Saturday 18th April
Rehearsal at MAXWELL HALL
⏰ Arrive 9.30am for registration and wristband collection and beer tokens!
(look for our ushers at the car park in yellow jackets who will guide you)
Drumming starts 10am sharp!
Lunch - 1 hour 15 mins (timings tbc)
Drumming ends at 5.15 pm
Venue must be vacated by 5.30pm latest!
📍Maxwell Hall, University of Salford, The Crescent, Salford, M5 4WT.
🔎 Maxwell Hall has a rich cultural history as one of the city’s key live music venues, especially during the late 1960s–1980s. It hosted legendary acts including The Who, U2, Paul McCartney & Wings, The Smiths, Blondie, New Order, Motorhead, and many others. The venue holds a special place in Greater Manchester’s music history and is now featured in local heritage projects and digital archives exploring its legacy.
Music!
🎧 Our MD Paul Doyle will be working with Manchester callers and other UK directors to bring you a vibrant, supportive and challenging musical learning programme, Including a tune that will be 'new' to most attending - Tambor Amor, written by Stavros and recorded on the 2018 'Os Guris' CD.
This tune is an absolute banger and a joy to play, it has undergone a few upgrades since its 2018 publication, including some funky choreo which we will learn in full on the day. A video showing the percussion for the full song inclusive of recent changes will be shared with Anglophones attendees soon, along with a choreo taster of how the moves now look as a full band, this will be a key song during our performance at the Sunday gig.
Additionally, other UK directors and callers will revisit some old classics and run existing repertoire for alignment in sections. The venue does not have space for dedicated sectional time so make the most of the variety of songs that come out of the calling and chat to your section members about any differences!
Please work with our drum maintenance team to ensure your drum is tuned during rehearsal so it is ready for Sundays gig!
Refreshments at rehersal
Water fountains are available near the entrance - bring a refillable bottle!
Water and snacks such as sweets and crisps will also be made available.
🥣 Whilst there is a refectory onsite, it may be closed during rehearsal due to Saturday hire. We STRONGLY suggest bringing a packed lunch or there are the following (unchecked!) options for mid rehearsal eats, within walking distance and open on a Saturday.
Parking and travel
🚆Train - Salford Crescent (8 min walk).
🚌 Bus - The crescent (2 min walk).
🚕 Taxi - Uber is fast and cheap, or try local cab firms:
1010 Taxis: 0161 737 1010 Lynx
Taxis: 0161 483 2099
Mantax: 0161 230 3333
Mainline7s: 0161 777 7777 or 0161 228 3355. 🚗
Car - There is an onsite car park which we can access for £4 per day and some limited free street parking within walking distance. Onsite option is "Irwell Place Car Park" (Postcode M5 4WT) which is approximately a 5 min walk from Maxwell Hall.
To pay, please go to the ParkUs website, Salford University - Visitor Parking | University of Salford choose visitor parking, select the length of the parking session, make sure you scroll down the screen to find the all day tariff and you will then see the option for a ‘delegate code’ input the code "621F1C59" and proceed to payment details, the rate will then reduce the 'all day tariff' to £4. Ideally do this on the day itself.
Merch shop
Batala Manchester will have our new (never seen before) 2026 T shirts available for sale, alongside a small selection of other merch including hats, bags, jumpers, and other T shirts.
If you are the merch rep for your band and would like the opportunity to set up shop to sell official Batala Merchandise, please email projects@batalamanchester.com to find out if there is available space.
Saturday early Evening - Free time to get dinner!
⏰ 5pm - 7pm
🔎 See our hand curated top picks and recommendations for all budgets and locations on our
THE GROSVENOR
Saturday late evening
Private party upstairs at THE GROSVENOR
⏰ 7pm - 12.00am
📍137 Grosvenor Street, Manchester, M1 7DZ.
DRESS TO IMPRESS AND DON'T FORGET YOUR WRISTBAND FROM REGISTRATION FOR UPSTAIRS ACCESS & BEER TOKEN!
🔎 We have hired upstairs at The Grosvenor (very close to our original venue on Oxford Road) for a private party with free welcome drinks (we have put a large sum of money behind the bar for those that get there first!) you'll need to wear your wristband for access. Expect a vibrant, eclectic, and renovated social venue in a Grade II listed building.
🎵There will be DJs, live music, pool tables, beer pong, and a unique adult ball pit to be found in the downstairs part of the venue - Upstairs is our private space, we have the entire balcony for 200 people with a private entrance plus our own bar and toilets.
🥣 Whilst our party will not be providing food you can order meals downstairs if you didn't quite manage to tick off any places from our recommended list prior.
🚆Train - Manchester Oxford Road (4-6 min walk).
🚊 Tram - St Peters Square (10-12 min walk).
🚌 Bus - travel from Piccadilly Gardens, Piccadilly Station, and Victoria . Oxford Road is one of Manchesters main public transport corridors with services every few minutes. Look for buses that say Oxford Road on the front or use the 147, 41, 42, or similar routes for direct access.
🚕 Taxi - Uber is fast and cheap, or try local cab firms:
-
1010 Taxis: 0161 737 1010
-
Lynx Taxis: 0161 483 2099
-
Mantax: 0161 230 3333
-
Mainline7s: 0161 777 7777 or 0161 228 3355.
🚗 Car - We do not recommend driving to this event, parking near Oxford Road can be tricky because of bus gates (traffic restrictions with fines!) and limited spaces.
Urgent enquiries: projects@batalamanchester.com