Paul Heaton has said that he’s ‘working on plans’ to screen the England vs France World Cup match ahead of his gig in Manchester this weekend.
Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott are set to play a huge gig at the AO Arena this Saturday – clashing with England’s quarter finals game.
Paul has said that they understand fans ‘might prefer not to miss the youthful looks of Jack Grealish’.
His announcement that they are hoping to show the game has drawn a mixed reaction from fans.
Many welcomed the news that they wouldn’t have to miss the huge match from the Qatar World Cup.
To all of our fans in Manchester who still want to listen to the dulcet tones of Paul & Jacqui, but might prefer not to miss the youthful looks of Jack Grealish- We're working on plans to show the football next Saturday- we'll keep you posted
But others said that it would ruin the show, with one person tweeting: “Please don’t ruin the show with that. I’ll be wanting my money back if I’m going to see football rather than the music!”
Paul replied to say: “We won’t. We just have to make sure the place isn’t half full.”
He has now gone on to address the divided opinions on the football being screened at the AO Arena, sharing a photo of himself pulling a silly face with the words: “Me trying to work out what to do next Saturday @England @AOArena.”
Many fans have pointed out that Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott aren’t actually due on stage until 9pm and that, all being well, the game will be over by then anyway.
Others have pleaded that they don’t cut the show short to fit it in around the England vs France game, and wondered what it would mean for Billy Bragg’s supporting slot.
Jacqui Abbott hasn’t been able to perform with the group for the last few shows due to ill health, but it’s hoped she’ll be back on stage with her former The Beautiful South bandmate by the time they gig in Manchester.
The duo offered refunds to anyone who no longer wanted to attend the concerts without Jacqui after she was told to sit them out on doctor’s orders.
Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott’s gig will clash with the World Cup. Credit: Publicity picture
But Paul added: “For those who choose to retain their tickets for the next three shows, I promise you that myself & the boys will put on a show to remember. We’ll sorely miss Jacqui but our intent is to make those who refund their tickets bitterly regret that decision. Thanks for your support.”
The pair were on the receiving end of a lot of praise from members of the public after announcing the tour, and capping ticket prices at £30.
They went on BBC Breakfast to speak about rising costs in the music industry while promoting their new album.
He said at the time: “I’m very much against greed in the industry. I feel as though there is quite a lot. We are trying to just battle and say ‘we’ll do it for as low as we can’.”
They also said they want to ‘set a bit of an example’ for the rest of the industry.
Featured image: Publicity picture
Music
Bury FC clap back at Oasis after Noel Gallagher’s dig at Heaton Park reunion show
Danny Jones
Bury FC have clapped back at Oasis after Noel Gallagher aimed a sly little dig at the Greater Manchester side during their reunion show this week.
The Burnage boys returned to Heaton Park for round three of their five-night run, where roughly another 80,000 descended on the massive outdoor space for their latest homecoming gig.
While the energy back in 0161 has been unreal for every date thus far, with the Gallagher brothers seemingly getting just as much of a buzz from the reception as Mancs and out-of-towners alike, ‘r Noel did dish out a bit of sarcasm when he was welcomed into the spotlight on Wednesday evening.
In case you didn’t see the now-viral clip, here’s what he had to say…
“Who do you support, fucking Bury? Bury are fucking shit.”
Noel Gallagher during last night’s Oasis gig at Heaton Park.
— The Mighty Shakers Podcast (@TMS1885) July 17, 2025
The Gallaghers are never ones to shy away from a bit of cheek, but Noel definitely has the reputation for being the drier of the two wits.
Not that making a joke about the nearest team being Bury, to what was most likely a sea of Manchester City and/or United fans (purely based on the law of averages), is particularly witty.
Regardless, we were glad to see not only Shakers fans but the club itself give the local but now London-based music legend a bit back.
Responding in a social media comeback of their own, the North West Counties League (NWCL) outfit noted that while they couldn’t share the original clip – not that it stopped supporters, mind you – they did go on to share an old clip of their 1997/98 side beating Noel’s beloved Manchester City.
The decisive finish was headed home by one of their very own “dyed in the wool” Blues, too: Paul Butler, who scored the only goal of the Championship fixture to beat City in their own barn back at Maine Road.
More importantly, the NWCL club used the opportunity to capitalise on the old adage of ‘no press is bad press’, writing in the caption: “Here’s our ticket link if you wanna roll with it and watch the champions in action.”
At the end of the day, it did get people talking – not a bad result for the non-league team.
Now, less than a month until the Premier Division champions get underway in the 25/26 campaign, we can wholeheartedly recommend going along to Gigg Lane to see what moves the Shakers are making.
For starters, they’re heading into the new term with a big-brand partnership already under their belt.
Featured Images — Screenshot/The Mighty Shakers Podcast (via X)
Music
You can win tickets to sold-out Lewis Capaldi gigs at Greggs
Thomas Melia
Nationwide bakery chain Greggs has partnered with singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi for a chance to win tickets for his sold-out UK tour.
Now, if there’s one thing we love more than sausage rolls, it’s watching Glasgow solo star Lewis Capaldi perform his smash hit singles to crowds of roaring fans –and Glastonbury proved that.
The ‘Hold Me While You Wait’ singer recently announced his latest UK tour, and to no one’s surprise, it sold out within minutes, with extra dates added in each city.
Leave it to Greggs, one of the UK’s favourite savoury pick-me-up companies, and its new campaign with Capaldi, which offers lucky fans the chance to win tickets to one of these sold-out UK tour dates – How ‘Grace'(ful).
This new campaign, titled ‘Someone you look like?’ – inspired by the chart-topping anthem ‘Someone You Loved’ – encourages fans of the Scottish Beyoncé to dress up in an outrageous outfit inspired by one of Lewis’ many stylish looks.
Greggs and Lewis Capaldi are offering fans the chance to win tickets to his sellout tour across five of the bakery chain’s sites, including London, Birmingham, Sheffield, Glasgow and right here in Manchester.
The bond between Greggs and Capaldi isn’t new either, as the ‘Bruises’ penman worked a shift for the savoury suppliers back in 2019, having a blue plaque erected at this very Middlesbrough site professing his love for a tuna crunch butty.
This isn’t the only competition that UK bakery chain Greggs is currently running; it’s also teamed up with package holiday brand Jet2 to give away a holiday at the same price as their iconic sausage rolls.
Whilst you’re at it…
Greggs and Lewis Capaldi have 25 pairs of tickets to win per restaurant location and the nearest bakery spot running this promotion is theSalford site located at Media City, M50 2HF on Tuesday, 22 July 2025. All information can be found HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
6th December 2022 
