One of the most iconic musicals of all time is heading out on a 50th anniversary tour, and it’s stopping off here in Manchester next month.
Having been seen by more than 30 million theatregoers over the past five decades now, Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock musical, The Rocky Horror Show, is set to return to our city as part of a sell-out worldwide tour in just a few weeks time.
And there’s still plenty of tickets available from as little as £13.
Unfamiliar with the musical? Since it first opened in London in June 1973 at the Royal Court Theatre, The Rocky Horror Show has become the longest continuous run of a contemporary musical anywhere in the world.
It has been staged in 30 countries and translated into 20 languages as it continues to delight audiences on its sell-out international tour.
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The Rocky Horror Show is stopping off in Manchester on its world tour next month / Credit: ATG Tickets
Famously combining science fiction, horror, comedy, and music, The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet.
When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, and they meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter, making it an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.
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All set to celebrate 50 years of non-stop partying, this special anniversary production of the smash-hit musical is directed by Christopher Luscombe, and it’s gearing up to thrill audiences with countless “fun and naughty moments”.
It’s back on an international tour to celebrate 50 years of the iconic musical / Credit: The Other Richard
The production will feature rousing renditions of the musical’s timeless classic songs – including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet, and of course, the show-stopping Time Warp.
Guaranteed to be a party like no other, audience participation is also a huge part of the show, which means getting dressed-up in the most outrageous fancy dress is encouraged for anyone who fancies it.
Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Louis Tomlinson at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist, and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
Former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson is heading out on a UK tour, visiting Co-op Live for his biggest Manchester solo show to date.
10 years since launching his solo career with debut single ‘Just Hold On’, Tomlinson is hitting the road again for his tour, which shares its title with the name of his latest LP – How Did I Get Here?
Tomlinson’s last visit to Manchester saw him gracing the impressive 21,000 seater AO Arena – a stage he was already familiar with during his UK boyband days.
But now, the Doncaster-born musician is visiting one of Manchester’s biggest indoor live music venues, Co-op Live, and it’s sure to be a jam-packed night of live music.
Are there tickets left for Louis Tomlinson at Co-op Live?
Well if you’ve made it this far through, it’s safe to say the fact you’re after Louis Tomlinson tickets is ‘Written All Over Your Face’.
If you’re wanting to ‘Face The Music’ or ‘Jump the Gun’ you can do so as there’s tickets to his Manchester show at Co-op Live HERE.
Louis Tomlinson is bringing the How Did I Get Here? tour to Manchester on 24 April / Credit: Flickr via Javie Rosh / Wikimedia Commons via Kurt Kulac (Supplied)
Louis Tomlinson setlist for 2026 tour
The How Did I Get Here? Tour officially kicked off in Europe and it prioritises songs from his latest LP.
Here is the set list:
Lemonade
On Fire
Written All Over Your Face
Out Of My System
Bigger Than Me
Saturdays
Angels Fly
Dark to Light
Broken Bones
Defenceless
Just Hold On
Lazy
Sunflowers
Lucid
Jump the Gun
Imposter
Sanity
Kill My Mind
Face the Music
Silver Tounges
The Observer
The Answer
Miss You
Palaces
Stage times
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm meaning you can get home before having to watch the sky turn from ‘Dark to Light’.
Anyone attending this show is in luck as the North has been well and truly represented in the form of Manc-based rock group Pale Waves and Doncaster talent ADMT.
Great to see another one of our own, Alex Spencer, also joining the bill for the EU leg, even if it means Manchester just misses out on getting to him hit the stage.
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
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The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
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Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Emily Sergeant -
19th January 2023 
