Award-winning musical Jesus Christ Superstar is heading out on a UK tour later this year, and it’s kicking things off here in Manchester.
Following several acclaimed and sold-out runs in the West End, as well as an extensive tour right across the US and Canada, it’s now been announced that the Olivier Award-winning reimagined production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s celebrated musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, will take to the stage at some of the country’s best-loved theatres.
Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield, Bradford, Sunderland, and Blackpool are just a handful of the Northern locations the show will be stopping off at – with several other major UK cities also on the lineup.
But what better way to kick things off than with a visit to see us here in Manchester?
Jesus Christ Superstar will be taking over Manchester’s Palace Theatre for a two-week run from Monday 11 – Saturday 23 September 2023.
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📣 NEW SHOW ALERT 📣
We are thrilled to announce that the iconic global phenomenon, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR comes to the Palace Theatre this September.
📅 Mon 11 – Sat 23 September 🎟️ On sale to ATG Theatre Card holders: Mon 20 Feb @ 12pm 🎟️ General on sale: Thu 23 Feb @ 10am pic.twitter.com/lk9k6toGKd
Featuring music and lyrics by Emmy, GRAMMY, Oscar, and Tony winners Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, this version of the beloved production first staged all the way back in 1971 was reimagined by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – which is actually where it originated – and is headed up by director Timothy Sheader and choreographer Drew McOnie.
Unfamiliar with the award-winning production? A global phenomenon that has wowed audiences for decades, Jesus Christ Superstar’s iconic 1970s rock score was originally released as a concept album and opened on Broadway in 1971 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre.
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The show is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas.
The legendary score includes smash-hit songs like ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’, and the stand-out ‘Superstar’.
Jesus Christ Superstar to kick off 2023 UK tour in Manchester / Credit: Supplied
Speaking ahead of the start of the UK tour, the show’s producer David Ian said: “I am thrilled to be taking this award-winning production on tour in 2023 and 2024.
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“Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has created a fresh and bold new version of a beloved classic, which will enthrall both longtime fans of the show and delight those seeing it for the very first time”.
The very special homecoming show will be New Order‘s first full headline performance in the city since 2021.
The group are widely accepted to be one of the most influential bands of all time and this year celebrated 40 years of their hit Blue Monday.
They were founded in 1980 by vocalist and guitarist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook and drummer Stephen Morris, who had all been together in Joy Division, which disbanded after the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis.
This year, the band announced reissued editions of their classic compilation ‘Substance 1987’, the band’s biggest-selling album to date.
They also headlined Barcelona’s Primavera Sound before they commenced their UK and European tour this autumn.
New Order will be supported by Johnny Marr, good friend of the band and legendary guitarist of The Smiths.
Marr and Sumner previously worked on synth-dance act Electronic together, and released three albums.
Johnny Marr announced a new album earlier this year – ‘Spirit Power: The Best of Johnny Marr’ will celebrate the first ten years of his solo career, featuring songs from across his four solo albums.
Fans can expect to hear Johnny’s greatest hits alongside the brand new track ‘The Answer’ as he takes to the stage at Wythenshawe Park next August.
Also supporting New Order at Wythenshawe Park will be adopted Manc Roisin Murphy, known in the 1990s as one half of pop duo Moloko.
The Irish singer and songwriter recently released her universally acclaimed sixth studio album, Hit Parade.
Presale tickets will go on sale from Monday 4 December at 10am, while general sale tickets go on sale on Tuesday 5 December at 10am, and you can grab yours here.
The National named as next act on lineup for Sounds of the City 2024 at Castlefield Bowl
Danny Jones
American rockers The National have been confirmed as the latest act on the Sounds of the City 2024 lineup at Castelfield Bowlin July.
The legendary alt-dad-rockers, as we like to think of them, have officially been named as the next artist for the annual summer festival right here in Manchester city centre, joining the likes of Tom Grennan, Manic Street Preachers, Jungle, Suede and more.
With a Grammy award win and countless other nominations to their name down the years, The National has become one of the best-loved contemporary rock and indie outfits around the globe and now they’re making their Sounds of the City debut in front of roughly 8,000 Mancs.
These lads have been around for over two decades now and have just released their 10th studio album this past September. They show no signs of slowing down and will no doubt light up Manchester’s iconic Castlefield Bowl as they have done countless other arenas and amphitheatres.
We are pleased to announce some additional tour dates for Summer 2024.
Tickets for all shows go on sale Friday, 17th November at 10AM GMT, except Milan and Rome which go on sale Thursday, 16th November at 10AM GMT. pic.twitter.com/FqG58cMVpf
The National confirm Castlefield Bowl and Sounds of the City debut in 2024.
Announcing the show as part of their current tour which kicked off this November at home in the States, this latest leg is promoting the new record, Laugh Track: a surprise release which comes just a couple of couple of months after their previous project, First Two Pages of Frankenstein, which dropped in July.
While the band confirmed the songs were all written at the same time, the five-piece has insisted that if the last album “represented a rebuilding of trust between us after 20+ years together, Laugh Track is both the product of that faith and a new statement of intent.”
In a continued sea change for the group, the new record features some seriously cool feature artists including Phoebe Bridgers and Rosanne Cash (daughter of country legend, Johnny) — two very exciting names to follow up the equally surprising collaboration with Taylor Swift.
All that being said, these lads will be putting on anything but a ‘Slow Show’ and it’s safe to say that if you miss out, everybody else will be there.
General sale for The National at Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl for Sounds of the City 2024 goes live at 10am on Friday, 17 November, adding to an already stacked month of mega live music here in 0161.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd March 2023 
