Stockport band Blossoms made a surprise performance at Night & Day in Manchester last night and threw their support behind the music venue amid its ongoing court hearing regarding a noise abatement issue. Blossoms appeared at the venue as part of a Co-op Live preview party, ahead of its opening next December.
The Stockport five-piece were introduced to the stage by Manc music icon Clint Boon who described them as "one of the greatest bands to come out of the North of England" before they kicked off their short but sweet six-song set with 'There's A Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls)'.
The secret and intimate gig, which was an invite-only affair, was organised ahead of the unveiling of the city's new Co-op Live arena, which is set to become one of the busiest and most important music venues in the world when it opens at the end of 2023. The 'one year to countdown' party promised guests an exclusive set from local artists.
Read more: Blossoms make shock appearance on stage at Northern Quarters' Night and Day Cafe
A band with very strong local roots, Blossoms' set included hits 'Honey Sweet' and 'Charlemagne' from their first album as well as Ode to NYC from their latest album Ribbon Around The Bomb, which they will be performing more songs from at the 02 Apollo in Manchester over the next four nights. In breaks during the songs frontman Tom Ogden revealed that the band performed their first gig at Night & Day nine years ago and felt "a real connection" with the venue.
Adding his voice to the venue's supporters he said: "It would be terrible if it had to close down. It's the epicentre of Manchester's music scene." Just before the band took the the stage, pink posters with the words #SaveNight&Day, were added to the band's kit in a further show of support.
The much-loved music venue is currently involved in a court hearing after after Manchester council served a noise abatement notice on the venue in November 2021 following a complaint from a neighbouring flat. Manchester Magistrates' Court, which heard the appeal last week, was told the residents moved in during the pandemic and complained about the noise levels on the first night that the venue reopened in July 2021.
The venue has received more than 95,000 signatures for its petition to remove the notice and has had support from musicians across the country including Tim Burgess, Matty Healy and Guy Garvey. It comes eight years after the music venue fought an 'identical' noise complaint from another flat, resulting in new conditions added to its licence. Due to a change in schedule, the third and final day of the hearing has been set for January 17.
During his warm up, Clint Boon also spoke of his excitement surrounding the opening of Co-op Live next year. The 23,500 capacity arena is currently under construction in east Manchester and is on track to be completed and host its first events in December 2023.
It is set to become the biggest indoor arena in the UK when it opens and will host around 120 events a year. "It's a unique, very special place and we are honoured that it's coming to Manchester," Clint told the crowd.
Addressing the packed out room he explained that the venue would be the biggest of its kind in the UK. "Thousands of people can be seated inside, it is fully sustainable, it ticks all the boxes for being green and the roof is incredible - it looks like that mirror ball up there.
"What can I say? It's an incredible moment for the city when that place opens out in east Manchester - over the next few decades the biggest artists on the planet will be visiting that spot."
Blossoms, will take to the stage at 02 Apollo tonight as part of their latest tour, which celebrates the release of their album 'Ribbon Around The Bomb'. They will be performing a total of four nights in their home city, at the 02 Apollo on Thursday, December 8, Friday, December 9, Saturday December 10, and Sunday 11.
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