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Manchester Jazz Festival is coming to Escape to Freight Island for three days of music this summer

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 15th April 2021

Manchester Jazz Festival has announced it will be bringing three days of music right to Escape to Freight Island this summer.

With the government’s “irreversible” roadmap for lifting England’s current national lockdown now set out, the team behind the region’s longest-running music festival will bring the very best in contemporary jazz to three stages – ‘The Ticket Hall’, ‘The Round’ and ‘The Pavilion’ – at the highly-popular Depot Mayfield venue this June.

mjf @ Escape to Freight Island will be taking place from 11th – 13th June.

The event will be free to access, and audiences can book tables across the venue throughout each day of the extended weekend.

On Friday 11th June, audiences can catch sets from soul artist and favourite from the Manchester scene, Yemi Bolatiwa, storming sets from Mr Wilson’s ‘Second Liners’, and one of the brightest and boldest jazz talents in the UK, Rebecca Nash.

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DJs Pablo Blanquito and Danielle Moore will also be providing some tunes.

Saturday 12th June will kick off with Ain’t Misbahavin’ – an interactive concert for 6-11 year olds and their families – followed by sets from fast-rising, global-infused Leeds band Yaatri, MOBO-nominated saxophonist Camilla George and nine-piece afro-beat collective Nubiyan Twist. 

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Saturday audiences can also enjoy Manchester-based singer songwriter Marco Woolf, the synthesised soundscapes of Rafe’s Dilemma, pounding brass parades from Back Chat Brass and Young Pilgrims, and DJ sets from Debra Richards and Harkirit Boparai.

Sunday 13th June will see The Untold Orchestra ft special guest Mali Hayes, high-energy beats and traditional African vocals from Ubunye, the Binker Golding Band led by the multi-award-winning saxophonist and composer, and sessions from Jazz North’s northern line bands Nishla Smith Quintet and John Pope Quintet. 

There’ll also be high-energy brass covers of pop gems from Twisted Tubes and Break Out Brass, along with a DJ set from Jenna G and her Freight Island favourite, From MCR with Love.

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A selection of street food and open-air bars will complete the festival vibe.

mjf @ Escape to Freight Island

Speaking ahead of the event, Steve Mead – Chief Executive and Artistic Director at Manchester Jazz Festival – said: “As it became apparent we couldn’t stage our usual festival across the city in May, we wanted to do something that still embodied the spirit of Manchester Jazz Festival, and our weekend at Escape to Freight Island will do just that in what will be one of the first live music events with an in-person audience this year – three days full of unmissable, surprising musical moments teamed with a relaxed festival vibe and the best food and drink.  

“Whether you’re first in line to book a table to see a new band or you simply want to surround yourself with live music again, the weekend promises great music and a good time all from the comfort of your own seat. 

“We’re so excited to work with the team at Freight Island and can’t wait to show audiences what’s on offer”. 

mjf @ Escape to Freight Island

Fancy booking tickets?

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Audiences can book socially-distanced tables with their household bubble free of charge for up to 2.5 hours in the different areas of the venue in advance, and there’ll be no entry on the door during the festival without a table booking.

In line with COVID-19 restrictions, table service will be available for food and drink during the event.

Audiences must not roam around the venue.

You can book your tickets for mjf @ Escape to Freight Island here.

Featured Image – Escape to Freight Island

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Oasis are back…in surreal new Britpop comedy ‘The Battle’ at the Opera House Manchester

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

The greatest pop rivalry of all time has been turned into a quick-witted, razor-sharp comedy.

And do you know what? It’s a proper laugh.

Oasis vs Blur, north vs south… it really is a tale as old as time, and one that symbolised a divided nation back in 1995.

This new play, written by past record industry bod John Niven, explores the testosterone-fuelled tantrums that came after the decision to release Blur’s Country House single alongside Oasis’ Roll With It.

Image: Supplied (Helen Murray)

We’re plunged into backstage Britpop bickering right at the very start at none other than the Brit Awards, which is quite apt for a Manchester audience who have just witnessed the city hosting the awards for the first time.

From the offset, Paddy Stafford and George Usher who played Noel and Liam Gallagher, proved themselves as standout performances.

The physical mannerisms, the vocal nuances, they both had it down to an absolute T and looked exceptional in parkas, might I add.


Images: Supplied (Helen Murray)

By portraying such icons, in Manchester no less, you’re opening yourself up to a lot of criticism but their performances, which could’ve been perceived as awkward impressions, were the highlight of the evening.

The first act explores the rivalry between the two bands in depth, featuring countless slinging matches that are peppered with quick-witted remarks and plenty of swearing.

The between-scenes animations by John O’Connor portray radio DJs stoking the hysteria with the latest gossip, which is a nice way to keep the audience in check with whats going on amidst the chaos.

Image: Supplied (Helen Murray)

But it’s in the second act when things start to get really, really weird – and equally as fun.

I’m not going to spoil it for you, because that’s the whole point.

But what I will say is if you’re going for an Oasis singalong then you’re not going to get it, but you may want to brush up on your Take That lyrics.

The Battle is on at the Opera House Manchester until Saturday 21 March and you can get your tickets here.

Read more: A new stage adaptation of a Virginia Woolf classic is coming to Manchester

Featured image – Supplied (Helen Murray)

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The best beer gardens in Manchester for when the sun is shining

The Manc The Manc The best beer gardens in Manchester for when the sun is shining

With the arrival of spring comes the first promises of sunshine and, being British, of course we’re already thinking about where to go for that first sun-soaked pint.

With the sun finally starting to stick its head out, even if his visit is brief, we expect we’ll be seeing plenty of packed beer gardens soon enough.

We all know the pain of walking pub-to-pub trying to find a seat on a sunny and/or warm Manchester day, so we’re rounding up the best, the biggest and the most hidden beer gardens in the city to help you to make the most of the good weather.

You might actually stand a chance at getting a seat in one of these, if you’re quick enough.

Thomas Street and Edge Street, Northern Quarter

Common on Edge Street
Common on Edge Street
Ad Hoc on Edge Street
Ad Hoc on Edge Street

This was one of the few positives to come out of the pandemic – removing vehicles from a back-to-back stretch of the Northern Quarter.

It means that the bars along Thomas Street and Edge Street can now fill the roads with tables and chairs in one giant beer garden, but being such a busy stretch it’s often the first place punters think to go for a drink in the sun.

You’ll find the likes of The Morris, Common, Ad Hoc, Terrace, Smithfield Social, the Bay Horse Tavern, Cane and Grain and Wolf At The Door all being given the al fresco treatment.

Terrace also has a gorgeous little hidden beer garden upstairs, and if you find yourself really struggling to find a perch head over to Trof which has a tiny little hidden beer garden on its middle floor.

The Wharf and Dukes 92, Castlefield

Manchester pubs on best beer gardens in UK list 2025

Two beer garden institutions both stand in the canal-side setting of Castlefield.

Both The Wharf and Dukes 92 are stuffed to the brim with pub-goers in spring and summer, thanks to their massive terraces, with more people spilling out onto the green lawns surrounding them.

Down here you’ll also find Bar Barca and Albert’s Shed, both in prime position for soaking up some rays with a broad array of seating on offer.

It’s one of the prettiest spots in the city centre too, right on the water with narrow boats and plenty of lush greenery in view.

Stevenson Square, Northern Quarter

Stevenson Square has turned into one giant beer garden in Manchester
Stevenson Square has turned into one giant beer garden in Manchester
Public's beer garden in Manchester
Public’s beer garden in Manchester

Very much in the same wheelhouse as the aforementioned Thomas Street is Stevenson Square, another pocket of the Northern Quarter that’s really still benefitting from those relaxed pavement licenses of 2020.

A number of local operators vie for precious outside space here, including Flok (which does a roaring trade in Aperol spritzes and peach Jubel in the summer), Public, The Faraday, and Eastern Bloc.

There are even a handful of seats outside Soup and Noho when the weather is good, even if they don’t get quite as much sunshine.

The Oast House, Spinningfields

Manchester’s massive free festival Manifest is back for the August bank holiday weekend
Manchester’s massive free festival Manifest is back for the August bank holiday weekend
Manchester’s massive free festival Manifest is back for the August bank holiday weekend
Manchester’s massive free festival Manifest is back for the August bank holiday weekend. Credit: The Manc Group

Beer gardens seem to be everywhere in Manchester these days, which is of course a good thing, but we still have a soft spot for the original outdoor watering hole.

Cast your mind back a few years and The Oast House was one of the only venues that really focused on an open-air offering.

It’s still the same today – masses of tables in the heart of Spinningfields, with bleacher seating all the way round, plus live entertainment and a belting Aperol Spritz.

The Corn Exchange

Banyan is one of the Corn Exchange bars with a great beer garden
Banyan is one of the Corn Exchange bars with a great beer garden
Salvi's sunny terrace at the Corn Exchange
Salvi’s sunny terrace at the Corn Exchange

Another corner of the city where bars and restaurants spill outside alongside one another is the Corn Exchange.

Its residents – including Salvi’s, Banyan and Cosy Club – almost all have their own terraces, but it’s the ones on the Exchange Square side who get the most sunshine.

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Neighbouring it, meanwhile, are two of Manchester’s oldest pubs – Sinclari’s Oyster Bar and The Old Wellington – both of which also boast large sun trap beer gardens, for those after something a little more traditional.

You might have to queue a little while, but with so much seating, you’ll be sipping a drink in the sun before you know it.

Cutting Room Square, Ancoats

Set in the middle of Ancoats, also known as one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world, Cutting Room Square is guaranteed to get the sun all day long – and with plenty of bars here to choose from you’re pretty much guaranteed to find a seat one way or another.

There’s the classic pub reborn Edinburgh Castle, brilliant cocktail bar Jane Eyre, and local brewery bar from Seven Brothers – drinkers are spoilt for choice.

You can even soak up some rays outside Rudy’s (and the Ancoats one is the OG pizzeria), perch outside the award-winning Erst with a nice glass of wine, or jump in to Elnecot’s patio, where you might even find a BBQ on sunny days.

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New Islington Marina, Ancoats

Waterside neighbourhoods are difficult to find in Greater Manchester, which is what makes New Islington marina feel so special.

In the warmer months, the bars and cafes along here throw out the furniture so you can sit with a pint overlooking the water.

There’s Flawd, an award-winning wine bar; Cask, a brilliant local craft beer bar; and Pollen, if you fancy a pastry garden rather than a beer garden.

Piccadilly Trading Estate, East Piccadilly

Drinking around the Beermuda Triangle in Manchester
Drinking around the Beermuda Triangle in Manchester
Cloudwater's Taproom on the Beermuda Triangle

Beer paradise awaits just past Manchester Piccadilly, with plenty of beer garden space too, in an industrial estate that’s nicknamed the ‘Beermuda Traingle‘.

There’s the lovely Track Taproom with a huge outside space out the back; Cloudwater Taproom, which is an absolute sun trap; and then Balance Taproom and Sureshot just around the corner, which have less space but just as many vibes.

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It’s the perfect activity if you’re looking to drink really great beer and not walk very far whilst still visiting a range of top class spots, because after all…variety is the spice of life.

Society, central

Manchester bar Society to give away FREE Aperol Spritzes to gig-goers
Manchester bar Society to give away FREE Aperol Spritzes to gig-goers
The beer garden at Society Manchester
The beer garden at Society Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Not only is this spot right on the water, with excellent views of the Bridgewater Hall, but it’s also home to the biggest beer collection in Manchester.

Society has a whopping 44 beer taps, with a vast range from loads of different top northern breweries, including Cloudwater, Pomona Island, and Rivington (along with a few globally-brewed favourites).

The new beer range is flowing now, alongside all those amazing food traders that call Society home too.

Mala, Northern Quarter

This ‘secret garden’ bar is right in the heart of the Northern Quarter in the midst of the pandemic and is another great outdoor space for getting the drinks in when the sun is shining.

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Tucked behind those big mint-green wooden boards on Dale Street is a cluster of picnic tables and wooden huts festooned with fairy lights and plants.

It might not be the tropics, but they’ve got the cocktails to trick your tastebuds into thinking it is – we’re talking frozen strawberry daiquiris and frozen pina coladas. Oh, and there’s beer too.

Featured image – The Manc Group

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