I just bumped into the Manchizzle in Magma bookshop on Oldham Street, where she reminded me that the benefit gig for victims of the Dale Street fire is taking place this Sunday, June 3. The event’s Northern Quarter-based organisers, Ear to the Ground, have only gone and called it Burnt to the Ground!

The Manchizzle’s already said all that needs to be said about it so, in the true spirit of originality, here’s one blogger quoting another blogger:

The best part is that the Arthur Brown, he of The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, will be performing his scary 1968 song “Fire.” Also performing will be a whole slew of musical acts including… Mr Scruff, The Unabombers (who’ve graciously put up with their 24 Lever St. offices being the alternate entrance for the entire building for weeks), Polytechnic, Broke n’ English, Marc Riley, Rita & Sue, Magic Arm, Peter & the Wolf, The Mekkits and the deejay stylings of clans Fat City, Tramp, El Diablo, Rockers, Jayne Compton, Solja and Flotsam & Jetsam. Loads of these people work in or around the buildings, or are otherwise connected with them.

Burnt to the Ground runs from 4pm til 11pm and even if only a fraction of the square’s 5,000 capacity pay the £2 suggested donation then I’m sure a lot of fire-affected people will be much happier than they are today.