mjf2024: Opening Weekender at First Street

Johnny James, Managing Editor

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mjf2024: Opening Weekender

17-19 May 2024

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

manchester jazz festival
Image supplied by manchester jazz festival.
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manchester jazz festival is back this May with 10 days of live music from some of the best northern, national and international musicians operating in the world of contemporary jazz.

From its superb line-up to its commitment to supporting emerging artists, there are many great things about mjf, but something that feels particularly worth celebrating is its accessibility. Amid a tough economic climate, when audiences are necessarily reining in their spending on cultural activities, mjf are making a good chunk of their 2024 festival free to attend. This includes one of mjf’s best bits – the Opening Weekender.

manchester jazz festival
Image supplied by manchester jazz festival.

Running 17-19 May, the Opening Weekender is all about celebrating the breadth and individuality of Manchester’s home-grown (or in some cases lovingly nurtured) talent. It sprawls across three stages in the vibrant neighbourhood of First Street, with the Main Stage, Ask Garden Stage and HOME Stage all playing host to performances by acts emerging through mjf’s artist development programmes, alongside national and international talent.

Celebrated northern acts Mangorata, Secret Night Gang and Conor & The GreensKeepers are all highlights on the Main Stage on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 May. Just around the corner, the Ask Garden Stage plays host to a selection of acts involved in the mjf soundcheck and hothouse artist development programmes, including Thanda Gumede & Friends, Hoda Jahanpour & Pedraum Agahi, m.oe and AJB3. And over on the HOME Stage you’ll find accomplished performers in a more intimate setting, with Gaz Hughes Trio, Claire Victoria Roberts and Sonic Threads among the highlights there.

manchester jazz festival
Rina Srabonian

On Sunday 19 May, mjf partner up with Jazz North to celebrate the Northern Line Showcase. Industry bigwigs have selected five acts for the 2024 artist roster who will perform on the Main Stage that day, with this year’s line-up including Ceitidh Mac, Bryony Jarman-Pinto, Dirty Freud, Tom Harris and Vipertime.

Aside from the music, you can expect fun-loving family activities supported by Ask Real Estate, including Thanda’s Big Sing, a free community choir with morning rehearsals and afternoon performances on the Main Stage. You’ll also find plenty of food and drink vendors dotted around First Street, making for a really lovely festival vibe – especially when the sun’s shining and the beer’s flowing. We heartily recommend that you get in on the action.

You can read our preview covering the full festival here.

Where to go near mjf2024: Opening Weekender at First Street

Testbed Main Space
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TESTBED

TESTBED is a newly renovated 10,000 sq foot event venue in Leeds that offers endless possibilities for creating unique and inspiring experiences.

Manchester
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Salt & Pepper

Chinese inspired British food in the centre of Manchester, backed up by plenty of well-deserved local hype.

Morning Glory - Coffee Cup
Manchester
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Morning Glory

Morning Glory positions itself as a grab-and-go spot, with just 12 seats inside serving coffee, bagels and sweet treats.

The Warehouse In Holbeck
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The Warehouse In Holbeck

Run by acclaimed theatre company Slung Low, The Warehouse in Holbeck is home to boundary-pushing performance and community projects.

Leeds
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The Attic

Tucked away above the bustle of Merrion Street, The Attic is one of Leeds’ most distinctive small venues – intimate, unpretentious, and steeped in DIY spirit.

The Chevin is a great place for visitors to do lots of different activities and is open all year round with 5 free car parks. To help you find out whatís best for you we have divided this section up into some of these different activities.Please be aware that The Chevin is a working estate so you may see vehicles including timber-extraction lorries using some of the tracks.Self-guided WalksThe Chevin is a big place and there is a good network of paths to make your own circular walk, but if you want to follow a themed trail there is a Geology Trail, Heritage Time Trail and a route for Tree Spotters.Bikes & HorsesThere is an extensive bridleway network on the eastern parts of The Chevin that caters for a range of abilities.Orienteering and GeocachingTwo orienteering courses and a number of geocache sites are waiting to be discovered.Climbing & BoulderingThere are many fantastic crags for climbing and boulders for bouldering.Mobility Scooters & Wheelchairs
Leeds
Restaurant
Oporto

For many years, Oporto has been a beacon of alternative energy on Leeds’ Call Lane – serving up great food and drink alongside resident DJs and live music.

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