Art & Culture

Billie Eilish reveals the reason why chose Manchester to film her new movie

In short: we always show up the most.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 29th April 2026

Global superstar Billie Eilish has revealed the reason why she chose Manchester, of all places, to film her upcoming new movie.

The answer won’t surprise you, but we were buzzing with it nonetheless.

In case you were unaware, Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour is the new documentary and live concert film directed by Billie herself, along with some help from none other than James Cameron.

Being screened not only in cinemas but also in 3D (yes, that’s still a thing), the performance-based movie captures content taken from her run of gigs right here in Manchester. Here’s why she picked us:

Though it’s still no surprise, really, we always find it so surreal seeing some of the world’s most famous artists speaking so highly about our city.

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As you can see, while she did quip that the schedule lined up production-wise, it was an easy decision to pick her four – yes, FOUR sold-out nights at Co-op Live, as the place to film the project based on the atmosphere alone.

“I fricking love Manchester”, said the 24-year-old, going on to add, “Honestly, Manchester is one of my favourite audiences ever.”

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Manc fans simply couldn’t get enough of her, hence why she was able to book so many big dates at the massive arena.

Here’s the big surprise she brought out for the show we were lucky enough to be at:

We love Billie and, as it turns out, she feels the same about us.

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The release date for Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft tour movie is coming around early next month, with the film set to be screened in selected cinemas across the UK and beyond on May 8, 2026.

Speaking in the recent interview on the red carpet with the BBC, she also detailed how fellow Academy Award-winner Cameron contacted her first about the prospect of creating this immersive music project.

Imagine just picking up the phone to James Cameron – as you do…

Will you be watching? Better still, were you at one of the shows and plan to look out for yourself in the crowd, which is now soon to be splashed on the big screen?

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Featured Images — The Manc Group

Art & Culture

Manchester Museum debuts new FREE ‘Human Natures’ exhibition

Danny Jones Danny Jones New free exhibit Manchester Museum spring 2026

A brand-new exhibition has opened over at Manchester Museum and, best of all, it’s completely free to visit.

The award-winning city centre museum has just launched its latest public access exhibit, simply entitled ‘Human Natures’.

Nevertheless, this most recent addition is far from straightforward, as the display asks some deep questions not only of society but of those who go along to view it for themselves.

Debuting on Wednesday, 22 April, Manchester Museum’s Human Natures project will be on for several months and has already seen a healthy amount of foot traffic.

Posting on social media, the team ask: “Are we losing our connection with nature?”

Examining how we take it for advantage on numerous fronts – everything from food and fashion to developing landscape and more –

One of the stories we are showcasing is the work of local collective, Manchester Urban Diggers (MUD), who cleverly turned a disused bowling green into a community market garden, reconnecting people with nature in urban spaces. More of this stuff, please.

Situated within the Exhibition Hall on the ground floor of the beautiful buildings located at the University of Manchester, other collaborators include Platt Fields Market Garden and even the RSPB.

The native CIC (community interest company) and their work are one of many important organisations that have helped bring this project to life, which will also serve as part of this year’s Universally Manchester Festival – a one-day and equally free celebration that is returning in June.

2026 is technically just the second edition of the modern event, which has been through several iterations over the years.

Put in the simplest terms, Human Natures will explore “stories of overconsumption and overexploitation of animals, plants and minerals, looking at the consequences for climate, biodiversity and people.”

nature exhibits manchester museum
mcr museum displays
cottonopolis exhibit manchester
Credit: Supplied

However, it also highlights and critiques how organisations and we as individuals currently collide with these concepts, and how we can work to better interact with the world around us and “create a more hopeful future.”

Rachael Webster, Curator of Botany at Manchester Museum, said in a statement: “It’s often difficult to notice how the relationships we’ve developed with the plants, animals, and landscapes have created problems for people and planet, especially as many of us buy what we need rather than growing or making it ourselves.”

“Human Natures explores a number of complex global issues, from the mechanisation of
farming to throw-away culture, which could easily feel overwhelming. So we’re aiming to tell stories
that connect with people on a human level, inspiring empathy and hope.”

Once again, Human Natures at Manchester Museum is completely free to attend; you can book your visit right HERE, although walk-ins on the day are also welcome. Meanwhile, another big area of the space itself is closing for a major refurbishment.

Manchester Museum to close much-loved section for ‘major’ £200k redevelopment

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Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via MCR Museum)

Art & Culture

All-girl K-pop powerhouse aespa book MASSIVE Manchester arena show

Danny Jones Danny Jones Aespa Manchester show tickets 2027 AO Arena

All-girl K-pop group, ‘aespa’, are coming to Manchester for some of their largest performances to date as part of a new global tour.

If you know anything about the K-pop scene, you’ll know that most acts are even bigger than you could ever imagine.

Manchester has gained a steady supply of gigs from artists within the genre over the past year or so, and now aespa are the latest to book the AO Arena for a headline show.

Rest assured, these tickets will fly…

Dubbed the ‘SYNK : Complæxity World Tour’, this follows on from their last live iteration, ‘æXIS LINE’ shows, which began back in August 2025 and, technically, have only just ended this April.

As per an official press release, “Produced by Live Nation, the tour will bring aespa’s acclaimed live production and immersive performance experience to arenas across Asia, North America, Latin America, the UK, and Europe.”

There are actually just two shows in the entirety of Britain (the other being down in the capital), and Manchester has the good fortune of kicking off not only being the first of both, but the inaugural date of the entire European leg.

Consider us honoured.

Made up of a talented quartet – Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning, the rising South Korean stars – this female-led phenomenon is arguably one of the fastest rising acts in the world of K-pop.

Having now been to a couple of these shows for ourselves, we’re starting to understand that these artists might have some of the most passionate followings on the planet.

Kicking off the latest run of performances back in their home country’s capital of Seoul, they’ll hit multiple continents before wrapping things up in Paris.

aespa EU tour dates 2027

  • 14 January – AO Arena, Manchester
  • 16 Jan – London
  • 19 Jan – Amsterdam
  • 22 Jan – Stockholm
  • 24 Jan – Copenhagen
  • 26 Jan – Berlin
  • 29 Jan – Milan
  • 31 Jan – Barcelona
  • 2 February – Paris

If you’re a fan or are interested in throwing your hat in the ring for a first K-pop gig experience, you can register by signing up for their exclusive pre-sale window.

As for general admission, tickets to see aespa at the AO Arena in Manchester will go live at 3pm on Wednesday, 6 May; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — David J Lee (via Flickr)

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