Event | Festival

June 6, 2024, 5:45 pm - June 6, 2024, 9:00 pm

DAY 1: Thursday 6th June 2024 – Opening Night Launch Party

We are excited to announce the Opening Night Launch Party will take place at the Whitworth. All welcome!

The Whitworth , M15 6ER

The Whitworth hosts a very special Thursday Late, celebrating the launch of Universally Manchester Festival & Manchester Histories Festival 2024.

One ground breaking opening night, four new original commissions…a unique showcase of music marking 200 years of The University Manchester in collaboration with festival partner Manchester Histories Festival 2024.

Watch everything from three world premieres of new music by composer and alumnus Tom Coult and PhD students Atefeh Einali and Renaldo Ramai, each inspired by Manchester’s history of broadside ballads, migration and a stunning homage to the Nobel Prize winners of The University of Manchester, performed by five exceptional members of the BBC Philharmonic .

Lose yourself in an immersive soundscape celebrating the legacies of Manchester computing genius Alan Turing and music pioneer Delia Derbyshire, whose archive is held at the John Rylands Research Institute and Library. Created by Manchester-based “sonic enchantress” (BBC Radio 3) electronic musician Caro C and visual artist Elisa Artesero, with students from The University of Manchester, the piece will stimulate all the senses, taking you on an unforgettable journey of discovery.
Explore the exhibition galleries and shop until 9pm, and the The Whitworth cafe for cakes and refreshments until 8pm.
This is a free event, open to all – and there’s no need to book.
Manchester Histories Festival 2024 is a four-day programme from 6 – 9 June 2024, full of events, including live music, performances, talks, showcases, walking tours, crafts, and more.
This year, the biennial festival is partnered with The University of Manchester and Manchester Met, both 200 years old in 2024.