Tickets available here https://t.co/FZsjN7CIkK

— Mozarmy (@Mozarmy) February 27, 2025

Taking place on 9 and 10 May, the festival is one of the more unique fan gatherings in Manchester and beyond. This year marks a significant change in the organisation of the event, as George Allen of the Morrissey and Wine podcast, steps in to take over as the lead organiser Julie Hammill, who ran the event for the past 11 years. Posting a farewell message on Tumblr, Hammill reflected on the festival’s spirit, saying, “The meet is inclusive and it always will be. It is welcoming. It is open. It is equal. To feel that we belong to something is what makes humanity bloom.”  

The two nights of the event will be held at the Star & Garter, with the first night being a MozArmy meet at the Morrissey Smiths Disco night on Friday 9 May, though it is not included in the price of Saturday’s ticket. Adorned with a mural of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis, the 200-capacity Grade II-listed venue had fallen upon hard times in the past 10 years, though it was confirmed in January that it was under new operatorship who have pledged to preserve the atmosphere and invest in structural improvements. 

 

 

 

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Following Friday’s disco, Saturday will see a variety of acts and performances, ranging from tribute band Frankly, The Smiths, musician Conor McLoughlin, a live recording of Morrissey and Wine, Mozeoke (Morrissey + karaoke), and a Morrissey look alike competition. Saturday night’s events are expected to carry on late into the following morning. 

Proceeds from the events will be donated to Feed My City, a Sikh-led charity providing emergency vegetarian meals across Greater Manchester. The charity has earned various awards, including the King’s Award for Voluntary Service (equivalent to an MBE), and a special recognition award from the High Sheriff of Greater Manchester for providing over 300,000 warm meals and promoting religious and social harmony.

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On the festival, Allen said, “If you’ve never been before, this year is the time to do it. You’ll find a lovely environment, cheap drinks and some great live music. It’s also a great chance to support the Star & Garter. They’ve been running the monthly Morrissey Smiths Disco for decades and hold a very special place in the hearts of fans. It’s the perfect home for MozArmy.”

The festival forms just a small part of a wider vibrant music tourism scene in Manchester. Music brings over 800,000 visitors to the city each year, supporting 6,800 jobs, and contributing over £300 million to the local economy according to a Manchester City Council report.

With a rich sense of community and belonging, the unique makeup of the MozArmy Meet offers fans a chance to celebrate the ongoing legacy of Morrissey and The Smiths, all while supporting a small music venue and a local charity. Tickets for the event are £22, including booking fee, and are available here.

‘Cold Dreaming’ marks an exciting evolution for the band. The song features Andy and Jez Williams sharing vocals, creating a layered and dynamic sound. This is then textured with funky rhythms and groovy strings. The track feels like a dip into new territory for Doves but retains most of the essence of what makes them unique. The result is a song that feels very fresh and unmistakably theirs. 

The release of the single is accompanied by a music video directed by Hingston Studio. The visuals offer a dreamlike narrative with bleak streets lit up with neon lights saying “Hope” and the title “Cold Dreaming”, mirroring its themes of introspection and renewal. The video draws viewers deeper into the world Doves are trying to portray with the new album. 

Along with ‘Cold Dreaming’, Doves released another single from the album called ‘Renegade’ in November of last year. ‘Renegade’ presents a broader, moodier sound with brooding basslines and raw lyrics that reflect on existential struggles and impermanence, showcased in the lines, “So the rain falls down and nothing lasts forever.” This is a stark difference from what ‘Cold Dreaming ‘delivers. Together, the two songs delve into the emotional highs and lows of real-life experiences, offering different but poetic perspectives on how to live in the modern era. Doves’ last album, ‘The Universal Want’, was a critical success, jumping to the top of the UK Albums Chart. There is no doubt this new album will achieve the same level of success. 

Formed in 1998, Doves comprises of vocalist and bassist Jimi Goodwin and twin brothers Jez and Andy Williams, who play guitar and drums. The trio first bonded over their shared love of music during their time at school and eventually became one of the UK’s most innovative alternative rock acts. Their signature style blends vibey atmospheric arrangements with heartfelt, raw lyrics, earning them a well-deserved and dedicated fanbase. 

In support of ‘Constellations For the Lonely’, Doves are gearing up for a series of intimate live performances in the UK. The band is hitting major cities like Edinburgh, Birmingham, and two dates in their hometown, Manchester, among many others. It is their first full tour in 15 years, and unfortunately, usual frontman Jimi will not be joining them as he focuses on his mental health. 

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‘Cold Dreaming’ is a testament to Doves’ enduring relevance and creativity. As they prepare to release ‘Constellations For the Lonely’, the newest single offer fans a glimpse into what is to come. With their ability to weave intricate soundscapes and tackle difficult themes, Doves remind us why they remain one of the most influential acts in music today. 

Ticket information can be found here.

The event was formerly recognised as the MTV European Music Awards when it was first held on November 24th, 1994 to honour European artists who have made their mark on the pop culture scene. It first came to fruition as an alternative event to the United State’s MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), which stretches beyond Europe’s borders.  

It is the first time this prestigious and globally renowned ceremony is taking place in Manchester and will be presented by Paramount International Networks. According to The Guardian, the leader of the Manchester city council, Bev Craig, has expressed his excitement: “With the expertise, experience and reputation we also have for delivering successful, world-class events, we’re confident Manchester will provide a superb platform for the best MTV EMAs yet.”

Manchester is not the only British venue to host the event. The locations in the UK that have been home to the ceremony in the past include: London, Liverpool, Belfast, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Thus, this year is an exciting event for two reasons: Firstly, it has not been hosted in the UK for a total of seven years. Secondly, anticipation has been building since the ceremony was cancelled in 2023. It was set to be held in Paris but the show did not go on due to the Israel-Hamas conflict which continues to send ripples of devastation on an international scale. In the year prior (2022) it was hosted in Düsseldorf, Germany.

However, there has been controversy rising in regards to the details of the event as the clock ticks and the calendar counts down. ASM Global, the operator of AO Arena in Manchester; also referred to as the “enemy” of the soon to be functional Co-op Live Arena, is not being shy in sharing their (not so subtle) concerns about the arena’s operating licence. According to The Guardian, ASM are arguing in order to “safeguard public safety…”  and to ensure “the prevention of public nuisance”.  The chief operating officer of Oak View Group and owner of Co-op Live, Mark Donnelly, is reportedly “quite disappointed to see [ASM] are trying to put conditions on us when they operate with an unrestricted licence. We feel these are competition-based.”

On a lighter note, Manchester seems to be the perfect location, as music is in its DNA and is at the heart of its creative and vibrant city centre. It is the historical home of musical legends, such as New Order, The Stone Roses and Oasis. It is a prosperous and booming city, and will be even more so with the multi-million pound boost that this event is predicted to provide for it. It’s an exciting future ahead, especially on November 10th!

No official cause of death has been announced, though fans were aware that Garner had been battling cancer. Media outlets had also been reporting his age as 61, however Ian Brown, frontman of The Stone Roses, corrected this information via Twitter.

Brown wrote, “Our lovely friend Pete was only 59. RiP Pete X.”

Yes John, nice tribute.Our lovely friend Pete was only 59. RiP Pete X

— Ian Brown (@ianbrown) November 3, 2023

He continued, “Yeah very sad. We were young punk rockers when we met in 77. The nite before Petes maths and geography O levels we went to see the Clash. Always made me chuckle he did that and of course he made the right decision! X.”  

Yeah very sad. We were young punk rockers when we met in 77. The nite before Petes maths and geography O levels we went to see the Clash. Always made me chuckle he did that and of course he made the right decision! X — Ian Brown (@ianbrown) November 3, 2023

Garner was a member of the band from 1983-1987, playing on some of the band’s most beloved tracks, including “Sally Cinnamon,” “Tell Me” and “So Young.” Garner met Ian Brown and guitarist John Squire at school and was asked to join The Stones Roses three years later.

Garner reportedly made the decision to leave The Stone Roses in favour of working at an HMV because he “believed he wasn’t good enough for them.” He was initially replaced by Rob Hampson, before Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield assumed the role in 1987.

Ian Brown also shared that “few loved music as much as Pete,” calling him “off the scale nice.”

Everything you’re sayin brother! Few loved music as much as Pete he been bathing in music since Anarchy in the Uk came out that i can vouch for and Pete was off the scale nice, an old skool nice that ya just dont get no more! He got that from his lovely Mum! GOD Bless Pete RiP X

— Ian Brown (@ianbrown) November 3, 2023

One fan made a tribute video, celebrating Garner’s contribution to The Stone Roses by putting together rare footage and photos of the band’s early days.  

A tribute to Pete Garner. Enjoy pic.twitter.com/Vx5tCpoLUo — Reni (@renifanpage) November 4, 2023

Other fans also shared their appreciation for Garner, with one writing, “he laid the foundations of the band.”

No way was listening to tell me last night thinking of how great the bass is! he laid the foundations of the band

— Sam Taylor (@SamBFC91) November 3, 2023

The tribute to the post-punk pioneer first appeared in October 2020 on a house in Port Street in the city’s Northern Quarter. Local artist Akse created the mural in collaboration with Headstock, a festival designed to bring together great music with mental wellbeing, in a bid to raise awareness for mental health and to promote Shout, a mental health free text messaging service constructed to help people with their mental wellbeing.

It’s come to light that the iconic Ian Curtis mural on Port Street has been painted over with my album artwork. This is the first time I’ve heard of this, me and my team are getting this fixed pronto. No way on earth would I want to disrespect a local hero like Ian.

MCR

— Aitch (@OfficialAitch) August 16, 2022

The rapper, however, to his credit, was quick to dispel any knowledge of the mural being tainted by an ad for his album, reassuring his Twitter followers of his desire to bring back the original artwork. He stated on the platform, “It’s come to light that the Ian Curtis mural on Port Street has been painted over with my album artwork. This is the first time I’ve heard of this, me and my team are getting this fixed pronto. No way on earth would I want to disrespect a local hero like Ian.”

The repainting of the mural will be done once more by the original artist Akse but in a different location, given that 75 Port Street now reportedly cannot be used anymore. The Star and Garter pub on Fairfield Street, a few streets to the South West of the original location, is now reportedly set to be the new location for the mural after it was revealed that Headstock are applying for planning permission to re-home the magnificent depiction of Curtis on the side of the pub.

The repainting of the mural is without a doubt a victory for Headstock and for the mental wellbeing of the people of Manchester and beyond and will, in turn, delight fans of Joy Division and of Curtis himself, who, after suffering from depression and epilepsy, sadly took his own life at the young age of 23, just before the release of Joy Division’s second album Closer and the group’s first North American tour.

Watch Joy Division perform “Transmission” on BBC music show Something Else in 1979 below: