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Stars in your skies: Virgin to surprise air passengers with live gigs on flights from Manchester

By Ella Murphy

Manchester flyers will be treated to surprise live gigs on Virgin Atlantic’s domestic airline Little Red in September as Sir Richard Branson hopes to provide customers with a memorable flying experience for Virgin Records 40th anniversary.

Following recent live comedy sets on Edinburgh flights for passengers en route to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, his vision has branched out to condensed acoustic live music performances which are believed to be inspired by the Manchester and Scotland music scene.

Acts will be announced next month on Virgin social media networks but flyers will remain unaware of which flights will accommodate the events.

“In true Virgin Atlantic spirit we’re doing something a little different and providing our passengers with a line-up of gigs to ensure we offer a truly unforgettable flying experience on Little Red,” remarked Richard Branson.

Virgin rail travellers using the West Coast Main Line could also have the opportunity to purchase books and have them signed by celebrity authors during their journey this autumn.

Popular comedian and author Ruby Wax along with the highly acclaimed Crime-Fiction author Jo Nesbo and British writer Joanna Trollope will begin the signing sessions, with others to be confirmed.

“Authors routinely travel the country to book signing sessions so we thought why not use the time travelling to sign some more, “ said Virgin Trains Senior communications Manager Jim Rowe.

“It is a fact: nowhere else will our authors sign books faster than on our Virgin high speed trains.”

Again passengers will be unaware if their journey will host the event with notifications being broadcast using the on-board announcement system and on Virgin Trains Facebook page.

Picture courtesy of Kuster & Wildhaber photography via Flickr, with thanks

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