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Music

Map shows the best selling musical artist in each county and Greater Manchester’s isn’t a surprise

It’s kind of official…

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@bandonthewall / Instagram

If there’s one thing Mancunians are known for, it’s our fantastic taste in music. 

Yep, out of the whole of the UK (and arguably the world), the people of Manchester have always held a different kind of passion for ‘proper good’ music. And over the years, the city itself has produced an impressive accolade of talent with new and promising musicians still emerging today.

But which band would you consider to be the ultimate band in the eyes of Mancunians?

Well, it could be one of many many things; New Order? The Fall? Joy Division? Even Simply Red, perhaps? 

@nightanddaycafe / Instagram

The list could go on, but one person took it upon themselves to create a definitive map that shows the best selling artist by ‘English county of origin’ and, let’s just say, the result for Greater Manchester is a real eye-opener. 

But let’s begin with some other areas of potential interest; the map, created by Reddit user uvbseventysix’, states that The Beatles are the number one selling band in Merseyside. There’s no arguing with that, is there? 

However, the map also claims that Gary Barlow (yes, the bloke from Take That) is the best selling artist from Cheshire. Really?

And for Lancashire, the band Little Boots was hailed as the number one best seller. Again, a little bit questionable. 

And as for Greater Manchester? Well, as you can see on the map above, Oasis are officially the best selling artist for our county. Surprised? 

Well, you needn’t be; Oasis are undisputedly one of the most successful bands in not only Manchester, but the whole world, with their single ‘Wonderwall’ selling over 2.4 million copies alone. 

However, a recent ranking of Manchester’s best musicians placed Oasis in just third place, with The Smiths and New Order snatching the second and first places… I think at this stage, it’s safe to say we may never know who the best musician from Manchester is. 

(It’s definitely Oasis (or is it…)).

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Music

Liam Gallagher says Noel ‘turned down’ reunion for Definitely Maybe tour

There’s no sign of them burying the hatchet yet

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Stefan Brending & sean Reynolds / Wikimedia

Liam Gallagher claims he asked Noel to reunite for the Definitely Maybe 30th Anniversary tour later this year but that he ‘refused’.

The former Oasis frontman shared details of his upcoming tour – to celebrate 30 years of Oasis’ seminal 1994 album – back in October.

So, a solo Liam will play their iconic debut album in full, including tracks ‘Live Forever’, ‘Supersonic’, ‘Slide Away’ and ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’.

The indie-rocker also teased he’ll be playing ‘naughty’ B-sides from the era.

Stefan Brending / Wikimedia

He’ll be kicking off the 12-date tour in Sheffield on June 2nd, heading to Cardiff for a night, then onto London for four, followed by three dates in his native Manchester at the Co-op Live arena.

From there, Liam will play two dates in Glasgow and two in Dublin, before heading back to Manchester for the finale.

Speaking to MOJO recently, Liam said that his brother refused to put aside their differences and join him on the 30th anniversary tour. He said: “Noel? He ain’t f**king doing it.”

“I did call him! Well, my people called Noel’s management team,” he told the publication.

Alterna2 / Flickr

“We put an offer on the table for an Oasis thing – because we got offered it – and he said no. It was a big tour, a lot of money. He turned it down. I get it, he’s got a divorce going down. I’ll do the ‘Definitely Maybe’ thing and have a nice time without him.”

On whether next year could see the feuding pair finally make amends and reunite for the anniversary of second album ‘(What’s the Story) Morning Glory?’, Liam said: “It’s down to the universe. It’ll happen when it happens, it’s not in our hands anymore.”

Either way, it seems Liam is up for the tour with or without him as he added: “Me, I love nostalgia though. I’m doing the lot. Every album, even… what was the last one?”

It’s not the first time Liam has claimed his estranged brother has turned down his offer to get back together.

Back in October, a fan asked whether he’d give us the surprise of joining him on the DM tour, to which Liam responded: “He’s been asked and he’s refused.”

It comes after Noel told talkSport radio back in May that he was ‘open to a phone call’ from Liam but said that he wouldn’t dare and accused him of being a ‘coward’.

He continued: “He doesn’t have to speak to me. He won’t speak to me, he’s a coward. So he should get some of his people, his agent, to call my people and say, ‘Look, this is what we’re thinking.’ And then we’ll have a conversation about it. Until then, he’s being a little bit disingenuous.”

wonker / Flickr

He added that Liam is guilty of getting ‘people’s hopes up’ with his post on social media.

But Liam hit back with a string of posts on social media saying it wasn’t true and that Noel just ‘hates Oasis fans’.

The band parted ways in 2009 and ever since, the bickering brothers have exchanged spats publicly while being asked about whether a reunion may be on the cards one day.

Regarding the 30th Anniversary of Definitely Maybe, Noel confirmed in April last year that an Oasis reunion would not be happening any time soon but did confirm plans of a reissue of the record to mark the occasion.

Stefan Brending / Wikimedia

The singer-songwriter also added that there had ‘never really been a serious offer about ‘The Big O’ getting back together’.

Earlier this year, as he reflected on their split, Liam accused Noel of throwing him ‘under the f**king bus’ at the time.

Liam is now focusing his attention on his much anticipated collaborative, self-titled album with Stone Roses guitarist John Squires, which is out on March 1st. The pair will also announce details of an upcoming tour.

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Music

Wigan Casino to celebrate 50th anniversary with Northern Soul all-nighter

The rarest Northern Soul record was recently sold for £100k

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Wigan Casino / YouTube

The legendary Wigan Casino will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special Northern Soul all-nighter after its last song, Frank Wilson’s ‘Do I Love You (Indeed I Do), played in 1981 and it shut its doors for good.

The all-nighter will play on BBC Radio 6 Music, featuring all the – often B-side – bangers discovered in Motown vaults from the likes of The Supremes, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Dobie Gray, Yvonne Baker, and many more.

From its opening in 1973, Wigan Casino saw crowds of music lovers desperate to dance the night away to all of the latest vinyl records, getting dropped off by the coach load outside the venue – the former Empress Ballroom.

Wigan Casino / YouTube

Several DJs including Russ Winstanley, Ian Fishwick, Kev Roberts and Richard Searling would take turns in spinning the decks for clubbers who would queue for hours just to get a taste of the action in the main dance hall.

Wigan Casino’s very last all-nighter was played on December 6th 1981 from midnight to the early morning, played by DJ Russ Winstanley.

Now, 50 years after the legendary night began, a special edition of Northern Soul programming dedicated to Wigan Casino will kick off on Saturday September 9th until 8pm on Sunday September 10th, on BBC Radio 6 Music.

This is Wigan / YouTube

The tracks will be played across The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show alongside a broadcast of Stuart Maconie’s Northern Soul Prom, which was recorded at the Royal Albert Hall in July.

Kicking off the programme on Saturday, from 6pm to 9pm, Craig’s show will feature a ten-piece soul house band – The Signatures – and special guests including Wigan Casino DJ Richard Searling and R&B group The Flirtations. 

Craig will also be going in search of the rarest Northern Soul record, which was recently sold for £100,000 – can you guess which one it was?

Wigan Casino / YouTube

Then, from 9pm-12am, Craig will join Stuart to introduce a broadcast of the Northern Soul Prom – recorded with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

It features Brendan Reilly, Darrell Smith, Frida Mariama Touray, Natalie Palmer, Nick Shirm and Vula Malinga as they perform the likes of You’re Gonna Make Me Love You, Open the Door to Your Heart and Hold Back The Night.

Stuart Maconie says: “Northern Soul was and is one of the most thrilling and vital music subcultures ever.

BBC

“It’s a dynamic, sympathetic union of the sounds and dreams of generations in the industrial heartlands of the North and Midlands of the UK and their counterparts in New York, Detroit, Philadelphia and beyond.

“At the heart of the scene is this wonderful, dramatic, vibrant and inspirational music, as well as the passion and knowledge of its devotees.

“They brought the communal rapture of the Northern Soul clubs and dancehalls to the Royal Albert Hall, which was on its feet on every tier for the Prom. It was a night the like of which that grand and esteemed old building has never seen before.”

Wigan Casino / YouTube

From 12am-4am, 6 Music begins an audio tour of the UK’s iconic all-nighter venues, with hour-long playlists by DJs who were there at Golden Torch (12am-1am), Wigan Casino (1am-2am), Twisted Wheel (2am-3am) and 100 Club (3am-4am).

These key figures from the scene share stories and songs, taking listeners back to the dance floors of these legendary spaces.

From 4am-7am, 6 Music’s Morning After Mix, Northern Soul Special, brings listeners a playlist of mellow soul numbers, featuring classic ballads and as well as contemporary selections.

Wigan Casino / YouTube

Stuart returns to the airwaves an hour earlier than usual at 7am on Sunday morning (September 10th) to present Lights On With Stuart Maconie.

He’ll bring the party to a close and bring listeners the original versions of Wigan Casino’s famous Three Before Eight – Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend, Long After Tonight Is All Over by Jimmy Radcliffe and I’m On My Way by Dean Parrish.

The Wigan Casino 50th anniversary special on BBC Radio 6 Music can be listened to via BBC Sounds from 6pm on September 9th – 8pm on September 10th. You can also tune in via DAB Digital Radio, Freeview, Sky TV, and supported mobile devices. 

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S Club get ready to kick start huge reunion tour right here in Manchester

The tour kicks off in Manchester on October 12th, with a second Manchester date on the 21st

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Leigh Keily / S Club

As fans across the UK get ready to see their all-time favourites S Club reunite for a tour kicking off in Manchester, we chat with Jo O’Meara about what it’s like to be back.

It’s been what feels like a lifetime since S Club (then known as S Club 7) were blasting through the radio waves, with young kids and teeny boppers copying their dance moves and learning all their lyrics.

After two decades away, Bradley, Jo, Jon, Rachel and Tina are now ready to take the stage together and bring absolutely all of it back to you.

On what it’s like to be back, Jo tells us: “Oh, do you know what, it’s been lovely, It’s been so nice to be back together. It’s always nice to get back with S Club.”

Leigh Keily / S Club

The group formed in 1998 under former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller and took the world by storm.

Jo says it was Fuller’s idea to go on tour again, and upon hearing it she said it was a ‘no-brainer’ for her and an immediate ‘yes’.

She explained: “He got in touch with us because obviously it was our 25th anniversary, and he said, ‘how do you guys feel about celebrating it and doing a tour?’

“We just all went, ‘absolutely’, and it was kind of a no-brainer. So yeah, we’re just so excited.”

@jo_omeara / Instagram

The Good Times Tour marks 25 years since the band first formed and is a tribute to late band member Paul Cattermole by taking the name of an S Club song – a big fan favourite – on which he sang lead vocals.

Over the years the band have kept in touch ‘loosely’, communicating by text. It’s no surprise, as for a number of years they spent most days together, intensely, as bandmates, friends and even as a kind of family.

The band have also been through a lot together, and although they’ve got their own lives separate from S Club, there’ll likely always be times they will keep in touch with each other.

Jo continues: “I think we all kind of drift in and out of each other’s lives whether we’re together or we’re not together because we’ve all been such a big part of each other’s lives for so many years now. It’s just a very natural thing to do.”

@sclub / Instagram

On meeting up as a group again, Jo says it feels ‘just like yesterday’. She goes on: “No time passes, it’s really, really bizarre. We might not see each other for five, or eight, or 10 years even and the second we’re all in the same room it’s like we never left.”

Collectively, S Club amassed four UK number one singles with ‘Bring It All Back’, ‘Never Had a Dream Come True’, ‘Don’t Stop Movin’, and ‘Have You Ever’, as well as the UK number one album ‘7’. 

They recorded four studio albums, released 11 singles that all entered the Top Five UK charts, and went on to sell over 10 million albums worldwide.

With four multi-platinum selling albums, two BRIT Awards, and nine number-one international hit singles to their name, S Club is a household name that is once again ready to rise.

@sclub / Instagram

The pop group have also released a new single called These Are The Days written by the band’s original number one hit songwriting team of Cathy Dennis, Simon Ellis, Johanne Ellis and producer John Nathaniel. 

The track pays tribute to their former friend and beloved S Club member Paul with a moving film story that ends with S Club revealed as the five-piece pop act that they are today.

About their comeback single, Jo said: “These Are The Days was actually a song that was written for us about 20 years ago, but it wasn’t the right song for us  back then. 

“But the song came around this time and it was just the perfect song.”

@sclub / TikTok

“Cathy Dennis got involved and changed some of the lyrics and it’s a nod to the past and it’s a nod to where we’ve been and obviously, it’s a tribute for Paul but in a really positive and upbeat way because I think that’s what S Club has always represented; positivity and making people smile,” she continued.

“I don’t think we could have picked a better song to come back with as our first single.”

About touring in Manchester, Jo said she is hoping for some time off in the city so she can go shopping – but she’s also looking forward to performing for a Mancunian audience.

“I think what I love about Manchester is that it is very loud. Everyone’s up for a good time and out to let their hair down, get dressed up and go and have fun,” she added.

@sclub / Instagram

On her best memories of S Club, Jo recalls: “The Brit Awards will always be a big one. For me personally, it was when we did the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. We got to perform Don’t Stop Movin on stage.

“I think we had like Phil Collins, we had Brian May playing the guitar – I was just looking around at these absolutely massive icons. I’m also a big fan of the Beach Boys.”

About the future of S Club and what they have in store, Jo added that ‘the sky’s the limit’ and the band will ‘see what the fans want’, but she said, ‘there’s definitely going to be more music’.

With The Good Times Tour now just around the corner, Jo said she’s nervous but excited to be back on stage with S Club, doing their thing again, adding: “It’s all becoming very real all of a sudden. Because, I feel like we’ve talked about it for so long and now it’s like, just a matter of weeks away.”

You can grab your tickets for the tour HERE.

S Club: The Good Times Tour UK 2023 dates are:

Oct 12th Manchester AO Arena

Oct 13th Liverpool M&S Bank Arena

Oct 14th Sheffield Utilita Arena

1Oct 16th Dublin 3Arena

Oct 18th Glasgow OVO Hydro

Oct 19th Newcastle Utilita Arena

Oct 20th Leeds First Direct Arena

Oct 21st Manchester AO Arena

Oct 23rd Cardiff International Arena

Oct 24th Nottingham Motorpoint Arena

Oct 26th Birmingham Utilita Arena Birmingham

Oct 27th London The O2

Oct 28th London The O2 Matinee

Oct 28th London The O2

Oct 29th Birmingham Utilita Arena Birmingham

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