As temperatures cool and the nights draw in, it’s clear autumn is well and truly here. But there’s no need to feel down about it as there’s still plenty to look forward to this year, and the next, as a matter of fact.
Manchester is set to welcome some fantastic artists over the coming months, including Liverpudlian band Circa Waves, the prolific Spiritualized, and Greater Manchester-born Badly Drawn Boy.
Plus, there’s still opportunities to get tickets for Olly Murs and Nada Surf. Take a look below for more details…
Badly Drawn Boy – The Hall, Aviva Studios, Manchester
April 5, 2025
One of the UK’s most acclaimed and treasured songwriters, Badly Drawn Boy, has unveiled a special 25th anniversary tour celebrating his groundbreaking album ‘The Hour Of Bewilderbeast’.
Badly Drawn Boy’s, aka Damon Gough, Mercury Prize-winning debut ‘The Hour Of Bewilderbeast’ was originally released on his own label, Twisted Nerve, and quickly established him in the British music scene. The album’s eclectic mix of folk, rock, and electronica – coupled with Damon Gough’s distinctive songwriting and poetic lyrics – resonated with audiences worldwide. Badly Drawn Boy’s discography spans over nine albums, including the acclaimed soundtrack to Nick Hornby’s ‘About a Boy’ and his most recent release, ‘Banana Skin Shoes’.
With a full band, Badly Drawn Boy will be performing the Mercury Prize-winning album in its entirety, including the much-loved singles ‘Once Around The Block’, ‘Another Pearl’ and ‘Disillusion’. The show will also feature another set of classics and old favourites from his extensive back catalogue.
Tickets are on sale here from 10am today (October 4).
Spiritualized – O2 Apollo, Manchester
March 24, 2025
Spiritualized have announced a ’Pure Phase’ 30th anniversary tour – a special one-off series of UK dates in which the band will perform their seminal second album in full, including a show at Manchester’s O2 Apollo.
Commenting on ’Pure Phase’, frontman J Spaceman said: “I think it’s quite extraordinary and I’d probably say, it’s my favourite of the records I’ve made. The construction of it satisfied something in me that likes breaking the rules, not in any kind of grandiose way, but there’s something in the process of that which really satisfies me.
“Each side of the stereo contains a completely separate mix. I checked the masters back and it still sounds like this extraordinary thing. It exists in its own space; it doesn’t sound like anybody else.”
Tickets go on sale here at 10am today (October 4).
Circa Waves + Peace + Corella – O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
February 22, 2025
Liverpool’s indie powerhouses Circa Waves are back with their spectacular new album ‘Death & Love Pt.1’, to be released on January 31, 2025, with the first track ‘We Made It’ out now. The band will return to the road in February 2025, embarking on their biggest UK headline tour yet, alongside special guests Peace and Corella.
Circa Waves was formed in Liverpool in May 2013 by Kieran Shudall. After writing a batch of songs and putting some demos online, he recruited second guitarist Joe Falconer, bassist Sam Rourke, and drummer Sian Plummer (replaced by Colin Jones in 2015).
The band gained a buzz and earned favourable comparisons to the Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and the Vaccines even before their debut album hit the charts, 2015’s ‘Young Chasers’. Buoyed by singles like ‘T-Shirt Weather’ and ‘Stuck in My Teeth’, the album reached the Top 10 of the UK albums chart and paved the way for a series of well-attended live shows, including a sold-out date at London’s O2.
Tickets will be available here from 10am today (October 4).
Nada Surf – Gorilla, Manchester
November 22, 2024
‘Moon Mirror’, Nada Surf’s new record, has everything fans love and expect from them.
Comprising Matthew Caws, Daniel Lorca, Ira Elliot, and Louie Lino, Nada Surf’s ‘Moon Mirror’ has been produced by the band, alongside Ian Laughton at Rockfield Studios in Wales. The songs on the album are true to the human experience – as meaningful and mysterious and sometimes absurd as it is. There’s love, but also grief, deep loneliness, doubt, wonder, and hope.
The band will be performing a special show at Manchester’s Gorilla this November.
Tickets are available here.
Olly Murs – AO Arena, Manchester
May 23, 2025
Due to incredible demand, Olly Murs has announced four extra dates to his massive UK arena tour next spring, including a show at Manchester’s AO Arena on May 23 after selling out Co-op Live.
Fresh from his nationwide tour as special guest to Take That earlier this year, Olly Murs will be performing all his hits and more, so get ready to party! Blue will be special guests on this must see 21 date Arena tour.
Tickets are on sale here.
Ocean Colour Scene – O2 Apollo, Manchester
April 12, 2025
Frontman Simon Fowler, guitarist Steve Cradock and drummer Oscar Harrison will perform their biggest hits and anthems, with a date at Manchester’s O2 Apollo next April.
Ocean Colour Scene formed in Birmingham in 1989 – and after a few years honing their sound, they firmly established themselves as one of the UK’s biggest bands with three Top 5 albums: 1996’s ‘Moseley Shoals’, 1997’s ‘Marchin’ Already’, and 1999’s ‘One From The Modern’.
Ocean Colour Scene also enjoyed a hard-to-beat run of 17 Top 40 singles, which included nine successive Top 20 singles and led to the band being honoured with numerous awards.
Tickets will be on sale here from 10am today (October 4).
Kele Okereke – Gorilla, Manchester
February 15, 2025
Bloc Party’s lead singer Kele Okereke has confirmed details of his new solo album, ‘The Singing Winds Pt. 3’, out on January 17, 2025, with the lead single ‘It Wasn’t Meant To Be’ available to stream now. Kele has also announced he will take to the road next February for an eight-date UK headline tour.
‘The Singing Winds Pt. 3’ is the third in Kele’s series of solo albums ‘The Elements’, which originated during lockdown. Each of the records embodies a different texture and quality, along with the sound of the flexibility he has acquired over two years of upheaval in his personal life.
Earlier this summer, Bloc Party performed their biggest headline show to date, celebrating 20 years of the iconic ‘Silent Alarm’ at a sold-out Crystal Palace Park in London. The band also wrapped up a co-headline tour with Interpol in Australia and supported Paramore, binding their status as global hitmakers.
Tickets are now on sale here.
