This week has pretty much turned into a party week in terms of what’s going on. There’s an unusual amount of great nights in which to get drunk and dance around like an idiot, so stop telling yourself you’re too old and get your glad rags on.
Sorry that most of it is this weekend – I was struggling to find much going on during the week – although Game of Thrones is back on Monday so just watch that every day instead.
Frank Turner DJ Set @ Rebellion
Friday 14th July, 11pm
Although his name makes him sound like an overweight darts player from Wigan, Frank Turner is in fact a folk singer bloke who makes noises by plucking strings attached to a guitar shaped wooden box. I’m personally not a fan at all – I despise this kind of mundane, depressing, well sung stuff and much prefer my songs to be monotonous, have a beat and contain the words “Venga”. But plenty of people are a fan of old Franky boy, and so after his supporting act at the Blink 182 concert he will be heading to Rebellion where he will most likely pop on an iTunes playlist, hold some headphones to his head, chat to some girls and get drinks for free.
Rebellion, 2B Whitworth St W, Manchester M1 5WZ
0161 236 9732
www.rebellion.club/
Five! Live @ Liquid & Envy, Oldham
Friday 14th July, 11pm
It’s the mid 90’s and you are on top of the world. Travelling all around the globe meeting throngs of fans who love your songs and just want to touch you. As a group of like-minded lads you can’t believe your luck – but with a string of catchy pop numbers under your belt, and riding the boy band train in first class – you’d almost say that you deserve this level of accolade and success. Cut to 2017, and you’re appearing in a nightclub in Oldham, while Ben Brown’s old classmates and cousins are throwing empty bottles of WKD at your head while you simultaneously try to sing ‘Slam Dunk Da Funk’ and catch the eye of the leggy blonde on the front row. To be fair I think Five are mint and am a bit annoyed that I’m washing my hair tonight, otherwise I would have gone.
Liquid & Envy, Retiro St, Oldham OL1 1SA
0161 633 4585
https://www.liquidclubs.com/oldham
Reggae Caribbean Cookout @ RedBank Co.
Friday 14th July, 5pm
Me mam had a Caribbean Party at her house last week and it was a very enjoyable event. Not only was there more rum there than a Pirate’s backyard – mostly washed down with tins of Ting, she made a proper nice goat curry. Someone over at RedBank Co must have heard about it, or even been there because they are having their own Reggae Caribbean Cookout, featuring a BBQ as well as plenty of Reggae, Ska and Rock-Steady on the jukebox. There’s also an Open Mic – so if you fancy yourself as the new Shabba Ranks – this is the place to go!
Free Entry
Redbank Co, 22 Redbank Parade, Manchester, Manchester, M4 4HF
Peter Kay Q&A @ O2 Apollo
Saturday 15th July
Bolton’s own ‘Chubby Funster’ is heading to the Apollo this weekend and surprisingly there are still some tickets left. In between his brand new 13th re-release of ‘Top of the Tower’ since it was filmed almost 17 years ago – now including an audio commentary from Gary Barlow; the most mundane and monotonous thing any human will ever have to listen to – Peter has found time to do something genuinely nice for some really sick people in his home town. This is a charity Q & A session, with all the funds going to The Kyle Buckley Fund and The Polly Haydock Appeal. It will be the perfect opportunity to ask him those burning questions that you’ve always wanted to ask, including “Do you really like garlic bread?”, “Is there going to be a new series of Phoenix Nights?” and “What was all that Geraldine tripe about?!” Tickets are available here:
O2 Apollo, Stockport Rd, Manchester M12 6AP
0844 477 7677
https://academymusicgroup.com/o2apollomanchester/
Ministry of Sound: The Classics @ Underdog and Gorilla
Saturday 15th July, 8pm
If you’ve ever been to Ministry of Sound in London you will know what I’m talking about. If you’ve never been to Ministry of Sound in London – don’t. It’s quite possibly the worst club I’ve ever been to – although Fabric on a Saturday night is a close contender. You pay about £30 to get in and listen to what sounds like a Robocop and R2-D2 having a threesome with drum kit while paying £6 for a plastic bottle of warm Carlsberg. What’s good this week though it that you can get a proper Ministry of Sound experience from the comfort of Gorilla and Underdog near Oxford Road Station. There’s some of the biggest club anthems known to man on the set list, hopefully ‘Rhythm is a Dancer’ is one of them.
Pre-Party: 8pm-12am at Underdog, 11-13 New Wakefield St, M1 5NP
Main Event: 12am-5am at Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth St, M1 5WW
Central Manchester Vegan Fair
Saturday 15th July
As a publication that features a load of Food and Drink places, it’s unfortunate that many of the things I end up writing about include meat or meat related products. But for all you vegans out there it’s the Central Manchester Vegan Fair this Saturday and should be a great place to check out a load of vegan stalls selling a plethora of vegan goods, grab some free food as well as catch some movies in the film room upstairs.
On the roster is Forks over Knives (examining the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods), PlanEat (the story of three men’s life-long search for a diet, which is good for our health, good for the environment and good for the future of the planet.), Vegucated (exploring the challenges of converting to a vegan diet) and Peaceable Kingdom (Animal rescuers and activists battle against the cruelties of industrial farming.)
Free Entry
Cross Street Chapel, Cross Street, M2 1NL
Dirty Dancing @ Palace Theatre
From Tuesday 18th July
Starting on the 18th and running right through until the 22nd, it’s another chance for you to catch Dirty Dancing live on stage with people prancing around with big hair and tight trousers. Although Swayze has snuffed it, and Jennifer Grey is too busy appearing on Celebrity Big Brother 16 in Mongolia – you can still experience the magic of Baby and Johnny Castle and their eternal quest to perfect the perfect over-head lift. You can buy tickets right here:
Palace Theatre, 97 Oxford St, Manchester M1 6FT
0844 871 3019
www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester/
