Hello, Good Evening, and Remain Indoors! Somehow, when I was looking through the NME for my local newsfeed, I must have missed the news that Manchester's legendary Haçienda nightclub (FAC 51) had been resurrected for a livestreamed 12-hour festival this Easter Sunday. Well, here's a 22-minute section of the livestream, which, apart from David Morales' two-hour set, is all I … [Read more...] about The Haçienda to Hold Virtual event this Saturday
Manchester
Rick Astley to play a free concert for NHS, Primary Care, and Emergency workers
Hello, good evening, and remain indoors! As I write this, both Illinois and Britain are still under lockdown. And Illinois recently had its lockdown deadline extended to the end of the month. So, naturally, like many, I'm still waiting for the day when I can move freely about the country. One of those many is Rick Astley. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ To this … [Read more...] about Rick Astley to play a free concert for NHS, Primary Care, and Emergency workers
Ian Brown of the Stone Roses can grant your wishes
Anyone who's seen the movie Big remembers the scene where a young boy has a strange encounter with a fortune telling machine which grants him the wish to turn into Tom Hanks become big, despite not even being plugged in. Now, it looks like Ian Brown, frontman of the Stone Roses, can do the same for visitors of the Piccadilly Record Shop in Manchester. You may well ask one … [Read more...] about Ian Brown of the Stone Roses can grant your wishes
What’s On Around Britain in April 2019 – Easter Celebrations, St George’s Day, Queen’s Birthday, Flower and Garden Shows and More!
I hope you enjoyed the March 2019 recommendations as I've got plenty more ideas for April. There's so much to see and do, we hope you can incorporate some of these into your upcoming trips (or plan for next year)! This month moves us properly into spring so nature is bringing us more colourful flowers and those well known 'April showers' will keep them well watered. Easter … [Read more...] about What’s On Around Britain in April 2019 – Easter Celebrations, St George’s Day, Queen’s Birthday, Flower and Garden Shows and More!
Famous Factory Records Fanzine collected, released in book form.
The story of Factory Records and the Haçienda never ceases to amaze me. The movie 24 Hour Party People is a good primer of the basic facts of the whole story, (and my review points out how many of the bizarre things in that film actually happened.) A small record label based out of Manchester develops a huge following, and from the beginning, it proves to be a highly eccentric … [Read more...] about Famous Factory Records Fanzine collected, released in book form.
Threatin: how an L.A. metal band broke the world with their tour of the UK
I did not really pay attention to the story of Threatin at first, especially since I hadn't heard of them, and, as far as the NME article names said, they were just a band whose tour of Europe failed spectacularly, and I didn't think that was too newsworthy, but then, I looked a bit further into it, and I think there's plenty to talk about, because Jah knows Metalsucks have … [Read more...] about Threatin: how an L.A. metal band broke the world with their tour of the UK
One Anglophile’s Take on 24 Hour Party People
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2PYyvGFHD8 Well, it's been a while since I've done a film review, hasn't it? Certain things that previously consumed a bit of my time have since been completed, and now, I found the time to rewatch an old favourite of mine: Michael Winterbottom's 24 Hour Party People. To bring people up to speed, it's the story of Factory Records, a famous … [Read more...] about One Anglophile’s Take on 24 Hour Party People
Liam Gallagher finishes his solo album, wishes Noel made it to One Love Manchester
Well, as I'm sure I mentioned before, Liam Gallagher recently unveiled the first single for his solo album As You Were. It's called "Wall of Glass" and it's actually pretty good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdJc7-ZEuT0 Clearly, it's not quite as excellent as some of Oasis' early works, but given that A) that was over 20 years ago, and B) Liam didn't actually write … [Read more...] about Liam Gallagher finishes his solo album, wishes Noel made it to One Love Manchester
See Ariana Grande’s “One Love Manchester” benefit concert
When I did my post on Ariana Grande's plans to return to Manchester for a benefit concert to help rebuild Manchester after what happened the last time she came to town, one commenter stated that it didn't seem right that people in Manchester should have to pay to see a morale booster for their own town (a complaint that strikes me as kind of odd, since nothing struck me as … [Read more...] about See Ariana Grande’s “One Love Manchester” benefit concert
Britain’s Least Wanted XVII
In commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of Hot Fuzz, (honestly, it's as good a reason as any at this point), here are some more true stories of British crime gone horribly weird. The Case of the Fraudulent Fiddler Bethan Doci was a woman who had it all, holidays in five-star Cancun resorts, a villa in Spain, and a career as a concert violinist. And she decided the perfect … [Read more...] about Britain’s Least Wanted XVII
Anglotopia Magazine: Great British Buildings – Manchester Town Hall
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the first issue of the Anglotopia magazine. Subscribe today to receive the next issue of our magazine and read about British History, Culture and Travel all in one place. Pre-order the next issue now before it sells out! Over the next few weeks we will be sharing many of the great features that premiered in the magazine … [Read more...] about Anglotopia Magazine: Great British Buildings – Manchester Town Hall
Britain’s Least Wanted XV
In commemoration of... Well, there hasn't been much in the way of news on British crime series in the past few weeks. I've started watching four separate critically-acclaimed crime series recently, but none have any connection with Britain. I could commemorate my opening of a recently discovered safe deposit box in my Dad's name and call it a "safecracking escapade," but Dad … [Read more...] about Britain’s Least Wanted XV
Britain’s Least Wanted XIV: The long-awaited return of stories from the dregs of British crime.
In honour of the release of Sherlock's new Christmas special, and my actually finding the time to search through two months of weird news stories, I bring tidings of new tales of the sort of crimes people don't often see on television. The Case of the Pram-Pushing Parent. It's always fascinating to find stories about crimes that make absolutely no sense whatsoever. I'm sure … [Read more...] about Britain’s Least Wanted XIV: The long-awaited return of stories from the dregs of British crime.
It’s Weird Oop North: Weird tales from the North of England
There are three general locales that seem to keep popping up in these Weird Britain stories: London (which makes sense since the general London area contains one-eighth of the population of the entire UK), Scotland (given the long-standing rivalry between Scotland and England, it's interesting that the rivalry that once led to Longshanks killing William Wallace has sublimated … [Read more...] about It’s Weird Oop North: Weird tales from the North of England
The Fiver – Five Places to Visit in Manchester On Your Next Visit
Manchester, the jewel of the north. Well, maybe that’s exaggerating a bit, but having traveled there myself, I can say it’s certainly is a very lovely city with much to offer tourists. As of 2013, it had a population of over 500,000 and an area population of 2.55 million. Formed as the settlement surrounding a Roman fort, it is now a bustling metropolis that has seen itself … [Read more...] about The Fiver – Five Places to Visit in Manchester On Your Next Visit
Weird Britain: The Pub With Drunk Tents, Most Beard Friendly Pubs, Lamb Flavored Brew, Fake Pub and a Ghost
There are few local institutions more revered in Britain than the Local Public House. One could easily write a whole book about how the history of the Pub, but, before I launch into the inevitable strangeness, let's just say it's a shame we only have bars and not pubs in America. Pub provides tents for people who've had too much to drink. Drink driving (what the Brits call … [Read more...] about Weird Britain: The Pub With Drunk Tents, Most Beard Friendly Pubs, Lamb Flavored Brew, Fake Pub and a Ghost
Inspiration: Beautiful Video of Manchester in Timelapse
http://vimeo.com/72654364 We love this beautiful timelapse video of Manchester by Paul Richardson. From the video description: Even after living here for 21 years, Manchester is still my favourite city. I wanted to capture the dynamic nature of the city, and knew that timelapse would be the perfect medium. I think it's important to take a step back every now and again, … [Read more...] about Inspiration: Beautiful Video of Manchester in Timelapse
Weird Britain: Woman enters Manchester McDonalds… on horseback!
One of the most frequently asked questions I get (asked by precisely nobody, because I haven't gotten any indication anyone but me, Dad, and Jonathan even reads this) is Why did I decide to branch out from British music news to Weird news? There are many reasons for this, ranging from a drought in music news to a simple desire to give my readers something to laugh at when I … [Read more...] about Weird Britain: Woman enters Manchester McDonalds… on horseback!
Lost in the Pond: 5 Ways The United States is Becoming Anglicized
It has often been said, with the influx of certain fast-food giants, Hollywood blockbusters and words like awesome, that Great Britain is becoming more and more Americanized. However, what is often overlooked is that this is also happening in reverse. For such a tiny island, Great Britain has culturally influenced the United States perhaps more than any other country. And here … [Read more...] about Lost in the Pond: 5 Ways The United States is Becoming Anglicized
Brit Language: Watch Your Language Laddies!
Watch your language lasses and laddies, or it could cost you. Language, a form of free expression is under attack. The issue is offensive language in the public square, in sports, and in social media, to name a few. Offensive language includes swear words, profanity, hard language, inappropriate phrases and expression. The Oxford Dictionary further defines offensive language as … [Read more...] about Brit Language: Watch Your Language Laddies!
Manchester’s new football museum due to open in 2012
The National Football Museum, due to open in Manchester in 2012, plans to show visitors the ‘greatest collection of football memorabilia ever assembled’. They will be able to see more than 140,000 objects, works of art and photographs. These include a shirt from the world’s first international match, played in 1872, the ball used in the 1966 World Cup Final and the shirt … [Read more...] about Manchester’s new football museum due to open in 2012
Top 12 Things to do in Manchester England
1). Manchester United - Old Trafford is the home of the world famous Manchester United football team. Tickets for a game are always at a premium, but you can breathe in the atmosphere on a stadium tour, or indulge your passion in the stadium shop. www.manutd.com/en/Visit-Old-Trafford.aspx 2). Manchester City – challenging The Reds in the Premier League, in this football-mad … [Read more...] about Top 12 Things to do in Manchester England
Manchester’s Town Hall Clock Tower is Open To Visitors
Manchester's historic town hall has sat prominently on the edge of Albert's Square. In all of the time this amazing building has been standing only a select few have been able to see the amazing views form the beautiful clock tower. However, now for a short period of time, and £7.50 you can see this amazing view too. That's right for a limited time tours are being offered to … [Read more...] about Manchester’s Town Hall Clock Tower is Open To Visitors
A new look for Manchester’s Portland Hotel
The £3-million restoration of the Portland hotel by Thistle in Manchester is scheduled to be finished this November. The refurbishment gives the 3-star hotel 204 new-look bedrooms with air conditioning units, two new lifts and a refurbished front hall. The Portland Street Restaurant and Bar has been updated. Facilities for meetings and events at the hotel include the … [Read more...] about A new look for Manchester’s Portland Hotel
Guest Post: Top Tourist Attractions in Manchester – Best Places to Visit in Manchester
photo credit: Smabs Sputzer History buffs will love visiting Manchester, England as its past holds plenty of stories dating back all the way to Roman times. Manchester, England, although famous for its music scene, also has a long and interesting history and many fascinating historical sites. If you are interested in the stories of the past, a trip to Manchester will provide … [Read more...] about Guest Post: Top Tourist Attractions in Manchester – Best Places to Visit in Manchester
Anglotopia was founded by Jonathan and Jackie Thomas in 2007 in a closet in Chicago. Anglotopia is for people who love Britain - whether it's British TV, Culture, History or Travel - we cover it all. Join us as we explore Britain and everything it has to offer!
