Even the rain couldn't stop punters from stopping by the colourful new hub of Manchester International Festival this afternoon as the biennial event got underway.
Festival Square has previously taken place in Albert Square and Cathedral Gardens but has now set up shop outside Aviva Studios overlooking the River Irwell. Over the course of the next two and a half weeks visitors can expect the best of live music, regional food and drink in a stunning outdoor setting.
The space features a covered music stage, an array of picnic tables and chairs, six food and drink vendors, and even a few a number of self-service beer taps. Festival Square will play host to dozens of free events during the year's MIF, which got underway yesterday and runs until July 16.
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Food wise, local foodie favourites serving up the goods include plant-based kitchen AMRM with their jerk wraps (£10) and loaded fries (£10) stacked high with toppings. Next door, award-winning chippie, the Hip Hop Chip Shop is cooking up a storm with fish, chips and mushy peas (£10), and sides ranging from chunky skin on chips and curry sauce to vegan mayo and tartare.
They're joined by Zouk Tea Bar & Grill offering an extensive selection of dishes - from Kaati Rolls (£8.50) with fillings including chargrilled chicken tikka and scrambled paneer, to snack boxes (from £8) spanning samosas, rice and salad. They also have a range of curries (£10) and sides like gunpowder chips (£5).
Super Serve, who will be taking on the hospitality arm of Aviva Studios when it opens fully in October, are also on hand with both breakfast bites like loaded focaccias (£4) packed with bacon, sausage or vegan sausage, and stuffed pittas with fillings such as falafel in a preview of their Middle Eastern-inspired menu to come.
Drinks wise the margarita and coffee pop-up is is offering up two margaritas for £12 in varieties including pomegranate passion, pina colada and the spicey one, alongside shots (£5) and soft drinks (from £1.50), alongside hot beverages like speciality coffees and hot chocolate. Desserts are also covered by much-loved Ginger's Comfort Emporium, who will be serving up a range of mouth-watering ice-creams and sorbets.
The soundtrack for Festival Square will be delivered by a range of artists and presenters over the course of the festival, with over 190 bands, DJs and musicians lined up over the next few weeks. Over 150 performers are from Greater Manchester, including post-punk band A Certain Ratio, Dutch Uncles, OneDa, The Red Stains, Agbeko, Werkha and The KTNA.
They’ll be joined by avant-pop-trio The Orielles, trans-non-binary, singer-song writer, composer and producer Planningtorock, who lead a northern celebration at Festival Square, alongside international artists such as singer-songwriter Nakhane, acapella group The Joy who’ve previously performed on Jools Holland, plus an in conversation with Canadian artist Peaches.
Throughout MIF, the square will also present takeovers from some of Manchester's best promoters, club nights, collectives, venues and radio stations including Band on the Wall, Brighter Sound, Dave Haslam, Feel Good Club, Piano in the City, Reform Radio, Trans Creative and YES. Every lunchtime, Tuesday to Friday, the space will play host to experimental classical concerts from the likes of Vulva Voce, Bothy Project, Untold Orchestra and K'in Ensemble.
Following an open call-out earlier this year, in which over 290 artists and community groups from the region applied, 26 acts were also selected to perform on the Festival Square stage - from alt-pop singer-songwriter Nxdia, Afrobeat and Reggae collective Sens Sagna and the Kajamor Family, and Brazilian percussion from youth-group Jubacana.
Family entertainment will come from the likes of Babyrocksampler, Born To Be Wild Child, Playhouse Project each weekend, with song and dance workshops, interactive music-making and storytelling. And Festival Square will close out in style on its final weekend, with fifty students from high schools across Greater Manchester taking part in a celebratory fashion show inspired by Yayoi Kusama, featuring make-up artists, performers and their avant-garde creations
Among this year's key events at Manchester International Festival is Yayoi Kusama’s spectacular show, 'You, Me and the Balloons' featuring huge inflatable dolls and balloon sculptures. While Aviva Studios does not officially open to the public until October, Kusama's artworks offer visitors the first opportunity to explore the landmark arts and culture space.
There will also be shows from John Grant, Angélique Kidjo and Alison Goldfrapp, a new project from Maxine Peake at the John Rylands library and the world premiere of United player Juan Mata's art project. The festival, which takes place in venues across the city, will also see a mixed reality concert by the late Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, a live photographic performance by Benji Reid, and a musical adaptation of a cult queer classic by Philip Venables and Ted Huffman.
You can find full details of the Festival Square line-up here.
