They’re offering the opposite of a late night city centre gig
Popular bar and music venue Cuckoo(Image: Drew Wilby)
A group of live music lovers are bringing gigs out of the city centre and into ‘the ‘burbs’ to make them more accessible.
With many gig venues being in the city centre and involving late nights, one community group felt they weren’t inclusive and often meant parents with young children were excluded from attending.
Determined to change that, Live at the ‘Wich Trials was born, a collective staging live gigs in Prestwich – the next one being this Saturday, September 19, when Salford band Super Market takes to the stage at Cuckoo from 1pm.
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“We are a community group, made up of a few local mates, our families and anyone else we can rope in,” said mum Chi Knott.
“We started putting on gigs in September 2025 after talking about it for a long time. We also get a lot of support from folk from the Greater Manchester music scene in an advisory or technical capacity. It’s a really supportive and creative scene here.”
She added: “We’re all ages, aimed at anyone who wants to enjoy live music locally without having to commit to a late night – whether regular gig-goers, bringing the kids to their first live gig, or folk simply looking for something fun to do on a Saturday afternoon.
“We’re all gig lovers and feel passionately that they should also be happening out of the city and within reach of communities.
“We put them on in the afternoon so all ages can come. Not everyone wants or can do a late night and we also want people to be able to bring their kids. We also feel strongly it should be a proper gig, with good sound. It isn’t a baby rave.”
Chi said there are lots of ‘amazing’ independent businesses in Prestwich which should be championed, especially Cuckoo, with its ‘excellent’ cake, coffee, cocktails and beer.
Salford alt pop duo Super Market will headline the afternoon, combining their ‘unique blend of house, pop, indie, post-punk and hip-hop with their brilliantly tongue-in-cheek business persona’.
The event, running from 1pm to 4pm, will also feature DJs Howard and Alex, alongside face painting and arts and crafts for younger music fans.
Live at the ‘Wich Trials is made up of Chi alongside Jules James, Katherine Hollinson, Ali Lowe, C-J Gifford, Sinead Rylance, Alex Colbeck, Howard James and Gary Lowe.
Tickets for Saturday’s gig cost £10 for adults and £5 for under 14s and are available on the website here. Babes in arms go free.
