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There’s a massive Hot Wheels monster truck ‘glow party’ coming to Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th September 2022

The iconic Hot Wheels Monster Trucks are returning to Manchester early next year, and this time around, they’ll be bringing a high-energy glow party.

Fresh off the back of what has been a hugely-successful debut in the US, popular family entertainment tour Hot Wheels Monster Trucks is bringing its rip-roaring ‘Glow Party’ experience right across Europe, and fans of all ages are being told to prepare to be “dazzled” as the huge trucks roll into AO Arena on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 January 2023.

The all-new “thrilling” experience is set to give audiences the chance to watch their favourite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks like Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, Boneshaker, Bigfoot, and the all-new Gunkster light up the floor.

They’ll all take part in a series of “outrageous” competitions and battles.

The new event is also set to feature spectacular laser light shows, exhilarating dance parties, performances from Freestyle Motocross, and Hot Wheels toy giveaways too, as well as a special appearance from the car-eating, fire-breathing transforming robot MEGASAURUS.

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An exciting Crash Zone Pre-Show Party will be held before every performance, giving fans access to the competition floor to not only see just how big the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks are, but also the chance to grab an autograph from their favourite drivers and performers.

“We are thrilled to be embarking on our third UK tour of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live,” explained Tim McWilliams – Senior Vice President of Touring and International Music at Live Nation.

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“As the world’s largest live-entertainment company, we are part of many incredible shows, but Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live provides a new dimension in family entertainment that never fails to impress.

“We can’t wait for these shows so we can all join the Glow Party.”

The iconic Hot Wheels Monster Trucks are returning to Manchester with a high-energy glow party early next year / Credit: Sarah Rhodes (via Hot Wheels)

Ahead of the event’s arrival next year, Ken Hudgens – CEO of Family Entertainment Live – added: “With the success of the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Glow Party thus far, we’re excited to continue the amazing experience into 2023 internationally.”

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Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Glow Party is stopping off at Manchester’s AO Arena on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 January 2023, with tickets set to go on sale at 10am this Friday 9 September and each ticket including an autograph card, a souvenir pass, and lanyard exclusive to Crash Zone attendees.

You can find out more and grab tickets here.

Featured Image – Sarah Rhodes (via Hot Wheels)

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Shayne Ward relaunches music career with Manchester gig and box set album

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Shayne Ward is heading back out on the live music scene in support of his box set album ‘Anthology’, with a Manchester gig in the works for this year.

The former X-Factor star, originally from Tameside, had stepped back from music to join the cast of Coronation Street in the role of Aidan Connor.

His character was killed off in 2018, in a highly-praised storyline that was written with the help of CALM and the Samaritans.

His acting career has also seen him performing on the West End in Rock Of Ages as Stacee Jaxx in London’s West End as well as the touring productions of The War of the Worlds and Band of Gold.

Shayne Ward first shot to fame as the winner of the second series of X Factor, and released three albums – a self-titled debut in 2006, Breathless in 2007, and Obsession in 2010.

Shayne Ward is heading back out on tour. Credit: Publicity picture

His debut single That’s My Goal was the Christmas number one in 2005 and sat at the top of the charts for four weeks.

Those first three albums have been released in their entirety as a new box set, Anthology, along with bonus tracks, remixes and unreleased recordings.

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To support Anthology, he’ll be heading out on a mini-tour, with two UK headline shows in 2023.

He’ll perform at the O2 Ritz in Manchester on 9 April, and at the O2 Academy Islington in London on 15 April.

Tickets go on general sale Friday 3 February at 9am and will be available from See Tickets.

Featured image: ITV

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Where to watch the Six Nations in Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones

It’s that time again, the Six Nations is just around the corner and we can practically taste the pints already. That being said, we thought it only right to put together a list of where to enjoy those pints.

With the tournament kicking off on Saturday, 4 February, we don’t want you scrambling around to find places showing the Six Nations in Manchester; we just want you to sit back and enjoy the games.

So, without further ado, here is our list of the best places to watch the Six Nations in Manchester:

1. Guinness Fan Zone at Escape to Freight Island – Mayfield

Guinness and the Six Nations go hand in hand — I mean, their name’s literally on the trophy — so what better place to start than the official Guinness Fan Zone at Escape to Freight Island? It’s the biggest outside of London and it’s got plenty more on offer than just the games:

2. Shooters/Bierkeller – Printworks

Next up, a tried and tested favourite of any punter who frequents sports bars in Manchester. Shooters Bar inside the Bierkeller at Printworks. Showing the Six Nations every year, this place always draws in a big crowd so best get your booking sorted early HERE.

3. Calcio! – Northern Quarter

You’d be forgiven for thinking a place called Calcio only shows football, but au contraire mon frère (one for those few France fans among you): this new hotspot just on the edge of Northern Quarter and not far from Piccadilly has all kinds of sports, tonnes of retro games, plenty of pints and some seriously whopping burgers. Give it a try.

4. Mulligans – Deansgate

As far as Irish bars go, you can’t go wrong with Mulligans. A go-to for sports fans and punters in general, not to mention Guinness’ second home in Manchester, this traditional Irish pub sandwiched just across the road from Spinningfields will be showing the games and promises live music every night. It’s always good craic in here.

5. Tib Street Tavern – Northern Quarter

No list of Manchester sports bars would be complete without Tib Street Tavern, one of the most popular in NQ or the city centre in general, for that matter. With booths for you and all your mates to pile into, massive screens filling the walls and solid grub, this place is packed out noon till night, so give ’em a ring to sort your sort whilst you still can.

6. Waldorf – Piccadilly

Now, if you’re looking for something right next to the station so you don’t have to walk far for your first pint or, equally, can make a quick exit if the result doesn’t go your way, the Waldorf is the one for you, Spanning aross multiple floors with the upstairs usually dedicated to rugby fans, you’ll catch many a face watching the sport in here most weekends. Again, it fills up quick so bag yourself a table while you can.

place showing Six Nations in Manchester
does the waldorf show rugby?
best places to watch Six Nations in Manchester
Private room upstairs
Credit: Waldorf (via Instagram)

7. Directors’ Box – Central

Another all-time classic Manchester sports bar, The Directors’ Box just off St Peter’s Square in the city centre has plenty of pints, an absolutely mint menu full of sharing platters perfect for watching the game with your mates, as well as a pool table to keep you occupied during the breaks. Book HERE.

8. Kiely’s – Great Northern

Whether you’ll be cheering on Ireland or not, Kiely’s is prime location to watch the Six Nations. Yet another place for Guinness lovers and showing live sport all week-round before the rowdy live music kicks off in the evenings, we’ve spent many night in here and can heartily recommend it for the rugby.

9. BOX – Deansgate

One of the newest bars on this list, BOX on Deansgate brings a real sense of the American sports bar culture with shuffleboard, giant steins of booze, banging food and TV on every wall — including a big 360-jumbotron screen so nobody misses a second. Even with two large floors, this place packs out quick, so we would get booking your place now.

10. Walkabout – Printworks

Last but not least, Mancunians have made memories in the one and only Walkabout. The massive pub, club and local nightlife institution has plenty food, pints and screens to cater to the hordes of punters. Better still, with its Australian roots, there’s a real love for rugby in here, whether you’re an England fan or otherwise. Book you place HERE.

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So, if you’re still wondering where to watch the Six Nations in Manchester, that should be plenty of options for now. It’s one of the biggest competitions on the sporting calendar so we’re looking forward to similar festivities to the kind we saw for the World Cup.

It may be a fairly frosty February but we’ve never been the type to let the weather put us off going out and having a good time.

The first match between Wales and Ireland starts at 2:15pm on Saturday, 4 February, with England facing off against Scotland at 4:45pm that same day. Who do you fancy for it this year?

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

Featured Image — Mulligans of Manchester (via IG)/Six Nations (via Twitter)/Supplied

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