Those Who Hold Up The Sky at Aviva Studios

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Those Who Hold Up the Sky
Image courtesy of BRiGHTBLACK X FUSION FACTORY.

BRiGHTBLACK X FUSION FACTORY present Those Who Hold Up The Sky at Aviva Studios, Manchester 28 February — 2 March 2025 Entrance is free — Visit now

Gaming meets live performance in Those Who Hold Up The Sky, a playable art installation by artists BRiGHTBLACK and Fusion Factory – a creative collective of Greater Manchester residents.

Receiving its world premiere in Aviva Studios’ North Warehouse, this free installation – for all ages – invites ‘players’ to build their own future city. Unique and wonderfully interactive, it’s time to get creative and become part of the revolution. Seize the opportunity to remix Manchester through this immersive city-building experience.

A world of physical and virtual play awaits in an alternative and futuristic Manchester setting. Imagine a world where an underground movement has managed to access the city’s network – changing everything from adverts and murals to monuments and street names. Imaginative and innovative, it’s time to remodel Manchester and you’re invited to join the movement.

Offering a blend of interactive digital and physical activity, Those Who Hold Up The Sky features an evocative soundscape, gaming stations and hands-on making stations, where players can design their own ideas for the city. Plus, everything created – whether digital or hand-made – will make its way into the game for future players to interact with.

With Greater Manchester at its heart, we love that this installation is completely free to experience and that it has been co-created by Fusion Factory, a group of proud Greater Manchester creatives and residents. Together with Simon Wilkinson and Myra Appannah of BRiGHTBLACK, Fusion Factory have come together to build this new artwork for the people and communities of Manchester.

So whether you want to unleash your imagination through adventure and play, or just explore creative ideas and hang out, there are plenty of ways to experience Those Who Hold Up The Sky at Aviva Studios.

BRiGHTBLACK X FUSION FACTORY present Those Who Hold Up The Sky at Aviva Studios, Manchester 28 February — 2 March 2025 Entrance is free Visit now

Accessibility

  • British Sign Language
  • Captioned
  • Relaxed

What's on at Aviva Studios

Wake at Aviva Studios: Man dances in a mesh crop top and gold shorts with purple and white irridescent lights in front of an audience.
DanceManchester
Wake at Aviva Studios

Expect wild acrobatics, outrageous cabaret and electrifying variety when acclaimed Irish sensation THISISPOPBABY come to play at Aviva Studios.

from £10.00
Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream,  standing in front of a postbox in a black and white photo with a dripping red paint effect.
MusicCity Centre
Primal Scream at Aviva Studios

Following the release of their 12th album, Come Ahead, the iconic Glasgow band Primal Scream perform in the Warehouse space at Aviva Studios.

from £39.50
Cycles at Aviva Studios: Boy Blue in dynamic poses, wearing coordinated streetwear outfits, performing against a dark background.
DanceManchester
Cycles at Aviva Studios

Exploring the beauty of movement its euphoric connection to music, the Olivier Award winning hip hop dance company, Boy Blue return with a brand-new show.

from £10.00

Where to go near Those Who Hold Up The Sky at Aviva Studios

Castlefield
Event venue
Old Granada Studios

Manchester’s old Granada Studios is an iconic piece of the city’s history and home to Sidney Bernstein’s television empire.

Castlefield
Restaurant
The Loft Manchester

Smart event space in the building previously occupied by Walkabout, and now host to all manner of exciting one-off happenings

Manchester Opera House by Phil Tragen
City Centre
Theatre
Manchester Opera House

A commercial touring theatre, the Manchester Opera House is reopening in August 2021, all set to host the city’s finest mainstream theatrical productions, music gigs, opera and ballet.

City Centre
Music venue
Low Four Studio

Old Granada Studios has announced Low Four: a new studio and music project that will stream and archive live music performance as part of a new generation of music TV programming. The inclusion of a viewing balcony also means that these recordings, along with special events and concerts, will be made open to a few […]

Manchester
Restaurant
20 Stories

High-end restaurant and cocktail bar, with stunning views of the Manchester skyline.

Manchester
Gallery
Smolensky Gallery

This appointment-only gallery is a hidden gem in Manchester. Art lovers and collectors can browse many high quality pieces.

What's on: Activity

Craft Beer Tour Around Manchester
Until
ActivityManchester
Craft Beer Tour Manchester

Join Craft Beer Tour Manchester for a journey through some of the cities best local breweries and artisanal beer serving bars. Discover the personality of Manchester’s beer through a diverse range of pints.

from £35
Until
ActivityManchester
Floating Art Workshops

Join expert teacher Ula for relaxed painting workshops that will have you creating work you can be proud of, no matter your level of artistic experience.

from £24.30

Culture Guides

FKA TWIGS
Music in the North

Masters of minimalism, leftfield electronica and cutting edge pop. We bring you the lot in our latest live music round up.

The Super Duper Family Festival
Family things to do in the North

We might be past the holiday season, but Manchester and the North's arts and cultural calendar is still packed with brilliant events and activities for families

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Documentary performance, groundbreaking dance, world premieres and fresh takes on classic works - check out our early theatre highlights for 2025.

A painting of a young child being bathed in a sink of a 197s style kitchen. Around the sink are a rubber duck, a bottle of  washing up liquid, a jug, a kettle and a mug.
Exhibitions in the North

Galleries are racing to announce new exhibitions so check out our top picks, from art films and nostalgic paintings to Hockney's collages.

A man and a woman stood in front of a window at night look into each others' eyes
Cinema in the North

Hollywood greats and early bird film fest tickets are on our horizon as we start the New Year.