Manchester’s iconic Albert Hall will be hosting a ‘People’s Concert’ to celebrate 100 years as a much-loved institution for music lovers both past and present. This special event pays homage to a concert that was held exactly 100 years prior, back in 1917 after the former Wesleyan chapel on Peter Street was turned into a celebrated concert hall.
Drawing inspiration from a recently discovered programme for the original event, the night will feature a mix of popular modern day artists, bands and DJ’s.
Headlining back in 1917 were ‘The Famous Range Concert Company’, and for the admission of two pennies, guests were treated to a troupe of classical singers with an accompanying orchestra and a Mr Arthur Newton who was booked as a ‘humorous entertainer.’ Roll forward 100 years and the present day acts are decidedly less classical but still just as favoured.
For the entrance fee of £25, music lovers will be treated to a diverse line-up of crowd-pleasing bands including Trof favourites Boxed In, BBC Radio 6 DJ Marc Riley, Manchester’s indie heroes Dutch Uncles, the incredible Field Music, and headlining the event will be the awesome British Sea Power. Stay tuned for further special announcements. There’ll be a twist in the mix from one of Manchester’s home grown DJ talents!
From Wesleyan chapel to old day concert hall, to the awe-inspiring, technologically advanced music venue that we know today, Albert Hall is certainly forever evolving and to ensure its story continues, artists playing this coming November will be invited to preserve the event by contributing memorabilia and messages to a time capsule that will be hidden deep within the inner sanctums of the Albert Hall.
A lot may have changed in Manchester since the first ‘People’s Concert’ but what will never change is the city’s love of music and as the venue is one of the few music halls that is still standing and being used today, there is no doubt that this capsule will be discovered 100 years from now helping further piece together this enchanting building’s history for the music lovers of the future.
The venue are also asking for anyone who may have other artefacts relating to the building’s heritage to come forward so that they can continue to preserve its historic legacy.
Visit http://www.alberthallmanchester.com/ for tickets & further information.
Albert Hall, 27 Peter St, City Centre, Manchester M2 5QR
0844 858 8521
