, the décor, and the overall atmosphere are the kind of settings where people can really let loose and enjoy big tunes from top DJs on a quality system.”
Now – after what’s felt like forever – we can actually contemplate the idea of clubbing again.
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We’re finally able to sample some Partial party action later this month. The third Partial instalment will take place in the Progress Centre courtyard on 31 July. They’ve got Youandewan and The Ghost spinning tunes between 2pm until 11pm.
“Our upcoming bookings Youandewan and The Ghost seem to have all carved their own corner into the scene in Berlin and the UK,” said Harry.
“We love the sound and style that these guys are pushing. So, we feel very lucky to have them play at our first few events. It’ll be exciting to see how the sound of Partial evolves and develops over time.”
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German Youandewan has – in his words – forged his own “tender brand of deep house”. He’s also released tracks on Butter Side Up before now, a UK label which is owned by Harry’s friend. So, he makes an ideal booking for the comeback occasion.
British but Berlin-based duo The Ghost have been mates since they were 10-years-old. Both of them went on to Leeds University where they threw some legendary student parties in their time.
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On relocating to Berlin, they began DJing together under the alias The Ghost. Within just a couple of years, they’ve undoubtedly become ones to watch. Not only for their sound, but for launching Berlin’s first mobile record store, built from a vintage camper van, as well as starting Ghost Records.
This will be the pair’s first time in Manchester for quite a while. So, the Partial boys are buzzing to welcome their groove-fuelled house back to the city.
On the day, they’ll have the best sound system set up, too, courtesy of Neuron Pro Audio who will be supplying a next level Danley Sound Lab system.
“This next event is a step up for us in terms of capacity and production value,” said Harry.
“The Progress Centre is a venue we’ve had our eye on for a while now. So, it’s something we really look forward to bringing to life. But all will be revealed on July 31.”
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Tickets are still available, but they’re on final release. Get yours booked here.
Stay up to date with Manchester music and events with The Manc Audio.
Featured image: @stillsfromraz/IG
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The Pussycat Dolls announce major comeback with huge global arena tour
Daisy Jackson
Global pop icons The Pussycat Dolls have announced a major global tour, with 50+ shows across Europe and North America.
The pop icons will be performing a massive show here in Manchester as part of the tour, which kicks off this summer.
The Pussycat Dolls have been teasing their return this week, plastering hints on venues across the UK – including the Co-op Live, which displayed a pink digital ad reading ‘Don’t cha wish you knew who we’re announcing tomorrow??’
The multi-platinum pop supergroup will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of their debut record, PCD. They’ll be supported on the European leg of the tour, which will bring them to the UK in September and October, by Lil’ Kim.
The PCD Forever tour will span a whopping 53 dates, where they’ll perform their chart-topping hits including the 5x platinum Buttons, plus Don’t Cha, and Stickwitu.
The Pussycat Dolls were pop heavyweights in the 2000s, known for their electrifying choreography and live performances.
The Pussycat Dolls have announced a major global tour with a Manchester date. Credit: Rankin
Nicole Scherzinger, Kimberly Wyatt, and Ashley Roberts will be back together once again this year for what will be their biggest international run in years.
They’ll be releasing a new song for the first time since 2019 – Club Song is produced by Mike Sabbath (RAYE, Jade) and written by Nicole Scherzinger with Sabbath, Caroline Ailin (Dua Lipa) and Solly (Teddy Swims).
General tickets will go on sale from 10am on Friday 20 March, but fans can sign up for pre-sale at pcdforever.com by Monday to access tickets early.
Country 2 Country music festival is coming to Manchester next year
Danny Jones
Hold on to your cowboy hats, country fans: the smash-hit Country 2 Country music festival is coming to Manchester.
The massive live music festival specialising in all things country, folk, bluegrass, Americana and more has slowly been expanding its presence across the UK and Ireland over the last decade or so.
Starting in London at the O2 Arena, before hitting the Emerald Isle in 2015 and debuting in Scotland just three years later, it has seen some of the biggest acts from the world of country music cross the Atlantic to show off the Stateside genre, plus plenty from around the globe already immersed in the culture.
We’ll confess, even prior to the official announcement, we had a feeling this was coming when we spotted these posters dotted about in town:
Like so many of those buzzing in the comments, we cannot wait for this to come around.
With this year’s respective events taking place simultaenously place over the coming weekend, Friday, 13 to Sunday, 15 March, it’s fair to say they’ve timed the news perfectly.
Everyone from established names such as Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw, Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves, to up-and-coming bands as well as fast-rising artists working in and around the genre, like Nate Smith, Lainey Wilson and, of course, the now well and truly massive Luke Combs.
For instance, the likes of Keith Urban, Noah Rinker, Alana Springsteen – no relation – Zach Top and many, MANY more, are playing across London, the OVO Hydro in Glasgow and Belfast’s SSE Arena for the 12th edition of the now annual celebration.
Set to arrive in our city centre for the very first time, Country 2 Country (C2C) will be making its Manc debut at none other than the legendary AO Arena, where so many of the biggest names and current generation of stars alike have played.
You only have to look at recent examples like Darius Rucker last year and the ever-growing Tyler Childers, helping kick off this season of country gigs here in Manchester.
Meanwhile, as you can see for Country 2 Country music fest’s Manchester debut, it’s coming in March 2027, and they’ll be teaming up with other local gig venues and bars to turn 0161 into a little slice of Broadway – we just hope we get a bit of Austin weather to boot.
It’s fair to say that this particular part of the music industry is definitely enjoying a big boom right now, with lots of different acts dipping their toes into the bayou, if you will.
However, C2C have been flying the flag for country music over here for ages now, and with it being hailed as remaining “one of the UK’s most spectacular annual festivals” by the likes of The Express and countless, among countless other reviews, we think it’s time you give it a go.
Better still, let’s show everyone that we can do it even better up North, and here in what everyone knows is Britain’s real musical home: Greater Manchester.
Tickets will be available from 10am next Friday, 20 March, and you can sign up to get early bird pre-sale access right HERE.
Credit: Niko Moon/Luke Dyson Photography (supplied)
Hannah Starkie -
19th July 2021 
