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An ‘extraordinary’ new Live Aid musical is coming to Manchester on its UK tour

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Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 17th December 2025

An ‘extraordinary’ new musical based on Live Aid is coming to Manchester as part of an upcoming UK and Ireland tour.

Producers Jamie Wilson Productions say they’re ‘thrilled’ to announce that Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical will head out on a big UK and Ireland tour starting out in March 2027, and visiting loads of major cities along the way – including Manchester, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Nottingham, and plenty more.

The production take us back to 13 July 1985 – the day music united the world.

Live Aid was an unprecedented global music event that brought 1.5 billion people together, and they all have a story to tell about ‘the day rock ‘n’ roll changed the world’.

Now, more than 40 years on from that famous day, audiences in Manchester will get to discover the behind-the-scenes story of Live Aid in a whole new way, as Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical is the story behind the greatest gig in music history.

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With hit songs by Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, Madonna, The Police, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Diana Ross, and more all featuring, these iconic artists made history at simultaneous charitable concerts in London and Philadelphia.

The musical is written by John O’Farrell and directed by Luke Sheppard, with musical supervision, arrangements and orchestration by Matthew Brind, choreography by Ebony Molina, and casting by Stuart Burt.

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“Just For One Day brilliantly reimagines why Live Aid worked then and why the humanity of that day still matters now,” commented Bob Geldoff.

“I’m delighted that more of the UK and Ireland will finally get to see this extraordinary and compelling musical. The reaction the show gets continually surprises and amazes me, standing ovations and people come back time and again, introducing the Live Aid story to new generations.”

Read more:

Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical will arrive at Manchester Opera House in May 2027.

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Tickets went on general sale this morning (Wednesday 17 December) at 10am, and you can get your hands on them via ATG Tickets here.

Featured Image – Supplied

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The full lineup for the Strictly Live tour has been revealed

Danny Jones Danny Jones Strictly Come Dancing live tour lineup 2026

Yes, ballroom lovers, it’s here: the full lineup of dancers for the ‘Strictly Come Dancing Live’ tour has finally and officially been revealed.

It feels like fans have been waiting ages to find out the entire roster for the Strictly Live tour next year, with only limited waves having been released thus far.

However, the patience has paid off, and we now know who’ll be starring both on the stage and on down on the floors of some of Britain’s most beloved venues, including our very own AO Arena.

You can see the latest raft of additions down below.

As you can see, the final four couples who complete the next Strictly Live tour lineup for 2026 are social media personality George Clarke, Emmerdale face Lewis Cope, former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and another actor in Layton Williams.

This quality quartet will be paired up with Alexis Warr, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley and Nikita Kuzmin, respectively; it has already been confirmed that much-loved trio Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood will be returning as judges, with Janette Manrara remaining as host.

Strictly‘s still ongoing season – the 23rd in the show’s history – is due to conclude this weekend, following the final on Saturday night (20 December), and it remains to be seen which of the current cast will be crowned champion, with several of those above and below now signed up for the live tour.

The rest of the Strictly Live dancers for 2026 here:

  • Harry Aikines-Aryeetey aka ‘Nitro’
  • Alex Kingston
  • Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
  • Balvinder Sopal
  • George Clarke
  • La Voix
  • Chris Robshaw
  • Ellie Goldstein
  • Thomas Skinner
  • Vicky Pattison
  • Stefan Dennis
  • Ross King
  • Karen Carney
  • Lewis Cope
  • Amber Davies

It isn’t guaranteed that each of these contestants will be taking part in EVERY single one of the tour dates, but either way, you’ve still got ‘The Professionals’ to come next spring, too.

The annual Strictly Come Dancing UK tour has become a firm fan favourite, not only among die-hard viewers of the BBC show but lovers of live entertainment in general.

Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and others confirmed the dates for their live shows earlier this year, with the AO set to host the two days’ worth of moves across Saturday, 31 January and Sunday, 1 February.

Hosting both normal evening shows as well as matinee slots, it’s simply up to you at what time of day you fancy panto-booing Craig…

If you’re interested in securing tickets for the typically fabulous festivals, you can grab yours HERE.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via BBC/AO Arena)

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Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics is returning to Manchester next year

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Iconic DJ and radio presenter Pete Tong MBE is making his way back to Manchester with a whole host of guests ready to help you dance the night away.

Known for his live radio shows such as the ‘Essential Mix’ on BBC Radio 1, Tong is bringing back his widely successful Ibiza Classics club night to Manchester with an equally impressive roster of guests.

The ‘Ibiza Classics’ concept originated and debuted back in 2015 with Tong and co. taking on Royal Albert Hall as part of BBC Radio 1’s Proms schedule, paying homage to the island’s infectious anthems.

Since then, the English DJ has built a music event bigger than he could have ever imagined, and after a milestone year marking the 10th anniversary of the acclaimed Ibiza Classics show, Pete Tong has announced a brand-new run of UK arena dates for 2026.

Some of Tong’s notable releases include ‘Where’s The Music Gone’ and ‘Apocolypse’, alongside some very respectable dance music artists.

Other tracks to his name include ‘You Got The Love’ and ‘Time’, both collaborations with Jules Buckley, one of the famous faces you’ll get to see on this special Ibiza Classics tour.

The seven-date arena tour kicks off in Glasgow’s before heading to Manchester’s AO Arena on Friday 4 December 2026.

He will also be playing in Leeds, Birmingham, and Nottingham, culminating the tour with two huge nights at The O2 London.

Ibiza Classics Live 2026

  • Thursday 3 December – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
  • Friday 4 December – Manchester, AO Arena
  • Saturday 5 December – Leeds, First Direct Bank Arena
  • Wednesday 9 December – Birmingham, Utilita Arena
  • Thursday 10 December – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
  • Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December – London, The O2

He will be joined by long-standing collaborators Jules Buckley and The Essential Orchestra.

This night is expected to be filled with pure dance hits, and based on recent shows, there might even be appearances from even more musical talents and special guests.

Pete Tong, Jules Buckley, and The Essential Orchestra are bringing Ibiza Classics to AO Arena on Friday 4 December 2026.

Read more:

Tickets go on sale next Monday 15 December, and you can get them here.

Featured Image – Supplied

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