Best known for unique house, minimal sound and groove-fuelled parties, the local label is partnering with one of the city’s leading mental health charities to raise funds at a time when mental health has never been so important.
According to ONS figures, more than 42 per cent of people said their mental health has suffered during the pandemic.
Off the back of yet another lockdown, there are concerns these figures may not improve.
So, with the damaging impacts that lockdown has had on people’s wellbeing, it’s vital that charities like Mind can continue to provide the support they do.
ADVERTISEMENT
Whilst we’re getting more and more reminders to check up on our loved ones throughout the pandemic, the Animal Crossing team are encouraging us to take a minute to think about others, too.
With their livestream at the weekend, the boys hope to raise some cash and awareness whilst having a lil’ boogie at the same time.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Animal Crossing crew will be joined by Michael James, Motus DJs and You&Me’s Josh Baker for 12 hours of vibes, direct from their brand-new never-before-seen venue The Loft.
To mark the occasion, they’ve also launched a limited-edition fundraiser t-shirt featuring those iconic Animal Crossing graphics.
The design highlights the idea that people may be struggling behind the smile they might put on.
ADVERTISEMENT
All profits will be donated to Mind – and you can grab one here.
Animal Crossing’s Olli Ryder said: “The question is: ‘how are you today?’
“A message to friends and family that is too often forgotten, yet the current impact has more meaning than you can ever appreciate.
“A spare moment from your day can change someone else’s for the better.”
Catch the main event on Saturday 28 November from 12pm – 12am over on the Animal Crossing Facebook and YouTube channels.
Most of all, don’t forget to ask:‘How are you today?’
Audio
Deep Purple announce huge Manchester show at the iconic AO Arena
Daisy Jackson
Rock royalty Deep Purple have just announced a huge Manchester gig at the AO Arena.
These pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock will be heading out on a tour next year that includes shows in Newcastle, Glasgow, Birmingham and London.
And Deep Purple will be performing on the most iconic stage in Manchester, with a gig at the AO Arena next winter.
Even five decades on, the group remain one of the world’s most revered live acts, with 50 years’ worth of chart-topping albums, sold-out tours, and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Perhaps best known for their legendary hit Smoke On The Water, along with songs like Highway Star and Child In Time, the group are listed as one of the genre’s most influential bands of all time.
Child In Time was reworked to soundtrack Netflix’s smash-hit series Stranger Things, capturing Deep Purple’s timeless and lasting influence.
The British rockers show no sign of slowing down, releasing a critically-acclaimed album in 2024.
They’ll be supported by Mammoth, fronted by Grammy Award-winning ssongwriter, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Wolfgang Van Halen.
Also joining Deep Purple for their AO Arena gig in Manchester will be Jayler, fast-rising UK rockers.
Deep Purple will play at the AO Arena in Manchester on Sunday 22 November, 2026 – tickets go on sale from 10am on Friday 21 November and you can get yours HERE.
Deep Purple 2026 UK tour dates
Wednesday 18 November – Newcastle Utilita Arena
Thursday 19 November – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Saturday 21 November – BP Pulse Arena, Birmingham
Sunday 22 November – AO Arena, Manchester
Tuesday 24 November – Eventim Apollo, London
Featured image: Jim Rakete
Audio
Kings of Leon announce Manchester arena show on short run of UK dates
Daisy Jackson
Kings of Leon have just announced a short run of UK shows for next year, which includes an arena gig here in Manchester.
The multi-Grammy Award-winning rock band will be performing at the Co-op Live arena, along with two other British dates in Leeds and Glasgow.
Kings of Leon are one of the biggest alternative rock bands in the world, and never fail to sell out arenas in Manchester when they perform here.
The group of brothers (plus one cousin) have headlined some of the world’s most iconic festivals, including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza, as well as reclaiming an all-time attendance record with a fifth night at Hyde Park in London last year.
Kings of Leon have been dominating charts for more than 20 years, ever since the release of their debut album Youth & Young Manhood in 2003.
They now have nine studio albums, including last year’s Can We Please Have Fun, which (as with all their albums so far) comfortably reached the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart.
The band is made up of Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill, and just last week they dropped an EP with four new songs.
Now, it’s another brief run of live shows for the UK, with Kings of Leon performing at Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 4 July 2026.
Tickets for Kings of Leon in Manchester will go on sale from 9am on Friday 21 November, and you can get yours HERE.
Hannah Starkie -
26th November 2020 
