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Everything happening for Pride in Manchester this weekend

Here’s what you need to know

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@manchesterpride / Instagram & @therefugemcr / Instagram

It’s the August bank holiday weekend, and Manchester’s Pride Festival is officially upon us.

Sadly, the iconic Pride Parade has been cancelled for the second year in a row as a result of Covid-19 restrictions –  but regardless of that, Manchester has still pulled it out of the bag with a ton of exciting and eclectic events happening across the city to celebrate our LGBTQ+ community.

Here’s what’s on…

Manchester Pride Festival

@manchesterpride / Instagram

Let’s start with the big one: The annual Manchester Pride festival will be taking place from August 27th – 30th. 

A huge number of artists are on the bill to perform over the weekend: While the artists for Friday are yet to be revealed, Saturday will see the likes of Sigala, Annie Mac, Katy B, Example, La Discotheque and Anton Powers.

On the bank holiday Sunday, Zara Larsson, Ella Henderson, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Black Betty and Sian Bennett will be taking over the stage, along with a whole host of other exciting acts.

The roots of Manchester Pride and the Festival are firmly in the heart of Manchester’s world-famous Gay Village, who will of course be hosting four days of celebrations with performances, markets and parties alongside the festival.

Click here to buy tickets.

Affleck’s Palace Pride Garden Party

@afflecks_manchester / Instagram

Manchester’s famed indie emporium recently announced that they will be throwing an epic Pride Garden Party. Taking place this Saturday, August 28th, the party will be acknowledging the theme for this year’s Pride, ‘The Garden of Freedom’ by encouraging all guests to attend in fancy dress.

There will also be drag DJs spinning tunes throughout the day along with a number of Drag Queens roaming Affleck’s itself, providing fun and flamboyant entertainment to the masses.

The independent traders within Affleck’s will also be joining in with the festivities and will be offering promotions to customers to celebrate the Pride weekend. Affleck’s very own Gay Pride Shop – which is the biggest LGBTQ+ shop in the UK – stocked with over 4,500 items, including Pride essentials such as flags, face paints and fans.

Affleck’s Palace, 52 Church Street, M4 1PW
0161 839 0718

Escape to Freight Island LGBTQ+ takeover

@escapetofreightisland / Instagram

Starting tomorrow, Wednesday August 25th, Escape to Freight Island will be hosting an epic six-day long party in celebration, described as an ‘explosion of queer power.’

A whole array of exciting events are scheduled for the celebration, including the likes of Club Orchestra, who will be performing pride anthems, Amuse Bouche bringing their usual fun, House of Ghetto, and Creatures of Catharsis back with Performance is Power, alongside plenty more wonderful events across the week.

The event is ticketed per day and booking in advance is strongly recommended. However, walk-ups will still be available for 25th – 30th August. Get your tickets here.

Escape to Freight Island, 11 Baring St, Manchester M1 2PZ.
escapetofreightisland.com

Ducie Street Warehouse ‘Something for Everyone’ Pride Programme

Ducie Street Warehouse

Ducie Street Warehouse is throwing a huge LGBTQ+ friendly programme featuring a plethora of performers, artists, characters, and world-renowned DJs for five days over the course of the August Bank Holiday – from Thursday August 26th to Monday August 30th.

Their in-house resident Mix-stress and Friends will be kickstarting the event on Thursday, while Kiss Me Again will follow to curate a weekend of parties from LGBTQ+ collectives and DJs from Manchester and beyond. 

On the Saturday, there will be a drag brunch hosted by Sink the Pink DJs which will be dedicated to introduce Ducie Street Warehouse and Native Manchester’s charity partner, akt; with a donation of £5 from every brunch booking going to the charity. 

Ducie Street Warehouse, Ducie St, Manchester M1 2TP.
0161 503 9460
duciestreet.com

@therefugemcr / Instagram

Refuge ‘Come as You Are’ Party

The Refuge’s annual celebration of music, love and inclusivity will be kicking off with live performances, DJs and events from Friday afternoon right until the early hours of Monday. 

There’s a huge list of performers including the enigmatic House of Ghetto, The Family Gorgeous and tonnes of world-class DJs.

The event description reads: “These full-venue takeovers incorporate the beautiful space in all its glory, from the intense outdoor atmosphere of Waterhouse Way, to the warm surrounding of the Public Bar, and the heads-down spiritual melting pot that is the Basement.

“The Come As You Are Weekenders, especially around Manchester Pride, have developed an electric reputation throughout the UK and has become synonymous with a special and unique togetherness that only Manchester can magic from its people.”

No bookings needed, simply turn up as you are.

The Refuge, Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA.
0161 233 5151

‘The Most Depressing Pride of Your Life’ at YES

@isthisyourchild / Instagram

YES will be hosting a very unusual but very needed ‘break-up disco’ on the Bank Holiday Saturday where guests will be encouraged to come and purge their old relationships out on the dance floor with the help from a playlist of love songs and power ballads.

They’ll be focussing on the heartache, trauma and pain of the saddest songs ever written so if that’s your bag, get on down. Tickets are only £6 and it’s on til 3am. Buy tickets here.

YES, 38 Charles St, Manchester, M1 7DB.
0161 273 2725

@ezraandgil / Instagram

Ezra & Gil Pride Special

Everyone’s favourite Northern Quarter brunch haunt will be hosting their debut Pride party on Sunday, August 29th. 

The cafe has secured a number of impressive acts and performances, including Belinda Scandal, a live DJ set and a live violinist for their outdoor seating area.

For more information and updates, visit their website.

Ezra & Gil, 20 Hilton St, Manchester, M1 1FR.

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Boom Battle Bar: Ultimate games destination for perfect birthday, stag do or work party

Boom Battle Bar has got it all!

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Manchester's Finest Group

If you’re stuck for somewhere to go this Christmas party season, or for any birthday, stag or hen do, or even a regular weekend with your mates, we’ve got the perfect spot.

Boom Battle Bar is a massive games bar in the Printworks, with axe throwing (£45 – £80), shuffleboard (£15 – £25), augmented reality darts (£40 per lane), beer/prosecco pong (£30 per table), and even karaoke booths (£6 – £9 per person).

Manchester’s Finest Group


They also do a bottomless brunch at weekends, alongside a street food offering, including halloumi fries, parmesan and truffle mac and cheese bites, chicken tenders, wings, loaded bacon parmesan fries and dirty BBQ loaded fries.

There’s an impressive array of drinks as well, with cocktails like the Basic B*tch, Honey It’s Time To Party, and GOAT Punch, as well as plenty of beer, wine and even big sharers.

Get yourself booked in HERE.

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What's On

The Cube Live adds three exciting new games for the perfect team day out

Everything you need for an incredible day out

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Manchester's Finest Group

Urban Playground has taken things to the next level, revealing three brand new games for thrill-seekers to sink their teeth into.

The Manchester Arndale entertainment venue, which is already home to an impressive array of games, has added even more fun to the line up.

From mini golf to arcade games and loads of food and drink, Urban Playground has everything you need for an incredible day out.

Manchester’s Finest Group

They’ve now added three new games to The Cube Live experience, ahead of the upcoming Christmas party season.

‘Pass’, ‘Exit’ and ‘Locate’ are the three new nail-bitingly tense games, and you’ll recognise them all from TV.

In Pass, two players rapidly weave a foam brick back and forth between free-standing poles, avoiding knocking the poles over as they go – requiring agility and great communication.

Exit sees two players work together manoeuvring a ball out of a maze testing their patience to the max.

Manchester’s Finest Group

Lastly, Locate is a single player game where players must memorise an illuminated white square’s location, before placing a block on it while blindfolded.

They’re all deceptively straightforward, while also fiendishly addictive, and perfect for a team day out.

Get booked in HERE to try the new games for yourself.

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What's On

MTV to take over Manchester for 2024 EMAs with week of events

The MTV EMAs are coming to Manchester for the first time ever

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MTV Music Week is coming to Manchester later this year, to showcase the best of our emerging artists and favourite venues.

The event will take place across some of Manchester’s most loved venues between November 5th and 9th, and will feature homegrown artists, performances and industry workshops.

It’s all leading up to the 2024 MTV EMAs, which will be taking place at Co-op Live on November 10th.

MTV franchises will take centre stage, including MTV Push Live, Club MTV and YO! MTV Raps.

Dead Pony

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, added: “Our music scene in Manchester is the stuff of legend and we’re known the world over for our brilliant musicians and iconic venues.

“MTV Music Week will be a great showcase for our city and the stage is set for an incredible Manchester music takeover.

“A boost for the industry, our economy, and fantastic opportunities for some of our best homegrown artists as well as unforgettable performances for audiences to enjoy. We’re excited, can’t wait.”

The full line-up for MTV Music Week:

Tuesday November 5th

MTV Gonzo on Tour | Rebellion | 7.30pm – 10.30pm 

“MTV Music Week kicks off at alternative music venue Rebellion with the epic indie and alternative music show MTV Gonzo on Tour. Bringing together some of UK’s best emerging indie rock bands and artists under one roof, the night will feature a line-up of exciting breakthrough artists including post punk trailblazers Dead Pony.”

Wednesday November 6th

MTV Push Live | Soup | 7pm – 10.30pm

“Ready to introduce fans to the hottest new breakthrough artists across Manchester’s thriving music scene, Wednesday will see MTV Push Live head to the award-winning live music venue, Soup. Featuring a co-curated line-up from Manchester music initiative Beyond the Music, the night will include unmissable performances from LARKINS, Phoebe Hall and more. The event sees the continuation of MTV Push and Beyond the Music’s partnership, which is set to kick-off with a team-up at Beyond the Music’s annual festival in October. At the festival, attendees will enjoy an MTV Push Live stage, plus MTV-curated panels.”

MTV x Ramona Radio Rave | Ramona | 7pm – 12am

“On the same night, Ramona will welcome some of Manchester’s hottest emerging dance music talents, with sets from Chunky, Ms Dee and Sno as part of a Ramona Radio MTV Takeover.”

Phoebe Hall

Wednesday November 6th – Friday 8th

MTV EMA: 30 Years | Aviva Studios, home of Factory International  | 10am – 8pm

“For music fans looking to reminisce and take a trip into the MTV EMAs’ legendary history, the MTV EMA: 30 Years exhibition will run at Manchester’s arts and culture venue Aviva Studios, home of Factory International. Featuring images from all past editions of the MTV EMAs, curated from Getty Images’ archive, the exhibition celebrates the artists, performances and pop culture moments that have created a cultural legacy for generations of fans across the globe.”

Thursday November 7th

MTV Push Live | Band On The Wall | 7pm – 11am 

“MTV Music Week continues with MTV Push Live at Band On The Wall, hosted by the electrifying Manchester DJ duo Shimrise. Delivering an evening featuring the city’s most exciting breakthrough talent, fans can expect a series of unique performances from alt-pop musician Nxdia, singer-songwriter Nina Cobham and R&B Soul artist Rumbi Tauro.”

MTV Presents: Piri & Tommy | New Century | 7pm – 11pm 

“MTV Presents: Piri & Tommy arrives at New Century for a night of uplifting drum and bass, inspired by the UK’s student basement club culture. The pair, who first formed the band during COVID, were last year included in MTV Push’s Top 10 Artists list and made the longlist on BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2023. Piri & Tommy’s latest track ‘99%’ marks the group’s first release in a year.” 

Shimrise

Friday November 8th

Yo! MTV Raps: NQ Rated | Freight Island | 7pm – 11pm

“The show that first gave rap and hip hop a global stage, YO! MTV Raps comes to Freight Island for an exclusive YO! MTV Raps x NQ showcase. A must-see live music experience, the Manchester label behind the acclaimed Northern rap scene has partnered with MTV to host a line-up including headliner Nemzzz, 163Margsand more.” 

Saturday November 9th

MTV x Homobloc Brunch Royale | DieCast | 12pm – 3pm

“Those looking for the perfect Homobloc pre-party need look no further, as the storied LGBTQ+ event teams up with MTV for a mega brunch party at DieCast. Expect a spectacular show featuring special guests and led by some of Manchester’s most celebrated Queens Banksie & Lil, and a battle on the catwalk from Ghetto Fabulous presenting Black Peppa, Coco Canell, Shanika Sunrise & Verry Cherry, soundtracked by Gaydio’s Jackie P & Gina Breeze.”

MTV x Homobloc | The Roof Terrace at Depot Mayfield | 4pm-11pm

“Continuing the Homobloc celebrations, MTV is also hosting The Rooftop at Manchester nightlife institution Depot Mayfield featuring stage collaborations with local LGBTQ+ parties Homoelectric and Make Me Feel. Artists appearing across the  roof terrace stages include Nicky Siano (Studio 54), Prosumer, ShyOne, Grove b2b Tash LC, Ruby Savage and local favourites Meme Gold and Kath McDermott, plus a fabulous collection of queens.”

Club MTV Presents: salute | Hidden | 10pm – 4am

“A pivotal city in the dance music revolution, Manchester’s cutting-edge dance scene is renowned across the globe, and what better way to close the week-long city takeover than with a night that celebrates one of the city’s most exciting emerging DJs, plus mega headliner salute. Named ‘Best Club’ in DJ Mag’s Best of British Awards in 2023, Hidden has become a staple in the Manchester clubbing scene and the premier destination for electronic fans.”

You can grab tickets HERE.

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