We’re heading in to our second day of Parklife, and if you’re looking to massively elevate your festival experience, you might want to think about chucking a VIP upgrade onto your day.
Yesterday, 70,000 music fans descended on the festival to see performances from the likes of Fred Again, Aitch, and Little Simz.
Sunday’s instalment of the massive festival at Heaton Park will see local lads The 1975 headlining on the main stage, while The Prodigy dominate The Valley stage.
It’s a busy festival with loads to see and do, and if you’re wanting to have a little safe haven to escape from it all, the VIP area is it.
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Included in the VIP village, known this year as the Parklife Members Club, you’ll have your own fast-track private entrance, luxury loos, a street food market, a VIP bar, charging points and even access to your own stage and separate line-up.
In the street food quarter you’ll find a range of food not on offer on the main festival site – traders this year include Hip Hop Chip Shop, Triple B, Diamond Dogs and Wrap Up.
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VIP bar at ParklifeHip Hop Chip Shop at Parklife VIP. Credit: The Manc GroupPerformers in the VIP villagePerformers in the VIP villageThe VIP stage at Parklife
For the first time, Parklife has transformed its VIP area into an ‘immersive 90’s rave time-capsule’, with iconic photography displayed in a partnership with Mixmag.
There’s a chill-out area where you can recharge your phone (and your own social batteries), as well as VIP members-only bars.
You’ll also find a line-up of different artists taking over the VIP stage, which today includes Everybody Loves Lizzo, The Twisted Sista, and Rob Mcpartland, plus roving performers like the raving grannies and stilt walkers.
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For £30 plus booking fee, you can upgrade your ticket and have access to Parklife’s VIP area all day.
You can book your Sunday VIP upgrade here, which is only valid with a Sunday Parklife ticket.
Parklife says of its VIP section: “All thrills, no spills, enjoy Parklife 2023 to the VIP fullest with your own private members club. This is strictly for the good times.
“A space at the festival like no other for food, drink, relaxation, special guests, immersive rave exhibitions, sound-systems and your own personal dance floor.”
US comedian Shane Gillis is coming to Manchester very soon
Danny Jones
Popular comedian, writer, producer and actor Shane Gillis is coming back to Manchester for one of his biggest UK shows ever as he prepares to play Co-op Live.
Known for his acclaimed stand-up shows Live In Austin and Beautiful Dogs, as well as sketches on Saturday Night Live and cult-hit Netflix comedy, Tires, he is currently selling out stadiums and huge rooms all across the US – and it won’t be long before he crosses the Atlantic.
The last time the Manc comedy scene saw Shane Gillis’ name on a dressing room door was back in March 2022 when he was playing the second-largest room at the Manchester Academy. Fast forward to this coming spring and he’s now set to sell out the city’s and one of Europe’s biggest indoor arenas.
As mentioned, his latest tour – simply entitled, Shane Gillis Live – is not just selling out all over North America but is even breaking attendance records at storied venues, surpassing the likes of U2 for most tickets sold and countless other regional feats.
The 37-year-old from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania (yes, that’s actually what it’s called) has become one of the hottest comics on the planet in recent times, returning to SNL to write several popular skits in 2024 – including doing his infamous Donald Trump impression in costume.
Still considered a controversial figure on the circuit for some of his early routines, having initially been fired as a writer on the show for comments made on his podcast back in 2019, his ‘edgy’ brand of stand-up definitely pushes up against the boundaries of what many label ‘offensive’ comedy.
Nevertheless, he remains one of the most highly-rated contemporary performers in the live stand-up genre, appearing as a guest on the Kill Tony live comedy podcast on multiple occasions and seeing his original sitcom, Tires, renewed for a second season.
The first clip from the latest series, teasing a celebrity guest appearance, dropped in December.
Fans won’t have to wait long either as Gillis arrives at Co-op Live on Thursday, 20 March, almost three years on from his last visit to Manchester.
General admission tickets go live this Friday, 10 January at 10am, but official Co-op members can access the exclusive pre-sale window from 12 noon on Wednesday (8 Jan).
If you fancy going along to the show, you can grab tours HERE.
Manchester club to host fundraising night in memory of young DJ who passed away
Danny Jones
A Manchester city centre nightclub is set to host a fundraising memorial gig in honour of local DJ, Noxxic, who sadly died in a traffic collision late last year.
The aspiring drum and bass artist was cycling along Albion Way near the roundabout linking the M602 and A57 Regent Road when he collided with the HGV. Despite the best efforts of paramedics and emergency at the scene, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Mourned not only by his family and countless friends but also by the Manchester music scene and local clubbing community at large, Kable Club on New Wakefield Street is now set to host a memorial night for charity as a tribute to the talent “gone far too soon”.
Set up with the help of friend, collaborator and DnB peer, Max Clarke, the fundraising memorial night is taking place this month and will aim to not only honour Lewis and the Simpson family but also remember and celebrate his life the way he would have wanted: with music and a good time.
The Warrington-based artist and producer, who goes by ‘Clarkey‘, regularly played b2b sets with the 25-year-old over the years, including charity livestream performances to raise money for the homeless during the festive period. Noxxic was also a proud and well-known mental health advocate.
As well as the likes of Hedex, Sota and J Bookey paying tribute online following the tragedy, Clarkey and Noxxic’s ‘Blckhry – Bite’ remix was played on BBC Radio 1’s Drum & Bass Show with Charlie T, as well as ‘Tribute Get Lit Mix’ including all of his tunes featuring n 1Xtra’s Rave Show.
Manchester-based promoters, music label and all-round D’n’B brand, Hit & Run, said: “Really is such a shock to hear about the tragic and untimely passing of Lew Simpson aka Noxxic.”
The post continues: “He was a near-permanent fixture at the night and across the scene in the city – he lived and breathed D&B and his passion and dedication not just for production and DJing but also the community of this city is something [we] truly admired about the man.”
“He’d made such great strides in his career these last few years so seems so very unfair that he’s been taken from us at such a young age – he had so much more to give.
So many people we know and care about will be hurting too too much right now – I know you will all make him proud and honour his legacy and friendship. Such very sad news.”
Clarkey himself shared a touching video of the pair playing together to rapturous applause:
Writing a lengthy statement underneath the charity event page on Skiddle, Clarkey wrote: “On 17 January, we come together to celebrate the life, passion, and legacy of Lew Simpson, known to many as Noxxic, a true champion of the jump-up drum and bass community.
“With a heart that beat for the wicked sounds of the genre he loved so deeply, Lew was more than just a fan; he was an advocate, a believer and an inspiration to everyone who shared his love for the music. This historic night in Manchester promises to be an unforgettable tribute to Noxxic, featuring a lineup of monumental talent.
“From the legends who have defined jump-up over the past few years to the rising stars pushing it to even new boundaries, each artist on the bill represents everything Lew cherished about this incredibly unifying genre.
“Together, we’ll create a night that embodies the energy, spirit and passion he brought to the scene. This night is about more than music, it’s about making a difference to people’s lives like Lew strived to do. All proceeds from this event will go to Mind, a charity dedicated to mental health support, advocacy, and awareness.
“As a serious champion for mental health, Lew’s commitment to the well-being of others continues through this deeply meaningful cause. Come witness jump-up drum and bass in its purest form, as we honour Noxxic with the kind of night he could only have dreamed about: one filled with love, community and some of the finest music.”
Kable aren’t the only ones who have helped pay tribute with a club night in his name either, with London outfit North Base also dedicated their ‘& Friends’ show to the much-loved artist this past December.
Noxxic was a real up-and-comer on the scene.Manc DJs Kormz and Clarkey with Noxxic (right).Credit: Noxxic/Clarkey (via Facebook)
As mentioned, the proceeds from the show will go towards Mind (a charity close to Lewis’ heart) and are priced at just £11.25 including the booking fee. Alternatively, fans who can’t make the date can still make a total Noxxic donation of £6 to help do their bit.
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With the lineup for the memorial gig night now out – not to mention two special guests still yet to be announced – Clarkey, Kormz, North Base and many more will be giving fans a lively albeit emotional night to remember.
Clarkey signed off by simply adding, “Let’s come together to celebrate his life and legacy in the most fitting way possible!”
You can grab your tickets HERE. Rest in peace, Noxxic.
Daisy Jackson -
11th June 2023 
