What's On

MediaCityUK brings Box on the Docks back for summer

Grandad's Sausages, I Knead Pizza, Bada Bing Deli and Batard Bakery are on the list of eateries joining BOTD this summer.

The Manc The Manc - 7th May 2021

MediaCityUK’s popular outdoor dining concept Box on the Docks (BOTD) is preparing to welcome back customers to its waterside ‘pods’ on May 17, owners have confirmed.

BOTD’s collection of 30 sheds and greenhouses have undergone renovation from local artists ahead of the grand reopening – with an exciting range of residents moving into the neighbourhood in time for summer.

A new Box on the Docks Bar and Grill will also open – offering tri-weekly residencies to some of Manchester and Salford’s most popular eateries.

Award-winning banger hut Grandad’s Sausages will grab the first slot, followed by the wood-fired takeaway I Knead Pizza.

Open daily, The Box on the Docks’ Bar and Grill will have coffee and pastries up for grabs courtesy of Batard Bakehouse – along with supersized NY-style hoagies from Bada Bing Sandwich Deli.

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Local craft breweries will also be on hand to serve fresh beers, with regular DJ sets and live music taking place later in the day. 

Plant-based eatery Vertigo and The Botanist have also committed to BOTD for the summer season, with Vertigo offering Brunch and Supper menus from their boxes.

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The Salford Foodbank’s Gift Box will be on site accepting food donations – which will be distributed to local families in need. 

Local brewery Seven Bro7hers has just announced the opening of their highly-anticipated pop-up bar & kitchen just in time for BOTD’s relaunch – giving customers the chance to enjoy a pint and one of their signature burgers, flatbreads or wedges in the beer house or private pod.

Keith McAvoy, Seven Bro7hers CEO said: “We are so pleased to finally be launching our MediaCityUK space after months of waiting for covid restrictions to ease. MediaCityUK is such a vibrant and exciting location, so we can’t wait to kick off by being part of the Box on the Docks buzz.

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“It is fantastic after months of closures and restrictions to be back doing what we love – welcoming people into our family for a pint. We look forward to seeing our customers in our new beer house and making the most of our Box on the Docks spaces this summer.”

Josie Cahill MediaCityUK Place Director added: “It’s been a long winter and as restrictions gradually lift it’s great to see MediaCityUK coming back to life.

“There’s a real buzz of excitement among our amazing cohort of artists and independent foodies and operators who have really pulled together to create a special experience for our visitors this summer.”

BOTD was originally launched in summer 2020 to support the hospitality and arts industry following the impact of the pandemic and has proven a huge success – bringing ‘thousands’ of visitors into MediaCityUK.

To book a box and learn more information visit: Box On The Docks’ website.

What's On

Wet Leg are BACK and coming to Manchester very soon

Danny Jones Danny Jones Wet Leg Manchester gig tickets Victoria Warehouse

One of the best up-and-coming indie bands around is returning after what feels like forever, but it’s actually only been a few years; either way, Wet Leg are back and coming to Manchester.

Their self-titled debut dropped back in 2022 and was met with an overwhelming reaction, picking up three Grammy Awards at a BRIT for Best British Group at the first time of asking.

It did slap, to be fair.

More importantly, fast forward three years and they’re back with a release date for their sophomore record, moisturizer, a brand new single by the name of ‘catch these fists’, as well as a small handful of new tour dates – including a gig at a brilliant Manchester music venue, of course.

The Isle of Wight-founded five-piece, fronted by charismatic duo Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, will be heading out on a couple dozen live shows across Europe and the festival season circuit, as well as a one-off gig (for now) in the US at The River in LA.

However, just five of those are domestic headline dates, with the gang preparing to delight crowds in London, Birmingham and our friends over in Leeds.

Guess we’ll just have to go to both.

Here in Manchester, Wet Leg will be playing the cult favourite venue, O2 Victoria Warehouse, which just wrapped up this year’s BBC Radio 6 Music Festival programme.

As for the new album, moisturizer is due to release on 11 July, and from the small teaser we’ve been given courtesy of their new single, it sounds like there’s been some experimentation; the guitars and attitude are being dialled up even further, and they’re just as confident as ever.

An absolute jam, as expected.

Best of all, you don’t have to wait long to see them live again, as they’ll be heading out across the country just next month and are scheduled to arrive in Old Trafford on Thursday, 29 May.

Tickets for the Manchester gig and all other Wet Leg UK tour this May will be available for early access to those who pre-order the album online from 10 am local time on Wednesday, 9 April.

General sale goes live at the same time on Friday, 11 April. You can get ready to grab yours HERE.

You will absolutely be seeing us there.

Read more:

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Featured Images — Iris Luz (supplied)/Audio North

What's On

A huge free careers festival geared towards young creatives is coming to Manchester this week

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International are hosting a careers festival in Manchester this week, designed to empower young creatives. 

The huge free event on Thursday 3 April will take over Aviva Studios, offering everything from speed mentoring to CV clinics to expert talks. 

Attendees will be able to have a free headshot taken, meet employers and like-minded creatives, and generally get a feel for how to build a career in the creative industry.

The Career Festival will boost Manchester’s creative future by supporting the next generation of creators, investing in their skills and confidence. 

It’s all geared towards young people aged between 16 and 24 who face challenges in finding sustainable careers within the creative industries.

On the day, attendees will be able to receive one-on-one career advice from top industry professionals in speed mentoring sessions, learning from experts in marketing, media, production and more. 

They’ll also be able to network with organisations, training providers and employers including Crew gal, Walk the Plank, and Gate Films.

Expert talks will give advice on how to break into the industry, while a CV clinic will help to hone CVs into a stand-out that’ll get a foot straight in the door, along with free headshot portraits. 

A huge free careers festival geared towards young creatives is coming to Manchester this week
A huge free careers festival geared towards young creatives is coming to Manchester this week
The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International careers festival. Credit: Mark Crayden Photography

And the whole time attendees will be surrounded by other creatives, building a network that could launch them towards their next big opportunity. 

The TikTok Creative Academy, delivered by Catch22 and funded by TikTok, is a free employment program designed to provide vital support to young people aged 16-24 seeking to enter the creative industries.

It’s been specifically targeted towards young people who experience barriers to employment, whether that’s because of challenges like mental health and limited educational attainment, or involvement with the criminal justice system.

The programme itself has a free employment course, offers targeted supports, and opens the door to the industry, fostering networking and career development. 

The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International careers festival.
The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International careers festival.
The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International careers festival. Credit: Supplied

It also offers practical skills development and emphasises creative abilities to help young people thrive. 

Quote from TikTok Creative Academy Senior Service Manager, Hilda Dotsey: “At Catch22, we are acutely aware of the challenges that young creatives face when it comes to finding sustainable employment in the creative industries and we are about to mark the 1000th person supported into work, training or further education through TikTok Creative Academy. 

“With lack of industry insight and experience cited as one of the key barriers to quality creative careers, it is fantastic to be partnering with Factory International once more. 

“This event, which celebrates our third year of delivering the programme, will open up pathways for Manchester youth, linking up the next generation of creative talent with industry experts and Manchester’s top creative voices.”

The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International: Career Festival will take place at Aviva Studios from 1pm to 4pm on Thursday 3 April. 

You can find out more about Catch22 and the services available HERE. 

Read more: MediaCity launches brand new state-of-the-art creative content space

Featured image: Mark Crayden Photography

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