Festival Square 2023
30 Jun - 16 Jul 2023
- Date
- 30 Jun - 16 Jul 2023
Accessibility features available for this event: BSL Interpreting Wheelchair Access
The buzzing heart of MIF returned with a new riverside home.
Manchester's favourite summer hangout returned for MIF23 with a free programme of live music and performances. From late-night DJ sets and family-friendly fun, to spoken word and bands, Festival Square’s all about showing off the best talent from the city and beyond.
For the first time ever, Festival Square took over the banks of the River Irwell – Manchester’s newest outdoor space. We caught up with friends, watched new acts and picked from enough street food to keep you full all summer. Whatever you’re into, Festival Square was the place to kick back and discover what makes Manchester special.
With over 190 artists on the bill, there was truly something for everyone. Post-punk legends A Certain Ratio, disco-flavour indie rockers The Orielles and leftfield dance producer (and dancefloor-filler) Planningtorock all repped the North – alongside international heavyweights from the euphoric pop of South Africa’s Nakhane to Jools Holland favourites The Joy.
26 artists were selected from our open call – representing the next gen of Greater Manchester talent, alongside our bright and buzzing Factory Sounds cohort. And with takeovers from some of the city’s best promoters, club nights, collectives, venues and radio stations – think Band on the Wall, Brighter Sound, Reform Radio and more – the Square was a real Manchester love-in. Plus every lunchtime Tuesday to Friday, we played host to experimental classical concerts from the likes of Vulva Voce, Bothy Project, The Untold Orchestra and K'in Ensemble. It was the perfect excuse to take your lunch break and come and chill out.
The all-important food and drink came from a smorgasbord of super-talented providers. Super Serve previewed their Middle Eastern inspired menu alongside Caribbean delights from ARMR, Indian and Pakistani cuisine from Zouk, chippy teas galore from Hip Hop Chip Shop plus Ginger’s Comfort Emporium and their mouthwatering selection of ice-creams and sorbets.
Summer starts at Fezzy Square.
Factory International would like to thank Bruntwood for their sponsorship of Festival Square stage and Hawkins\Brown for their design of Festival Square.
Image: Lee Baxter
Images
Get to know the line-up
The soundtrack to your summer
Resources
Access information
Here you can find access information for Aviva Studios, our access performances and advice on content. For more information about the different types of access performances we offer, please visit our Access page. If you have specific access needs that aren’t yet addressed, please email access@factoryinternational.org prior to the event and we’ll do our best to help.
This year Festival Square is located in the outdoor spaces at Aviva Studios. The full address is Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQ and what3words is chop.feeds.chase.
There is step-free access to all areas of Festival Square. There will be a range of seating options around the space. The bars will have a lowered accessible service area.
Events on stage at Festival Square will predominantly be set up as standing gigs. There will be a dedicated accessible viewing platform with ramped access for wheelchair users and those requiring access seats, as well as a dedicated space on the flat floor close to the stage. Access to both of these areas will be available on a first come, first served basis. A member of our front of house team will be able to show you to these when you arrive.
There are accessible toilets on all public levels of the building.
A mixture of wheelchair accessible toilets with right- or left-hand transfer as well as ambulant accessible cubicles with grab rails are located in the brick arches in the Social.
There are additional accessible toilets in both Hall Foyers.
You do not need a key to use the accessible toilets.
Assistance dogs are welcome at Festival Square, and we can provide mats and water bowls on request. If you are bringing your assistance dog to Festival Square, please be mindful that there will be high noise levels at some events.
There will be BSL interpretation for selected performances on the stage in Festival Square.
BSL interpretation will be provided for the following performances:
Saturday 1 July, 5–5.30pm Cariss Auburn
BSL interpreter: Samantha Vanterpool
Sunday 2 July, 6.15–6.45pm Community Arts Northwest presents Force of Nature feat Sarah Yaseen, Emmanuela Yogolelo & Meduulla
BSL interpreter: Emma Jane Heap
Tuesday 4 July, 5–5.30pm Karis Jade
BSL interpreter: Emma Andrews
Wednesday 5 July, 5–5.30pm Chrysalid Homo
BSL interpreter: Emma Andrews
Wednesday 5 July, 7.15–8pm In Conversation with Peaches & Cheddar Gorgeous (talk)
BSL interpreter: Emma Jane Heap
Thursday 6 July, 5–5.30pm JK (spoken word)
BSL interpreter: Emma Jane Heap
Thursday 6 July, 6pm – 1am Trans Vegas Festival Square Takeover
BSL interpreter: Russ Andrews
Thursday 13 July, 3–4.30pm Reform Radio presents Mutalism (talk)
BSL interpreter: Tony Redshaw
Thursday 13 July, 5–5.30pm Nxdia
BSL interpreter: Tony Redshaw
Friday 14 July, 5–5.30pm iamkyami
BSL interpreter: Karl Llorca
Saturday 15 July 4–4.45pm Balmy Army: A Movement and Call to Action
BSL interpreters: Lizzie Wharton and Leo Freeman
Saturday 15 July 5–5.30pm Shaq Rayes
BSL interpreter: Samantha Vanterpool
Sunday 16 July 10am–1.30pm We Gather
BSL interpreters: Anthony Redshaw and Leo Freeman
Travel information
Below you can find information on how to get to Festival Square.
Festival Square can be approached along Water Street (coming from Quay Street) or along Liverpool Road (coming from Deansgate or Castlefield).
The Water Street route is the quickest way to arrive at our City Square entrance (the main entrance for Festival Square).
Our closest stations are:
Salford Central station: 0.4 miles
Deansgate station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram: 0.6 miles
St Peter’s Square tram: 0.6 miles
Manchester Victoria station is approximately one mile from Aviva Studios
Manchester Piccadilly station is approximately 1.3 miles from Aviva Studios
Click on the links above to find detailed access information for each station.
Free bus services stop at all city-centre stations, and near to Aviva Studios along Deansgate, Bridge St and Quay St. Buses on these free routes are wheelchair accessible. For full details of the free bus routes, please visit the TfGM website.
There is a car park approximately 0.6 miles from the event entrance at Water Street Car Park, New Elm Rd, Manchester, M3 4JH.
There is also a NCP car park (Manchester Spinningfields) approximately 0.5 miles away from the venue at Spinningfields, New Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3BE. It has 35 accessible bays.
There are a small number of Blue Badge spaces along Water St and Quay St. Otherwise head towards Liverpool Road, Great John St and Lower Byrom St – close to our neighbours, the Science and Industry Museum where there are a small number of additional Blue Badge spaces.
For a list of other parking bays available in the area, visit Manchester City Council website.