150 Years of the TUC: Folk Concerts at the Mechanics’ Institute

Chris Horkan
Kathryn Williams courtesy of Band on the Wall

150 Years of the TUC: Folk Concerts at Mechanics’ Institute, Canal Street 3 — 9 June 2018 Tickets from £15 — Book now

This year marks 150 years since the Trade Union Congress (TUC) formed – with its first meeting held at the Mechanics’ Institute in Manchester. To mark this occasion, Band on the Wall has programmed a week-long series of talks and concerts featuring artists from across the folk scene.

The concerts kick off with a solo show by Manchester-born Mike Harding (3 Jun) and also features Oysters 3 (5 Jun) – aka the Oysterband, performing acoustic – plus Dezi Donnelly, fiddle player in celtic rock band Toss the Feathers, collaborating with Mancunian flutist Michael McGoldrick (6 Jun).

Thursday (7 Jun) promises an evening of the most exciting women in folk music, headed up by the Mercury Prize-nominated Kathryn Williams, who has 11 solo albums to her name, plus singer-songwriter and ‘radical chanteuse’ Claire Mooney.

A relaxed, free-entry ‘Folk On A Friday Night’ concert (8 Jun) will be led by Martin Gittins and Bob Ashworth – known collectively as Bunting and Frolics – but invites musicians and non-musicians alike to take part in singalongs or by bringing their own instruments.

The week of live performances draws to a close on the Saturday (9 Jun), meanwhile, with a rare outing by English roots band Edward II, whose locally linked repertoire includes songs such as Victoria Bridge on a Saturday Night. They will be joined for this finale by support acts Jennifer Reid and Poppycock.

All concerts are priced £15 – with the exception of Folk On A Friday Night, which is free but requires registration in advance.

150 Years of the TUC: Folk Concerts at Mechanics’ Institute, Canal Street 3 — 9 June 2018 Tickets from £15 Book now

Where to go near 150 Years of the TUC: Folk Concerts at the Mechanics’ Institute

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Cruz 101

Everything you want in a Canal Street club can be found here. Cruz 101 – better known as Cruz – is an institution, and a must-visit in Manchester.

Hotel Brooklyn
Manchester
Hotel
Hotel Brooklyn

Inspired by all things Brooklyn, Hotel Brooklyn is a brand new and gloriously stylish hotel on Manchester’s Portland Street.

City Centre
Bar or Pub
Fab Cafe

A cult tv and movie themed bar set below street level on Portland Street in Manchester.

Manchester
Music venue
G-A-Y

Smack bang in the centre of Manchester’s Canal Street, colourful club on the corner, G-A-Y, is popular with a youngish crowd looking for pop tunes, cheap drinks and a lively atmosphere. And there’s a rooftop terrace for the smokers.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
On Bar

This multifaceted venue is primarily an award winning gay bar in Manchester’s Canal Street area – but that is not all…

LEAF on Portland Street
City Centre
Restaurant
LEAF on Portland Street

Head to LEAF on Portland Street for wholesome food, award-winning loose-leaf tea, an inspired drinks menu and a varied events calendar.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Vanilla

This award winning bar is open six nights a week due to popular demand. Described as the ‘mecca of the north’ for the lesbian community, it is no wonder why.

Chinatown
Restaurant
Red Chilli, Portland Street

Passionately adored by many Mancunian foodies (and the first Manchester restaurant in ages not to get a slating from notoriously picky Observer food critic Jay Rayner), this Szechuan restaurant rules the culinary roost from an unprepossessing basement on Portland Street.

Manchester
Restaurant
Peru Perdu

Peru Perdu has an all-new food and drink menu, with some of the best-looking dishes in the city.

Manchester
Restaurant
The Cotton Factory

This residency restaurant opened in summer 2019, at Locke Hotels’ Whitworth Locke. The first residency comes courtesy of Mexican specialists El Camino.

City Centre
Restaurant
Ho’s Bakery

Giggle at the name all you want, their buns are the business. Honey buns, cream buns, roast pork, coconut, and (mmm) red bean buns, all pillowy soft in that way that only Chinese baking can be. Our favourites, though, are the egg tarts, which are so decadently rich they should probably come with a gym […]

What's on: Music

Until
ActivityManchester
DJ Gym at Hatch

Learn some DJ and production skills with DJ Gym Manchester, based in the culturally infused surrounds of Hatch.

from £269
Until
MusicManchester
Open Deck at Band on the Wall

Bring your records for a spin at our Open Deck session this Saturday! If you’ve bought some new vinyl from a local record shop this week, just show your receipt at the bar to get yourself a free 9” pizza!

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Affecting contemporary performances and fresh, relevant takes on enduring classics, we pick out shows that help us scrutinise the world we live in.

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.