In the mood for a glorious throwback? Course you are. 2000s pop and alt-rock icons, Keane, are back with a massive world tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the debut album, Hopes & Fears.Time flies.
We remember it like it was yesterday and are still fond of the record to this day, but we really don’t appreciate being told that it was released all the back in May 2004 and, in turn, being reminded just how bloody old we are now.
But enough self-pity, the hugely successful Noughties four-piece from Sussex are continuing their comeback trail after reforming in 2019 and we couldn’t be happier. They’ve even got Wigan lads The Lathums as well Yorkshire’s very own The Sherlocks on board. Scenes.
Set to embark on a huge tour of Europe, North America, the UK and Ireland, Keane will be treating us Brits to six Arena dates and the Manchester date will be one of the first at the brand-new Co-Op Live Arena. Playing their debut as part of a debut — seems fitting.
Here we go… Come and celebrate 20 years of Hopes and Fears with us.
Mexico, Europe, UK, Dublin, North America & Toronto you’re first. More to come soon…
Get ready to grab your tickets for the Manchester date on Keane’s anniversary tour.
In case you need reminding just how big these lads were in their heyday, Keane are still up their one of the UK’s biggest-selling bands and their iconic track, ‘Somewhere Only We Know‘, has been streamed well over a billion times. Insane numbers.
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Although we’re sure they might chuck in the odd track from their other albums at a few shows, but we think it’s fair to say that pretty much everyone agrees Hopes & Fears is their magnum opus and we can’t wait to hopefully hear them play the whole thing in full after such a long time.
‘We Might as Well Be Strangers’, ‘This is the Last Time’, ‘She Has No Time’, ‘Bend and Break’, Everbody’s Changning’—yes, we know we’re just listing the entire album at this point but they’re all absolute tunes.
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With the band fast approaching 30 years since they first formed, it’s set to be just as momentous an occasion for them as it will be for their die-hard fans (the person writing this included).
Featured Image — Keane/@iheartcamera (via Instagram)
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There’s a big listening party for Taylor Swift’s new album happening in Manchester this week
Emily Sergeant
One of the biggest, if not the biggest, popstars in the world right now will be releasing a brand-new album this Friday, and there’s a dedicated listening party happening in Manchester especially for the occasion.
In case you aren’t a Swiftie, or you just generally weren’t aware, Taylor Swift announced back in early February that she would be unleashing her eleventh studio album, titled The Tortured Poets Department, on the world on 19 April.
Just like anything the 34-year-old singer-songwriter does, the surprise announcement of the new album – which is a follow-up to her 2022 critically-acclaimed and GRAMMY award-winning album, Midnights – pretty much broke the internet when it happened, and her dedicated fans have been counting down the days ever since.
Now, after months of eagerly waiting, the big day is finally happening this Friday, and in a bid to properly mark what a massive day it will be, one popular Manchester venue has decided to host a dedicated listening party, so that Swifties can unite under one roof and celebrate the special occasion together.
Fairfield Social Club (FSC) which has recently opened its doors in the heart of Manchester city centre, is inviting fans to “gather with your closest Swifties” and head on down to its Green Quarter venue this Friday for a night that’s “dedicated to Tay Tay and her legacy”.
Not only will you get to hear The Tortured Poets Department in full from start to finish surrounded by dozens of fellow fans, but there’ll also be a bunch of other Swift-themed activities too.
There’s a big Taylor Swift new album listening party happening in Manchester this week / Credit: FSC
These include a Taylor Swift pub quiz with questions to all about her life and groundbreaking career to test your knowledge, friendship bracelet-making sessions, and just the chance to share the love and swap stories with other Swifties.
If all of that didn’t sound brilliant enough as it is, there’s also set to be a selection of themed cocktails to sip whilst you spend time ruminating on what Taylor meant in the lyrics of her songs only released a few hours prior.
Oh, and the best bit? FSC promises there “won’t be a Scooter Braun in sight” on the night.
The Tortured Poets Department Listening Party is taking over Fairfield Social Club this Friday 19 April from 7pm right through until 10pm – with tickets now on sale setting you back just £6 each, and already selling fast.
Smash-hit musical Kinky Boots starring Strictly’s Johannes Radebe is coming to Manchester next year
Emily Sergeant
Smash-hit musical Kinky Boots is heading out on a tour of the UK next year, and the talented cast will be stopping off here in Manchester.
The Broadway and West End phenomenon, which is based on a true story and is an adaptation of a 2005 film of the same name, has become known and loved by musical theatre fans all across the globe since its stage debut back in 2012, and has scooped up several Tonys, Olivier Awards, and GRAMMYs along the way.
And now, it’s set for a revival starring Strictly Come Dancing‘s Johannes Radebe, and the production will be touring the UK and Ireland from January 2025.
Kinky Boots The Musical features a score by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein, and this new production will be directed by Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster – who has famously helmed productions of The Wizard of Oz and Billy Elliot, to name a few – as well as starring the fan-favourite Strictly pro as Lola, alongside and rising star Dan Partridge as Charlie Price.
Smash-hit musical Kinky Boots starring Strictly’s Johannes Radebe is coming to Manchester / Credit: Ollies Rosser (via Supplied)
In case you’re unfamiliar with the Kinky Boots story, here’s brief rundown.
After inheriting his family’s failing shoe factory and with a relationship on the rocks, life is proving to be very challenging for Charlie Price, but that is until he meets Lola – a drag queen whose “sparkle and unsteady heels” might just hold the answer to saving the struggling business.
The 2025 revival production is already being billed as “guaranteed to raise you up” and “celebrate everybody’s individuality” when it arrives here in Manchester next February.
👢 On sale to ATG+ members 👢
Kinky Boots The Musical, is strutting back to Manchester in a new production starring Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe and rising star Dan Partridge.
“Kinky Boots is one of the things I’m proudest of in my career,” commented Cyndi Lauper, on the musicals return to the road across the UK.
“I’m so excited that audiences will get to see it again, in a new production, as it’s like a happy pill, and we could all use some of that right now, so I can’t think of a better time or place to relaunch this special show in its place of origin.”
Danny Jones -
8th September 2023 
