They're 211 miles apart and have very different accents, but an event celebrating the return of live gigs is set to bring Margate and Manchester together in a way only music can.

Manchester by the Sea will see a battle of the bands-style live music event staged at Margate's Olby's, featuring two giants of the Mancunian music scene from the 80s and 90s.

Local bands The Joneses, a tribute to The Smiths, and Slide Oasis - an Oasis tribute act - will come together for the first in what is expected to be a series of events under the title.

Aidan Sheridan - Morrissey frontman of The Joneses - said the project had come about as the band had grown over the last four years, working with Eli Thompson from Olby's Soul Cafe in King Street, Margate.

They played their first gig at the venue back in 2017, when they were looking to find out what following a tribute to the cult band would have.

He said: "We have slowly developed the band in those years to what we now believe is one of the best Smiths and Morrissey tribute bands in the UK. Much of the journey has been supported by Eli as both a mentor and a business colleague.

"As our relationship developed with Olby’s we reached a point where we began discussing ways to improve the live experience at the club. The Manchester by the Sea theme is the first outcome."

The first gig, with Slide Oasis, on Saturday, November 13, will also include an indie disco after the bands and two local DJs, Zeke Lownds and Jason Richardson, from 11.30pm to 2am.

He said: "We think these events will bring a sense of fun to the live scene at Margate; offering low-cost tickets to bands playing the music of UK greats. We have already had a terrific response to this collaboration, and are looking forward to a very lively evening at Olby’s."

The Joneses are also working with a range of other venues in Thanet including The Churchill Tavern, The Tom Thumb Theatre and the Fez and looking at staging further gigs.

The first Manchester by the Sea event on Saturday, November 13, starts at 8pm, with doors opening from 7pm.

For tickets at £10, click here.

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