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Chart-topping musicians and performers are joining forces and voices to help fight poverty in the North West.

Led by James guitarist Saul Davies and his partner Vanda Guerreiro, more than 15 artists will perform for MUSIC FEEDS LIVE at O2 Apollo Manchester on Tuesday February 27 to raise money for anti-poverty charity the Trussell Trust.

Artists include James’ Tim Booth, Jim Glennie and Saul Davies, north west post-Britpop band Starsailor, Liverpudlian outfit The Farm, dance music hitmaker Chicane, Manchester rock band Slow Readers Club, indie rockers Lanterns on the Lake, and British Poet Laureate Simon Armitage with his band LYR. Also on the bill are Tom A Smith, Liam Frost, Idol Giants, Cetty, The Reads, Rosellas, First Breath After Coma, Assa and Batfunk and Ellen Beth Abdi.

Football legends Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher will host the event alongside Radio 6 Music presenter Chris Hawkins, while the acclaimed Joe Duddell Orchestra will collaborate with guest stars throughout the night.

Tickets go on general sale at 9am Friday from cuffeandtaylor.com and ticketmaster.co.uk
MUSIC FEEDS LIVE follows the hugely successful Music Feeds two-day online festival held during the lockdown in 2021 which saw a massive £1m raised for food charity Fareshare and cultural support organisations Help Musician and Stagehand, as well as providing 2.4m school meals, in conjunction with The Co-Op. Artists performing for the live stream included James, Liam Gallagher, Fontaines DC, Sam Smith, Blossoms and Beverley Knight.

And now, working with Live Nation promoters Cuffe and Taylor, Saul and Vanda are looking forward to opening the doors to their first ever live Music Feeds show.

Saul said: “Music Feeds Live is about positivity and solidarity. We are giving artists an opportunity to use their voice to generate much needed funds and show support to people living with disadvantage.
“Our aim is to raise £150k for foodbanks across the North West and with the help of the public we can do that. We have a brilliant line-up already, but we also have more names to add to that with some very special guests to be announced soon.”

Dan O’Brien, Network Lead for the North West at the Trussell Trust added: “One in seven people in the UK face hunger because they don’t have enough money to live on. That’s not the kind of society we want to live in, and we won’t stand by and let this continue. Every year we are seeing more and more people needing food banks, and that is just not right.

“Rising hunger and hardship have devastating consequences for individuals and our communities, damage the nation’s health and hold back our economy. People in work, as well as people who cannot work, are increasingly being pushed into debt and forced to turn to a food bank to survive.

“We are grateful to Saul, Vanda, and all the artists and celebrities involved in Music Feeds Live, as well as all of the music fans who will attend the event, for their support. Together, we have roots into hundreds of communities, and while someone facing hunger can’t change the structural issues driving the need for food banks on their own, thousands of us coming together can. We must end hunger across the UK so that no one needs a food bank to survive.”

For more information and tickets go to cuffeandtaylor.com and ticketmaster.co.uk

Have you got a passion for live entertainment?
Do you feel the need to tell people how amazing a show is going to be?
Is your contacts book bursting with journos, bookers and influencers who want to hear from you?
We’re looking for a forward-thinking PR Executive to join our team at Rhodes Media.

About us:

Rhodes Media handles the PR for live gigs, festivals, arena and theatre tours across the UK with some of the most exciting acts on the scene today. This year alone has seen us work on a wide range of shows and tours. Gigs have included Limp Bizkit, Lionel Richie, George Ezra, Def Leppard, Hollywood Vampires, boygenius, Sting and Pulp.

Theatre and arena tours have ranged from Hey Duggee Live and Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, to Loose Women Live and James Martin Live, The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast and Gary Neville’s The Overlap, plus adventures with Ben Fogle, Simon Reeve and Tim Peake.

Next year is even bigger and we need a talented and driven person to join our team and help us continue to get the word out to all elements of the media.

About you:

• You will have a burning passion for music and live entertainment.

• You will have a minimum of two years PR and/or journalism experience, ideally in an entertainment setting.

• You possess excellent communication skills and a willingness to pick up the phone and chat, rather than relying on email.

• Your written skills must be second to none and you will have the ability to write press releases quickly and accurately.

• You are able to create engaging social media content, across all platforms, and understand how to reach target audiences.

• You will be familiar with pitching interview and feature opportunities to both regional and national media, including working with TV and radio bookers to make your opportunity their priority.

This is a full-time position based at Rhodes Media’s office in Bartle, Preston. Hybrid working to be discussed at interview.

Please send your CV with covering letter telling us why you are perfect for this position to sarah@rhodesmedia.com

Closing date: Friday January 5^th 2024.

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Who you are

Essential

• At least two years experience in a PR or journalism setting

• A creative mind bursting with ideas to get your project talked about in the media

• Excellent communication skills

• Excellent writing skills

• Ability to create engaging and exciting social media content

• Ability to work efficiently under pressure and to tight deadlines

• Excellent organisational skills

• Excellent IT skills including Microsoft Office and Excel

• A passion for live music and theatre

• A good grasp of current affairs and the news agenda

• Full driving licence

Desirable

• Experience at handling crisis comms’

• Knowledge of the live events industry

• Experience with compiling informative and attractive media coverage reports

• Experience with handling media and photographers at live events

Behaviours

• The following attributes determine how the role will be carried out and are required to be a success

• Confidence to lead and manage on your own

• Self-motivated with a proactive approach to problem solving

• High level of integrity and discretion

• Flexibility

• Maturity and level-headedness

What the role includes

• Working closely with clients to understand and execute their requirements

• Researching and writing exciting press releases

• Liaising with artist management and artists to arrange PR opportunities

• Liaising with artist management to understand and respect any restrictions they impose for media

• Pitching and securing a variety of interviews at both national and regional level across all areas of the media

• Identifying relevant influencers to work across specific projects

• Accompanying key artists to interviews where relevant

• Maintaining a record and details of all media coverage for your projects

• On site attendance at key events as required

• Arranging media attendance and influencers/reviewers across all projects

• Looking after media in attendance at relevant shows

• Ad hoc tasks as required

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This is not a 9-5 job. There will be times, particularly in the summer months, where you will be expected to travel, stay overnight and work very long days at events.

It is hard work but if you have a passion for entertainment this is an exciting and very rewarding role.

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Equal Opportunities

We encourage applications from people irrespective of their gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability status or caring responsibilities.

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APPLICATION DEADLINE
Friday January 5^th 2024. We reserve the right to close applications at anytime.

Star of stage and screen and singing sensation Jane McDonald is back with a new tour for 2024.

With All My Love will see Jane travel to more than 20 theatres and arenas across the UK – including a date at the world-famous London Palladium and ending with a spectacular show at Leeds First Direct Arena, performing the songs you love as well as new material penned by Jane herself.

Filled with love, glamour, and Jane’s warm Yorkshire wit, With All My Love is your opportunity to spend an evening with a national treasure.

Tickets go on sale at 8.30am on Friday November 24 from cuffeandtaylor.com

Speaking about With All My Love Jane said: “Over the years, my fans have shown so much love for me and my music – and this tour is going to be my chance to give them a little extra love in return.

“The thrill of a live audience is what I love most about being a performer and it always takes me right back to the early days of my career, so I cannot wait to get back on the road once more to sing for you all.”

Jane won the hearts of the nation in the BBC docusoap The Cruise back in 1998 and secured her reputation as a national treasure virtually overnight.

She has sold-out countless tours and concerts, including the Royal Albert Hall, The London Palladium and The MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and has released 10 studio albums, the most recent being Let The Light In.

Jane is a popular presenter for TV travel shows, including fronting the BAFTA Award-winning Channel 5 series Cruising with Jane McDonald, along with Jane & Friends, Holidaying With Jane McDonald and her most recent outing Jane McDonald: Lost In Japan.

Earlier this year Jane hosted the British Soap Awards and she has performed at three Royal Variety Performances.

With All My Love is presented by Cuffe and Taylor.

For more information and to purchase tickets go to cuffeandtaylor.com

Legendary American rock band Pixies are to bring their unmistakable and era-defining sound to Live at The Piece Hall 2024.

The band – one of the most important rock acts of the last 40 years – will headline The Piece Hall, Halifax, on Wednesday August 21.

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, November 17 via ticketmaster.co.uk

Pixies are rightly acclaimed as one of the most influential, pioneering bands of the late 1980’s alternative rock movement, having served as a major influence for artists such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, The Strokes, Weezer, and many more.

And today, a whole new generation of music fans has been discovering and embracing the band’s “loud-quiet-loud” signature sound.

Quirky, catchy melodies have always been Pixies’ calling card. Seven genre-defining studio albums, including the Gold-certified Surfer Rosa, and the iconic Platinum Doolittle, considered one of the all-time, quintessential alt/rock albums. Their UK Top 30 hits include Velouria, Planet of Sound and Debaser.

After disbanding in 1993, Pixies launched their reunion tour in 2004 and have played to sell-out crowds across the globe ever since. Their last four albums Indie Cindy (2014), Head Carrier (2016), Beneath the Eyrie (2019) and 2022’s brilliant Doggerel served to further cement their legendary status.

Pixies’ live shows are unadulterated magic, simultaneously electrifying and lo-fi with the band playing anything they want – in whatever order they want – from classics to new gems. No two shows are ever the same.

Pixies join Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Richard Ashcroft, Jess Glynne, McFly, Fatboy Slim, Loyle Carner and rock legends Status Quo among the Live at The Piece Hall 2024 headliners – with many more to be announced very soon.

The Halifax show is co-promoted by The Piece Hall Trust and Cuffe and Taylor. Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “What a coup to get this iconic band to Halifax. With a reputation for bringing something unique to every performance I know their seminal sound will certainly get the courtyard rocking.

“Pixies have such a passionate fanbase and we can’t wait to welcome them all to our stunning venue for what will be a hugely memorable gig.”

GRAMMY-Award winning US indie rockers The National are set to headline Cardiff Castle next summer.

The American quintet, who have enjoyed more than 20 years success both sides of the Atlantic, will head to the iconic venue on Wednesday July 3. They will be joined by special guests New Zealand psychedelic rock band Unknown Mortal Orchestra.

Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday November 17 from depotlive.co.uk

Formed in New York in 1999, The National is made up of Matt Berninger (vocals), twin brothers Aaron Dessner (guitar, piano, keyboards) and Bryce Dessner (guitar, piano, keyboards), as well as brothers Scott Devendorf (bass) and Bryan Devendorf (drums).

Their last five albums have all been in the Top 5 in the UK charts, with 2017’s GRAMMY Award-winning (for Best Alternative Album) Sleep Well Beast hitting Number 1.
In the US, The National have scored five top 10 albums on The Billboard 200.

Recent collaborations have seen the band reach new audiences with Aaron Dessner’s major contributions to Taylor Swift’s Folklore and Evermore albums as well as Ed Sheeran’s – (Subtract).

Most recently The National released a surprise second album of 2023, Laugh Track, which features guest appearances by Phoebe Bridgers and Rosanne Cash, as well as the Bon Iver collaboration Weird Goodbyes, which was released as a standalone track in August 2022.

The headlining show at Cardiff Castle is presented by promoters DEPOT Live and Cuffe and Taylor.

Nick Saunders from DEPOT Live said: “We are very excited to add The National to the bill for summer 2024 in Cardiff. Not only are they an incredible rock act but their recent collaborations have opened them up to a whole new fanbase so this is going to be a show that will appeal to a very wide audience.”

The National are the latest act revealed for what promises to be an incredible summer at Cardiff Castle. They join indie music legends Manic Street Preachers and Suede who will play two consecutive sold-out co-headline shows at the historic venue, a double-headlining show from US alt rockers The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer, and headlining shows from chart toppers JLS and Tom Grennan, with more to be announced.

For more information and to purchase tickets go to depotlive.co.uk

Chart-topping rockers McFly are bringing their explosive live show to The Piece Hall, Halifax, next summer.

With seven UK number-one singles, seven Top 10 albums, countless sell-out tours and more than 10 million records sold worldwide, McFly are one of the most significant British pop acts of the 21st century.

And the band behind such massive hits as All About You, Obviously, Star Girl, One For The Radio and Shine A Light are today delighted to announce they will play a headline show at The Piece Hall on Saturday August 10.

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday, November 17 via ticketmaster.co.uk

Since hitting the big time as the youngest band to ever have a debut album go straight to number one – beating The Beatles’ long-standing record – Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd have become one of the UK’s best-loved bands.

McFly’s latest album Power to Play was released in June, hot on the heels of lead single Where Did All The Guitars Go?

The acclaimed album, which was followed by sell-out dates across the UK, hit Number Two on the UK album chart – the same position as their 2020 comeback release Young Dumb Thrills – and became the band’s seventh consecutive LP to hit the UK Top 20.

McFly joins Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Richard Ashcroft, Jess Glynne, Fatboy Slim, Loyle Carner and rock legends Status Quo among the Live at The Piece Hall 2024 headliners – with many more to be announced very soon.

The Halifax show is co-promoted by The Piece Hall Trust and Cuffe and Taylor. Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “A lot of people are very excited about this announcement and I’m one of them.

“McFly created one of the defining guitar pop sounds of the noughties and I can’t wait to see them bring their energy to our iconic courtyard. From their unforgettable early hits to their cool and instantly catchy new material this gig really is going to take us back to the future!”

For more information about all shows and tickets please visit thepiecehall.co.uk

Australasian rock giants Crowded House are to headline a massive outdoor show in Halifax next summer.

The five-piece rock band famed for such legendary hits Don’t Dream It’s Over and Weather With You will head to The Piece Hall on Wednesday June 19, for an unmissable night at the historic venue’s iconic open air courtyard.

Tickets go on general sale at 9am Friday November 10 from ticketmaster.co.uk

The Piece Hall date is one of only a handful of shows Crowded House are performing in the UK next summer including outdoor dates at Cardiff Castle and Lincoln Castle.
Joining founding members Neil Finn and Nick Seymour in Halifax will be Mitchell Froom, Liam Finn and Elroy Finn.

With a career that spans almost 40 years, Crowded House have enjoyed worldwide success. They have sold more than 15 million albums worldwide and in 2016, the band was inducted into the ARIA – Australian Recording Industry Association – Hall of Fame.

Crowded House have also won several national and international awards including being named International Group of the Year at the BRIT Awards and an MTV Video Music Award.

The Halifax show is co-promoted by The Piece Hall Trust and Cuffe and Taylor.

Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “We’re really looking forward to yet another big name playing our iconic courtyard, next June. A band that’s graced the Sydney Opera House on more than one occasion is coming to Halifax – another pinch yourself moment for us.”

Crowded House join Fatboy Slim, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Richard Ashcroft, Jess Glynne, Loyle Carner and rock legends Status Quo among the Live at The Piece Hall 2024 headliners – with many more to be announced very soon.

For more information and to purchase tickets go to ticketmaster.co.uk

Tom Grennan is to headline a massive outdoor show at Cardiff Castle.

The chart-topping BRIT and Ivor Novello-nominated star will play the iconic venue on Friday July 26.

Pre-sale tickets can be accessed from 10am Thursday

Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday November 10 from depotlive.co.uk

Tom is currently riding high after the success of his chart-topping Number 1 third album, What Ifs & Maybes and a sold-out UK arena tour which included a trip to Cardiff. As his star continues to rise, demand has never been higher and fans are encouraged to buy soon to avoid disappointment.

Tom said: “Cardiff, I can’t wait! We had such an amazing time bringing the tour to the International Arena in March and now we’re going to have an unbelievable night in the shadow of Cardiff Castle.

“Let’s get together and have a party!”

Tom Grennan is a songwriter with a purpose, to embrace, encourage and lift listeners with lyrical positivity, brightness – and sky-scraping choruses to sing to the rafters. The release of What Ifs & Maybes secured his second UK Number 1 album, widespread critical acclaim and followed his first headline arena shows in the UK, including London’s iconic O2, and shows across Europe, selling more than 180,000 tickets.

The new album follows Tom’s breakthrough UK Number 1 record Evering Road, including platinum hits like ‘Little Bit Of Love’ and ‘By Your Side’, both Top Three in 2021’s most played songs. He has four UK Top 10 singles and three 2022 hits, including ‘Remind Me’ and ‘Lionheart (Fearless)’, all among The Official Big Top 40’s Biggest Songs of 2022.

Tom holds more than 1.3 billion streams and 9 million monthly Spotify listeners, and this year was nominated for the 2023 BRIT Award for Alternative/Rock Act, marking his third consecutive BRIT nod following Song of the Year for his international smash ‘Little Bit Of Love’, and Alternative/Rock Act in 2022.

The headlining show at Cardiff Castle is presented by promoters DEPOT Live and Cuffe and Taylor.

Nick Saunders from DEPOT Live said: “Tom Grennan is quite simply a force to be reckoned with. He is the man of the moment and I have no doubt this will be an absolutely brilliant night at Cardiff Castle.”

Tom Grennan is the latest act revealed for what promises to be an incredible summer at Cardiff Castle. He joins indie music legends Manic Street Preachers and Suede who will play two consecutive sold-out co-headline shows at the historic venue, a double-headlining show from US alt rockers The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer, and a headlining show from chart toppers chart toppers JLS, with more to be announced.

For more information and to purchase tickets go to depotlive.co.uk

British music icon Paul Weller will play a massive headline gig on the Yorkshire coast next summer.

The legendary singer-songwriter brings his incredible and career-spanning live show to Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Sunday July 7.

Weller will not only be joined on the night at the 8,000-capacity venue by his own brilliant live band but by special guests Stone Foundation who will open the show.

Tickets go on general sale at 5pm on Friday November 10 via scarboroughopenairtheatre.co.uk

Paul Weller joins Fatboy Slim, Deacon Blue, JLS, Jess Glynne, Status Quo and Busted among the first headliners to be announced for Scarborough OAT’s 2024 summer season of shows, presented by Cuffe and Taylor.

Julian Murray, Cuffe and Taylor’s venue programmer, said: “Paul Weller is a true music icon, someone who possesses one of music’s most brilliant and diverse catalogues and an artist who remains ever relevant.

“This is going to be an incredible night here at Scarborough OAT – undoubtedly one of the highlights of the summer at this wonderful venue.”

Few artists have had as great an influence on the British music scene as Paul Weller.

As frontman of The Jam, he spearheaded the Mod revival in the late 1970s and early 1980s, scoring a string of hits before forming The Style Council and then embarking on a stellar solo career.

And the last few years have seen an incredible creative output. Weller’s 2022 compilation Will of the People, a mix of non-album rarities and an array of B-sides, remixes and live recordings, followed his stunning 17th solo album An Orchestrated Songbook.

Recorded with award-winning arranger Jules Buckley and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the album reimagined his vast catalogue including such classics as English Rose, Broken Stones, You’re the Best Thing, Wild Wood and You Do Something to Me.

It followed highly acclaimed Fat Pop: Volume 1 – his second Number One album in 12 months – which itself came hot on the heels of the success of fellow chart-topper 2020’s On Sunset.

Weller’s live shows remain the stuff of legend, mixing his unstoppable brand of hgh adrenaline rock with beautiful acoustic moments.

Special guests Stone Foundation are long-time friends and collaborators with Weller.

The 8-piece Midlands-based soul band recently celebrated an incredible 25 years of success with the release of the retrospective anthology Standing In The Light, which featured a number of songs with Weller on lead vocals. He has worked with them frequently across the last decade, on both the Stone Foundation catalogue and his own solo work.

For tickets and more information about all shows at Scarborough Open Air Theatre, go to scarboroughopenairtheatre.co.uk

Fatboy Slim is bringing his big beats and incredible live show to Yorkshire next summer as part of his 2024 ‘Loves Summer’ tour.

The legendary DJ and producer’s eight-date UK and Ireland tour hits Scarborough Open Air Theatre on Saturday July 6 and The Piece Hall, Halifax, on Saturday August 24.

Tickets go on general sale at 9.30am on Friday (November 3) via ticketmaster.co.uk

Norman Cook – aka Fatboy Slim – said: “Here we go again everyone… This tour covers some stunning locations, many of which I’ve never played before and I’m really excited about it. Roll on the summer!”

Today’s tour announcement arrives on the heels of the 25th anniversary reissue of Fatboy Slim’s legendary album You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby.

First released in 1998, the album became one of the defining records of the 1990s, irrespective of genre. Swinging from hip-hop, to reggae and jangle pop, with this record Norman Cook broke stylistic ground and delivered a wildly original album, filled with imagination, huge hooks and infectious beats.

The album that spawned era-defining singles Rockafeller Skank, Gangster Trippin, Praise You and Right Here Right Now was bigger than just a dance album, You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby was a genuine phenomenon, enjoying huge critical and commercial success; reaching Number One in the UK album charts, it contains four UK Top 10 singles, and earned Norman a BRIT Award for best producer and two further nominations (Male Solo Artist and British Single) along the way.

The 25th anniversary reissue album has been remastered at half speed at Abbey Road Studios for the best available audio quality possible and is available to buy here.

Two decades after those historic, era-defining tunes and huge live gatherings, Fatboy Slim continues to push the envelope and remain one of the most in demand DJ’s and purveyor of quality beats in the world.

The Halifax show is co-promoted by The Piece Hall Trust and Cuffe and Taylor. Nicky Chance-Thompson MBE DL, CEO of The Piece Hall Trust, said: “I cannot wait to welcome one of the biggest, best known and most loved DJs in the UK to The Piece Hall.

“Fatboy Slim is an icon of the British club scene, credited with taking underground dance music into the mainstream. His huge talent is matched perfectly with his ability to entertain the crowd and I know the courtyard will be absolutely bouncing when he takes to the decks next summer.”

Julian Murray, Cuffe and Taylor’s venue programmer at Sacrborough OAT, said: “It’s fair to say Fatboy Slim is one of the most requested artists fans have been asking us to bring here, so we are delighted to be able to announce his ‘Loves Summer’ tour is heading to Scarborough OAT next summer!

“This is going to be a very special night and I would advise fans to get their tickets early.”

FATBOY SLIM 2024 UK HEADLINE TOUR DATES
JUNE 14 FAIRVIEW PARK, DUBLIN
JUNE 15 EDEN SESSIONS, CORNWALL
JULY 5 CASTLEFIELD BOWL, MANCHESTER
JULY 6 SCARBOROUGH OPEN AIR THEATRE, SCARBOROUGH
JULY 7 TOFTE MANOR, BEDFORDSHIRE
JULY 20 SWG3 OUTDOORS, GLASGOW
AUG 9 GALWAY AIRPORT, IRELAND
AUG 24 THE PIECE HALL, HALIFAX