Take That are back and they’re heading out on a massive UK tour next year, with not one but FOUR Manchester dates on the lineup.
The beloved Manchester boyband are absolutely no strangers to some of our city’s biggest stages, with several record-breaking tours having taken place within the past few decades – but now, the lads are back at it again and have just been revealed as the latest headliners in the Co-op Live’s massive opening season next year.
Eagle-eyed fans will know the band have been teasing their return for a little while now, and just yesterday, light projections of their iconic logo was beamed onto venues all around the UK to signal an announcement was imminent.
But what we didn’t know was that it wouldn’t just be one, but four massive Manchester dates.
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Take That’s 2024 ‘This Life On Tour’ tour has just been exclusively announced in the old-school way of live on BBC Radio 2 this morning – with Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald all appearing on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show to confirm their long-awaited return.
It’s not just a tour the trio’s announced either, as they’ve also just put out a brand-new single today too, titled ‘Windows’.
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The track sees them reunite for their first original composition in over five years, and is said to tell the story of “emerging from the darkness into the light”, as it signals a new chapter for one of Britain’s best-selling bands.
The lads say their new music is ushering-in a new Take That era brimming with “energy, creativity, and a continued desire to challenge and surprise”.
As Manchester‘s newest – and soon-to-be the UK’s largest – live entertainment arena nears closer to officially opening its doors and welcoming visitors, Co-op Live has been slowly revealing the music acts set to grace the stage as part of its huge launch season jam-packed full of events – with beloved US boyband Jonas Brothers announced as the first headlining act back in July, and Eric Clapton later confirmed for his first Manchester gig in a decade.
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Current US megastar Olivia Rodrigo also has two nights booked in, Irishman and former One Directioner Niall Horan will be taking to the stage, and fellow Mancs Simply Red are also making a special 40th anniversary return.
And now, it’s Take That’s turn.
JUST ANNOUNCED: Take That
Believe us, it's going to be magic. @takethat will be joined on the tour by very special guest @Ollymurs. @Coopuk Members get first in line access for tickets.
Take That will be taking to the stage at Co-op Live on 7, 8, 10 and 11 May 2024 as part of the ‘This Life On Tour’ tour.
The trio will be joined by Olly Murs as the support act in Manchester.
Once again, as part of the highly-anticipated £365 million venue’s “pioneering” partnership, Co-op members will get the chance to gain early access to tickets through a designated presale on Wednesday 27 September at 9:30am, all before the general sale takes place.
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General sale tickets are available through Co-op Live from 9:30am on Friday 29 September, and you can grab them here.
Iconic music festival Suffragette City is returning to Manchester
Thomas Melia
Suffragette City, known for its cracking performances by the greatest female and non-binary acts, is returning to Manchester next month.
Aptly named after the Suffragette movement, this event celebrates and supports ‘women and gender expansive folk’ through charity work and fantastic club nights, bringing together women and non-binary performers, DJs, artists and more for some non-stop music entertainment.
Even better, this club night is being hosted around International Women’s Day, meaning there’s even more reasons to dance the night away.
Manchester was one of the pioneering cities when it came to campaigning for womens’ right to vote.
Emmeline Pankhurst’s efforts will never be forgotten, as she and her fellow advocates managed to securing womens’ right to vote in 1918, a date that is cemented in UK and worldwide history. So much so, there’s a statue of her which sits heroically in St. Peter’s Square overlooking the city centre and all of its many commuters.
This event is named in honour of that very movement.
This year, Suffragette City is being hosted at one of Manchester’s most-esteemed nightlife venues, Yes Bar, where they will be taking over all four floors and you’ll be able to catch some of the hottest talent including Sarah Bates and Afrodeutsche.
As well as making sure people are having a brilliant time, this club night also aims to raise lots of money for a variety of important local charities and causes, all of which help women and non-binary people with different resources.
All the money from each ticket sale goes straight back to the charities MASH (Manchester Action on Street Health), Every Month, SAWN (Support and Action Women’s Network), and Contact Hostel.
Iconic music festival Suffragette City is returning to Manchester next month / Credit: Supplied
As much as technology may be our new best friend, you’ll also find a handful of volunteers spread throughout the venue with buckets for you to put physical donations into, and you can also help contribute by purchasing merchandise online or at the event.
And to make the event even more accessible, for the first time ever, it will broadcast globally online thanks to an exciting collaboration with StreamGM – a not-for-profit streaming service showcasing music, culture, and nightlife from Greater Manchester – and their underground clubbing series, Main Room.
So whether you’re in Manchester, Madrid, Melbourne, or anywhere in between, you’ll be able to experience the magic of Suffragette City from the comfort of your own home.
LF System, DJ Paulette and Turno announced as headliners for ‘The Drop’ music series
Thomas Melia
A returning music series is taking place in Manchester again and it’s bringing together even more great DJs for some fantastic live sets.
Titled ‘The Drop’, this music celebration is the mastermind of Skiddle and Headstock, who have collaborated to raise funds to support the music industry and mental health awareness.
Both the leading organisations put music at the forefront of what they do with Skiddle as a UK-based online ticket platform and Headstock, a hugely important music and mental health social enterprise.
‘The Drop’ is a monthly event series created to raise funds for several charities that exist to support the mental health of people working in the music industry.
Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
This all-new event has support from The Warehouse Project, one of the leading nightlife and music entertainment spots not just in Manchester but the UK, bringing in acts from all over the world.
There are lots of music-tailored companies getting involved too including our very own music counterpart, Audio North.
Currently, there are three big headliners that have just been announced and these acts are certainly music champions in the dance music scene, featuring LF System, DJ Paulette and Turno.
LF System has reached incredible heights thanks to their unforgettable tune ‘Afraid To Feel’, which has now racked up nearly 500 million Spotify streams globally since its release in 2022.
Manchester music legend and Haçienda queen, DJ Paulette has also seen huge success with her mind-blowing mixes and soundtracking various music events.
The final headliner to be announced so far is Turno, who has played out to crowds of 10,000 at WHP and is respected for his eclectic drum and bass beats.
DJ Paulette is always lifting our energy no matter where she goes.Turno is about to bring some drum and bass bangers.LF System are ready to show off some well-crafted mixes.Credit: Publicity Pictures (Supplied)
‘The Drop’ kickstarts on 27 March for the Spring season with international DJ and producer Turno from 6:30-11pm, with sets happening every month following, tickets are already available.
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Following on from this is the sensational LF System are taking over with a coffee table set joined by some special yet-to-be-announced guests on 24 April – tickets HERE.
Finally, DJ Paulette will be bringing those massive rave bangers and combining it with her usual charismatic energy on 15 May – grab your tickets now.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd September 2023 
