Monthly Archives: September 2013
Ramsbottom’s Humdinger Weekend
The third Ramsbottom Festival, held earlier this month in the West Pennine foothills, lived up to its reputation as a “humdinger” of an event.
Read the full story..No Tantrums, No Tears
Parlour Flames is a musical collaboration between former OASIS rhythm guitarist Bonehead [aka Paul Arthurs] and the Manchester-based singer songwriter & poet Vinny Peculiar [aka Alan Wilkes]. Lucy McNamara caught up with them at the recent Ramsbottom Festival.
Read the full story..The Right Time To Roll
Del Amitri have announced their first tour in more than a decade. Karen Connolly talks to frontman, Justin Currie.
Read the full story..Professional Frenchman or stand-up comic? Northern Soul finds out
This Autumn it seems us northern English are supremely lucky to be in receipt of a series of talks from professional Frenchman, Marcel Lucont.
Read the full story..Hey Country Boy
I noted the Stone Roses (Mani), Oasis (Bonehead) and New Order (Stephen Morris) among the bands with representatives at Tim Burgess‘s solo gig at Band on the Wall – all supporting an old mate in an intimate setting, with a generous card of young bands (not sure I can remember the last time I went to a gig where there were three supports on the bill).
Read the full story..Lie back, relax and think of….
I love a good spa. But part of that love comes from the fact that it always feels like an unnecessary decadence.
Read the full story..Rom-Com Opera in Salford
As I sipped my pre-performance glass of bubbly I couldn’t help but notice the attire of the other drinkers. Fleeces, hoodies, trainers and t-shirts with popular slogans abounded everywhere. I remarked to my guest, somewhat haughtily, that theatrical standards of dress had fallen.
Read the full story..In At The Deep End
Nearly ten years to the day that Manchester’s Victoria Baths was voted winner of BBC’s Restoration, on a rainy Thursday evening I found myself sitting in the deep end of a 107-year-old swimming pool, drinking a pint of Speckled Hen and listening to someone making whale noises with a laptop and a cello.
Read the full story..Getting down with the kids at DoubleTree
Think of afternoon tea and what comes to mind? White tablecloths? Crustless sandwiches? Sedate surroundings and whispered conversations?
Read the full story..Blood, Chocolate and a walk in York
The York of today is a tourist hub but at the turn of the last century it is was Chocolate City, churning out the sweet stuff by the ton. Now a new promenade production is looking at the impact of the Great War on the city’s workers.
Read the full story..Editor's Picks
- Brute Strength: Why Our Northern Concrete is Worth Keeping
- Writing a novel in 2021? Tips and guidance from a successful 2020 debut author
- Book Review: Lairies by Steve Hollyman
- “We’re a resource for the whole of the North of England.” Kenn Taylor, Lead Cultural Producer North at The British Library North
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