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There’s a Phoenix Nights event with a quiz, bingo and ‘Talent Trek’ happening this Sunday

'Phoenix Nights: A 20 Year Celebration' is being hosted by our very-own Joe McGrath.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 30th September 2021

Phoenix Nights is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.

It may have only graced our screens for just 12 episodes between 2001 and 2002, but the beloved sitcom has become a British cult-classic.

Written by and starring legendary local comedian Peter Kay, the award-winning show follows the highs and lows of the staff and customers of The Phoenix Club – a fictional working men’s social club in Bolton.

If you’re unfamiliar with the show or you haven’t got round to giving it a watch yet, Peter Kay plays Brian Potter – a man whose dream it is to own a successful social club, but with two failed ventures already to his name, he’s hoping the third time will be the charm and is determined to make his new baby, The Phoenix Club, the most popular establishment in Bolton

The show originated as a spin-off from Kay’s earlier spoof documentary series That Peter Kay Thing, which is where many Phoenix Nights’ characters first appeared.

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Dave Spikey, Paddy McGuinness, Neil Fitzmaurice, and other well-known names also star.

Phoenix Nights is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year / Credit: Channel 4

And now, to celebrate it being two decades since the legendary show first aired, Manchester’s new independent theatre and bar 53two is hosting a Phoenix Nights-themed party this Sunday, with plenty fun and games to get involved in.

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The night is being hosted by our very-own Joe McGrath, who fans of The Manc may recognise as one of the familiar faces from our videos.

A description for this weekend’s event reads: “Come and join Joe McGrath from The Manc for a celebration of Phoenix Nights, where there will be a massive Phoenix Nights quiz, ultimate bingo, Talent Trek, and a DJ.”

Tickets are only £8 for a full night of entertainment – and you can grab yours here.

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Phoenix Nights: A 20 Year Celebration

  • Where: 53two
  • When: Sunday 3 October
  • Time: 6pm – 11pm (7pm last entry)

Featured Image – Channel 4

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The top nerdy places in Manchester to get your geek on

Dean Hadcock Dean Hadcock Arcade games at NQ64's new site in Manchester.

There are so many different types of nerds. From comic and manga readers, to the tabletop players, to lovers of video and arcade games.

So even if you’re DC or Marvel, in Manchester there’s a bit of something for everyone.

We’ve rounded up everything from board game cafes to comic book shops to arcade bars.

Whether you’re looking to buy or play, here are some of the nerdiest places you NEED to check out in Manchester.

Forbidden Planet

Forbidden Planet in the Northern Quarter, Manchester
Forbidden Planet in the Northern Quarter, Manchester

This place is like the Big Tescos for nerds. It’s your one-stop shop for everything geeky.

Upstairs has everything like pop funks, figurines, collectables and fun merch from your favourite shows and games.

Downstairs is where the magic happens, and if you’re looking to get into comics or manga, this is the place to be. It’s got all the classics you’d expect with, of course, the brand-new comic releases.

Travelling Man

Travelling Man in Manchester is one of the city's best havens for nerds
Travelling Man in Manchester is one of the city’s best havens for nerds

This Dale Street shop is like the previous but with a smaller, independent feel and is always a lovely shop to browse in.

It’s our personal favourite and it’s got all you need including comics, manga and loads of tabletop games to browse and purchase.

Fan Boy Three

Looking for people to play board games with? This is the place to go. It was voted the UK’s favourite board game store in 2019.

You can join D&D and Warhammer games or just nip in for a browse, just try not to end up spending copious amounts of money on a new Warhammer army.

Afflecks

You can now get married at Afflecks in Manchester
You can now get married at Afflecks in Manchester

This gigantic shopping emporium is the home of all things alt, but there are also plenty of shops inside to get your geek on.

Here are just a few standouts. There’s Card Empire specialising in Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokemon Cards. The Animaid Cafe for lovers of all things kawaii. And we couldn’t forget Star Wars Man on the third floor with his huge collection of nostalgic TV and film collectables.

NQ64

Arcade games at NQ64's new site in Manchester.
Arcade games at NQ64’s new site in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Now if you’re looking to play instead of buy, the next three will be right up your street. Starting with NQ64, specifically the massive new site in the Northern Quarter.

They’ve got loads of classic arcade machines, themed cocktails and grub for when you get the mid-gaming munchies. We highly recommend playing Ice Cold Beer and beating our high score of 7 (trust us it’s hard).

Pixel Bar

Pixel Bar in Manchester
Pixel Bar in Manchester
Pixel Bar in Manchester
Pixel Bar in Manchester

Fancy something less retro and more modern? Try Pixel Bar, which is open past midnight every day.

If you want to grab some mates and have a couple of drinks while you crush them on games like Smash, Fifa or Tony Hawk, this is the place to be.

Bury Arcade Club

This place is the Mecca of all things arcade. It’s a multi-level video arcade featuring classic and modern games.

The best thing about it is you pay one standard fee (under £20) and you get to play everything inside for free and as much as you want.

The downside is Bury is a bit of a trek from the city centre and you’ll probably have to drive to get there. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Busted at Manchester’s AO Arena — tickets, support acts, stage times and more

Danny Jones Danny Jones Busted stage times Manchester night 2

Guys, we don’t know if you heard but Busted are back on tour— or, more accurately, back on top and they’re bringing all the hits and unparalleled energy levels to Manchester’s AO Arena for a second night in less than a week.

The Busted boys played an initial sold-out show last weekend but had to add a second Manchester date due to the massive demand and although they received rave reviews the first time around, it might as well have been a warm-up for the main event which is already shaping up to be a belter.

With some seriously good supports, another soon-to-sell-out crowd of 20,000+ and the trio now having had a ridiculously good practice run only a few days ago, Busted at the AO Arena night two is going to be insane.

That being said, here’s everything you need to know about their 20th-anniversary tour date and greatest hits show.

Are there tickets left for Busted in Manchester?

If you’re still scrambling around in the hope of getting a last-minute ticket to hear the likes of ‘Year 3000’ and ‘What I Go to School For’ live, you’re in luck: there’s still a very small handful of tickets to be snapped up if you’re quick enough.

There are still a few seats floating about, ranging from £42.50 to £53.50 on Ticketmaster, and you can obviously splurge on the AO Arena’s Champagne Experiences in the Electric Lounge if you fancy it.

As always, if you end up missing out you can also check out resale sites like Twickets and TicketSwap, we advise steering clear from ticket touts at all costs.

You better do one better if you’re going to night two — don’t let us down!

Support acts

Busted have brought some truly great support acts along with them this time, including 90s and 2000s US pop favourites, Hanson — remember them?

As well as the equally iconic trio, Manc pop band New Hope Club are playing the home crowd too. Go on the local lads!

Throwing together some of the era’s most iconic pop-rock together with another three-piece from the modern generation, you’re getting a proper value-for-money and for-all-ages show this Saturday.

Busted stage times for AO Arena night two

As for when you can expect to see each of these fantastic acts take the stage, doors will open from 6pm and New Hope Club will be getting things started at 7:30pm.

Finishing a quickfire set just a few minutes before Hanson, the American throwback best-known for ‘MMMBop’ with be playing from 8pm until 8:30pm — and you might even have a surprise in store. We’re saying nothing else…

Then, at 9pm, the main event gets underway with Busted set to play up until curfew around 11pm and we literally can’t wait.

20th Anniversary and Greatest Hits setlist

Thanks to the ever-reliable Setlist.fm (and the fact we already had multiple members of The Manc office go along to the first night), we even know what they’ll be playing:

  1. Air Hostess
  2. Meet You There
  3. Loser Kid
  4. You Said No
  5. Everything I Knew
  6. MMMBop (Hanson cover)
  7. Sleeping With the Light On
  8. Good One
  9. What I Go to School For
  10. Who’s David
  11. Falling for You
  12. Thunderbirds Are Go
  13. She Wants to Be Me
  14. 3am
  15. Crashed the Wedding

Encore

  • Video (Brit Awards 2004)
  • Teenage Kicks (The Undertones cover)
  • Interlude
  • Year 3000

All the hits — what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, and did we mention they’re number one!?

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It’s going to be another great night at the Arena, we just know it, no matter where you end up.

And, seriously, if you can afford it don’t sleep on the VIP experience — it’s worth every penny and perfect for a special occasion.

We recently went along to try ourselves for this year’s Davis Cup and it was a brilliant experience.

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

Featured Image — Busted/@chazzadnitt (via Instagram)

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