150+ SHOWS | 16+ VENUES | 2 WEEKS OF LIVE MUSIC

Grassroots Music Venues across Manchester unite to create fortnight festival of music – Fightback Manchester. 16 participating venues already confirmed – over 150 shows

Music Venue Trust are delighted to announce #FIGHTBACK Manchester, a 2 week celebration of Manchester’s vital Grassroots Music Venues that will take place 16th-30th November.

#FIGHTBACK Manchester is a new autumn campaign that will encourage audiences to visit their local Grassroots Music Venue and promote the Manchester’s emerging and existing musical talent.

#FIGHTBACK Manchester will provide the focus for events taking place at the capital’s Grassroots Music Venues, with live music every day throughout the festival at a whole range of venues right across Manchester.

Gary Prosser, MVT

“These venues are the backbone of the live music scene in Manchester, providing spaces where artists can take their first steps, develop and grow. #FIGHTBACK Manchester provides an opportunity to showcase the fantastic range of artists and venues that Manchester enjoys, celebrating the history of our music scene and supporting its future.”

 
More than 150 events at over 16 venues have already been confirmed, with many more to be added, including special featured events. Venues taking part include Night People, Night & Day Café, Band On The Wall, Blitz, The Castle Hotel, Eagle Inn, Gullivers, Soup Kitchen, Gorilla, Deaf Institute, Albert Hall, Jimmy’s, Manchester Academy 3, Academy Club, Old Abbey Taphouse and (The) Factory.

Radio partners Manchester XS are firmly behind the initiative.

Clint Boon, Manchester XS

“Myself and the team at XS Manchester are excited to be part of #FIGHTBACK Manchester. As a broadcaster and a musician, it’s always sad to see independent venues having to close down in the current climate. The work the Music Venues Trust are doing to raise awareness and get people supporting independent venues (and live music in general) is invaluable to the UK’s music culture. Manchester is currently enjoying something of a boom in terms of its new music. #FIGHTBACK Manchester can only make this the most exciting music city in the world once again.”

 
A number of venues will be stocking Fightback Lager, Music Venues Trust’s new project to raise money to help Grassroots Music Venues throughout the country, providing venues with an affordable beer that financially helps the whole sector.

Sacha Lord-Marchionne Manchester’s new Night Advisor has lent the project his full support.

Sacha Lord-Marchionne, Night Adviser for Manchester

“This is an excellent initiative from the Music Venue Trust and really celebrates the spirit of live, DIY, underground music that Greater Manchester is so famed for. We have phenomenal music heritage in our City-Region, and we’re rightly proud of it, but these smaller, independent venues that are taking part in #FIGHTBACK Manchester Festival are at the very forefront of the future of Greater Manchester’s music scene, and I’m thrilled that the Music Venue Trust are recognising that, and putting on such an exciting festival to celebrate independent, live music.”