Flyer:
http://www.deadoralive.net/newsite/n..._GT_hlf_pg.pdf
Ready for Burns night?
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/
POPTASTIC'S 12th birthday is looming, which is enough to put even the committed partygoer on their guard, famed as the night is for its unbridled hedonism.
Taking place at its occasional second home outside of the Gay Village, The Birdcage, it is the opportunity for promoter and gad-about town John Hamilton to open things out a bit and up the Poptastic game for one night only.
In this case by inviting the formidable Pete Burns to perform at PA in front of Poptastic's legendary crowd of indie pop tykes. Lambs to the slaughter one might say. CityLife's advice? Don't look him in the eye.
Burns is without doubt one of this country's true divas. His background is now a thing of legend and turns on Celebrity Big Brother and Pete Burns' PA have proven him to be a formidable opponent of pretty much anyone choosing to get in his way. Prone to making mincemeat of anyone who argues with him, could the Poptastic gang have bitten off more than they can chew here?
"Pete is actually more a perfectionist than anything else," explains the esteemed Mr Hamilton of his superstar special guest. "He just wants everything to be right. So yes, we are pulling out all the stops to make things as smooth as possible but it's going to be worth it, isn't it?"
No doubt. Burns is still a terrific performer as reports of his recent turn at G.A.Y. will attest.
Hell For Leather
"I first met Pete quite accidentally," continues John. "He'd been at Pride one year and after a no doubt provocative evening out found himself at a night I was doing called Hell For Leather, where we gave him and his entourage the full VIP treatment, even convincing him to take to the stage at Pride again the next day. So getting him on for Poptastic seemed perfect... not to mention possible."
Poptastic is having something of a second summer at the moment with the Saturday night bash even eclipsing Tuesday's more student vibe. Nights of its size and aesthetic are big news in the city and Clique and Key Money Lipstick are fine examples of Manchester's new wave of cool pop clubbing - and it's safe to say owe something of a debt to Hamilton's trailblazing night.
"Everything goes in cycles," says John. "Our job is to stay ahead, not get too fashionable and keep listening to what the regulars want. For example, for Tuesday's birthday we have two great bands Daggers and Salty Lips playing which are both great up-and-coming bands. We like to strike a balance between keeping things fun and keeping things cool."
There's no denying Pete Burns is the shining star of this particular party and tickets for the event are going as quickly as you'd expect. "
Judging be the e-mails we've had, people are traveling from far and wide to the party," says John. "We've even had one guy planning to come over from New York. Well, you never know..."
