In his latest column, Tameside Radio's presenter writes about the return of Manchester's real rock n roll tv!

It’s almost four years since a group of Manchester’s finest creatives teamed up to launch MMTV Manchester.

Anton Pell and Karl Power, top promoters in their own right, launched the online show that featured guests and live performances from the world of music, sport, and the arts, as well as sharing the stories of some of the most inspirational people you could ever find. All with a connection to Greater Manchester. 

Many others tried to imitate MMTV, but it was MMTV that captured the real, raw spirit and attitude of the city and its suburbs. 

In front of a live studio audience, some of the city’s favourite bands played live, like Twisted Wheel, Scuttlers, Alias Kid, The Winachi Tribe, and hundreds more, far too many to mention. 

Musical icons including Shaun Ryder, Rowetta, Bez, Tom Hingley and Jonny Brown were guests on the show, as were sporting, television, and radio stars such as Tommy Fury, Macauley McGowan, Anthony Crolla, Jon Macken, Jimmy Wagg, and The Magic Mod. 

Some of the city’s favourite and most inspirational people, such as artist Justin Eagleton, boxer and broadcaster Stacey Copeland, poet JB Barrington, and drummer Simon Wolstencroft told their stories. 

It really was the complete, and perfect package for a Manchester TV show. I’ve been honoured to host each episode, and can honestly say it’s been one of the highlights of my career, meeting so many amazing, life changing people, all who have a story to tell of their own.  

In March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic came and stopped our lives. It’s safe to say it’s been the worst two years possible for anybody in entertainment and hospitality. 

But during the first year of the pandemic, MMTV kept many of us sane. Shows with guidelines were still broadcast, but without a full studio audience, and two reduced capacity events took place at Manchester’s Irish Heritage Centre. 

Once again it was MMTV giving Greater Manchester some sort of normality. When the lockdown started to feel like it was never ending, the time came for MMTV to take a break. 

It’s been missed, and not a week’s gone by where people haven’t been asking for its return. Fast forward to 2022 and the announcement was made that it’s back! Under its new name of Mancunia TV, the relaunch took place at Manchester’s Off The Square venue.

The night was once again filmed in front of a live studio audience, and will be released next weekend. 

Guests for the relaunch event included live music from M60 and Lucigenic, art from Justin Eagleton, spoken word from Leon The Pig Farmer, a special feature from legendary Mancunian MC Tunes, and interviews with music icons Clint Boon and Si Wolstencroft, and the brilliant Debbie Ellis. 

Put together by Anton Pell and Georgina Robinson, with production by Audioface, and sound by Crash Audio, the relaunch of Mancunia TV was a great night, and it was a pleasure to once again be the show’s presenter. 

It really is real life, rock n roll TV at its very best. For more information, follow MancuniaTV on social media, and to be part of the studio audience, turn up at Manchester’s Off The Square for the next recording, on Wednesday 30 March at 7pm and we’ll see you there! Manchester’s real rock n roll tv is back.

You can listen to Dave on Tameside Radio 103.6FM on Monday evenings from 7pm to 9pm. Click here to subscribe and catch up on previous shows.

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