TASTE of Manchester is used to bands getting involved in brewing their own beers. Both Elbow and Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson have done collabs with Robinson’s Brewery, for example, but opening your own pop-up pub, too, as part of an all-day Oldham Street centred festival to launch your latest album is a new one on us.
But then Tim Burgess (above) of the Charlatans is a one-off. Available at his The Different Day pub (named after the album) on an Oldham Street site next to Chase Music this Friday (May 26) will be cans of Spinning Out, a 500 bottle limited edition pale ale named after a track off the Different Days album, made by Scots boutique brewers Krafty Brew.
Plus there’s a trio of track-inspired beers also made for the day by Lancaster Brewery – The Setting Sun, Different Days and Hey Sunrise.
The band are also taking over the former United Footwear shoe shop further up to host a series of events from 10am – kicking off with a Charlatans Disco and secret gig at 11am, followed by a bar, food and live bands across the rest of the day, until 10pm.
Next door The Castle pub will open at 12pm, giving away exclusive Different Days lyric badges, while down the road, from 7.30am, Koffee Pot will kick off proceedings with an album playback. Grab some breakfast while you’re listening.
At the same time, the pop-up Tim Peaks Diner will open at 33 Oldham St. Serving damn fine cherry pie, Burgess’s Tim Peaks Coffee and Different Days Tea, fans can check out a playlist made up of only bands that have played at Tim Peaks (Sleaford Mods, Suzanne Vega, Edwyn Collins and many others).
Sweet-toothed Charlatans fans will also benefit from neighbourhood cereal cafe Black Milk will be selling its special edition creation Totes Amazeballs all day.
There’s also a chance to check out new underground cocktail bar, Behind Closed Doors (93B Oldham St), which is exhibiting gig pictures of the band taken by Charlotte Wellings.
These are just the food and drink elements in an entire day of pop-ups, giveaways and gigs across the Northern Quarter. Below’s a map that may help you find your way around.
The day after, The Charlatans support The Courteeners at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester’s biggest gig of the summer. Like the Charlatans extravaganza it still goes on in the aftermath of the Arena bombing.
