British hip-hop star Loyle Carner has announced a special limited-run tour next summer and, unsurprisingly, Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl is on the list.
After his much-talked-about sell-out show at the O2 Victoria Warehouse in February, the smooth and soulful low-fi lyricist is already planning his return to Manchester next year, selecting the Bowl as one of just four shows he’ll be playing from June to August when summer rolls back around.
This comes after his previous UK tour sold out within minutes in what was a standout year for the ever-growing artist, playing the likes of the Royal Albert Hall, Wembley; a headline slot at Glastonbury’s West Holts stage, Primavera Sound and most recently Reading and Leeds Festival.
After selling out all across Europe and the US too — where he is still currently playing a handful of dates — Loyle Carner is riding arguably the biggest wave of his career to date, so it’s only right he takes it all the way to a sunny Castlefield Bowl in 2024.
Set to play the beloved amphitheatre on Wednesday, 10 July, the 29-year-old promises to play all of his biggest hits to date as well as his most recent and critically acclaimed third studio album, hugo — one of our favourites from 2022.
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The three other shows on the small but special summer tour include Dublin’s Fairview Park on 30 June, before heading to Halfix, then Manchesterand finishing off at the SWG3 Galvanizers Yard in Glasgow on 15 August. A “triumphant” London date is also expected to be added.
A pre-sale mailer is set to go out to fans today (Tuesday, 24 October 2023) at 6pm, with a special Loyle Carner fan pre-sale window via the mailing list going on sale on Wednesday, 25 October at 10am.
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As for general sale tickets, they won’t go live until 10am on Friday, 27 October, so you’ve got plenty of time to prepare, line up multiple devices and get your friends logging on to help as well. What are friends for? You can grab yours HERE.
The list of shows at Castlefield Bowl in 2024 is already shaping up to be a scorcher with several big names to play the legendary outdoor gig venues next summer.
With the Sounds of the City festival undoubtedly being one of the biggest highlights in Manchester’s live music season, another popular Brit is joining the party as indie-pop artist Tom Grennan was recently announced as the latest act on next year’s lineup.
Featured Image — Supplied/@ddddiogo (via Instagram)
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Little Simz announces biggest-ever Manchester gig ahead of new album
Danny Jones
The queen of British rap, the one and only Little Simz, is coming back to Manchester for what will be her biggest headline show in this city to date.
A whole three years on from her last album No Thank You, the rapper from Islington is heading back out on the road after wrapping up the recording of her sixth studio LP, Lotus.
The first single ‘FREE’ has already dropped, and despite the release date itself being pushed back, news of a new Little Simz tour later this year more than makes up for it, if you ask us.
Little Simz already has two NME Awards to her name for Best British Solo Act and Best British Album, not to mention a BRIT itself for Best New Artist in 2022; oh yeah, and she won the Mercury Prize as well as a BET Hip Hop Award over in the States for ‘Best International Flow’ – all before she turned 30.
With that in mind, you can understand why so many are frothing at the mouth to hear her new record when it does finally drop.
There doesn’t appear to be any problems with the album itself: Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, to use her full name, is simply busier than ever and has just booked a role in a film because, yes, she acts too.
Lotus will now drop on Friday, 6 June, just in time for fans to get learning the lyrics ahead of festival season, which we have no doubt she’ll play a big part in.
You can hear the first taste of the next chapter down below:
Little Simz returns to Manchester for a Co-op Live debut on 16 October with tour supports still yet to be announced.
Pre-sale goes live on Wednesday, 9 April from 10am for official Co-op members and general admission will be available from the same time on the following Friday (11 April).
AJ Tracey is playing a VERY intimate gig in Manchester next month
Thomas Melia
London rapper and respected grime artist AJ Tracey is ‘live and direct’ once again, announcing a whole host of UK dates, one of which is a rather intimate gig right here in Manchester.
It’s official: one of UK rap’s leading gents is getting back on the road and he’s showing a ‘Little More Love’ to lots of cities, including Manchester.
In a post on the UK star’s socials, AJ Tracey trades his music persona for that of a sports pundit as he announces the dates for his upcoming tour while impersonating an F1 commentator.
Anyone looking to attend Tracey’s ‘Not Even A Tour’ can catch the star up and down the country on his over 20-date tour with a stop in Manchester as soon as this month.
The rapper has reached phenomenal heights since dropping the unforgettable ‘Ladbroke Grove’ in 2019 and is heading out across the nation to make sure everyone knows about it.
Get ready to spit bars left and right as this rapper’s discography is stacked with serious tunes like ‘Dinner Guest’, ‘West Ten’, ‘Thiago Silva’ and more.
More recently, he collaborated with Walsall’s finest Jorja Smith for a flirty garage beat also known as ‘Crush’ with the video being the two artists talking it out in a good old fashioned caff.
The latest collaboration with Smith marks the start of a new era for Mr. Live and direct as it fell in line with the announcement of his third studio album.
Titled Don’t Die Before You’re Dead, we’re sure he’ll be “building a vibe” wherever he goes and probably previewing a few exclusive tracks from his upcoming project too.
This gig may come as quite a surprise for any hardcore fans of the ‘Ladbroke Grove’ star as the venue in which he’s performing is definitely intimate only, holding just over 250 guests.
This rap giant is bringing his unbelievable beats to none other than the legendary small-cap city centre live music venue, The Deaf Institute, at the end of this month.
It’s safe to say you won’t get many more chances, if any, to see him in such a tight-knit space again.
AJ Tracey is bringing ‘Not Even A Tour’ to Deaf Institute in Manchester on 30 April, with tickets on sale Friday 4 April from 12 noon.
Danny Jones -
24th October 2023 
