If last night’s party was anything to go by, the Nordoff & Robbins Northern Music Awards in November is going to be top. drawer. But what is this Northern Music Awards? I hear you say. Who are Nordoff & Robbins? And speak more of this launch party! Well, my imaginary friends… Two words, Music Therapy.Continue reading “Northern Music Awards launched in style!”
Category Archives: Celebrity
Happy big 4-0 Hacienda! The night I entered Manc Mecca…
1982 was a very special year. My brother was born in the January, the Hacienda was born in May. And the rest is history. That said, history came alive Saturday night when the shutters flew up on what is now the Hacienda apartments car park, and 1000 of us flooded in (note a last minuteContinue reading “Happy big 4-0 Hacienda! The night I entered Manc Mecca…”
Last night of the Sea Power tour, Manchester’s own Albert Hall
Saturday 23 April was Sea Power appearing at Albert Hall, Manchester day. It was also St George’s Day. The two things are somewhat very tenuously related. They really are, stay with me. Last August, Sea Power announced that they were dropping the ‘British’ from their name. The reasons I completely understand, the fact that theContinue reading “Last night of the Sea Power tour, Manchester’s own Albert Hall”
Review: Looking Good Dead at The Lowry
I’ve been tussling with this. I’ve been going back and forth. The grown up writer in me (it’s there somewhere) tells me to not be so obvious, cliched and obvious again. The forever child in me behind the blog reminds me that I’m here to document my experiences, thoughts, feelings, passions, obsessions and delectations. YesContinue reading “Review: Looking Good Dead at The Lowry”
Review: Death Drop at the Lowry
Who knew murder could be so fabulous? It’s 1991, it’s Tuck Island (because of course), it’s Charlie and Di’s 10th wedding anniversary, a storm’s brewing (oh how apt) and the scene is set for a murder mystery so dramatic, so devastating, so…drag. Starring Ru-Paul US drag legends Willam and Ra’Jah O’Hara, Drag Race UK Star VinegarContinue reading “Review: Death Drop at the Lowry”
Review: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – The Lowry
Everybody’s talking about Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. It’s being recommended to me, I’ve been asked if I’ve seen it, asked if I recommend it… Yes In short. In long, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, is an award-winning ‘feel good musical sensation,’ which debuted in the West End and has opened its UK tour at The Lowry.Continue reading “Review: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie – The Lowry”
Gigs, digs and mental health – ‘The Roadie Cookbook: Toured There, Ate That‘ launches in Manchester
My Dad was a professional museum, which led to him being away on tour a fair bit when I was growing up. ‘Gigs and digs’ were oft heard words in our house. And it’s all very rock and roll and glamorous, isn’t it? Well like everything, dig (not always deep) below the surface and thereContinue reading “Gigs, digs and mental health – ‘The Roadie Cookbook: Toured There, Ate That‘ launches in Manchester”
Review: Damon Albarn, Manchester International Festival 2021
A few firsts for a Monday night. First day of leaving the house in 2 weeks after not quite managing to avoid COVID’s touch. First time at a live music gig since Supergrass, February 2020, because, you know… First time that Damon Albarn has played a gig in two years and he looked as insanelyContinue reading “Review: Damon Albarn, Manchester International Festival 2021”
Preview: Trans Vegas, 9-11 July
Unless you’re currently self-isolating like my good self (COVID got me good, got me real good), you can’t have failed to notice the billboard/bus stop takeover across Manchester City Centre of Jamaican trans duo, Kyym and Emani. Our presence is our resilience is the mantra of these strong fashion activists. The visually striking and uncompromisingContinue reading “Preview: Trans Vegas, 9-11 July”
Music: Denise Johnson’s final gift with posthumous release of debut album, Where Does it Go
The world of music, in particular our own very special part of that world, here in Manchester, was recently rocked and hugely saddened by the news that hugely acclaimed, simply stunning, vocalist, Denise Johnson, had passed away. Best known for the two albums she recorded and toured with Primal scream in the 90s, Screamadelica andContinue reading “Music: Denise Johnson’s final gift with posthumous release of debut album, Where Does it Go”
Preview: Ghost Stories at The Lowry – a moment with Jeremy Dyson
As mentioned in last week’s blog post, Ghost walks and Stories and pig heads. Oh my Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman’s massively, hugely, other superlatives-ly acclaimed Ghost Stories comes to The Lowry this Tuesday 18 February and lurks until Saturday 22 February. Details of the show are understandably shrouded in mystery, in order for audiencesContinue reading “Preview: Ghost Stories at The Lowry – a moment with Jeremy Dyson”
Review: The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel – HOME Mcr
Charlie Chaplin. He was instrumental in my phonics education. He was. And clearly on my cultural radar, and thus important to me, at a very young age (thank you mum and dad). 5 years old and engaged in a word game with my parents. The rules being thus – say the initials of a famousContinue reading “Review: The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel – HOME Mcr”
Review: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Opera House
I’m cough years old but a good pantomime won’t fail to touch even the most jaded, cynical, grown up of adults. And this was no exception. In fact, and at the risk of over-exuberance (although at the time of writing I’ve had a 12 hour cooling off period) I’d say this was the bar by which pantomimesContinue reading “Review: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Opera House”
Preview: Will Self: A Life in Writing, at The Lowry 24.11.19
Will Self has written his memoir, Will, and we should all rejoice. Almost as much as I rejoiced when he took part in the Geordie Jumpers sketch on Shooting Stars. Yes I know his incredible back catalogue of daring and original writing and I bring Geordie Jumpers into it (oh just Google it and thankContinue reading “Preview: Will Self: A Life in Writing, at The Lowry 24.11.19”
Preview: Writer and film-maker, Paul Mason in conversation with Stuart Maconie – 30 April 2019
Writer, film-maker and leading thinker, Paul Mason, is coming to Manchester on 30 April 2019, to discuss his latest book, Clear Bright Future: A Radical Defence of the Human Being, with BBC 6 Music’s, Stuart Maconie. On the eve of publication, Penguin Live, will play host, at The Dancehouse, Manchester, to what promises to be aContinue reading “Preview: Writer and film-maker, Paul Mason in conversation with Stuart Maconie – 30 April 2019”