Last year, Greater Manchester-born band Blossoms announced it’s return to the city with a huge gig taking place this weekend, which will be the biggest headline show of their career. Taking place at an all-day outdoor concert at Wythenshawe Park, the performance by Blossoms will be preceded by another huge gig from the iconic New Order the night before, making this a huge weekend of music in addition to Manchester Pride.
With these two huge gigs comes logistical issues including transport and safety, so we’ve put together a guide to make sure gig-goers have the best time whilst staying safe.
When do the Wythenshawe Park gigs take place?
New Order will play the first gig of the weekend at Wythenshawe park on Saturday 24 August, with gates open from 2pm.
Blossoms will play Wythenshawe Park the next day on Sunday 25 August, with gates also open from 2pm.
What are the line-ups for the Wythenshawe Park gigs?
The New Order gig will see the likes of Roisin Murphy, Johnny Marr, Nadine Shah, Kyris and DJ Tintin grace Wythenshawe Park before the main act, keeping the party going all day and night.
There are some great warm ups for Blossoms on the Sunday too, including Dublin’s Inhaler, Shed Seven, The K’s, Seb Lowe and recent To Do List (After The Breakup) collaborator, Findlay, who will kick things off at Wythenshawe Park with her band TTRRUUCES.
Tom Ogden, lead vocalist of Blossoms and owner of Stockport bar Bohemian Arts Club, said: “Headlining our biggest show yet at Wythenshawe Park is going to be THE moment of our career so far for us. It makes me think of me and Joe going to watch Oasis and The Stone Roses at Heaton Park back when we were teenagers, and how important these big summer Manchester shows are to people. It made us want to be in a band, affected what we wore and changed our lives forever. To misquote Dorothy, ‘Lads, I’ve a feeling we’re not on Oldham Street anymore!”
Where is Wythenshawe Park?
Well… Wythenshawe, obviously, but more specifically, Northenden. Entrance will be through the west gate only, with the south gate also being open on the Sunday for Blossoms. The address is: 12-4 Gib Ln, Wythenshawe, Manchester M23 0BA.
What’s the best way to get to the Wythenshawe Park gigs?
Obviously, it depends on where you’re coming from, but the most will likely be coming from around Manchester city centre. In this case, gig-goers can hop on a tram from anywhere between Victoria and Deansgate Castlefield, on the blue airport line, to Moor Road. From the stop it’s a ten-minute walk via Altrincham Road to the park entrance.
To support fans travelling to Wythenshawe Park there will be an uplifted service on the Airport line, with trams operating every seven and a half minutes and extra double units. To allow for the safe management of crowds post-event, both Wythenshawe Park and Baguley tram stops will be closed after 9pm − visitors can still use Moor Road which will be signposted from inside the park.
The easiest park and ride spots to use will be East Didsbury and Sale Water Park, where you can hop on the tram for a direct or one-change journey.
On Sunday, for Blossoms, a shuttle bus service will operate between Stockport Interchange and Wythenshawe Park. The service will operate to Wythenshawe Park every 10 minutes from 4pm. Following the concert, services will run to Stockport until the site is clear (approximately 1am). Tickets are priced £3 each way and can be bought on-board.
Is there a car park at Wythenshawe Park?
There will be a dedicated concert attendee car park at Wythenshawe Park, but spaces will be incredibly limited, so if you can avoid driving, the tram will be best. Limited car parking tickets on sale, for a price of £16.91. The car parks are off Altrincham Road and you can buy these tickets online here.
Will the roads around Wythenshawe Park be affected?
Due to road closures in place for the concert, there will be increased congestion around Wythenshawe Park and in particular along the M56, the M60 via Princess Parkway, Altrincham Road, as well as on Wythenshawe Road. Sign-posted diversions will be in place to redirect traffic.
Can I still get tickets for the Wythenshawe Park gigs?
Tickets for both New Order and Blossoms at Wythenshawe Park this weekend are still available here, but be quick, they’re sure to be sold out come the weekend.