Will Mellor and Ralf Little are taking their popular Two Pints Podcast on a tour of the UK next year, and of course they’re stopping off in Manchester.
After the sell-out success that was their 17-date ‘Two Pints Podcast LIVE! Tour’ back in 2022, the two local actors and longtime best mates are heading back on the road in the new year with their brand-new and proper hilarious ‘April Fools’ Live Tour!, and they’ll be kicking off where things all started for them – here in Manchester.
For nearly 10 years, Will and Ralf were the voice of a generation on Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, and were notorious for pushing the boundaries of what was considered to be acceptable humour on British TV.
After multiple failed attempts to reunite them, the boys began their Two Pints with Will & Ralf podcast in 2020, and it’s proved so popular because it’s filled with the kind of banter only true friends can have – with each episode seeing Will and Ralf “chat sh*t” to each other, to fellow celebs, and to guests with fascinating stories to tell, all over two pints and a hearty helping of bar snacks.
It went on to be such a smash-hit that it’s now in its fourth series, so it’s no wonder they’ve taken it on tour and decided to hit the road once again in 2024.
The ‘April Fools’ Live Tour!’ kicks off at Manchester’s legendary Albert Hall on 5 April 2024, and will then go on to visit six other major cities across the UK, all before culminating at Sheffield’s City Hall on 28 April 2024.
The lads say they’re boys are excited to “bring their side hustle to fans in real life” once again, with each night of the tour promising to be “uproarious” and combine “the infectious camaraderie of Will & Ralf” with “raw audience participation”.
Will Mellor and Ralf Little are bringing their Two Pints Podcast live to Manchester / Credit: Two Pints Podcast (via Facebook)
“Going out on tour again is very exciting,” Ralf commented, “as we had such a blast last time, so we can’t wait to meet everyone again and see all your lovely faces.”
Agreeing with Ralf, Will added: “I loved the buzz of being on tour last time, so can’t wait to have loads of banter with everyone again.
Tickets to the ‘April Fools’ Live Tour!’ at Manchester’s Albert Hall on Friday 5 April 2024 officially go on general sale this Friday (15 December 2023) at 10am, with prices starting from £33.45.
Lewis Capaldi announces huge outdoor Manchester gig at Wythenshawe Park next summer
Emily Sergeant
Lewis Capaldi has announced a run of huge outdoor shows next summer, and he’ll be stopping off here in Manchester.
After unprecedented demand saw one of the biggest-ever rushes for tickets across both pre-sale and general sale earlier this year, Lewis Capaldi is currently blazing through a triumphant 200,000-ticket sold out 17-date UK arena tour as we speak – and is set to take to the Co-op Live stage for two huge Manc gigs this weekend.
But he shows no signs of slowing down soon, as he has today announced his biggest ever UK and Ireland headline gigs for next summer.
Wythenshawe Park is fast becoming one of Manchester‘s go-to outdoor gig venues, and Lewis’s visit next summer is only helping the reputation, as the Scottish 28-year-old will be headlining the park for one night only next August.
The announcement of the run of summer outdoor shows comes amid Lewis’s first return to touring in two years following his triumphant Glastonbury 2025 return after an extended break to take care of his mental health break, and following the release of his comeback track ‘Survive’, which shot to the top of the UK charts and became the fastest-selling single of 2025.
The response to Lewis’s current tour has been ‘electric’, according to critics, who have been unanimous in their praise for him.
Prior to his comeback, Lewis played a run of Scottish warm up shows in May that saw him return to the stage as a guest of mental health charity CALM, in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week.
Lewis Capaldi – Summer Outdoor Gigs 2026
Wednesday 24 June – Marlay Park, Dublin
Friday 26 June – Thomond Park, Limerick
Sunday 28 June – TX Maxx presents Live at Powderham, Exeter
Tuesday 30 June – Blackweir Fields, Cardiff
Saturday 4 July – American Express presents Roundhay Festival, Leeds
Saturday 11 July – American Express presents BST Hyde Park, London
Thursday 20 August – Vital, Belfast
Saturday 22 August – Wythenshawe Park, Manchester
With no pressure and no level of expectation, the shows allowed Lewis the space to gauge his comfort and emotional response before returning to the spotlight – a move which ended up proving nothing short of a triumph.
Lewis Capaldi will be coming to Wythenshawe Park in Manchester on Saturday 22 August 2026, and tickets go on pre-sale this Thursday 18 September at 9am, before general sale commences the following day (Friday 19 September), again at 9am.
Iconic musical Annie is returning to the stage in Manchester next summer
Emily Sergeant
One of the most iconic musical productions of the 21st century will be heading out on a tour of the UK and Ireland next year.
And of course, an iconic musical will be taking to an iconic Manchester stage.
Renowned theatre producers Michael Harrison and David Ian are ‘delighted’ to announce that their smash-hit production of the musical Annie is being revived for 2026 and 2027, and will be embarking on a huge UK-wide tour, stopping off at some major cities in the process.
Unfamiliar with the musical Annie? Yet to see it on stage? Or haven’t been able to watch the beloved 1982 film of the same name? Let us fill you in.
Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage – but her luck soon changes when she’s chosen to spend a fairytale Christmas with famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks.
Meanwhile, spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search for her true family.
➕ ATG+ PRESALE ➕
The smash hit West End production of ANNIE, the world’s favourite family musical, returns to Manchester for 2 weeks only.
Groups presale 👉 Today 12pm General sale 👉 Friday 12 Sep 10am
Based on the 1924 comic strip, Little Orphan Annie by Harold Grey – which, in turn, was inspired from the poem, Little Orphant Annie by James Whitcomb Riley – Annie the musical originally debuted on Broadway in 1977 where it ran for nearly six years, before eventually spawning numerous productions in countless other countries, as well as national tours.
Over the last four decades, Annie the musical has won seven Tony Awards, including for Best Musical, and a wide variety of other accolades.
The songs ‘Tomorrow’ and ‘It’s the Hard Knock Life’ are among its most popular and well-known musical numbers.
Annie the musical will be taking to the Manchester Palace Theatre stage from Tuesday 9 – Saturday 20 June 2026, with the tour continuing right through to mid-March 2027, and even more locations yet to be announced.
Tickets for the show are officially now on sale, and you can get your hands on them here.
Emily Sergeant -
13th December 2023 
