In case you missed it, JLS are getting band back together and heading out on a massive UK tour later this year.
And of course, they’re paying a trip to visit us here in Manchester.
After finishing runners-up on ITV reality singing competition X Factor, JLS broke through in 2009 when their debut single ‘Beat Again’ shot straight tonumber one on the UK Top 40, before their follow-up singles ‘Everybody In Love’, ‘The Club Is Alive’, ‘Love You More’, and ‘She Makes Me Wanna’ also enjoyed chart success.
Another five top 10 hits, a self-titled number-one debut album, three more top-three records, two BRIT Awards, and five MOBO Awards then followed, all before they said goodbye with their ‘Greatest Hits’ album in 2013.
But after the lads made their first comeback in 2021 and it was a huge success, the hugely-popular boyband is going back out on the road on a massive UK and Ireland arena tour later this year.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the EVERYBODY SAY JLS: The Hits Tour.
The suspense is over… 😂 We couldn't be more excited to announce another UK and Ireland arena tour later this year🙌🏾🙌🏾 Last time out was totally surreal and we’ve been eagerly awaiting the right time to do it all over again!! https://t.co/uJhlPb03Ytpic.twitter.com/6VlGaIxTdf
When does the tour start? And what cities are they heading to?
Kicking off in Dublin on 20 October, Aston, Marvin, Oritsé, and JB will take to the stage in several major UK cities such as Cardiff, Belfast, Birmingham, and Liverpool, before they make their way over to see us in Manchester.
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Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, and Nottingham are some of the other cities on the list, as well as two nights in London at the O2 Arena.
The tour is set to run from Friday 20 October – Sunday 11 November 2023.
When are JLS playing in Manchester?
After playing to roaring crowds at some of the UK and Ireland’s biggest arenas for the last couple of weeks of October, JLS will be arriving in Manchester to play to tens of thousands of adoring fans inside the AO Arena in early November.
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They’ll be taking to the stage in our city on Thursday 2 November 2023.
JLS will take to the stage at the AO Arena in Manchester later this year / Credit: AO Arena
How much will tickets cost?
It’s expected that there’ll be three different price brackets of general admission tickets, so you can pick from seats or standing costing either £39.25, £53, or £75, depending on your budget.
If you’re a super fan looking to splash the cash though, there’s also the JLS Best Seat VIP Package for £141 per ticket.
This package includes a top-price seated ticket to see JLS at the AO Arena, as well as a limited-edition A4 tour print that’s pre-signed by all four members, and an exclusive VIP gift chosen by the band.
When do tickets go on sale? And where can you buy them?
The question you’ve presumably all been looking for the answer to, tickets for EVERYBODY SAY JLS: The Hits Tour go on general sale this Friday 3 March at 9am.
“We couldn’t be more excited to announce another UK and Ireland arena tour,” the boyband said in a statement ahead of the tour.
“Last time out was totally surreal, and we’ve been eagerly awaiting the right time to do it all over again, as playing live and seeing our amazing fans is definitely the best part of being JLS.”
Featured Image – Mark Hayman
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Northern veterans Embrace announce new album and special UK anniversary tour
Danny Jones
Northern rock veterans Embrace have announced a new album, as well as a raft of landmark anniversary tour dates in the UK, including a big Manchester gig.Guess you could call it ‘A Glorious Day’…
In all seriousness, we’re big fans of Embrace here at Audio North, and a lot of people across the wider team grew up listening to these lot, either through our parents or as part of our first adolescent forays into music.
Often lumped in with so-called ‘dad rock’, perhaps due to the era and radio-friendly sound they’ve cultivated over the course of their long and successful, albeit somewhat underdog career, it’s merely a sign of their longevity and how palatable their brand of alternative guitar-driven tunes has always been.
LP number nine – simply entitled Avalanche – will be no different, we’re sure.
Pre-order ‘Avalanche’ from our official store for priority access to pre-sale tickets for the tour 👉 https://t.co/LZwz3o7xY5 or link in bio ☝🏻
UK Tour Pre-sale: 4 Feb UK Tour General sale: 6 Feb
Well, the record itself is set to be a highly personal one, according to a recent interview with Clash Magazine, but the boys have always put plenty of themselves into their long-running discography.
As per an official press release, frontman Danny McNamara believes this might be more “honest, open, and raw” than anything they’ve done before.
This being their first new material since 2022, when the band released How to Be a Person Like Other People (album number eight, which recieved largley positive reviews for being similarly introspective), die-hards are understandably hugely excited, with pre-orders already flying.
The Bailiff Bridge-born band were praised on that last outing for returning to something closer to their classic post-Britpop sound, and judging by the latest release, ‘Road to Nowhere’, we’re getting more of that familiar style that fans have grown so fond of over the decades.
Speaking of which, the Embrace boys are celebrating 30 years as a touring band in 2026: an incredible feat for any artist, but we’re always especially proud of those from up North.
Confirming the full news via social media on Wednesday, 28 January, the well-established and long-running Yorkshire group revealed a healthy run of live tour dates for this winter.
Listing a run of a dozen dates in total, Embrace comes to Manchester Academy (1) in mid-November, with Newcastle being the other northernmost show in England.
Surprisingly, there are currently venues booked in their home county, but you may well see special shows announced there in addition to the first batch of 30th anniversary gigs. You can see the full list of tour dates announced down below.
Embrace 30th anniversary UK tour dates 2026
Aberdeen Music Hall – Monday, 9
Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom – 10 Tuesday, 10
Newcastle NX – Thursday, 12
Manchester O2 Academy – Saturday, 14
Nottingham Rock City – Sunday, 15
Brighton Dome – Tues, 17
Bristol Beacon – Thurs, 19
London Roundhouse – Friday, 20
Birmingham O2 Academy – Sat, 21
Cambridge Corn Exchange – Sun, 22
Margate Dreamland – Tues, 24
Torquay Arena – Thurs, 26
Southampton O2 Guildhall – Fri, 27
Cardiff Tramshed – Sat, 28
As for those of you looking to watch them in the city centre, early access will be granted to those pre-ordering the album, which drops on 12 June, from Wednesday, 4 February. General sale tickets will be available the following Friday (6 Feb) at 10am.
You can get ready to grab your tickets for the upcoming Embrace gig at Manchester Academy when they go live right HERE.
Meanwhile, you can hear the band’s new single, which is already becoming a fan favourite Embrace song, in full down below – let us know what you think of it in the comments.
Featured Images — Press shot (supplied via SJM Concerts)
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The UK’s biggest LEGO convention is coming back to Manchester next month
Emily Sergeant
The biggest LEGO event in the UK is returning to Manchester next month.
After proving to be such a massive sell-out success last year, Bricktastic – the ‘ultimate’ LEGO convention – will be returning to Manchester next month, just in time for half term, with even more incredible LEGO models, activities, and fun for all the family.
Already shaping up to be one of the most exciting LEGO events in the UK, with tickets already on sale and selling fast, fans can expect to see more than 300 exhibitors from around the world showcasing original LEGO creations, also known as MOCs (Models of Own Creation), all under one roof at Manchester Central.
Whether you’re a fan of Star Wars, Friends, or Harry Potter, you’ll find your favourite LEGO themes and more at the event next month.
You’ll also be able to meet the talented model creators and uncover the stories behind their spectacular builds.
This LEGO convention isn’t just about admiring the models though, it’s about creating your own too, as at Bricktastic, you can build a section of our giant LEGO mosaic featuring more 100,000 bricks, dive into the brick pits filled with system or DUPLO® bricks for the little ones, and leave your own personal tag on the LEGO graffiti walls.
Basically, you can create anything you like and then leave your masterpiece on display for others to enjoy when they visit.
The UK’s biggest LEGO convention is coming back to Manchester next month / Credit: Shirlane Forrest
There’ll also be a wide variety of shopping opportunities at Bricktastic 2026, with something for every budget, no matter what you’re searching for.
And all proceeds from Bricktastic 2026 will help to fund LEGO deliveries to children in hospitals through the Fairy Bricks charity.
Bricktastic 2026 is taking place at Manchester Central on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February 2026, and tickets are on sale now.
Tickets will be required for all visitors. Your ticket will have a timed entry but not a timed exit, so you can stay as long as you like, and if you want to take a break for a coffee or lunch, then simply collect a wristband to return whenever you’re ready.
Emily Sergeant -
27th February 2023 
