Following on from the success of Found’s Red Bank Arch party the lifestyle brand launched Sundown Sessions to continue the promotion of Manchester’s finest musical talents.
This time Found opted for a more mellow setting on the last day of summer and Sundown Sessions saw a live string quartet performing covers of classic songs by some of Manchester’s greatest bands like Oasis, The Smiths and The Stone Roses.
Hosted in Angel Meadow Park, some guests chose to grab a picnic blanket and sit with friends, though seating and blankets were also provided.
The scenery was beautiful, with the musicians and the seating area illuminated in candlelight.
The event kicked off with The Verve’s Bittersweet Symphony, the classic string opening to the song set the tone for what was a magical evening. We were completely captivated by the talent of the musicians throughout the night.
Audiences were thrilled to hear Oasis songs scattered throughout the evening from Champagne Supernova to Wonderwall, hearing these hits in such a stunning setting softened the blow of not getting any Heaton Park tickets.
The music was accompanied with food and drink provided by Fairfield Social. Though I thought £12 for a Gyros –the only food option I saw available – was relatively expensive, the drink selection was extensive and the bar itself matched the cozy vibe of the event.
The staff accommodated for all guests and were extremely helpful, answering any questions guests might have about the evening’s events. They were ready to take pictures of you and your friends to remember the occasion and handed out disposable cameras at the beginning so you could take some of your own through a new lens.
As the sun set and the evening grew colder, we reached an interval section where people were able to chat about the 45 minutes of entertainment. My guest and I echoed how we felt the whole evening, specifically the music, had been ‘very Bridgeton’ – something I heard echoed in conversations around me.
The night came to an end as the string group returned to wrap up the evening with more popular hits, including the Bee Gees’ How Deep Is Your Love and Elbow’s One Day Like This.
The musicians were occasionally joined in song by a very noisy tram track just behind the park, which occasionally was a cause of irritation, but a worthy sacrifice for a relatively quiet park in the centre of town.
This is just one of Found’s events taking place this year, with a jam-packed Autumn calendar.
The idea behind the events is to provide a space for the community and to celebrate culture with friends and families. Future events include halloween specials like Silentology – a silent horror film night.
Organisers also hope to make the event a tradition in Manchester’s social calendar, so if you missed it this time, you may get your chance again!
It truly did feel like an evening to applaud Manchester’s cultural heritage and honour its legacy, by reinventing some classic music – through classical music. This unique experience which brought together many different groups of people is one I will be talking about for months to come, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for its return.
Visit Found’s website here to find out more.
Featured image: Alanah Hammond
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