British electronic masters, Jungle, have just announced a major outdoor summer show next year, as the production duo will be headlining Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl for Sounds of the City 2024.
We cannot overstate our excitement right now.
Following the recent release of their incredible fourth album Volcano last month, which has already received a tidal wave of critical acclaim, the band are currently touring the Americas and soon Europe, with a succession of dates right up until November.
However, the massive music collective — who often perform with upwards of seven musicians total on stage — have now confirmed their first show of 2024 as well, with Jungle being bestowed the top spot at next year’s Sounds of the City: the fortnight-long music festival that takes place right here in Manchester.
Undoubtedly one of the biggest dance and electronic artists on the planet right now, spearheaded by Joshua Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland, Jungle will be coming to Castlefield Bowl on Thursday, 11 July 2024 as one of the very first names to be announced alongside the likes of Hacienda Classical.
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Renowned for their incredible live performances and unmistakable brand of music best described as a disco meets soul and hip-hop hybrid, they’re one of the most innovative acts going right now and you do not want to miss seeing them in the flesh.
Trust us, we’ve had the pleasure before and it’s still well and truly up there with one of the greatest gigs we’ve ever seen.
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It’s rather fitting the new album is called Volcano because this thing is gonna go off. We’ve had this tune of repeat ever since it dropped.
Tickets for the special summer show go on sale this Friday, 22 September at 9:30am, so be ready to grab yours HERE — they’re going to sell out in a flash.
If Jungle getting 8,000 people inside Castlefield Bowl up and dancing under the sun at Sounds of the City doesn’t immediately strike you as what will undoubtedly be a truly unforgettable gig, we’re not sure we can be friends with you anymore.
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Just kidding, of course, but we hope to see plenty of you there and for all other Manc music news, you know where to look.
Featured Image — Jungle/@moodtalk_ (via Instagram)
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James Arthur to play massive Manchester show on UK arena tour next year
Emily Sergeant
James Arthur is the latest act to announce a massive UK arena tour, and he’ll be paying a visit to Manchester next year.
On the day that Manchester’s newest live entertainment arena,Co-op Live, is set to welcome one of the world’s current biggest pop star, Sabrina Carpenter, another major pop act is set to take to that very same stage around this time next year, as James Arthur has today announced a huge arena tour.
The former X Factor winner is heading out on an 11-date tour of the UK in early 2026, and that includes a visit to our city in mid February.
After performing in some of the UK’s biggest cities in the days prior – including London’s O2, the bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham, and shows in other northern cities such as Sheffield and Liverpool – the will 37-year-old singer-songwriter will stop off Manchester to close out his impressive tour.
He’ll be performing at Co-op Live on Saturday 21 February 2026.
The announcement of next year’s UK tour next year’s coincides with the upcoming release of Arthur’s highly-anticipated next studio album, PISCES.
In recent years, Arthur has cemented himself as one of the biggest names in contemporary pop and soul, amassing 11 Platinum hit singles, more 38 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and two UK number one albums along the way – including his most recent release, Bitter Sweet Love, which was celebrated with a sold-out UK and Europe arena tour, culminating in a historic performance in his hometown of Middlesbrough to an audience of 25,000 fans.
James Arthur UK arena tour dates 2025
3 February – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
4 February – Glasgow OVO Hydro
6 February – Newcastle Utilita Arena
7 February – Aberdeen P&J Live
10 February – Birmingham bp pulse LIVE
11 February – Bournemouth International Centre
13 February – Sheffield Utilita Arena
14 February – Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
16 February – Cardiff Utilita Arena
18 February – London The O2
21 February – Manchester Co-op Live
James Arthur is playing a massive Manchester show on his UK arena tour next year / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
With the upcoming release of PISCES on 25 April, Arthur is said to be ‘diving deeper into his personal struggles’ to create a collection of songs that is ‘as introspective as it is sonically adventurous’.
Tickets to James Arthur’s 2026 UK arena tour, including the Manchester Co-op Live gig on Saturday 21 February, go on pre-sale next Wednesday 19 March at 9am, and then on general sale on Friday 21 February at 9am.
Find out more and get tickets when they go on sale here.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Popular Manchester comedy festival returns with impressive lineup of local talent and ‘cult sensations’
Emily Sergeant
A popular comedy festival is returning to our city with yet another impressive lineup of local talent and ‘cult sensations’.
That’s right… some of the UK’s best comedy names are coming to Manchester.
Following the success of events held the last two years, renowned production company, A Lovely Time, has once again put together an absolutely jam-packed lineup of television names, internet sensations, hotly-tipped newcomers, and even critically-acclaimed comedians for a weekend full of comedy shows in the heart of the city centre.
Taking place at Fairfield Social Club – which is tucked away down at the Green Quarter – the weekend-long festival, aptly called A Lovely Weekend, will kick off on Friday 6 June.
You can expect three full days of laughter at the hands of an expertly-curated lineup, who’ll mostly be staging ‘work in progress’ shows and sets.
Popular comedy festival A Lovely Weekend is returning to Manchester this summer / Credit: Kristyna Baczyna | Caro Ferretti
This year’s festival is bringing 19 new shows to the mix, including the likes of Edinburgh Comedy Award winners John Kearns and Jordan Brookes, and local talent done-good Rachel Fairburn and Josh Jones, as well rising stars Sharon Wanjohi, Ayoade Bamgboye, and Molly McGuinness.
Plus, you can also catch cult sensations like Mark Silcox and the formidable Frankie Monroe, making for a truly unmissable weekend of comedy.
“It’s such an honour to bring this amazing lineup of comedians to Manchester, which is quickly becoming the most exciting city for comedy in the UK,” commented festival organiser John Stansfield ahead of this summer’s event.
Co-organiser Chris Cantrill, who is also a comedian himself, added: “As a comedy fan I have to say I cannot wait for this year’s festival. It feels positively decadent.”
A Lovely Weekend 2025 will take over Fairfield Social Club from Friday 6 – Sunday 8 June, and tickets are on sale now – with tickets to individual shows, and specific day and weekend-long passes all available to get your hands on.
Danny Jones -
19th September 2023 
