A series of Stranger Things-themed skating sessions are taking over one of Manchester‘s newest roller rinks next weekend.
There is absolutely no denying that much of the world is Stranger Things obsessed at the moment, with all eyes firmly on the fourth series of the smash-hit science fiction horror drama – which has recently been released in two instalments on Netflix, and has broken a handful of streaming records on its way.
Starring Winona Ryder and David Harbour, and making household names out of its young cast of stars – including Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin, Sadie Sink, Joe Keery, Natalia Dyer, and many more – Stranger Things has gone on to develop a dedicated fanbase.
Since first hitting Netflix back in July 2016, the show has also received widespread critical acclaim for its characterisation, atmosphere, acting, soundtrack, directing, writing, and for paying plenty of homages to 1980s film and pop culture.
Most recently, Stranger Things 4 has just become the first English-language series in streaming history to rack up over one billion hours viewed in the first four weeks of release.
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And now, Good Life Skates is set to properly celebrate the popular programme in style.
In case you missed it, the brand-new roller rink opened its doors above Escape To Freight Island’s main hall last month, and now, the retro venue has revealed plans for its first summer on wheels – with a whole host of events in the coming months.
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One of the stand-out events has to be the ‘Skatefire Club’, with the venue inviting fans to “celebrate all things Stranger Things” next weekend.
“Lace up your skates and boogie along to the soundtrack of the show we all know and love.”
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Taking over the roller rink on Friday 15-Sunday 17 July, tickets for the Stranger Things-themed ‘Skatefire Club’ are now on sale, and fans can find out more and book here.
Off peak ticket prices range from £8.50, with peak hours from £10. Bring Your Own Boots (BYOB) costs from £7. The daily sessions run on Thursday and Friday from 4pm to 10pm, Saturday from 10am to 10pm, and Sunday from 10am to 9pm.
You can expect pop classics all day on Saturdays with ‘Stop, Pop & Roll’, plus fun sing-along sessions too.
What’s more, is that the mezzanine rink can also be hired for private parties and kids parties, with a private room adjacent to the rink available.
Enter Shikari announce SUPER intimate show in Manchester
Danny Jones
Much-loved British alternative band Enter Shikari have just announced a very, VERY intimate gig in Manchester city centre, and it’s happening rather soon.
It doesn’t matter how die-hard or casual a fan you are, you are simply not ready for this one…
Almost a full 20 years from what they still covet as a watershed breakout gig here in Greater Manchester, Enter Shikari are set to play none other than grassroots rock bar and nightclub, Satan’s Hollow, right in the heart of the city centre.
Pretty much the life and soul of the heavier music scene here in 0161 for decades now, it remains not only a treasured small-cap venue but arguably still among thego-to post-gig spots after any hard gig; you could say Enter Shikari are simply cutting out the middle man.
It’s fair to say that a group of their size very rarely get to play rooms as tiny as this one these days, so it’s sure to be quite a rowdy one for the electronically influenced post-hardcore outfit.
Formed way back in 1999 (if you can believe that), they’re more used to selling out arena tours all over the world, including their upcoming Co-op Live gig this winter.
It’s also worth mentioning that this will be their single biggest domestic headline show to date.
But not before they go back to where it all started for them in this city, booking a certain-to-sell-out Shikari show at Satan’s Hollow – a Manchester venue they first played in 2006.
In fact, they’ve actually shared footage from that fateful night, and yes, the quality is as bad as you’d expect, but it gives you an idea of what the atmosphere was like then, let alone now their fan base has grown so much over the years.
Here’s us, almost 20 years ago, playing ‘OK Time For Plan B’ at our first ever Manchester show in @satanshollow on April 10th 2006.
Funny to think that in November, Manchester will host our biggest ever UK headline show at the @TheCoopLive. Both shows with the same promoter. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/uHKVOwZbM2
Speaking on this milestone moment, the band wrote in a statement: “Manchester’s a city that means a lot to us. The Satan’s Hollow show back in April ’06 was the first sense we got that ‘something’ was ‘happening’. A queue around the block and total chaos inside.
We’ve had a lot of memorable shows in Manchester since then (and in November we’ll play our biggest ever UK headline show there!), but for some reason that night at Satan’s Hollow kept coming up in conversation, so the anniversary show was just too tempting.”
Tickets for this unmissable show will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who register HERE up until 9:30am tomorrow, Wednesday, 25 March.
The gig itself is happening on 9 April, with support from Liverpool’s very own East Exchange as support. Best of luck to all those trying to cop tickets, and hopefully we’ll see you at Satan’s.
Featured Images — Kate Hook (supplied via Chuff Media)
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Gladiators Live Tour to make ‘triumphant’ return to Manchester on UK arena tour
Emily Sergeant
The Gladiators Live Tour will make a triumphant return in 2026.
Following its explosive debut in 2025 and overwhelming fan demand, the Gladiators Live Tour is set to head out on a UK tour later this year, bringing the iconic phenomenon back to arenas nationwide for an electrifying new run of shows, and making a stop off in Manchester, of course.
Audiences will, once again, have the chance to experience the action-packed spectacle featuring the stars of the hit BBC reboot series on an epic scale.
The 2025 live tour thrilled audiences nationwide, selling over 200,000 tickets and proving the arena spectacular is ‘bigger, bolder, and more electrifying’ than ever, and that energy is only set to continue this year when the show returns to Manchester’s popular AO Arena.
GLADIATORS, READY!
Following its epic debut in 2025 the triumphant live show brings the energy to Manchester on 14 & 15 Nov!
This adrenaline-fuelled event sees the legendary Gladiators storm back into the arena to face fearless contenders in a heart-pounding live adaptation of the smash-hit television phenomenon.
Expect iconic fan-favourite events, breathtaking stunts, epic head-to-head battles and the unforgettable Eliminator finale.
Featuring stars from the hit BBC series, audiences are being told to expect a truly immersive, high-octane experience, as arenas are transformed into modern gladiatorial battlegrounds complete with purpose-built sets, spectacular lighting, and cinematic staging.
The Gladiators Live Tour 2026 kicks off in Aberdeen on 10 October, before heading to other major cities like Glasgow, London, and Birmingham, as well as northern locations like Leeds and Newcastle, and of course, Manchester’s AO Arena for two nights on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November.
Tickets officially go on sale this Friday 27 March, with two shows per day available, and you can grab them when they go live here.
Emily Sergeant -
6th July 2022 
