The summer season is starting to set in – and the award-winning Bongo’s Bingo is “incredibly excited” to be back at its Manchester spiritual home next month.
Now that the government’s “irreversible” roadmap for lifting England’s current national lockdown is well underway – with ‘Step Three’ set to commence from 17th May, which crucially sees hospitality resume indoor service – a return to normality is firmly on the horizon, and Bongo’s Bingo is back at the Albert Hall Manchester on Saturday 5th June.
This “overdue” opening summer show will be a brunch special, with food and drink from midday to 2pm, followed by the main Bongo’s Bingo event from 2pm – 5pm.
Pizzas are supplied by Manchester’s cult-favourite neapolitan pizzeria, Rudy’s Pizza.
Just as fans of the ever-popular event have come to expect, there’ll be plenty of celebrity cardboard cut outs, fluffy pink unicorns, crowd renditions of Mr Brightside, dance offs, many hands-in-the-air moments, and a mobility scooter thrown in for very good measure when Bongo’s Bingo hits the iconic hall next month.
Bongo’s Bingo combines the much-loved quaint pastime of bingo with a “mesmeric live show”, crazy antics and weird and wonderful prizes for a night full of madness, mischief and shared euphoria, with dancing and cheering to hits from across the ages all night long.
Bongo’s Bingo
Before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Bongo’s Bingo continuously sold out shows in over 50 UK locations and more around the world, often seeing dates fully booked-up in advance and coming close to selling two million tickets.
Speaking ahead of the return to the Albert Hall next month, founder Jonny Bongo said: “We are gearing up for a fantastic Bongo’s Bingo summer and the guys cannot wait to be back in Manchester [as] it’s one of our all time fave locations for what we do and being back in the city will be so special.
“We know it has been such a difficult time for so many and want to bring some smiles back and give everyone some much needed fun.
“It’s great to be coming back”.
Tickets go on sale at midday tomorrow, and you can grab yours via the Bongo’s Bingo website here.
Featured Image – Bongo’s Bingo | Thumbnail – @manc_wanderer
What's On
2:22 A Ghost Story at the Manchester Opera House – a nail-biting and thrilling night out
Clementine Hall
2:22 A Ghost Story has begun its UK tour in Manchester, and it’s a production certainly not for the faint hearted.
Since its premier on the West End back in 2021, 2:22 A Ghost Story has firmly established itself as a must-see.
It’s a production that promises to get your pulse racing, your palms sweating and the hairs stand up on the back of your neck – and believe me, it does just that.
Based on the personal experiences of playwright Danny Robbins, this spooky tale delves into the supernatural themes of love, loss, and enduring connections.
Image: Supplied
The script is fast paced and keeps the audience on the edge of their seat, infusing dark themes with unexpected turns and moments of humour – it’s a perfect recipe for success.
Set against the backdrop of a middle class dinner party there are no set changes, instead we focus on the four characters and their evening until the dreaded time comes around…2:22.
Jenny and Sam, played by Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton, are joined by their old friend Lauren (Shvorne Marks) and her new boyfriend Ben (Grant Kilburn).
Image: SuppliedImage: suPPLIED
There was not one weak link in the cast, each player kept up to speed in the fast pace game as the plot unfurled around them.
The standout performance for me was by Grant Kilburn as Ben, a cocky chino-wearing, loafer-sporting builder who turns out to be more than meets the eye (no spoilers, I promise).
Stacey Dooley’s Jenny was gentle and strong in equal measures, whereas Kevin Clifton’s performance was exactly as you wanted it to be – ridiculously obnoxious and at most times incredibly unlikeable.
Image: Supplied
The syncopated score added to the tension of the plot perfectly, as did the red lighting that framed the performance throughout.
Again, I won’t give too much away but the jump scares dotted through the performance sent waves of terror throughout the audience. Followed by chuckles of laughter as grown adults came to realise they’d dropped their popcorn on the floor out of fright.
The ending of course brought it all together, and was the sort of ending that you had speaking to strangers walking out of the auditorium after the final curtain call.
So if you’re looking to get your pulse racing with a theatre production like no other, 2:22 A Ghost Story is at the Manchester Opera House until Saturday 16 August and you can your tickets here.
Sam Fender – Live From Wythenshawe Park, Manchester: tickets, times, supports and more
Thomas Melia
North Shields indie rocker Sam Fender is making his way to Manchester to play a massive summer date at Wythenshawe Park.
UK singer-songwriter Sam Fender is ready to hear the roars of the Manchester crowd as he heads to one of the city’s biggest outdoor gig venues ahead of the ‘Live From Wythenshawe Park‘ summer series.
The BRT award-winning artist released his third studio album, People Watching, back in February, and you can expect to hear quite a few of this LP’s staple singles like ‘Arm’s Length’ and ‘Rein Me In’.
It wasn’t too long ago that Fender last paid a visit to the music capital of the North with his performance being described as ‘one of the world’s greatest live acts’ (by us, in fairness…) last December.
Gig guide – Sam Fender at Wythenshawe Park: all you need to know
Now, get your ‘Seventeen Going Under’ “Oh woah oh ohs” ready as Mr. Fender is set to play out to a crowd of 30,000 this weekend as he takes on the mighty feat that is Wythenshawe Park.
Sam Fender is playing Wythenshawe Park in Manchester on Saturday, 16 August (Credit: Supplied via Mac Scott)
Sam Fender tickets for Wythenshawe Park gig
As you would expect, ‘You’re Not The Only One’ who wants to see this Geordie musical mastermind in action as they’re completely sold out.
However, if you want to ‘Play God’, you can try your best on verified fan ticket reselling platform, Twickets, right HERE. Ok, we’ll calm it with the puns now, promise – we’re just very excited.
As always with second-hand tickets, proceed with caution; it’s never worth getting stung by the touts.
Sam Fender setlist
Although the setlist isn’t confirmed, at recent festivals and events, he’s performed a more condensed collection of the hits and tracks from his newest album.
However, this is his biggest show in Manchester to date – a fair few thousand more than Co-op Live, in fact – so you can expect something closer to a full-blown headline set. Here’s what we’re expecting based on what was played at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park stadium in his hometown:
Going Home: Theme of the Local Hero (Mark Knopfler cover)
UEFA Champions League Anthem
Getting Started
Will We Talk?
Arm’s Length
The Borders
Howdon Aldi Death Queue
Crumbling Empire
Tyrants
Rein Me In (with Olivia Dean)
People Watching
Get You Down
Spit of You
Seventeen Going Under
Encore:
Remember My Name (with Easington Colliery Brass Band)
The Dying Light
Something Heavy (with CMAT, Liam Fender and Niles Krieger)
Hypersonic Missiles
One very stunning solo support act for Sam Fender at Wythenshawe Park
Olivia Dean is supporting Sam Fender amid his ‘Live From Wythenshawe Park’ gig this weekend / Credit: Supplied
You might have noticed one rather big name among the setlist there, and you’d be right to have paid attention because she makes this a truly great value-for-money live music billing.
Opening up for Mr. Fender is no easy feat, but this rising soul singer and incredibly talented ‘Lady Lady’ will no doubt take it in her stride.
London-based Olivia Dean is travelling up North to kick things off with her neo soul prowess, airy vocals and lovestruck tracks like ‘Nice to Each Other’, ‘It Isn’t Perfect But It Might Be’, ‘Carmen’ and more.
But that’s not all…
Sam Fender has two more support slots, which are confirmed to be indie/punk artist Bugman and folk singer-songwriter Charlie Noordewier.
It really is shaping up to be one of the biggest and best nights of the year, and we’re quite literally counting down to the moment Olivia Dean joins Sam on stage for ‘Rein Me In’.
What are the stage times for Sam Fender at Wythenshawe Park?
Gates for this gig are opening from 4pm, with Bugman ‘Getting Started’ at 5:15pm and Charlie Noordewier slowly after at 6:25pm.
Olivia Dean takes to the stage at 7:35pm, with the main man himself gracing us with his presence from 9pm onwards.
With a curfew of 11pm, this should give you plenty of time to get back home and tucked in bed – though we’re sure there’ll be little room for sleep as you replay the night over and over again.
Here’s a little taster of one of the warm-ups, Bugman.
How to get there
Last but not least, there’s just the small matter of getting there. While we’d always recommend travelling as green as possible/using public transport where you can, there are still some car park tickets that you can buy online from the Live From Wythenshawe website.
As for those of you catching a ride, there is yellow signage to the north of the site, which will lead you to the pick-up/drop-off point on Wythenshawe Road, M23 0AB.
There are also three tram stops to choose from: Wythenshawe Park, Moor Road and Baguley. However, it’s worth noting that both Wythenshawe Park and Baguley will be closed from 9pm, so you won’t be able to get back home this way.
Big Green Coaches travelling to the gigs will also be available from various locations.
Finally, you can always catch one of the shuttle buses back into the city centre. The service will be operating in a loop from Sale and the city centre, running from 1pm-8pm on the way to Wythenshawe Park and then from 8pm-1:30am when heading home.
For more information, you can find all the up-to-date travel stuff HERE, or check out (TfGM) Transport for Greater Manchester’s full guidance via the Bee Network app.
Emily Sergeant -
7th May 2021 
