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EVERY WEEK A WHOLE NEW BATCH OF EXCITING GIGS GO ON SALE, SO WE’VE PICKED OUT OUR HOT TICKETS AND HIGHLIGHTS
THERE’S a jam-packed schedule for music lovers this spring, as artists flock to the cultural hotspot that is Manchester. This week, there’s a whole host of tickets on sale, from Barenaked Ladies, ex-Oasis star Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds, and the chart-topping OneRepublic.
You can also grab tickets to see street dance troupe Diversity work their magic, comedian Peter Kay at his Dance For Life charity show, unique four-piece Confidence Man, and British alternative rock band, The Sherlocks.
Tickets are also on sale for Scottish raised singer-songwriter James Gillespie and American artist Beck, who are heading to Manchester in the summer.
Take a look below for all you need to know about grabbing a ticket – or two – to see these fantastic live shows.
Barenaked Ladies, Manchester O2 Ritz, Sunday, April 5
The pop-rock band will be in Manchester next month on their 2020 UK tour, following the success of their sold-out 2018 tour.
Accompanied by friend and touring colleague, Boothby Graffoe, the Canadian band – consisting of vocalist and guitarist Ed Robertson, drummer Tyler Stewart, keyboardist Kevin Hearn and bassist Jim Creeggan – will play nine shows across the UK.
Speaking of the upcoming tour, Ed Robertson said: “We’re excited to be returning to the UK, one of our favourite places to tour.”
Over the course of their remarkable career, Barenaked Ladies have sold more than 15 million albums, written multiple top 20 hits, earned two Grammy nominations and even had a Ben and Jerry’s ice-cream named after one of their songs - ‘If I Had 1,000,000 Flavours’.
In 2018, the band were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, and Toronto Mayor John Tory declared October 1 to be ‘Barenaked Ladies Day’.
● Tickets are on sale now.
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Manchester O2 Apollo, Tuesday and Wednesday, March 24 and 25
Following the release of the new EP, Blue Moon Rising, last week, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds are getting ready for their run of live UK shows this month. The band will be playing two shows in Noel’s home city of Manchester before moving to London’s Royal Albert Hall as part of the Teenage Cancer Trust benefit concerts that are running that week.
The new EP features the latest single, Wandering Star, as well as new songs Come On Outside and the EP’s namesake, Blue Moon Rising, of which there are also remix versions.
Other live shows that the band are set to play include a number of dates in June, when they will be visiting London again, in addition to Bristol, Suffolk, Staffordshire and Nottinghamshire.
● Tickets are on sale now.
OneRepublic, Manchester O2 Apollo, Wednesday, October 14
This autumn, the Grammy nominated OneRepublic will embark on a European tour in support of their upcoming studio album. Beginning in October, the tour will see the band visit Manchester, Glasgow and London.
Since their inception, OneRepublic have enjoyed great commercial success, with the multi-platinum selling single, Apologize, on their debut album, as well as other hit singles and albums, most notably the chart-topping Counting Stars.
Set to be released later this year, the new album will be the band’s fifth offering – their first since 2016’s Oh My My, having teased with 2019 singles, Rescue Me and Wanted.
Alongside OneRepublic, singer-songwriter and frontman Ryan Tedder has been working on various projects, co-writing the Jonas Brothers’ comeback album and penning hits for Camila Cabello, Pink, 5 Seconds of Summer, and Sam Smith.
● Tickets are on sale now.
Diversity, Manchester Palace Theatre, Thursday, May 13, 2021
Following nine sold-out UK tours, the hugely popular Diversity have announced one of their biggest UK tours to date, beginning March 2021.
It has been more than 10 years since Diversity first took the nation by storm as the winner of Britain’s Got Talent’s third series, and, over the years, the group have continued to amaze audiences worldwide with their innovative live tours and television performances.
Following their critically acclaimed 2019 Born Ready tour, the new Connected tour, created by principal choreographer Ashley Banjo, will centre around the world of social media, the internet, the digital era we live in, and how it connects us all.
Ashley said: “Every year that goes by, and every time we get to create a new touring show, I cannot believe we are still lucky enough to get to do this.
“But even after all this time, we are still growing, and this new decade and new chapter for Diversity is sure to be something even more special than the last.”
In addition to the two shows they are scheduled to perform at Manchester Palace Theatre next year, the dance sensation has just announced an extra show on May 13, 2021 to cater for demand.
● Tickets for this additional show go on sale today at 10am.
Peter Kay’s Dance For Life, Manchester Central, Friday and Saturday, April 10 and 11, 2020
The incredibly successful charity dance-a-thon is coming to Manchester for the first time next month, raising money for Cancer Research UK.
The shows will see Manchester
Central transformed to accommodate enormous dance floors over the Easter weekend, featuring state-of-the-art sound and lights, as DJ PK takes to the turntables.
Peter said of the events: “I’ve honestly never had so much fun as I had working on Dance For Life. The atmosphere was so happy and positive; it really is a great way to raise money for the worthiest of causes. All people have to do is turn up and dance.
“I’d also like to encourage people to get themselves sponsored via JustGiving.com where a special Dance For Life team page has been set up.”
● Tickets are on sale now.
Confidence Man, Manchester O2 Ritz, Thursday, April 23
Next month, Confidence Man are embarking on their UK and European 2020 tour which will see them visit eight UK cities, including Manchester.
Following a busy summer playing Glastonbury and various festivals, the Australian four-piece are back with their latest single Does It Make You Feel Good? propelled by a bouncy beat, a healthy helping of 90s dance bop influence, and a seductive repeated vocal.
Led by Janet Planet and Sugar Bones, the band have always had a cult-like following, with fans often dressing up, acting and dancing like them.
With the ever greater push towards pop-timism and emotional exploration in all areas of music, Confidence Man have no reason to be shy.
● Tickets are on sale now.
The Sherlocks, Manchester Albert Hall, Saturday, November 14
Following the completion of their UK tour this winter, The Sherlocks have announced a headline show at Manchester’s Albert Hall this autumn. Made up of two sets of brothers, Kiaran and Brandon Crook, and Andy and Josh Davidson, the British alternative and indie rock band released their second album, Under Your Sky, last year, which featured in the Official UK Charts’ top 20.
Under Your Sky notably bridges the exuberance of youth with the reflection and maturity of young adulthood.
Speaking on their latest album, frontman Kiaran said: “With this one, we’ve taken it a step further and made it slightly smoother and put more keyboards in.
“Rather than having guitars thrashing all the time we’ve tried being a bit sweeter with it. It sounds more contemporary; I can hear it on Radio 1.”
With their debut album, Live For The Moment, in 2017, the Sheffield quartet established themselves as key contenders in a new wave of British bands keeping alt-rock and indie vital for a new generation of fans.
● Tickets go on sale today at 9am.