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‘The kinetic energy is palpable’: Manchester embraces its first Brit awards

‘The kinetic energy is palpable’: Manchester embraces its first Brit awards

Event’s first venture outside London aims to recognise geographical diversity of UK’s music talent Visitors to Manchester this week have been visibly amused to be arriving into Olivia Deansgate station, with many posing for selfies in front of the temporary sign. The tribute to the chart-busting musician is just one indication of how Manchester is embracing the arrival of the Brit awards on Saturday, the event’s first venture outside London in its five-decade history. Stacey Tang, theBrit awards chair, said the move to the Co-op Live arena was about recognising the geographical diversity of the country’s music talent. “Creativity doesn’t happen in one postcode in the UK … so the idea that the biggest night in music should always be in London, I think, is ageing out,” she said. Continue reading...

Tim Dowling: Do I look like a man who would buy stolen wine?

Tim Dowling: Do I look like a man who would buy stolen wine?

As I attempt garden repairs between downpours, I wonder why I was targeted as a likely purchaser of shoplifted goods I’m walking to the station in driving rain, under the protection of a £12 umbrella I bought at a newsagent the day before – during a previous rainstorm – which is already turning up on one side. My head is down, and I do not immediately see the young man approaching from the other direction, arms full, who stops in my path. “D’ya wanna buy one?” he says, holding out one of three bottles of white wine he has clearly just shoplifted. Continue reading...