It’s here, it’s finally here – it’s time for arguably one of the biggest gigs of the year: Sam Fender playing two utterly massive nights at Co-op Live.
Everyone’s favourite Geordie songwriter is heading to the state-of-the-art entertainment arena for the very first time this weekend for what is set to be a blockbuster double-header.
You already know the drill with these things, so let’s not waste your time.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sam Fender’s return to Manchester and Co-op Live debut.
Sam Fender at Co-op Live – all the important info
Credit: SuppliedCredit: The Manc GroupDriving his way to the Co-op Live arena for a maiden Manchester arena show.
Tickets – all hope’s not lost
Ok, no point in tormenting ourselves with this one, we all know that tickets for the last chance to see Sam Fender this year sold out pretty much all over the country.
In fact, to put things into context, all three of his Newcastle stadium shows at St James’ Park sold out in less than half an hour. Yeah, the UK loves this man. So, it will come as no surprise for you to hear that both dates here in Manchester are virtually all but gone. Almost…
Yes, perhaps down to some of the flak the 30-year-old has gained for the cost of these shows, there is still a decent handful of resale tickets for both the Friday (6 December) and the Saturday (7 Dec), so you don’t need to scramble around on other reseller sites. Seated starts from £54.95 but no standing.
If you have the spends before Christmas, you can grab yours HERE.
Who is supporting Sam Fender?
Now this is one we’re super excited about. If you’ve been keeping any sort of tabs on our music coverage over the past year or so, you may or may not have picked up on our very serious obsessions with a little band called Wunderhorse. Not that they’ll be staying ‘little’ for much longer, mind.
The Cambridge-formed four-piece are up there with the best bands coming out of the UK and Ireland right now, behind the likes of Fontaines D.C. and ‘r Sam, of course. We’ve seen them multiple times this year and will be doing so again if we can grab some last-minute spares for their May shows.
We even had the pleasure of chatting with frontman Jacob Slater about the release of their sensational sophomore album, Midas, back in August. They supported Sam back in 2022 when we first saw them and they’ve only got more incredible since then; trust us, you’re in for an incredible time.
Now, as for when you can expect these two to take the stage on Friday and Saturday, respectively, doors to the Co-op Live arena will be open from 6:30pm and Wunderhorse should start around 7:45pm.
The warm-ups will be playing eight songs and finishing with ‘Teal’ and ‘July’ to get the crowd’s energy nice and high by the end of their roughly 45-minute set.
This should give you a half-hour window to nip to the loo, grab your next pint or just mentally prepare for the main event at 9pm, with Sam Fender’s performance due to conclude around 10:40pm.
Setlist
Moving on to what you’ll be hearing on the night, we’ve heard plenty of grumbles about the length of the setlist – suppose it comes down to personal preference – but it does look like he’s at least listened to the fans and added ‘The Dying Light’ straight back into the running order after leaving it out it in Dublin.
Wise choice, Sam.
The Kitchen
Getting Started
The Borders
Wild Long Lie
All Is on My Side
Nostalgia’s Lie
Arm’s Length
Will We Talk?
People Watching
Spice
Howdon Aldi Death Queue
Get You Down
Spit of You
The Dying Light
Seventeen Going Under
What do you think, is 15 songs (less than his last headline tour) worth the money?
Encore
Hypersonic Missiles
We can also vouch for these as our Audio North delegation over at The Hoot were there in the flesh in Leeds and had an absolute blast.
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, luckily it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 01:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
If you want to take another new and improved arm of Manchester’s public transport system, not only is there a whole host of routes that drop you off close to the venue but there’ll also be a free shuttle bus from the city centre to and from events between 20 April-30 June 2024.
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue but this must be pre-booked ahead of time and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day – though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the boke all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Diana Ross at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
It’s true, the Queen of Motown Records, Diana Ross, is coming to Manchester, and she’s bringing The Hallé Orchestra with her too.
Diana Ross and her band are making their way to Manchester for a night of glitz and glam, but they’re also making room for the much-loved Manc-based music collective
You can expect this Pop and disco diva to perform lots of other timeless classics such as ‘I’m Coming Out’, ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, ‘Chain Reaction’, she really is ‘The Boss’.
Diana Ross gig guide – everything you need to know
Diana Ross, her band and The Hallé Orchestra are coming to Co-op Live Manchester on 26 June.Credit: Crisco 1492 (via Wikimedia Commons)
This living legend is a bucket list gig for many, but we’re sure if you’re fast enough, you’ll be able to secure a ticket for yourself and your ‘Baby Love’.
Diana Rosshas racked up 58 top 10 hits and we’re sure she’ll play a hefty amount of these at Co-op Live.Credit: DVROSS (via Flickr)
Diana Ross setlist
I’m Coming Out
More Today Than Yesterday
Baby Love
You Can’t Hurry Love
Come See About Me
Stop! In the Name of Love
Touch Me in the Morning
I’m Still Waiting
Chain Reaction
He Lives in You
Good Morning Heartache
Love Hangover
Ease on Down the Road
Home
The Boss
Endless Love
Reach Out and Touch
Upside Down
Tomorrow
Count on Me
Just in Case
If the World Just Danced
Why Do Fools Fall in Love
Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Amazing Grace
I Will Survive
Thank You
What are the stage times for Diana Ross in Manchester?
The supreme space that is Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, so you’ll be able to dance your socks off without having to ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’, while still making it back to bed before the early hours.
Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6:30pm with a kick-off time of 7:30pm and no official announcement regarding a support act.
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre, and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
This will be Diana’s first time performing at Co-op Live in Manchester.Credit: Crisco 1492 (via WikiCommons)
Featured Images — Publicity Picture (supplied)/Wikimedia Commons/Flickr
Audio
A limited number of additional Oasis tickets to be released in three UK cities on Live ’25 reunion tour
Danny Jones
Britpop fans, brace yourselves because Oasis have just announced that they will be releasing more tickets for three UK reunion dates – and yes, we can confirm that one of those set for an extra is their massive Manchester homecoming at Heaton Park.
Get ready to scrap in the digital queue again, folks.
With the Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour now less than a week from kicking into gear (cannot believe it’s gone that fast), people are still scrambling around and trying to do whatever they can to get a last-minute ticket.
That being said, the Burnage boys and their promoters look to have given Oasis fans even more of a lifeline besides the hope of last-minute spares and re-sales, as a small release of additional tickets will be made for Manchester and two other cities available this week.
Posting on their social media accounts, the band confirmed: “As the shows are getting closer, Oasis promoters may be able to release a very limited number of additional tickets for sale once final sight lines are checked and the production is fine-tuned.”
Besides Heaton Park, Cardiff and Edinburgh are believed to be the other two shows tipped for the extra ticket allocation.
The update goes on to add: “These final production releases will happen over the coming days. If you are an Oasismynet [fan website] member, keep an eye on your inbox for an email from your regular Oasismynet or Ticketmaster correspondence address.”
Naturally, they’ve also urged would-be recipients to double-check all emails are correct and legitimate before following links or sharing any purchase information”, scammers having been rife ever since the tour broke the internet.
Amusingly, many of those who saw the latest news from the Gallagher brothers online immediately feared the worst when they spotted the lengthy block of white text on a plain black background.
“Got scared they had a falling out for a second because of the long message”, and “Omg this looked like a statement saying they’d fallen out again”, being just two examples.
But don’t worry; touch wood, rehearsals are now well underway and as far as we know, the Manc music legends are getting on fine and even spent a recent bank holiday together, according to LG himself.
If among the lucky few to be selected for the final ballot, those who attempted to get tickets last time around should receive a code via email, with the tickets available at 8am BST sharp tomorrow (Thursday, 26 June). So, you’d best get checking your inboxes, people!
It’s not just the return of Oasis mania out there, Britpop fever has well and truly gripped the nation with Robbie Williams currently on tour, Pulp back together too, not to mention Blur announcing a surprise new album this July. Time to clobber up and pretend it’s the 90s again.
Danny Jones -
5th December 2024 
