But that doesn’t always have to be because of the clubbers themselves and their preferences, sometimes it’s actually about the clubs instead, as often, people can find these spaces to be too loud or overcrowded for them, and crucially, open too late into the night (or should we say early hours of the morning).
Luckily, former BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac is back to solve that very problem, as she’s set to host a series of club nights across the UK and Ireland that end before midnight.
Following the success of her big outdoor shows this past summer, the Dublin-born DJ, broadcaster, and writer has now announced that she’ll be bringing her Before Midnight clubbing concept back for more later this year, and she’ll be taking to a famous Manchester city centre stage in early November.
Annie Mac is hosting a club night in Manchester for people who want to go bed early / Credit: Eva Pantel (via Supplied)
For this upcoming series, the popular clubbing concept – which launched in 2022 – will be moving back inside, and the shows are set to be “darker, sweatier, and more intimate” this time around.
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As well as taking over Manchester’s iconic Albert Hall in the hearty of the city centre, Annie will also be heading to several other major cites – including London, Belfast, and Dublin.
Annie said she created the Before Midnight clubbing concept especially for “a generation of people who grew up with clubbing in their DNA, but who weren’t being served by the industry”, such as those who work on the weekends, who have exams to study for, who can’t afford a babysitter to stay over, or who feel particularly self conscious at a typical nightclub.
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Essentially, if you like to go to bed early, then this is also a night for you.
“I wanted to try and recreate the mood and atmosphere of a nightclub at a time that was accessible for me,” Annie said ahead of her tour later this year.
“I figured you can go and see any band, or play, or art show at accessible times, but there were few opportunities to see your favourite DJ in a nightclub at 9pm.”
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She added that the upcoming shows, including the one here in Manchester, will combine the best of everything she’s learnt from all her previous shows so far, and the main aim of the tour is to ensure parties are thrown for people who want to feel “safe, included, celebrated, and no matter what age they are, want to dance”.
Annie Mac’s Before Midnight tour will coming to Manchester’s Albert Hall on Saturday 2 November, with tickets set to go on general sale this Friday 20 September at 10am, as well as a presale the day prior (Thursday 19 September), also at 10am.
You can find out more and grab tickets to the one-off special club night here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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The full lineup for the Strictly Live tour has been revealed
Danny Jones
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.
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
IconicDJ 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.
Emily Sergeant -
18th September 2024 
