previews, reviews, interviews, and recommendations with Steve Cooke
WEEKEND COLUMN SATURDAY 21 DECEMBER 2024
The Human League, The AO Arena, Manchester.
Review by Mark Rothwell
Marked by a Christmas tree, numerous chart hit songs, digital images on a huge screen, an impressive stage set and audience participation, The Human League, at Manchester’s AO Arena, performed on what was the evening of Storm Darragh.
Formed in Shrewsbury, T’Pau, the first of two support acts, completed their set with the 1987 number one hit, China In Your Hand, a power ballad.
Attired in a gold, beaded Gatsby party dress, at least it looked like one from here, in the Gods, and silver shoes, Sophie Ellis-Bextor connected with the audience with two covers, Gimme Gimme by Abba and Like A Prayer by Madonna, and her 2001 hit Murder On The Dance Floor. The latter rounded off the lively, energetic final support slot, by a performer influenced by 1980s electronic music.
On a stage descending on wires from the ceiling, the core of The Human League made a stylish, slick and eye catching grand entrance to their awaiting audience. Opening with Love Action (I Believe In Love), Philip Oakey, lead singer, looked like the embodiment of cool as he traversed the stage, his voice filling the enormous Arena space with 95 decibels of sound. His two accomplices, both vocals since 1980, are Susan Ann Sulley and Joanne Catherall, who were each sporting pink puff dresses, providing a regal, elegant look.
The stage set featured a six stair structure that took the principal performers from a seven piece outfit from one part of the stage to another, in the process enhancing the theatre, tempo and atmosphere of the performance.
Mirror Man was soon followed by Lebanon, a 1980s written song that has a contemporary, up to this moment relevance that provided the night’s only debatable moment in a delivery that was supported by images of missiles, machine guns and bombing on the digital screen in shades of green at the rear of the stage.
Songs Louise, Sound Of The Crowd and Fascination drew huge applause from the thousands of fans. Arguably the biggest cheers of the night came with the worldwide hit single Don’t You Want Me which, in this live context, began with an extended introduction, the synth-pop tune prompting the entire audience to magically breakout into song in the absence of all three vocalists. They returned to stage, having previously left it, to pick up where the audience began. It was a tear jerking moment.
Phil Oakey, with a clean shaven head, brought the twenty song performance to a close with Electric Dreams in a set that was more for Generation X than Generation Alpha. It was a valedictory moment.
Rudolph flies into the Octagon bringing a festive treat for children this Christmas
Preview by Steve Cooke
West End star Joe Sleight stars in this joyous family show.
What promises to be the perfect Yuletide adventure is coming to the Octagon’s Studio this festive season with a ‘magical production’, Rudolph the Reindeer’s Red Nose Roadshow.
This co-production with The Big Tiny, the creative minds behind Octagon’s 2023’s sell-out show, Alfie the Elf, offers a sprinkling of Christmas spirit until Monday 30 December.
West End performer Joe Sleight stars in this ‘fun-filled’ production as Rudolph. Joe’s credits include the current UK tour of Bill Kenwright’s Blood Brothers as Eddie and the West End production of Wicked as Boq.
On spending the festive season as the world’s most famous reindeer, Joe Sleight commented: “An all singing all dancing celebrity reindeer!? There’s nowhere else I’d rather be!”
Packed full of songs, puppetry, cracker jokes and (of course!) reindeer games, get along to the Octagon this December and help Rudolph to get ready to guide Father Christmas’ sleigh this Christmas.
This joyful family show is perfect for young people aged 3-7 and their grown-ups.
Rudolph the Reindeer’s Red Nose Roadshow comes to the Octagon until Mon 30 December. Tickets are priced at £10 for children and £12 for adults.
Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton BL1 1SB
Visit: octagonbolton.co.uk
Phone: 01204 520661
FACTORY SOUNDS RETURNS TO SUPPORT GREATER MANCHESTER’S MUSIC SCENE
By Steve Cooke
Shout out to local musicians – Factory Sounds returns to support our music scene!
Factory International’s award-winning, annual development programme is designed to support and raise the profile of musicians and the music industry in Greater Manchester.
Factory International has announced the return of its Factory Sounds programme, supporting those in Greater Manchester’s music scene. Applications are now open for the 2025 programme, which will provide fifteen successful applicants with £1,000 each of financial support towards the creation of a new project, recording studio access, peer-to-peer support, networking opportunities and a series of regular masterclasses in artist management, promotion, fundraising and more.
Initially launched to support musicians through the Covid-19 pandemic, Factory Sounds is a programme for music producers, artists, collectives, labels, bands, DJs and beyond. Each year the programme selects a cohort of brilliant local talent, from musicians and technicians to label representatives and creatives, with a focus on championing under-represented voices and the grassroots community in the sector. Factory Sounds was named winner of the Promotion of Talent & Leadership category at Manchester Culture Awards 2023.
This year Factory International is thrilled to be partnering with adidas Originals to expand the Factory Sounds offering from ten to fifteen spots in the programme. The fifteen talented individuals selected will also benefit from a supercharged offer including mentor sessions, masterclasses, workshop opportunities, and bespoke space to develop their music.
To date, Factory Sounds has supported a range of musicians, bands, producers, rappers, singers, collectives, record labels, recording studios and artists to create music management companies, finance the release of singles, EPs and albums, fit out recording studios, run production workshops, and support in their tours.
The 2024 cohort included the artist and producer RenzNiro, community station STEAM Radio MCR, the soulful R&B performer Rumbi Tauro, Reggae rap artist and spoken word poet J.Chambers, electronic producer and vocalist Caitlin LM, DIY rapper and producer Algernon Cornelius, the drone band Thraa, DJ and Radio host CHARMS, singer-songwriter Saint Harmony, artist, producer, composer Danny H, and queer electronic night FLUFF.
Further Factory Sounds alumni include: All Hands on Deck, Balraj Singh Samrai, Bitez, Chris Massey, Dirty Freud, Edane Ng, Fixed Abode, Gibbon, Hurguf, is33n, Jacob Connor, Ku'umba, Lone Taxidermist, Loose Articles, Magpahi, Mali Hayes, Maryanne Royle, Obeka, OneDa, SAF-S2E, Sam Malik, Sophie Cooper, Sprechen, Test Card Girl and Vzion.
Factory International is the organisation behind both Manchester International Festival (MIF), and the landmark new cultural space, Aviva Studios, designed by Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA), which opened last year in the heart of Manchester, creating a global destination for arts music and culture. Factory Sounds is just one way in which Factory International supports local artists, building on the organisation’s track record of commissioning artists to make new work. Factory International provides a training ground for the next generation of creators with a focus on creating opportunities for artists from the North of England, particularly those most underrepresented in the sector.
Also open for applications is the Factory International Fellowship, which offers six artists from the North the opportunity to shadow the creation of major new work at Aviva Studios. As part of the Fellowship programme, successful artists will shadow the making of a Factory International commission, receive a financial bursary, and be offered a mentor tailored to their specialism and needs, developing artistic ambition and critical thinking.
The Spring 2025 Artist Takeover applications are also currently open for groups and collectives of South Asian artists from any discipline, based in the North of England, who have a minimum of five years of professional practice. In May 2025, Factory International will hand over the keys to the vast Warehouse space at Aviva Studios for use by a South Asian artist group or collective who want to experiment, play and create work at an epic scale that is not possible elsewhere. Artists will be offered financial support of up to £10,000 to explore and realise their idea as well as dedicated guidance from industry experts within the Factory International team.
Markus Hetheier, Factory Sounds 2024 artist and co-creator of queer electronic music night FLUFF said: “It felt amazing to have the chance to take a risk using the Factory Sounds funding. We also had mentorship and advice which helped us grow FLUFF from a small to a bigger, more professional project. It was useful receiving training on different aspects of being an artist and it felt nice to connect with like-minded people.”
Rumbi Tauro, Factory Sounds 2024 artist, R&B singer and curator said: “Being part of Factory Sounds allowed me to release my live EP ‘Live in Manchester’ during the Summer. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support from this programme, it was an incredible experience!”
Rivca Burns, Head of Music at Factory International said: "Supporting the development of musicians based locally - as well as those from across the globe - to grow within our spaces is at the heart of what we do at Factory International. Greater Manchester is buzzing with creative, collaborative, exciting and hugely talented musicians, and through programmes such as Factory Sounds, we are really excited to continue to support and nurture this scene. We recognise there's a huge demand for schemes like this to exist and we are really excited to say that this year we have both increased the number of places as well as added industry mentors to give expert guidance and the opportunity for creatives to thrive.”
FACTORY SOUNDS 2025:
Applications - Open Now.
Deadline - Midday 20 January 2025.
Find out more about Factory International’s artist development opportunities and how to apply: https://factoryinternational.org/artist-development/factory-sounds/
RECOMMENDED
Friday 20 December 2024 - Saturday 21 December 2024
Riverside Christmas Market
The countdown is on to Christmas in Santa's favourite town centre and this year the inaugural Rochdale's Christmas Market is taking place at Rochdale Riverside. The market is brought to you by Rochdale Town Centre BID, and it will feature over 30 seasonal stalls to make sure that everyone gets their Christmas wrapped before the big day.
Whether you're seeking unique gifts, looking to savour street food, or simply want to soak up the seasonal vibes, the Christmas Market promises something for everyone.
The organisers look forward to welcoming attendees and their loved ones to the event, hoping to make this Christmas a season to remember
Live music will add to the festive atmosphere.
10am - 4pm
Riverside Retail & Leisure Complex, Riverside Walk, Rochdale OL16 1TR
Christmas Spectacular at Littleborough Fire Station
Friday 20 December 2024 - Saturday 21 December 2024
3pm and 5pm
Join us when for two days only, Littleborough Fire Station will be setting children’s imaginations alight as it plays host to a very special guest at its Christmas Spectacular.
As well as enjoying a host of crafts and some festive treats, plus the chance to explore the fire station and the disco party fire engine, the town’s youngest residents are sure to be delighted with a story time from Father Christmas himself.
The ninety-minute experience will begin with a tour of the fire station with Crew Manager Chew, who will be sharing all the behind-the-scenes info with the budding fire fighters.
Next is a crafting session where the children will get full-on festive with some fabulous Christmas makes that will be the perfect mementos of their visit.
Having worked up an appetite, the youngsters can enjoy some yummy Christmas treats and a delicious hot chocolate.
The event finale will see the children and their grown-ups being led down to Father Christmas’ cosy wooden lodge, where the big man will be waiting to meet and greet his young guests before settling them down for a story that will take them on flights of fancy, while giving them more than a few belly-laughs along the way.
Tickets are available for four sessions.
The ticket admits one child and their grown-up and includes crafts, snacks, hot chocolate and a chocolate gift for the children.
Meanwhile, mums and dads will be able to purchase mulled wine and other festive goodies
Each session can host up to 20 children, but spots are expected to go quickly, so please book by visiting Holy Trinity's school office or by emailing office@holytrinityce.rochdale.sch.uk.
Profits from the events will go towards supporting the Venture Fund at Holy Trinity Primary School, with a donation also being given to the Fire Service Charity.
£16
Phone: Holy Trinity Primary School 01706 378061
Littleborough Fire Station, Whitelees Road, Littleborough OL15 8DU
Saturday 21 December 2024
Marvellous Christmas Markets
Join us at Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre located in Central Square (near Iceland and Poundland store)
Visit our indoor market, bag yourself a unique treat, meet the marvellous makers, see their amazing creations, come and grab yourself a bargain.
We look forward to welcoming you.
If you would like to trade at one of our markets, please get in touch.
9am - 5pm
Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre, Yorkshire Street, Rochdale OL16 1BA
Saturday 21 December 2024
Countdown to Christmas
Join the friends of St Edmunds for our last open day of 2024.
See the church in all its festive splendour with Christmas Music & Carols Round the piano from 12:30pm until 2:30pm.
Christmas theme treats and refreshments available.
Donations very welcome.
Free
Phone: Howard Bowden 07901 525651
12:30pm
St Edmunds Church, Edmund Street, Falinge, Rochdale OL12 6PL
Saturday 21 December 2024 - Sunday 22 December 2024
Meet The Grinch
11am - 2pm
Come and spread your festive cheer at Rochdale Riverside and warm The Grinch’s heart!
Say hello to the grumpy Grinch and have your photo taken – dressing up is welcome!
Rochdale Riverside, Riverside Walk, Town Centre, Rochdale OL16 1TR
Tuesday 24 December 2024
Christmas Eve Ghost Stories & Board Games
Come join us on Christmas Eve for mince pies, hot drinks or a cheeky glass of something for Christmas whilst enjoying some ghost stories and board games by the fireside in the beautiful Engine House at the Lodge.
Join us with your friends, family or just you to spend an enchanting Christmas Eve amongst friends, old and new Free entry plus a free mince pie and family movie on the big screen!
Free entry
Phone: Martin Cove 07775 660072
4pm - 10pm
Engine House, Lodge Mill, Townley Street. Middleton M24 1AT
Thursday 26 December 2024
The Freddie and Queen Experience – tribute band
Get ready to rock out to all the greatest hits of Freddie Mercury and Queen live at The Empire – it’s gonna be epic!
FREE ADMISSION before 8.30pm - then £3 after for the band show (pay on the door). Then after the show, free entry again.
Bands are usually on stage from 9.30pm, finish around 11.30pm
Strictly over 18s
Dress code: smart casual
Ground level access (no steps).
Disabled toilet.
5 mins walk to the tram, bus, train or taxi rank
Phone: Paul Whitham 01706 551515
8.30pm
Empire Rochdale, 7 Packer Street, Rochdale OL16 1NJ
celebrating creative arts and artists - an oasis of positivity supporting individual and community wellbeing.
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