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Parmogeddon is taking over Northern Monk in the Northern Quarter

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 12th March 2020
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What's On

Manchester artist Stanley Chow to host free DJ set at beloved Chorlton bar

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stanley Chow free DJ set Garden Bar Chorlton

Well-known Manchester artist Stanley Chow is set to host a exclusive DJ at one of the most beloved neighbourhood bars in Chorlton – and it’s happening this weekend.

So, if you fancy something other than BRITs buzz that has well and truly gripped Manchester, you can always go and dance with Stan.

Following the success of other special one-off performances such as Cain Dingle from Emmerdale (yes, really), The Garden Bar will be inviting the famous portrait creator to spin a few tracks with his fellow suburban residents.

Previously known as The Font, which sadly closed it’s city centre site a couple of years ago and has since been reborn in Chorlton and hosted all kinds of fun events throughout the week. Up next:

Still living nearby and remaining a passionate Chorlton regular – as we found out from his very opinionated ‘Tram Takes’ interview last year – the 52-year-old illustrator and local legend with be heading to Garden Bar this Friday, 27 February.

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He’s also no stranger to stepping behing the decks.

As a member of not only of the art hub here in the city centre, but Greater Manchester’s wider creative scene as a whole, he played the likes of Green Island – which recently announced the first wave of its lineup for 2026 – and he’s played the area more than once before.

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It’s still unconfirmed whether or not he’ll be returning to the big outdoor bash in garden centre, but he’ll certainly be an equally popular and familiar face at The Garden at the end of the month.

Also, we caught him at Green Island ourselves and, on this ocassion, we can vouch: the man’s not half bad, you know…

Speaking on booking his next live gig, Stan said: “I’m very happy to be back DJing in Chorlton. The Garden Bar is a fantastic local spot, and I’ll be playing a mix of my favourite tracks, some old classics and a few surprises.

“DJing has always been a big part of my life, and it’s a joy to share that with a friendly crowd in such a creative space.”

Jess Anderson, Manager of The Garden Bar, added: “As one of our regulars we’re thrilled that Stan will be bringing some of his record collection for us all to hear.

“His DJ night comes straight off the back of brilliant guest slots with Jeff Hordley [aka Emmerdale‘s Cain Dingle], and James Cartwright [aka Coronation Street‘s Theo Silverton] and we’re expecting more of the same with Stan as guest DJ. We can’t wait to see the energy he brings.”

So yeah, if you fancy seeing Stan the man swap his 2D geometric portrature for a fun little night on the tiles, it’s completely free entry, with the party starting from 8:30pm and food served until 9pm.

You can of course phone ahead to book yourself a spot on 0161 518 2227, and in case you’re wondering what else they’ve got on at The Garden, find out more down below.

Live comedy nights are returning to a beloved bar in Chorlton

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Featured Images — Clear as a Bell /Stanley Chow(supplied)

What's On

‘Hefty’ Foo Fighters ticket prices for surprise Manchester gig divide opinion

Danny Jones Danny Jones Foo Fighters surprise Manchester gig O2 Ritz ticket prices

Foo Fighters fans, gig-goers and all-round music lovers in general have been left up in arms after the legendary American rock band announced some surprise shows in the UK and Ireland – including here in Manchester – as ticket prices have labelled ‘shameful’ by some.

In case you missed the news that sent us here in Manchester and all over the nation into bedlam, Foo Fighters recently revealed they would be playing just a handful of shows up and down the country, all at smaller venues than their usual arena tour dates.

Sharing the news fairly last-minute over the weekend, with tickets going on sale this past Sunday and (shock) selling out almost immediately, many have taken issue with the band’s and/or promoters’ approach to the event.

While lots have revelled in the excitement of a show scheduled for this week being dropped on our laps in the eleventh hour, lots of others feel the price point for the tickets is ‘ridiculous’.

Although they’re not quite on the level of the controversial Oasis/Harry Styles sagas, at £99 including all fees, they’re still up there with the most expensive gig tickets venues like these will ever charge.

Most poignantly, the tickets were sold strictly in person via the box office, with fans queuing up outside a trio of venues.

Taking place at the O2 Ritz, which has a capacity of roughly 1,500, the Foo Fighters’ Manchester date is not only one of the most in-demand gigs, but also promises to be one of their sweatiest – and, apparently, most divisive.

For some, this is a very cool bit of marketing and at least an attempt to curb online ticket touts, plus helping support live music spaces directly; on the other hand, the significant fee remains a sticking point they refuse to move past.

Responding in the comments underneath the post by the Ritz, one person wrote: “That ticket price is f****** disgusting. It’s not costing them f*** all to play there, if Harry Styles can play the Co-op Live for £20 then they should”; another simply added, “99 quid is wild, do better.”

Safe to say it has split opinions across the board.

As you can see, it’s also affected other acts set to play these same rooms this month, too.

Others have also doubted whether the ‘face value exchange’ tactic really works all that much, as a few people on social media reported having already found a number of tickets being listed on resale on certain platforms.

What do you make of artists charging these kinds of prices for exclusive one-off shows like this, or the cost of gig tickets in general these days?

Better yet, did any of you succeed in grabbing tickets to see Foo Fighters at the Ritz here in Manchester this Friday, 27 February?

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Audio North/Publicity picture (via Foo Fighters/O2 Ritz)

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