What's On

You can watch Twilight with a live orchestra surrounded by candlelight in Manchester

Alexa, play Supermassive Black Hole.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 28th May 2025

One of the most iconic literary and film sagas of the 21st century is celebrating 20 years since the first book was published next year.

And to celebrate this milestone moment, you’ll be able to watch the first film live in dozens of cities across the UK surrounded by the beauty of more than a thousand candles while a live orchestra plays the soundtrack to accompany.

That’s right, Twilight in Concert is coming to Manchester.

Undeniably one of the most successful young adult film franchises of all time, with five films (Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Parts 1 & 2) to its name, The Twilight Saga has impressively grossed more than $3.3 billion at the worldwide box office. 

You can watch Twilight with a live orchestra surrounded by candlelight in Manchester / Credit: Supplied

The films were adapted from author Stephenie Meyer’s acclaimed literary series that won multiple awards over its time, sold more than 160 million copies worldwide, and was translated into 49 different languages.

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But no matter whether you’re Team Edward or Team Jacob, Twilight In Concert promises to be an unforgettable event for fans of the beloved franchise, two decades on.

Set in an enchanting candlelit setting, Twilight In Concert offers fans a unique opportunity to re-live the film that started it all, while musicians take the stage to perform the beloved score in perfect synchronisation with the original movie presented in its entirety on a cinema-size screen.

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You can expect a 12-piece ensemble of rock and orchestral musicians / Credit: Supplied

You can expect a 12-piece ensemble of rock and orchestral musicians to transport you on a journey deep into the heart of Forks.

Twilight in Concert will be stopping off at 12 other major UK cities on its tour, including other northern hubs such as Sheffield, York, and Liverpool, as well as arriving at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on Friday 6 February 2026.

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Tickets are now on sale, and you can find out more and get your hands on them here.

Featured Image – Supplied

What's On

A brand new grunge and hard rock festival is kicking off in Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Broken Knees Fest 2025 Manchester

Manchester grungers, hardcore heads, and fans of all things rock, pay attention because there is a brand new festival coming to the city centre – and it has possibly the best name for a live music event we’ve heard in some time.

Ahem… let us introduce you to Broken Knees Fest.

Yes, donning a name that feels increasingly more relatable the closer we get to the wrong side of 30, Broken Knees Festival 2025 marks the inaugural edition of Manchester’s newest series of rock and grunge gigs, helping spotlight rising artists across the genres from within two crucial grassroots venues.

Very loud music inside tightly-packed, small-capacity rooms? It’s a winning formula that never fails. It’s about time we broke a sweat – here’s hoping the knees just about hold out.

Hosted in the heart of the Northern Quarter, which continues to thrive as a creative hub for new music and art of all forms, the festival will be debuting at small-cap favourites Gullivers and Castle Hotel just across the road.

As you can see, the lineup is full of up-and-coming talent within the guitar-driven space, but you can bank on more than a few bringing their die-hard fans to fill the place out to the rafters.

It doesn’t matter if you prefer punk, hardcore, grunge or another specific sub-genre found somewhere in between the ever-sprawling rock spectrum, there’s something to suit all alternative tastes at this one.

With the likes of Bohmen, Mavis, One Dimensional Creatures and Smother headlining the first-ever iteration of the festival across four stages, you can expect plenty of energy and even more noise.

Set up by the events group of the same name, Broken Knees Promotions, who help platform rock and alt acts across Greater Manchester and beyond year-round, this is more than just a festival: it’s a grassroots celebration through and through.

Best of all, if you’re interested, you don’t have to wait long because it’s kicking off next month.

castle hotel gigs
gullivers gigs manchester
Gigs go off in here. If you know, you know… (Credit: Audio North)

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Broken Knees Fest 2025 is happening on the weekend of 21-22 June, and you’ll be glad to hear that, as a brand new event, prices have been kept nice and low.

The early bird window had prices starting from just £12, and although this tier has now sold out, day tickets are still only £15 while a full weekend pass will set you back £25.

You can grab yours HERE.

Until then, why not dive into another load of new Manchester music? We round up artists from all genres each month; we’ll also confess to leaning slightly more towards the heavier stuff from time to time.

Five Manchester artists we’ve been listening to this month | April 2025
More coming at the end of May.

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

Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

What's On

The Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy is coming to Manchester on a nationwide tour

Danny Jones Danny Jones Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 trophy coming to Manhester

A prestigious piece of sporting silverware is paying a visit to Manchester as the official Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy is set to embark on a nationwide tour.

Ahead of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup (WRWC) this summer, the sterling silver, 24-carat gold-plated prize is currently being taken around the UK to help promote what has become a record-breaking competition before the games have even begun.

With more than 300,000 tickets already sold for various fixtures throughout this year’s tournament and still three months to go before opening day, more than double the total attendance for the 2021 edition in New Zealand, it’s on course to be one of if not the biggest event in the history of women’s rugby.

That being said, having the newly updated Women’s Rugby World Cup trophy land in Manchester city centre before the games themselves get underway up and down the country is a big deal, and it’s being displayed in a very special venue.

Unveiled for the first time at Battersea Power Station on 14 May to celebrate 100 days before kick-off, the brand new Women’s Rugby World Cup significantly dwarves the previous design.

Isn’t she pretty?

Arriving this Wednesday, 28 May, the trophy will be on show at the Central Library on St Peter’s Square, where it will also be joined by some female rugby stars.

In addition to helping hype up the action, they will be sharing their thoughts on how the sport can leave a legacy can sport can leave on communities across Greater Manchester and beyond.

1994 Women’s Rugby World Cup winner, Gill Burns, as well as current England and Sale Sharks forward, Morwenna Talling, are set to be among those in attendance.

The trophy itself is set to stand outside the library, glittering in the (fingers crossed) rare Manc sunshine, as well as travelling to The Lowry over in MediaCityUK that same day, with the Salford Community Stadium serving as one of this year’s venues.

Not only is this just the second time the tournament has been held in England, but it’s the first time ever that the games have been spread across eight different sporting venues.

You can see the moment the new trophy – which was chosen by nine former world champions, including our very own 2014 winning captain, Katy Daley-Mclean – was revealed for the first time down below.

The interest in women’s rugby continues to surge.

Speaking to Hits Radio, fellow England star Sarah Bern said of the Women’s Rugby World Cup: “For young girls growing up, they now have access to these amazing rugby players from across the world who they can be inspired by.

“Just showing someone something new, something different, can inspire a new generation of confident young people.”

Welsh winger Jasmine Joyce added: “This is absolutely massive. I want girls to do what they want to do, be themselves, whatever you are, whoever you are – be that!”

The 2025 WRWC is set to be their most accessible and inclusive yet, with varied and crucially affordable tickets across the board.

Prices start at just £10 for adults and £5 for children, making it easier than ever for everyone to be part of this historic moment for women’s rugby and female sport.

As for the trophy tour itself, the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup arrives in Manchester on Thursday, 29 May and will be viewable outside Central Library from 10-11:30am, before heading to Salford Quays the following day (Friday, 30 May). Make sure you don’t miss it.

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

Featured Images — Women’s Rugby World Cup (press shots)

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