Oxford road café and bar, Kro Bar, is taking over a disused warehouse in Trafford to create a pop – up live music venue for football fans attending the Manchester United home match against Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.

The disused warehouse near Old Trafford Metrolink station will serve food and drinks from 11am until 8pm on Sunday December 11.

The event on Warwick Road South, just a few yards from the Metrolink

KroBar- permission from boss at Kro Bar
Kro Bar

station, will have security staff on duty and toilet facilities on site.

Entertainment for football fans to enjoy will be provided by Stretford rap/acoustic band Prose and DJ Jay Ellis.

Kro Bar boss Mark Ruby said: “We’ve successfully run pop – up bars at other events and think there is a real opportunity to provide entertainment as well as drinks and food to fans attending matches at Old Trafford.

“It should be a great atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

“We’ve never done a pop – up at this venue before but this is the first of what we hope will become a regular event on match days. It’s also a great opportunity to showcase emerging Manchester bands to a wider audience.”

KroBar previous event- permission from boss at Kro Bar
A pop – up bar at a previous venue, Picture via bar owner Mark Ruby

The entertainment has been arranged by independent Manchester music label, Concrete Recordings.

Mark Concrete from Concrete recordings believes that football can benefit up – and – coming bands.

He said: “One of the biggest problems in the up – and – coming gig world is getting people through the door to watch them.

 

“My thinking with Kro Bar’s pop up is that people will definitely come due to the football traffic – we’re slap bang next to Old Trafford Metrolink Station where approximately 10,000 fans arrive for each game.”

Football has a history of being great supporters of up – and coming – bands such as The Enemy – endorsed by Coventry F.C and Manchester’s own Courteeners, receiving support and exposure from Premier League side Old Trafford.

Mark added: “Manchester United fans provided great support for The Courteeners on their climb up Rock Mountain so I think it should be a good fit.

prose 1- image credit facebook
Prose, Photo via Facebook

“I picked Prose for the opening day after seeing them support The Enemy along with Concrete band Orphan Boy. I was very impressed, they’re Stretford lads, big Reds and I think have the stage presence that’ll be needed in the match day environment.”

Prose are made up of cousins Mike Murray and David Stone and guitarist friend Lee Royle.

They released their debut single ‘What If’ in 2015 on Virgin Records and their debut album ‘Home of the Brave’ in July this year. The trio have also just returned from a 12 – date UK tour.

David, from the band commented on how they felt about the performance: “We’re really excited about playing at the game!

“The atmosphere is always great around the Old Trafford ground on match days an we’re excited to be a part of that and bring a bit of music to it.

“We grew up practically behind the stadium so it’s in our neck of the woods which is going to be cool too.”

He added: “We have played at the Etihad stadium a few times they have a stage there but we are all Manchester United fans through and through so it’s really exciting to play this one at Old Trafford.”

The Kro Bar event will take place on Sunday December 11, from 11am at 1pm Winwick Road South, Stretford.

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