FROM TINY STUDENTS' PARTY TO UK'S TOP CITY MUSIC FESTIVAL

HOW PARKLIFE GREW FROM ITS HUMBLE ORIGINS TO HOST AN AUDIENCE OF 80,000

- JENNA CAMPBELL

THE first Parklife Festival was held in Platt Fields in the summer of 2010. It's roots lay in a student festival, Mad Ferret, an end-of-year party run by students for students.

After a couple of years, its founders, realising they needed to some help and financial backing - turned to Warehouse Project boss Sacha Lord and collaborators.

A new company was formed, and the Parklife we know today, was born.

From these humble roots, it soon outgrew its old home and moved to Heaton Park, a spot with plenty of musical heritage having welcomed Oasis and Stone Roses there in the past.

Since then, it's welcomed some of the world's biggest artists, rappers and bands, and featured performances that have secured their place in the Manchester music history books.

From Snoop Dog's headline set in 2014 to Fatboy Slim's a cappella version of Don't Look Back in Anger following the terror attack at Manchester Arena, there's been many amazing moments.

In recent years, the UK's largest metropolitan festival has welcomed a variety of international and homegrown talent. In 2023, the likes of Aitch and The 1975 shared the headline spots with The Prodigy, Wu-Tang Clan and Nas, and Little Simz, while the year before saw 50 Cent, Tyler Thee Creator and Chase & Status all perform.