One of the most legendary drum and bass nights in Manchester’s music history is returning to the city for the first time in 20 years. Yes, it’s official: Squiggle Dee Mash is back.
Arguably the best-named night of live music anywhere in the world, Squiggle Dee Mash became a local institution even in its short four-year lifespan from 1998 to 2022, sprouting from a small gig put together by a uni student to a clubland cult hit.
Having been hosted in legendary venues like Generation X (New Wakefield St.) Club Havana (now Revs de Cuba), K2 (yes, the karaoke bar), MMU Student Union even in the depths of UoM’s Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST), the drum, bass and jungle night has had many homes.
Now resurrected by its founder, Ottilia Ordog – a music promoter and director of Beats Bazaar with decades of experience under her belt – Squiggle Dee Mash will be making its comeback at the Bee House venue located on Deansgate Locks on 21 October.
The line-up includes OG residents such as Sappo, Mark XTC and DJ Prophecy, as well as the likes of the Ragga Twins, DJ Rap, MC Madrush and many more.
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Full Squiggle Dee Mash Line-Up
DJ Rap
Ragga Twins
Sappo
Mark XTC
DJ Prophecy
Outlander
Diemond’ED
Veba
MC Madrush
MC Crystalize
MC Chilla
Kerin
The comeback event also promises live PAs from Howie Jacobs of Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, who will also drum along to Sappo’s beats, as well as a new collaboration between Mandy Wigby (Lionrock, Sister of Transistors, Architects of Rosslyn) and Kerin, a.k.a. Che3kz.
Ottilia, a self-proclaimed five-foot ‘Transylvanian drum and bass and jungle fanatic’, first hosted the event back in 1998 when she was a second year at the University of Salford and helped pioneer the D and B scene in the city, aiming to bring a more fun, festival-like feeling to jungle nights.
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As she puts it, the gig’s unique name basically took on United’s mantra of ‘hated, ignored, never ignored’, but soon the somewhat niche event became a place where people from all walks of life were welcome to come and enjoy themselves.
Squiggle Dee Mash boasted the best jungle DJs and MCs, as well as dancers, drummers, fire breathers, jugglers and more, with lots of people regularly tuning up in fancy dress. There was even an infamous ‘witchdoctor’ who regularly let people in for free if they could bring so crazy and entertaining to the party.
Original posters from the early Squiggle Dee Mash nightsDancers regularly provided further entertainment
Spread across multiple rooms playing everything from jungle and D&B to hardcore, hip hop and house music, this year’s event promises to bring the authentic Squiggle Dee Mash experience to a modern audience.
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Ottilia said she met up with friends and former MCs from the early days and before she knew it, they were all ‘well up for it’ and things started coming together ‘like it was meant to be.’
Running from 10pm on 21 October until 4am the following day, if you’re into your drum and bass or electronic music in general, you don’t want to miss this one.
You can grab your tickets via Skiddle for £12 plus the booking fee HERE.
Oasis finally confirm ‘private ballot’ ticket information for reunion tour
Daisy Jackson
Oasis have just announced more information about how tickets will be sold through a ‘private ballot’ for their extra reunion tour dates.
The group added two additional shows at Wembley Stadium after their initial 17 gigs across London, Manchester, Dublin, Edinburgh and Cardiff generated huge demand and sold out in a day.
Oasis and Ticketmaster came under fire though for the use of dynamic pricing, which saw ticket prices shoot up by hundreds of pounds by the time people made it through the online queues.
For these additional reunion tour dates at Wembley, ticket sales will look a little different.
They’ll be using a ‘private ballot’, which will give first dibs to those who missed out on the first ticket sale.
You’ll only be invited to register for the sale if you signed into your Ticketmaster account on Saturday 31 August, and joined a queue for a specific show.
And you’ll only receive an invitation if you DIDN’T manage to bag tickets the first time round.
THEN you’ll be able to register for the actual ballot, which still doesn’t guarantee you a ticket but does at least get you into a (hopefully less lengthy) queue.
“Invitations to enter the private ballot will be sent overnight tonight (Saturday) to eligible fans we have been able to identify.
“If you signed into your Ticketmaster UK account on Saturday, 31st August, and were able to join a queue for a specific show, but didn’t get a ticket-then you may be eligible to take part and will receive an email on how to register for the ballot.
“Keep an eye on the inbox associated with your Ticketmaster account, and don’t forget to check your junkmail.
“Once successfully registered, you will be entered into the ballot for a code for access to the final Wembley on sale.
“Due to the demand for the shows and to avoid last week’s long queues, codes will be strictly limited. Entry to the ballot does not guarantee you will receive a code.
“The ballot is only open to invited fans. You must register with the email to which your invitation was sent and which is registered with your Ticketmaster account.
“All other entries will be discounted. If you do not receive an email then unfortunately you will not be eligible for the ballot.
“You will be automatically discounted from the ballot, even if you go through the registration process.”
Featured image: Simon Emmett
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Olly Murs announces Manchester show on huge arena tour – with Blue as support
Daisy Jackson
Olly Murs has just announced details of a huge arena tour, including a stop here in Manchester.
He’ll be playing the city’s biggest arena, the Co-op Live, as part of his 2025 tour.
The news comes fresh off the back of his nationwide tour supporting Take That on their massive This Life on Tour tour.
He’s announced a massive support act for himself too, bringing along British boyband favourites Blue.
Olly Murs first rose to stardom when he placed as runner-up in 2009’s The X Factor competition (though his career has soared past winner Joe McElderry’s).
Since then, he’s released seven solo studio albums, including last year’s Marry Me.
His massive hits include Heart Skips a Beat, Dance With Me Tonight, and Troublemaker, and he’s worked with the likes of Rizzle Kicks, Snoop Dogg, Demi Lovato and Flo Rida.
Olly Murs is now heading back out on the road for an all-singing, all-dancing arena tour.
It will include dates in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and loads more.
Olly said: “Celebrating 15 unbelievable years doing what I love best will be truly special. But to top it off I’m taking a band with me who I was obsessed with in my college years, BLUE!
“No doubt the pranks and banter will be free-flowing but most importantly it’s going to be a great night for the fans to enjoy, I can’t wait.”
Blue said: “We were really delighted when Olly asked us to join him on his Arena tour next year and can’t wait to get on the road with him in the Spring!
“We are going to have a whole lot of fun and look forward to making him an honorary Blue boy! We’ll be singing the biggest hits and maybe the odd joke here and there – watch out Olly!”
Tickets will go on sale on Friday 13 September at 10am – you can get yours here.