| Manchester v Cancer | - biggest charity fundraising gig in Manchester
- artists include Badly Drawn Boy, The Charlatans
- Venue: MEN Arena, Manchester
- Date: 28 January 2006
- to raise £1m for Christie Hospital
- Ticket sales to be announced
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Pick up the papers, and there’s no shortage of worthy causes around the world – Darfur, New Orleans, the tsunami-hit countries. But cancer affects nearly every family in Manchester – and there's a massive cancer hospital on our doorstep. When Andy Rourke heard that his manager’s sister and father had both been recently diagnosed with the disease, he was moved to do something. Like raising a million quid for Christie Hospital.
 | | A million quid for the Christie |
“It’s so close to home. I can see how it’s devastated his family. And it could happen to anyone.” The idea of a charity concert started forming. Picking up the phone to friends, Andy found that every band or artist he spoke to had been touched in some way by cancer – and wanted to help. And when you’ve got the greatest Manchester musicians of the past two decades in your phonebook, you’ve got the makings of something special. | "Different musicians are going to play with different bands or play different songs in a way that you’ll never see or hear again" | | Andy Rourke, formerly of The Smiths |
The Charlatans, Badly Drawn Boy, Peter Hook (New Order) and Mani (Stone Roses & Primal Scream) all signed up immediately. Doves, Elbow and Nine Black Alps are checking their diaries. There are strong rumours that at least one enormous band will reform. And a 'famous comedian' is doing the compering. (Peter Kay by any chance?) Andy says it’s going to be an extra special event: “I don’t want to give too much away but there are going to be some amazing collaborations. Different people are going to play with different bands or play different songs in a way that you’ll never see again.” He added that if it takes off, he’d like it to be an annual event. “It could be like an Andy Rourke invitational… maybe not for Christie next time but something else.”
 | | Confirmed: Badly Drawn Boy |
Demand for tickets is expected to be huge. A DVD spin-off will help push the fundraising towards the magic million. And the MEN Arena has agreed to stage the concert at a knockdown price. But to get the concert off the ground, organisers need around £150,000. Andy says they're still looking for major sponsors to come on board. “It’s going OK but it could be a lot better. Anyone, whatever they can do to help, just get in touch via the website:
Even if it’s just someone who wants to distribute flyers, but obviously we’re looking for big sponsors. It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime thing to get involved with. It’s going to be special.” Toni Leden, Appeals Director at Christie said: "Everyone at the Christie is extremely excited about the concert and we're absolutely delighted that some of the biggest names in the music industry are giving up the time to support our cause - it is a massive coup for us!" Manchester v Cancer on 28 January 2006, MEN Arena in Manchester. Ticket sales to be announced | 
