Doggy soft play with bouncy castle, ball pools and more reopening for new season

Taylor Swift is being auctioned off for charity in memory of transgender teenager Brianna Ghey.The cutout became a landmark for Manchester tram users after being displayed in a flat window looking out across the tracks near the Cornbrook Metrolink stop since 2017.When flat owner Red Redmond said that they were moving to Sheffield, hundreds of people rallied to save the cutout of the pop star so that it could remain in place.BBC News reports that Redmond has since decided to auction “Tram Taylor” for the charity Mermaids, which supports gender variant and transgender youth, in memory of 16-year-old Ghey who was stabbed to death in a park in Warrington in February.The cutout is estimated to fetch up to £150, although Redmond has said that they’re hoping the auction will raise more than the £500 that they’ve raised previously for Mermaids.

A popular canalside pub in Sale which closed at the start of the year has reopened under new ownership to the delight of locals.

The Manchester Giants basketball franchise is seeking a new investor after being bought out of administration, it has been revealed.

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has admitted he would 'hate' to see Scott McTominay leave Old Trafford as the midfielder continues to be linked with a move to Newcastle.

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly put Aymeric Laporte on their summer wish-list amid rumours the defender could seek a Manchester City exit at the end of the season.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has backed Scott McTominay to act as the perfect replacement for Casemiro during the Brazilian's suspension period.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Roadside Attractions has acquired North American rights to “Dreamin’ Wild,” a drama about the rediscovery of singer and songwriter Donnie Emerson after years spent in obscurity. The film, which was directed by Bill Pohlad, a filmmaker who unearthed gold from another music industry saga with his 2014 Brian Wilson film “Love & Mercy,” premiered at Venice. “Dreamin’ Wild,” a reference to an album that Donnie released with his brother Joe Emerson, will open nationwide only in theaters on August 4, 2023. Roadside previously released “Love & Mercy,” making this a reunion for the filmmaker and distributor. The film centers on the critical reevaluation of “Dreamin’ Wild,” and the impact that second chance has on Donnie, his wife Nancy, brother Joe, and father Don Sr. as they must come to terms their new fame. Pohlad uses two different actors to explore the real-life characters in different time periods, just as he did in “Love & Mercy” with Paul Dano and John Cusack sharing the role of The Beach Boys founder Brian Wilson. This time, Oscar-winner Casey Affleck (“Manchester by the Sea”) plays the older Donnie Emerson and Noah Jupe, who appeared in “Honey Boy,” plays the younger. Walton Goggins (“Justified”) and Jack Dylan Grazer (“It”) take on Donnie’s brother Joe, while Beau Bridges plays the family patriarch. Zooey Deschanel plays Donnie’s wife Nancy.

Arlo Parks has shared how her forthcoming new album ‘My Soft Machine’ takes inspiration from the heavy sound of bands like Fontaines D.C. and My Bloody Valentine.Back in January, Parks shared news of her second album and unveiled its first single ‘Weightless’, followed up this month by ambient new track ‘Impurities’.The singer-songwriter has described the forthcoming new record as a “deeply personal body of work” which highlights the artist’s experience of navigating life in her 20s.Now the London artist has offered a sense of what to expect from the sound of her new album, sharing that it will be noisier than her gentle 2021 debut ‘Collapsed in Sunbeams’.Speaking to BBC Radio 6 Music, Parks shared that it’s “always been the case” that she’s a fan of heavier genres, but said it’s “never really shown itself in my music”.“One of my favourite bands is My Bloody Valentine, and I bring a few more of those moments into My Soft Machine,” she continued.She praised the rock band for their “sense of absolute chaos, and you feel that your ears are falling off, but then there’s this real delicate quality to the lyrics”.“They’re really sensual and vulnerable, but alongside this wall of sound,” she added.The singer also shared that upcoming live shows will be “a lot more full-bodied”, with the aim of creating “a wall of sound, whereas maybe before there was more of that sense of minimalism”.“I think I’m bringing a lot more energy, to be honest.

Manchester City will offer Erling Haaland a brand new £500,000-per-week contract this summer in a bid to fend off interest from Real Madrid, according to reports.

Manchester City Phil Foden has withdrawn from the England squad and will miss the Premier League fixture against Liverpool next weekend after undergoing surgery for acute appendicitis.

Peter Gabriel has added further dates to his upcoming ‘i/o’ tour of North America – see dates below and buy tickets here.The former Genesis singer turned solo artist previously announced that he would be heading to Europe and the UK in spring this year in support of his 10th studio album. His ninth and most recent studio album, ‘New Blood’, came out in 2011.Now, he has extended his planned dates in North America, to include shows in Washington, D.C., Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, Saint Paul, Palm Springs, Denver, Austin, Dallas, and Houston.The ‘i/o’ tour is set to kick off in Krakow, Poland on May 18 ahead of further dates in Verona, Milan, Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, Amsterdam and other cities throughout that month and into June.The musician will then touch down in the UK where he’ll take to the stage at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena (June 17), The O2 in London (19), the OVO Hydro in Glasgow (22), the AO Arena in Manchester (23) and the 3Arena in Dublin (25).

Allowing bicycles on board Metrolink trams would 'cause major problems', a committee of councillors was told as transport bosses revealed plans to use a quiet siding as an off-network testing site for a 'soft trial'.

From the highest high to a crushing blow in the space of one afternoon, as Tommy Doyle fired a rocket into the top corner to book Sheffield United's place at Wembley on Sunday.

New Order have backed the #LetTheMusicMove campaign against proposed changes to US visa rules that would impact touring artists.Last month saw the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announce that it was planning to raise touring visa fees for foreign acts by more than 250 per cent.The DHS said in its proposal that applications for a P visa, which is for acts arriving in the states to perform temporarily, would increase from the current rate of $460 (£375.23) to $1,615 (£1,317). Meanwhile, the longer-term O work visa would jump from $460 (£375.23) to $1,655 (£1,349).Numerous musicians have since spoken out against the plans, saying that it would be “a huge hardship to pay such high visa fees”.

They Might Be Giants have announced a new string of UK tour dates – playing their fan favourite ‘Flood’ in full. Check out full dates and ticket details below.The UK shows come as a newly-added extension to the band’s ongoing Evening With tour, which is currently taking place across the United States.

Brazilian-born, Manchester-dwelling chef Caroline Martins is set to bring a flavour of South American pub food to the city. Her new project Rio-Mex is to open at Hatch, the food court under the Mancunian Way.

Manchester City will continue their Premier League title charge against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon and three pundits are predicting a routine win for Pep Guardiola and his star-studded team.

City's Cancelo stance

Paul Scholes believes Facundo Pellistri has shown why he deserves more minutes on the pitch after yet another exciting cameo on Thursday's win over Real Betis.

Paul Scholes has revealed that he never wants to see Erik ten Hag play Bruno Fernandes on the wing again after the Portugal international put in a stellar showing in his natural central position in Manchester United’s 4-1 Europa League win over Real Betis.