The 1975 have announced that they will be playing an intimate charity gig at Gorilla Manchester in 2023 in addition to their sellout AO Arena date.
Currently in the midst of their massive world tour, the Wilmslow lads won’t be making it back to their old stomping grounds until the new year – 20 January 2023 – when they are set to play for 21,000 screaming fans.
However, once the UK leg of their tour ends on 30 January, frontman Matty Healy has confirmed a much smaller show at Gorilla the following day (1 February). Try 550 people at a push? That’s going to be a sweaty one.
Better still, The 1975 Gorilla gig is for charity and all proceeds will be going towards War Child to help protect young children. Brilliant stuff.
As explained by Healy on the official 1975 updates Twitter account, all the money from this tiny gig, which is sure to sell out in the blink of an eye, will be going to the global organisation which helps rescue and support children born in, living through or having fled conflict.
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It will have been quite some time since fans of the band saw The 1975 at Gorilla given the fact that they made the jump up to larger venues and eventually arenas rather quickly once that debut album dropped.
Their latest record, Being Funny In A Foreign Language, released as one of the biggest of the year and locals were scrambling to get tickets to their Manchester arena show, which sold out almost instantaneously.
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With the prospect of those who missed out all going for just a handful of tickets less than a fortnight later, as the man himself said with a wry expression: “try and get tickets for that one!”
Keep an eye on The 1975 and Gorilla’s socials for when tickets go on sale.
Featured Image — The 1975 Updates (via Twitter)/Gorilla (via Instagram)/The 1975 (via Instagram)
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Yet another major Deansgate Locks nightlife spot has closed in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Deansgate Locks is set to lose yet another of its nightlife spots, with Ark confirming it will be shutting its doors ‘within weeks’.
The multi-room, multi-storey, multi-genre nightclub has been part of the canalside development for more than a decade, having first opened back in 2014.
At that time, Deansgate Locks was arguably Manchester’s leading nightlife destination, drawing hundreds of students and party-goers to its mix of venues.
The railway arches have been home to iconic clubs and bars including Baa Bar, Lola Lo, Revolution, and Sugar Buddha, as well as The Comedy Store.
But with news that Ark Manchester is closing too, it leaves only Popworld left at what was previously one of the city’s hottest destinations.
In a statement shared with the Manchester Evening News, a spokesperson for Stonegate said: “The hospitality sector continues to face significant challenges.
Ark Manchester will be closing for goodIt leaves Deansgate Locks with just one venue
“After careful consideration, and despite our best efforts, Ark Manchester is no longer commercially viable and we have taken the difficult decision to close the venue.
“Our priority is to support our hard‑working team during this time, and we would like to thank them for their commitment and dedication. We would also like to thank our guests and the local community for their support over the years.”
It’s believed that Ark Manchester will close on Deansgate Locks in the next few weeks.
The Streets announce big change for Castlefield Bowl gig in Manchester amid World Cup clash
Daisy Jackson
One of the biggest gigs taking place in Manchester this summer has announced a pretty major change to its plans.
The Streets are set to perform two nights at Castlefield Bowl this weekend, taking to the magnificent outdoor stage in the heart of the city.
But one of those shows happens to clash with a pretty major event – England’s quarter final World Cup match against Norway.
But The Streets have got the nation’s interests at heart, and have announced a plan to make sure fans can watch both their gig and the football.
Mike Skinner et al will be shifting their entire Saturday gig forward by a full hour, which means gig-goers should be able to escape Castlefield Bowl and peg it to the nearest pub in time for the footy.
“Fear not,” they wrote in an update on Instagram today. “Saturday’s show will begin early to accommodate England vs Norway at 10.”
It also means their support acts – Mancunian artist Antony Szmierek, and rap and grime MC CASISDEAD – will be playing an hour earlier than planned.
The Streets’ gig on Friday will remain at the time originally planned.
Doors to Castlefield Bowl will open earlier ahead of Antony Szmierek’s performance at the revised time of 5.50pm.
Then CASISDEAD will perform at 6.15pm, with The Streets on stage at 7.45pm.
Fans have been delighted with The Streets’ decision to move their Manchester Saturday show forward, with one writing: “THANK YOU CASTLEFIELD BOWL AND MIKEYYYY. We had a very difficult decision on our hands today, this is what dreams are made of. See you Saturday!!!!”
Many more are calling for the England games to be screened at Castlefield Bowl, but no plans have been confirmed for that just yet. Watch this space…
Danny Jones -
13th December 2022 
