This winter and beyond, Manchester is set to be well and truly alive with the sound of music and laughter as tickets have gone on sale for a host of incredible acts.
From the beloved Rick Astley banging out Christmas classics this festive season, to a slate of exciting shows in 2025 – including a milestone anniversary tour by comedian John Bishop, the instantly recognisable Rizzle Kicks, and Shed Seven at next year’s Sounds of the City festival – there’s something for everyone to look forward to.
Take a look below for the full line-up, grab your tickets, and mark your calendars!
Rick Astley’s Swinging Christmas – The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
December 20, 2024
Get ready to swing into Christmas! Multi-million-selling global star Rick Astley has announced a very special ‘big band’ tour this December, performing swing and festive classics across the UK.
This tour follows Rick’s lifelong passion for the golden age of big band and swing. He’ll be performing festive classics in stunning venues, capturing the magic of the season. In 2022, Rick’s first ‘Swinging Christmas’ shows made his dream of performing these classics a reality.
Alongside this, Rick Astley has just released his autobiography ‘Never’. In this powerful and revealing memoir, Rick candidly recounts his formative years and unconventional upbringing, retraces his decision to leave the spotlight, and provides intimate insights into family life and the challenges and rewards of new beginnings.
Tickets go on sale here at 9.30am today (October 11).
John Bishop – Co-op Live, Manchester
October 4, 2025
On October 2, 2000, John Bishop stepped onto the stage at the Frog and Bucket in Manchester to perform his first-ever comedy gig in front of a handful of people. By day, John was working in the pharmaceutical industry, but that night, as he picked up the mic and performed for the very first time, he changed his life forever.
Now, a quarter of a century later, the comedy superstar is embarking on his tenth stand-up tour, ‘John Bishop: 25’, to celebrate his incredible 25-year career. And to mark the special anniversary, every ticket at every show will be just £25.
Earlier this year, John embarked on a major sold-out international tour, ‘Back At It’ – his first stand-up show in two years, which will culminate at the London Palladium in April 2025, and includes legs in Europe, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Tickets will be available here from 10am today (October 11).
Rizzle Kicks – O2 Ritz, Manchester
March 19, 2025
Iconic British duo Rizzle Kicks – made up of Jordan Stephens and Harley Sulé – have announced four UK headline shows for 2025, with a show at Manchester’s O2 Ritz.
Next month, on November 8, Rizzle Kicks are set to perform their first headline show in nearly a decade at London’s iconic KOKO in Camden. The highly sought-after show sold out in less than a minute, with fans eager to see their first performance back as a duo.
Rizzle Kicks returned in style earlier this year with the single ‘Javelin’ – their first new music in over nine years. A natural evolution of the duo’s original sound, it featured mature, jazzy and R&B/pop tones, Jordan’s trademark charismatic lyricism, and Harley’s smooth vocals.
The duo continued this mature and evolved sound on new track ‘Gumdrops’. Offering a nuanced discussion about masculinity and lad culture, the track’s smooth bassline weaves between Jordan and Harley’s vocals as they capture the bittersweet essence of adolescence.
Tickets are on sale here now.
Sounds of the City: Shed Seven – Castlefield Bowl, Manchester
July 4, 2025
Following the announcement of their chart-topping new album ‘Liquid Gold’, iconic alt-rock band Shed Seven have announced outdoor shows next summer, as part of the Sounds of the City series, with Liverpool legends Lightning Seeds and indie favourites The Sherlocks joining them on stage.
Hailing from York, Shed Seven released their debut album ‘Change Giver’ in 1994, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Emerging as one of the big hitters during the heyday of Britpop, their catalogue led to seven Top 20 hits including classics such as ‘Going For Gold’, ‘Chasing Rainbows’, ‘Disco Down’ and ‘On Standby’, as well as six Top 10 albums.
The band’s latest orchestral album ‘Liquid Gold’ reached the number one spot last week – their second number one album of 2024 following ‘A Matter of Time’, which soared to the top of the UK albums charts in January. Shed Seven are one of only 20 artists to achieve this incredible milestone to date.
Tickets are available here from 9.30am today (October 11).
The Sherlocks – Albert Hall, Manchester
May 31, 2025
The Sherlocks are on a roll; the Sheffield indie favourites recently smashed a massive homecoming show at Don Valley Bowl and then announced the forthcoming release of their new album ‘Everything Must Make Sense!’ (out February 21), along with its lead single ‘Man On The Loose’. Keeping that momentum flying, The Sherlocks have shared details of a major UK and European headline tour next year, including a show at Manchester’s Albert Hall.
Vocalist/guitarist Kiaran Crook said: “Delighted to be back out on tour once again across the UK! It feels like a lifetime ago since we were last out playing headline shows, and by the time we come to play these gigs, it will have been well over a year, which for a band like ours, is actually a crazy amount of time. The new tunes are gonna sound mega live and, hopefully, we get around to playing a big chunk of the new songs as well as the classics!”
‘Man On The Loose’ provides a first taste of what to expect from ‘Everything Must Make Sense!’ – an album that sees The Sherlocks elevate their indie-rock heart with maximalist sonic elements, a wider tapestry of moods and atmospheres, and their tight live performances shining brighter than ever.
Tickets will be available here from 10am today (October 11).
Coco & Clair Clair – Gorilla, Manchester
March 27, 2025
Coco & Clair Clair have announced UK headline shows for March 2025, with a show at Manchester’s Gorilla.
The Atlanta-based duo – who mix hip hop with lo-fi dream pop and glimmering electronic production – have gained acclaim over the last few years for their effortless charm and winking braggadocio. On tracks like their viral hit ‘Pretty’, ‘RACECAR’ and ‘Wishy Washy’, the duo coolly dismiss the boring men who want to date them, talk rubbish about people who copy them, and those who luxuriate in being the life of the party – showcasing an unfiltered confidence that is often associated with male musicians.
On ‘Girl’, they push that tension between stereotypically male and stereotypically female attributes further than ever before with newly confessional lyrics, polished production, and the same verve that has always defined their work. ‘Girl’ is a thrilling, poignant album that shows just how multifaceted girlhood and femininity can be.
Tickets are available here now.
Michael Kiwanuka – O2 Apollo, Manchester
March 13, 2025
Michael Kiwanuka is pleased to share details of a UK and Europe headline tour for spring 2025. The 12-date run will be Michael’s first headline dates in the UK or Europe since 2022, and the first opportunity to hear tracks from his forthcoming fourth album, ‘Small Changes’ – out November 15. A third preview of the record has just been shared with the release of new track ‘The Rest Of Me’.
Driving the conversations between producer Brian Burton (Danger Mouse) and Michael about the direction of the album and particularly ‘The Rest Of Me’ – the album’s penultimate track – was the desire to make an album that transcends any notion of what is or isn’t deemed “cool”.
Tickets are on sale here from 10am today (October 11).
Brooke Combe – O2 Ritz, Manchester
April 12, 2025
One of Scotland’s most exciting artists Brooke Combe has announced a run of UK dates for 2025, including a show at Manchester’s O2 Ritz, in support of her forthcoming debut album ‘Dancing At The Edge Of The World’ – out January 31.
Known for her captivating live shows, Brooke will kick off the eight-date run at Norwich Arts Centre on April 4, culminating with her biggest headline show to date at Glasgow’s Barrowland on Saturday, April 19.
Collaborating with musician and producer James Skelly – best known as the frontman of The Coral – Brooke’s debut album is the perfect opening statement, offering a tantalising first look at the artist she will become. Reminiscent of those first offerings from Michael Kiwanuka, Duffy and Corinne Bailey Rae, it revels in lush, orchestral arrangements, irresistible rhythms, and a voice that could have come right out of Motown.
Tickets are on sale here from 10am today (October 11).
