This weekend, Manchester Pride hosts its new main music even Manchester Pride Live at Mayfield Depot for the first time, with headline performances from Ariana Grande and Years & Years.
The new location, which was once an old railway station and a mail depot, will feature a number of performance spaces with a huge outdoor stage hugging the river Medlock and a funfair on the old station platform with views overlooking the city centre.
There’ll also be a a street food market, bars, another stage area hosting pop-up performances, and of course the cavernous indoor Depot stage which will play host to DJs and dance acts.
This is the first year that the event has taken place at Mayfield, and maps released by Manchester Pride have shown the four different entertainment areas – The Depot, The Yard Stage, The Concourse and The Platform.
Of course, the name on everyone’s lips this year is Ariana Grande. The honorary Manc will make her return to Manchester on Sunday night, with a headline set expected at around 10.30pm on the main stage, The Yard.
Stars also due to appear on the lineup this weekend include Years & Years, Bananarama, Cheryl, Emeli Sande, Faithless, Basement Jaxx and Pixie Lott.
Here’s our guide to the different zones and who to expect where – and remember there’s a strict security policy for small see through bags only at the events.
The Yard Stage
The Yard Stage area is located outside at Mayfield. The staging platform is nestled into the corner between the Depot and the river Medlock. It has its own separate entrance point and two further bars. This is also where you’ll find the new VIP village area this year, with glitzy rainbow theming courtesy of headline sponsors Boohoo.com.
Lineup – Saturday 24th August
Lineup – Sunday 25th August – TIMES TBC
The Depot
Huge indoor stage The Depot will host the likes of Basement Jaxx for a hugely anticipated DJ set over the weekend. There are two bars with adjacent WCs.
Lineup – Saturday 24th August
Lineup – Sunday 25th August – TIMES TBC
The Gaydio Stage
Lineup – Saturday 24th August
Lineup – Sunday 25th August – TIMES TBC
The Platform
The former station platform will be home to a huge fairground over the weekend with rides including an ‘Inflatable church’, the classic waltzers, a gyroscope, bungee, and Vertigo. The Platform will also be home to an impressive-looking pirate ship bar from household spiced rum brand Captain Morgan.
Entrance points
The main entrance to the site and the Yard Stage can be found via Baring Street, which is visible from the taxi ranks at Manchester Piccadilly train station.
Accessible entrance points will be located on Temperance Street alongside the medical and welfare tent.
Temperance Street will also act as the VIP entrance.