Manchester Icons The Chameleons Return to Middleton for a show for Community Wealth Building

Posted by on 1 Aug 2024

The Chameleons to headline at ‘Summer of M24’ at The Middleton Arena on Saturday 31st August in a show where all proceeds will go to supplying PA systems across budding venues in Middleton.

“It’s great to see the Chameleons helping to bring arts, mutual support and activism together again in Middleton’s “Summer of M24”. - Steve Coogan

Manchester post-punk icons The Chameleons, formed in 1981 out of Middleton, North Manchester, will return to their hometown for the first time in decades - to support the local music scene in the very first ‘Summer of M24 - Middleton’s Community Wealth Building Festival’.

The band have certainly enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, with huge, sold out shows at the likes of Manchester Academy 1 & The Ritz - as well the recent critically acclaimed European & USA tour.
Summer of M24 has been organised by Middleton Co-operating, a people-centred, community-led Middleton wide organisation - working together for the benefit of all the people in the M24 postcode and aiming to be Manchester’s first co-operative town.

“It’s all about doing good things in Midd” according to Mark Fraser - Founding Director of the Community Benefit Society.

“Our mantra is all about strengthening the identity of Middletonians, by acting as a catalyst organisation in M24” Mark said. “It’s about making things happen”

“We’re crazily ambitious at Middleton Co-operating, and want to promote community wealth-building in any way, shape or form. Middleton doesn’t have a proper grassroots music venue anymore. The last one was the famous Carsons Bar, which closed it’s doors in 2016 - but from the old Middleton Civic Hall, which saw bands from The Smiths to The Jam - to The Beatles playing Middleton Co-op Hall - we’ve got loads to celebrate and not many places to celebrate it!”

“So why not try to give the tools to our brilliant pubs, cafes and community centres, to turn themselves into small music venues? You can’t argue with that can you? This is the perfect way to encourage and nurture Middleton’s next generation of musicians. Fair play to The Chameleons”

Mark Burgess, original member of the band along with Reg Smithies, explains why the band are embarking on such a homecoming:

“We’re really looking forward to playing Middleton at the end of August. It’s not just any gig for us, it’s where it all started in our hometown. Teaming up with some fresh local talent for an all

Middleton lineup to support rebuilding our town’s music scene. Proceeds will go towards sound equipment for local pubs, cafes and community centres, turning them into the music venues Middleton deserves. Come out, enjoy the music and be part of something bigger”.

Middleton born comedy legend, Steve Coogan, has also expressed his support for the show - having spoken at Middleton Arena himself recently, as part of the Middleton Co-operating Launch in April.

“Middleton has a rich heritage in the arts as well as in community activism. From local writer and poet Sam Bamford leading 6,000 Middleton people to Peterloo in 1819, to Jim Allen’s plays and Raining Stones, to the music of the Mock Turtles and the Courteeners, we have a heritage to celebrate - and it’s great to see the Chameleons helping to bring arts, mutual support and activism together again in Middleton’s “Summer of M24”.

In the all Middleton line up - The Chameleons are supported by the rising rock 5-piece, Kaiden Nolan & his band, fresh from a successful Glastonbury set in June, young indie rockers Oscar Bryant &
The Bluebirds who recently headlined Manchester’s iconic Night & Day Cafe, along with 5 piece rock band Fiasco Jam (who recently released their debut EP , Broken Bridges) and Ska/Rap duo The

Specialist Regiment also support. Tickets are priced at £33+booking fee and can be found at www.middleton.coop