Tim Burgess’ Manchester Merch Market to take over ‘The Tunnel Of Love’ as Everything Everything and more join list of artists involved

Tim Burgess has expanded his forthcoming Manchester Merch Market event.

• READ MORE: Soundtrack Of My Life: Tim Burgess

The forthcoming event, where bands can sell their merchandise for free and keep 100 per cent of the income, is set to take place on Sunday May 25.

It will see the soloist and Charlatans frontman deliver a live headline set at the multi-venue market, which builds on the success of his Vinyl Adventures record fair in the city back in 2021.

Participating venues the O2 Ritz Manchester, Gorilla and Dog Bowl – all within a one-minute walk of each other – will feature stalls, live performances, DJ sets, on-stage interviews and panels.

Now, Burgess has expanded the event with ‘The Tunnel Of Love’, which is a railway arch between the latter two venues and originally named after Fun Boy Three 1983 song.

Late band member and The Specials frontman Terry Hall’s piano will also be on hand at the venue for guests to perform on, according to Burgess.

He said: “Originally our plans were to use The O2 Ritz, Gorilla and Dog Bowl but we went to Manchester City Council to ask if we could include ‘The Tunnel Of Love’ – the railway arch between Gorilla and Dog Bowl – they said yes, so it’ll be blocked off to traffic and we’ll have a stage, ace food an old fire engine that’s now a bar everything kicks off from 11am until late – our friends at Tonic Music (Mental Health Charity) will be joining us at The Merch Market.”

Burgess added: “They then told me that they had been presented with Terry Hall’s piano after his death, and that they could bring it along for guests to play, in The Tunnel Of Love – Terry was a good friend. It was such a beautiful gesture – so many amazing things are happening.”

The Charlatans man also confirmed that a host of new artists have signed up for the event including Everything Everything, Penfriend, Cabbage, Red Stains, Wax. Tree. Cast, Dirty Laces, Hannah Ashcroft and more.

Family members of the late Nell Smith will also be hosting a stall in aid of the teen-artist’s memorial fund, while Music Glue, Sonic Boom Festival, Route Publishing and Analogue Trash will also be in attendance.

Burgess will have his own stall during the day, selling merch and rarities that he’s collected over the years. He’ll have five Charlatans ‘Sproston Green’ sports bags on sale too, before they are available to order.

Lots of bands who can’t make it will also be sending merchandise that fans may have missed out on, including Doves, Pulp, The Vaccines and Stiff Little Fingers.

Artists and manufacturers who are interested in getting involved with the Merch Market can sign up to request a stall. You can do so via the Help Us Help Bands website. Volunteers also wishing to help out, can email erpr@ogenesisrecordings.com.

The post Tim Burgess’ Manchester Merch Market to take over ‘The Tunnel Of Love’ as Everything Everything and more join list of artists involved appeared first on NME.