Manchester: A city of firsts
I have a love/hate relationship with this fair city of mine. One minute it wants to be your friend and get you involved with every possible slice of interest, the next minute, no one wants to know you and it is showing you the door.
I have almost picked the door on so many occasions. But at moments like this, all I want to do is kiss it on the lips and take it for dinner.
I hope you have all heard of the Manchester International Festival. 18 extraordinary days of world premieres.
This is one of the most incredible things that I have ever come across. Gigs, theatre, opera, exhibitions. You name it, it most probably will have it. Now in it’s second biennial year, this festival has really made its name in the national and international press. I’m quite surprised the inaugural festival didn’t get the press it deserved, but this one is showing its worth to the international arts scene……from what I can see anyway.
I have been a massive fan ever since they announced the trailblazer event in 2005 for Gorillaz to play at the Opera House performing Demon Days in full. I thought this was a massive coup, but wait until this year!
2007 came and showed us events like Monkey: Journey to the West, The Pianist and Il Tempo del Postino. This time, the big boys really showed their clout.
By putting shows on like Elbow playing with the Hallé orchestra, Kraftwerk performing inside the Manchester Velodrome with the GB Olympic cycle team and showing the world premiere of the new opera by Rufus Wainwright, you are definitely showing two fingers to the establishment.
From what I have read, the press seem to be on side with the festival. Thank god. For them to show any bit of interest on something cultural outside the big smoke takes quite a lot of work, but thankfully, they seem to love it.
Obviously a lot of hard work, time and energy has gone into it. And it shows. They have set up camp in Albert Square, right outside the town hall, complete with the returning Tipi and beer garden (where I have spent alot of time this week). I can’t count how many venues are involved, but it is a hell of a lot.
I have to congratulate the people involved. Only just over a week in and I have been to:
And more to follow. I am already broken. I knew I should have taken some time off work.
Here is the view I had of the Elbow gig on Wednesday. Jealous?
http://twitpic.com/a1xom
