Hip hop, house, spoken word, and rave collide in the hands of one wildly charismatic Mancunian - Antony Szmierek, live on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
The past few years have been a whirlwind: he cut his teeth on Manchester’s spoken-word scene, earning a reputation for a seamless flow that slices through the mess of modern British life while finding unexpected beauty in the everyday, then got to be recognized on the streets.
“Fundamentally British yet beautifully universal” DIY *****
Nostalgic beats and smooth indie riffs meet introspective lyrics that provide comfort and show a way out of spiralling thoughts through intricate wordplay. In the backstreets of indie and rap, poetry slams and illegal house raves, Szmierek is currently assembling the sound of the present.
“lyrics that plenty of post-punk bands would dream of penning are backed up by chameleonic, club-tastic soundscapes” NME ****
Originally released earlier this year to a wave of five-star reviews, the expanded edition of his album “Service Station at the End of the Universe” features fan-favourite singles ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Fallacy,’ ‘The Great Pyramid of Stockport,’ ‘Yoga Teacher,’ and ‘Angie’s Wedding,’ alongside two new tracks: ‘That Face You Make When It’s Raining’ and ‘Girlypops.’
The earworming record soon found its way onto the BBC 6 Music airwaves and led Szmierek to be named an Artist of the Year 2023 by the station and a Time Out Artist to Watch in 2024. There followed appearances on Later… with Jools Holland, a BBC Radio 1 Maida Vale session, Reading & Leeds, Eurosonic, SXSW and multiple triumphant Glastonbury sets that brought a flurry of comparisons: to the pavement prose of The Streets, the poetry of John Cooper Clarke if he found himself at the Haçienda, or like Jarvis Cocker for the UK Garage generation.
He also toured across the UK & Europe as support for Faithless, before embarking on a run of his own sold-out headline tour dates.
“Szmierek has this wonderful talent of finding profound beauty in the mundane and lavishing life’s inherent romance with a torrent of superlatives: all over a tight series of poppy hooks, flashes of garage and deep dancefloor beats” Indie Is Not A Genre *****
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OPENING ACT:
Diana Căldăraru - a Romanian artist blending traditional elements of soul and R&B with a contemporary, personal touch, enriching her sound with vibrant and lush harmonies on the piano.
After spending the last four years making music in the Netherlands, Diana decided to return to Romania and release her debut EP. The first single, Going Nowhere, is already available on all streaming platforms.
Her repertoire includes both classic soul and R&B tracks, as well as original compositions that showcase her unique vision and creativity. Through deep and personal lyrics, Diana explores themes of love, vulnerability, intimacy, and self-discovery, offering her audience an immersive musical experience.
With her charisma and stage presence, Diana brings a special energy to her live performances. She engages with the audience, creating an intimate atmosphere where every listener feels connected and part of the story she tells through her music.
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Tickets:
75 lei + taxes • Presale
95 lei + taxes • General sale
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* Children ages 12 and under are not allowed.
** Children up to 16 years old need a valid ticket and must be accompanied by a parent with a valid ticket.
*** Minors aged 16 to 18 years old have access with a valid ticket.
**** Serving and alcohol consumption are strictly forbidden for all minors.