Now we’ve all enjoyed our little taste of freedom over the past two weeks, we’re looking ahead to June when we’re finally released back into some form of normality.
And with the government’s roadmap out of lockdown in full swing now, we thought we’d put together another round-up of music events and gigs to book in Manchester right now – because there are just so many good ones to choose from.
Plus, we’ve got a lot of making up for lost time to do…
Left, Right & Centre, The Old Abbey Taphouse – 2 May
The Old Abbey Taphouse will play host to Manchester club night Left, Right & Centre on 2 May to celebrate their 3rd birthday.
Heading the lineup is Scapa, Jazz, Porter Brook and Hessle Audio’s Bruce from 4pm until 11pm.
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This one will still be seated and socially-distanced, but we’re still more than happy to have a dance at our tables at this point.
Longstanding Manchester drum and bass night Hit & Run continue their return on Friday 25 June with a massive lineup at Hidden. Kick off your first weekend of post-covid freedom with the bassy sounds of Fox, Chimpo, Truthos Mufasa, Slay, Sparkz, Metrodome plus head honcho Rich Reason.
Less than 1% of tickets remain for this one so we imagine they’ll be snapped up soon – get them on Skiddle here.
Libero, venue TBC – Friday 25 June
Libero’s Luke Welsh, Mike Morrisey and Dan Costello will be accompanied by special guests for a big event in June – but they’re keeping everything hush at the minute with no venue announcement.
Wherever it happens, we know these boys will pull it out the bag – they always do.
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Join them for a big night of house, minimal and techno on 25 June.
Skiptrace Day Party at The Old Abbey Taphouse – Saturday 26 June
Another one at The Old Abbey Taphouse – this time, for Manchester label Skiptrace’s all-dayer on 26 June.
A handful of Skiptrace alumni will be playing from 2pm until 11pm, which will feature housey vibes from Joe Roche, Althea and Ed Hodge, plus the bassier style of Walton, creating a proper mixed bag.
The Projekts Skatepark, located right under the Mancunian Way, will welcome some of Manchester’s best underground labels and promotors on a handful of dates from July through to September.
Kaluki, Mason Collective, Haus22 and Moxy Muzik will all takeover the skatepark, where we expect to hear plenty of house, minimal and techno vibes to get you in that post-covid summer party mood.
MrTraumatik & Friends, The Bread Shed – Saturday 24 July
To celebrate the release of his new track ‘Hallucinations’, MrTraumatik is setting out a series of UK tour dates which will include The Bread Shed on 24 July.
The grime MC and drum and bass producer is known for his chaotic tracks and explicit lyrics – and we can expect this kind of mayhem in July.
You&Me Music in the Trees, Venue TBA – Saturday 7 August
House and tech label You&Me have found a picturesque little spot just outside Manchester city centre to celebrate their sixth birthday on 7 August.
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It’ll take place from 2pm to 11pm in a brand-new unused space that organisers can only describe as “built for dancing”.
The lineup and venue haven’t been announced yet, but You&Me never disappoint so get your tickets here.
After party also pending.
Fields of Gold, Ashton Cricket Club – 3-4 September
Fields of Gold will take over Ashton Cricket Club on 3 and 4 September for two days of tribute bands.
Woasis, The Smiths Utd, The Ultimate Stone Roses, and Laid are all set to play your fave Manc songs in what will be the ultimate celebration of the city’s music.
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Plus, there’ll be DJ sets from Clint Boon and Happy Mondays’ Bez throughout the weekend.
Stay up-to-date with music, gigs and events around Manchester with The Manc Audio.
Music
A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie moves Manchester gig to AO Arena following Co-op Live cancellation
Danny Jones
Rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has confirmed that his cancelled Co-op Live gig has now been moved to Manchester’s AO Arena this weekend.
After suddenly being lined up as the venue’s first official gig after the postponement of both Peter Kay and The Black Keys, the American hip-hop artists’ show ended up going the same as the others previously scheduled for the new arena and being pulled at the last minute.
With guests being turned away from the still-yet-to-open Co-op Live Arena just hours before the show was set to start, and Olivia Rodrigo fans being given the same unfortunate news ahead of her gig this Saturday, ABWDH has taken matters into his own hands.
Announcing the rescheduling of his concert on X, the 28-year-old artist confirmed that Wednesday night’s gig has now been relocated to Co-op’s main rival, the AO Arena.
Set to take place on Saturday, the artist – which just so happens to be his first name (yes, seriously) – had a simple message for his fans: “We won’t give up that easy, let’s go!”.
Nevertheless, it hasn’t stopped the venue – which is set to become the UK’s biggest indoor entertainment venue and one of the largest in Europe when it finally does open – from announcing more events over the coming months and well into 2025.
Confirming the show on their social pages, the AO simply promised, “It’s going to be a brilliant night and we can’t wait to see you all here.”
The AO Arena has hosted some of the biggest names in the entire world in the course of its existence and recently underwent a £50m refurbishment that included the launch of The Mezz.
Safe to say this presents an interesting twist in events when so many people have been pitting the two venues against one another.
Question marks have been hanging over whether more upcoming gigs, like Keane on Sunday 5 May, and then a five-night run of gigs from Take That will still be able to go ahead.
It remains to be seen whether other artists will follow suit in moving their shows should more cancellations/postponements be announced.
You can recap everything that’s happened so far down below:
‘Disappointed’ Olivia Rodrigo issues statement to Manchester fans after Co-op Live postpones gigs
Emily Sergeant
Olivia Rodrigo has issued a statement to her Manchester fans after her run of gigs at Co-op Live have been postponed.
The US singer-songwriter was due to perform two massive sold-out shows tomorrow and Saturday (3 and 4 May 2024) here in Manchester at the city’s newest venue, the now-troubled Co-op Live, as part of her GUTS world tour – but, due to what has been referred to as “ongoing venue-related technical issues”, these gigs are now the latest in a long line of postponements.
New dates will be announced as soon as they’re confirmed, Co-op Live assured ticket-holders.
Co-op Live said in a statement: “Due to an ongoing venue-related technical issue, the scheduled performances of Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour on 3rd and 4th May are being postponed. Ticket holders can either hold onto their tickets or obtain a refund from their point of purchase.
“We deeply apologise for the significant inconvenience this will cause for many.”
The Drivers License singer also took a moment to assure her presumably-disappointed attending fans that she too was “disappointed” by the situation.
In a statement shared to her 37.2 million followers on Instagram yesterday, Olivia wrote on her Story: “Hello! I’ve been having such a great time in Europe so far and I’m soooooo disappointed that we’re unable to perform in Manchester due to ongoing venue-related technical issues.”
The 21-year-old told Manchester fans that “we’re doing our best to reschedule” the shows.
Her statement continued: “You can hold onto your tickets for further info or request a refund at your point of purchase. More info will be sent directly to ticketholders.
“I’m so bummed and I really hope to see you all soon.”
As previously mentioned, the massive arena was supposed to open for the first time to the public last night with a performance by US rapper, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, but it was called off at the eleventh hour and fans were turned away from the doors just minutes before they were meant to open.
Co-op Live has now confirmed that the reason for the cancellation was due to a piece of the HVAC (air conditioning) system having “separated from the ductwork”.
Because of this, rigorous testing on the rest of the system now needs to take place before fans can safely be welcomed inside.
The next expected show on the Co-op Live schedule is Keane on Sunday 5 May, before beloved Manchester boyband, Take That, play a massive run of shows from 7-11 May and extra dates on 11 and 12 June.