City Manchester, county Hall Showbiz Latest News and Updates

A pub has again been rejected for a licence to sell booze after being banned back in April following a shooting.

The soaring, multi-million pound budgets of two key projects in Manchester city centre have laid bare the economic and specialist trade pressures being faced by organisations both private and public across the country.

A birthday party for up to 400 people has been allowed by Manchester City Council despite the applicant previously holding an event with a false licence.

PJ Harvey has shared new single ‘I Inside The Old I Dying’, as well as announcing details of a 2023 UK and European tour. See dates and ticket details below.The double Mercury Prize winner marked her return back in April with the single ‘A Child’s Question, August’ and news of her 10th album ‘I Inside The Old Year Dying’, the long-awaited follow-up to 2016’s ‘The Hope Six Demolition Project‘.Now, Harvey shares another taster of the record with what she described as “delicate and beautiful song eluded us until the very last day in the studio”.“Over the previous five weeks we had tried so many times to capture it and failed, and/but then John [Parish, producer and collaborator] reinvented the feel of the guitar pattern,” she explained.

A huge new ramen and sushi restaurant is set to open off Piccadilly Gardens. Maki & Ramen already has a rash of locations in Scotland, and is now heading to the North West in its first branch south of the border.

Christine & The Queens has shared a new collaboration with 070 Shake – listen to ‘True Love’ below.The French singer-songwriter’s new album ‘PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE’ is due for release June 9 and will follow-up last year’s ‘Redcar les adorables étoiles’.

New Order have announced they’ll be heading out on the road later this year… but they won’t be playing a date in Manchester. The nearest show will be in Leeds in October.

A pub which was banned from serving customers after a huge brawl 'involving a machete and a gun' has had its licence revoked.

It's been another busy few weeks in music across the world as well as in Manchester, with everything from announcements of stadium tours to the struggles of grassroots venues.

The dance anthems pulsating around the old Wesleyan chapel were perhaps more at home in a long since lost Manchester venue. But Orbital's Hacienda infused rave set was no less captivating in the stunning surroundings of the Albert Hall.

Pregnant Gemma Atkinson stepped out with her daughter to support her Strictly Come Dancing partner Gorka Marquez. Gemma, who earlier this month delighted fans with a throwback snap of herself, supported her partner in his show, Firedance Reignited, which kicked off at the New Theatre in Peterborough on February 23. Gemma, 38, and her daughter, Mia Louise, three, attended the performance at the Bridgewater Hall In Manchester on Saturday.

Plans to return Oldham’s iconic 134-year-old Prudential Building to its ‘former splendour’ have been supported unanimously by councillors.

Sparks have shared the title track for their new album ‘The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte’.The Los Angeles duo – comprising brothers Ron and Russell Mael – also announced that the song, which you can listen to below, will come with a video featuring actress Cate Blanchett at 5pm GMT tomorrow (March 3) here.They said via press release: “We met Cate Blanchett in Paris at the César Awards last year, little knowing that a year later, one of the great actors of our time (and a splendid person!) would graciously consent to lending her bootie-shaking skills to the first video from our new album, ‘The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte’. Dreams really do come true.

Gemma Atkinson has given a little cheeky insight into her relationship with Gorka Marquez as he appears to be pining for his pregnant fiancee. The Strictly Come Dancing star is currently away from home as he headed off for work last week leaving Gemma 'riding solo' with their daughter, Mia.

Manchester Town Hall is practically unrecognisable at the moment. It's under a blanket of scaffolding and protective material, waiting to be unwrapped after the team of hundreds of restorers finish their work next year.

Gemma Atkinson was left issuing an apology to her fiance Gorka Marquez as she went 'solo'. The Hits Radio host, who is pregnant with her second child, also made an admission about her home as she told her followers that she's currently going it alone while Gorka goes away to work.

Billy Nomates has shared her latest single ‘saboteur forcefield’ – you can watch the accompanying video for the track below.The song is the latest to be previewed from Bristol-based songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Tor Maries’ second studio album ‘CACTI’, which is set for release on January 13 via Invada Records.Speaking about ‘saboteur forcefield’, Maries said: “I think it’s about the inevitable feeble fight against feeling and progress.”You can watch the video for Billy Nomates’ ‘saboteur forcefield’ below.Billy Nomates has also announced a new set of UK and European tour dates for March and April 2023 – you can see her upcoming tour schedule below and find tickets here.March 202314 – Grand Mix, Lille, France15 – Petit Bain, Paris, France16 – L’astrolabe, Orleans, France17 – Rockschool Barbey, Bordeaux, France20 – El Sol, Madrid, Spain22 – La Nau, Barcelona, Spain24 – Le Périscope, Lyon, France25 – Covo Club, Bologna, Italy27 – Magnolia, Milan, Italy28 – Bogen F, Zurich, Switzerland29 – Milla, Munich, Germany31 – Badehaus, Berlin, GermanyApril 20231 – Loppen, Copenhagen, Denmark2 – Molotow, Hamburg, Germany4 – Blueshell, Cologne, Germany5 – Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam, Netherlands6 – Botanique Orangerie, Brussels, Belgium17 – Tramshed, Cardiff19 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham20 – New Century Hall, Manchester21 – Stylus, Leeds22 – St Lukes, Glasgow24 – Boiler Shop, Newcastle25 – Institute 1, Birmingham27 – Kentish Town Forum, London28 – Chalk, Brighton29 – Marble Factory, BristolPrior to that, Billy Nomates will tour in the UK next month – you can see those dates below.November22 – Village Underground, London (SOLD OUT)23 – The Bullingdon, Oxford24 – MASH, Cambridge26 – Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich (SOLD OUT)27 –

Marcus Mumford‘s solo tour featured a performance with his Mumford & Sons bandmate Ben Lovett at The Midland Theatre in Kansas City last night (October 18) – watch footage of the show above.After travelling out to the show, Lovett got on stage to perform the band’s singles ‘I Will Wait’ and ‘Ditmas’, taken from their 2012 album ‘Babel’ and 2015’s ‘Wilder Mind’ respectively.Marcus Mumford is scheduled to embark on a UK and Ireland headline tour in November – you can find any remaining tickets here and see the full list of dates below. It’ll follow his current run of North American concerts – you can buy any remaining tickets here.NOVEMBER 202214 – Leadmill, Sheffield15 – 02 Shepherds Bush Empire, London18 – The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA, Norwich19 – 02 Institute 1, Birmingham20 – Uni Great Hall, Exeter22 – Marble Factory, Bristol23 – Albert Hall, Manchester24 – Invisible Wind Factory, Liverpool26 – SWG3 Galvanisers, Glasgow28 – Olympia, DublinThe singer previously performed the single ‘Grace’, taken from his new album, on The Late Late Show With James Corden earlier this month (October 1).In an interview about the album with NME, Mumford spoke of how ‘Grace’ was written about the moment he told his mother of the sexual abuse he experienced as a child, which is explored on debut single and album opener ‘Cannibal’.Reviewing ‘(self-titled)’ upon its release in September, NME wrote: “While it is undoubtedly an emotional and often heart-breaking listen, it’s also a record full of defiance, hope and faith.

Inspiral Carpets have confirmed that they are reuniting for a UK tour in spring 2023 – see full dates below and find tickets here.The indie veterans will hit the road for gigs next March and April, with the tour kicking off in Northampton and stopping in Newcastle, Oxford, Brighton, Cambridge, Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds, Glasgow, Sheffield, London, Coventry and Frome.The band last played together in 2015, before they went on indefinite hiatus following the death of their drummer, Craig Gill. At the time the likes of Liam Gallagher, Stephen Holt and the city of Manchester paid tribute to Gill over Twitter.Formed by Clint Boon, Gill joined Inspiral Carpets at the age of just 14 in 1986.

Loved-up Brooke Vincent has confessed she almost married her footballer fiancé Kean Bryan in secret in Santorini in June. The former Coronation Street star had only been engaged a month when she suggested they tie the knot in a Greek hotel chapel while on a romantic holiday for her 30th birthday.

Brooke Vincent has admitted she’s so partied out from her 30th birthday celebrations that it’s put her off having a big wedding.The former Coronation Street star, who got engaged to footballer Kean Bryan in May, is yet to set a date for her big day but is planning an intimate affair for her closest friends and family. Brooke said: “Having had so many big parties, I think I want a small wedding. I just worry so much in party situations that everyone else is having a good time.

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Leftfield have shared a high-octane new single, ‘Accumulator’, and announced a run of “intimate” UK tour dates ahead of their new album ‘This Is What We Do’ in December.A press release describes ‘Accumulator’ as “a combination of skin and circuits, old and new,” as well as “an instinctive nod towards classic rave sounds”.It was also the first track written for the album, and was tested early on by Neil Barnes – who has led the project since the band’s initial split in 2002, when he and band member Paul Daley decided to pursue separate projects – during his DJ sets.Listen to ‘Accumulator’ below.Back in July, the band shared details of their forthcoming album ‘This Is What We Do’, as well as the record’s first single, ‘Pulse’.The announcement marked the first new music from the London electronic outfit since 2015’s ‘Alternative Light Source’. Recorded with long-time studio and mix engineer Adam Wren, the new album will feature guest contributions from Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten, author and poet Lemn Sissay, and more.According to a press release, the album will explore “themes around love, acceptance, diversity and healing,” particularly in the wake of both the coronavirus pandemic and Barnes addressing his “own drive to heal childhood trauma as a backdrop.”‘This Is What We Do’ is set to be released via Virgin Records on December 2.

Mogwai have announced details of a winter UK tour that will kick off in December.The four-piece will head out on a run of Scottish dates in December, before continuing the tour through England and Wales in February 2023.The tour will feature tracks from the band’s 2021 album ‘As The Love Continues’ “as well as classic Mogwai tracks from their innovative career”, according to a press release.Mogwai will be supported on the England and Wales legs of their tour by Brainiac, who have reformed 25 years after the tragic death of their singer Timmy Taylor.Tickets for the tour will be available via a pre-sale at 10am tomorrow (September 7) before a general sale will then commence at 10am on Friday (September 9) – tickets will be available to buy here.

Before Meghan Markle was Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, she was Rachel Zane on Suits – and we have to admit we’ve missed watching her and her epic office-chic hair and style looks. Now, for her return to the UK with husband Prince Harry, it looks like Meghan is channelling her inner Rachel again for a “power pony” hair look. Showing off the style last night at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester for her first speech in the UK since 2020, Meghan looked incredible in a striking red dress and with glowing makeup.Though we’d like to know ASAP everything she used on her skin to prep for the night, we’re in awe of her slick-back ponytail featuring waved ends.Twitter is also delighted to see Meghan back and serving more style and beauty looks… “Meghan's real hair that can grow & wash & condition is always on point.

The outfit Meghan Markle wore to make her first public speech in two years since Megxit has got everyone talking.The Duchess of Sussex, 41, was addressing young delegates at the One Young World summit at Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on her and husband Prince Harry's first stop on their unofficial royal tour of Europe. She looked regal in red as she gave the keynote speech to open the summit, looking suitably smart in bright trousers and a matching blouse with a scarf-style tie – both by Valentino and with impressive price tags of £1.2k and £1.1k respectively. She paired the outfit with matching red stiletto heels from Aquazzura, complete with criss-cross lattice detail.

Meghan Markle said she is "very happy to be back in the UK" in her first speech since Megxit. The Duchess of Sussex was addressing young future world leaders at the One Young World Summit, expressing her joy at being back on "UK soil" with her husband Prince Harry by her side. This was her first public appearance in the UK since returning briefly in June for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, after the royal couple stepped back from official duty in 2021.

Jamie xx has shared his new remix of Oliver Sim‘s ‘GMT’ – you can listen to the new version below.The two artists, who are bandmates in The xx, have further extended their creative partnership with the remix of the track, which has arrived this afternoon (August 22).The original ‘GMT’ – which was released last month – is set to feature on Sim’s forthcoming debut solo album ‘Hideous Bastard’, which has been produced by Jamie xx and is set for release on September 9.Marking Jamie xx’s first new official remix in over five years, the ‘GMT’ remix – which incorporates a sample of Brian Wilson‘s ‘Smile’ – features additional production from Floating Points, and has previously been aired during Jamie’s recent DJ sets and live shows.You can listen to Jamie xx’s remix of Oliver Sim’s ‘GMT’ below.Having played his debut London solo show in June (where he covered Placebo and was joined by his xx bandmate Romy), Sim is now scheduled to embark on a North American, European and UK tour next month.Tickets for Sim’s UK dates are on sale now from here, and you can see his upcoming gigs below.September29 – The Showbox, Seattle, WAOctober01 – The Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA02 – The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA05 – Metro, Chicago, IL06 – Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, ON08 – Lincoln Theatre, Washington, DC09 – Royale, Boston, MA10 – Webster Hall, New York, NY 11 – Union Transfer, Philadelphia, PA20 – Vega, Copenhagen, Denmark22 – Le Cabaret Sauvage, Paris, France23 – Melkweg, Amsterdam, Netherlands26 – Admiralspalast, Berlin, Germany27 – Uebel & Gefaehrlich, Hamburg, Germany29 – New Century Hall, Manchester30 – KOKO, London

People in Greater Manchester are being asked where smoking should be banned ahead of plans to create a smokefree space by the end of this year. A new consultation has been launched, inviting residents, community groups and businesses to have their say on the plans to make some outdoor public spaces smokefree with the first to be created in Manchester city centre.