Art & Culture

‘The Witcher in Concert’: the smash-hit video game’s soundtrack brought to life in Manchester

It's selling out FAST.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 29th January 2025

One of the most iconic games ever, The Witcher III: Wild Hunt, is set to see its iconic score and soundtrack reborn in concert right here in Manchester.

Better still, due to the sheer demand for tickets already, an extra date has been added, giving you an extra chance to hear the record-breaking RPG brought to life on stage in front of your very eyes.

‘The Witcher in Concert’ is an immersive audio-visual experience from developers, CD PROJEKT RED (the same team behind Cyberpunk 2077), which will see the music from the series performed by a live orchestra at Aviva Studios.

Let the Wild Hunt begin…

Revolving around The Witcher III, specifically – widely considered to be not just the best in the franchise but one of the greatest games of all time – the show is soon set to take place all over the world, but Europe is getting the pleasure first.

The soon-to-be world tour coincides with the 10th anniversary of the third title, which remains one of the best-selling video game releases of all time, having sold well over 50 million copies and still counting.

Fans will get to witness the open-world RPG’s timeless score and soundscapes recreated not only by a live orchestra, but the show will also feature special appearances by Polish folk metal band, Percival (a.k.a. Percival Schuttenbach) – the original co-composers behind the game’s soundtrack.

This magical, cinematic experience combines breathtaking in-game visuals with live music, making it a must-see event for lovers of The Witcher or just classical/orchestral music in general.

It’s going to be special.

A glimpse at what ‘The Witcher in Concert’ will look and, more importantly, sound like when it lands in Manchester.

Although it’s the first event of its kind at the world-class arts and cultural space, as the official home of the ever-growing Factory International programme, it’s no surprise this was chosen as the location.

Taking place in Aviva Studios’ The Hall space, the original Manchester gig has sold out but they have now added an extra date on 6 November 2025 due to the scramble for tickets.

You can grab your seat HERE but be warned, they’ll be gone before you know it.

Over the other side of Manchester, a very similar celebration of video game music is taking place at one of the city’s other industry-leading entertainment venues.

PlayStation ‘The Concert’ is coming to Manchester’s Co-op Live next year
Equally excited about this one.

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

Featured Images — Press Shots (supplied)

Art & Culture

Diana Ross at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

It’s true, the Queen of Motown Records, Diana Ross, is coming to Manchester, and she’s bringing The Hallé Orchestra with her too.

Diana Ross and her band are making their way to Manchester for a night of glitz and glam, but they’re also making room for the much-loved Manc-based music collective

Much like collaborator and friend, Lionel Richie, who also paid a visit to Co-op Live earlier this month, Ross likes a bit of ‘Dancing On the Ceiling’ with her flipped-dance hit ‘Upside Down’.

You can expect this Pop and disco diva to perform lots of other timeless classics such as ‘I’m Coming Out’, ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, ‘Chain Reaction’, she really is ‘The Boss’.

Diana Ross gig guide – everything you need to know

Diana Ross, her band and The Hallé Orchestra are coming to Co-op Live Manchester on 26 June.
Diana Ross, her band and The Hallé Orchestra are coming to Co-op Live Manchester on 26 June.
Credit: Crisco 1492 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Diana Ross UK tour dates

  • Sun 22 June – Birmingham, UK – bp pulse Live
  • Mon 23 June – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
  • Wed 25 June – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
  • Thu 26 June – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Sat 28 June – Leeds, UK – first direct arena
  • Mon 30 June – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
  • Wed 2 July – London, UK – The O2

Diana Ross tickets for Co-op Live gig

This living legend is a bucket list gig for many, but we’re sure if you’re fast enough, you’ll be able to secure a ticket for yourself and your ‘Baby Love’.

Any available tickets can be found HERE.

Diana Ross has racked up 58 Top 10 hits and we're sure she'll play a hefty amount of these at Co-op Live.
Diana Ross has racked up 58 top 10 hits and we’re sure she’ll play a hefty amount of these at Co-op Live.
Credit: DVROSS (via Flickr)

Diana Ross setlist

  • I’m Coming Out
  • More Today Than Yesterday
  • Baby Love
  • You Can’t Hurry Love
  • Come See About Me
  • Stop! In the Name of Love
  • Touch Me in the Morning
  • I’m Still Waiting
  • Chain Reaction
  • He Lives in You
  • Good Morning Heartache
  • Love Hangover
  • Ease on Down the Road
  • Home
  • The Boss
  • Endless Love
  • Reach Out and Touch
  • Upside Down
  • Tomorrow
  • Count on Me
  • Just in Case
  • If the World Just Danced
  • Why Do Fools Fall in Love
  • Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)
  • Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
  • Amazing Grace
  • I Will Survive
  • Thank You

What are the stage times for Diana Ross in Manchester?

The supreme space that is Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, so you’ll be able to dance your socks off without having to ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’, while still making it back to bed before the early hours.

Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6:30pm with a kick-off time of 7:30pm and no official announcement regarding a support act.

How to get to Co-op Live

Tram

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 ticket.

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.

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 come 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 Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • 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.

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.

This will be Diana's first time performing at Co-op Live in Manchester.
This will be Diana’s first time performing at Co-op Live in Manchester.
Credit: Crisco 1492 (via WikiCommons)

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

Featured Images — Publicity Picture (supplied)/Wikimedia Commons/Flickr

Art & Culture

Full lineup for Manchester’s city-wide summer art trail Music for the Senses announced

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The full lineup for a city-wide art trail with more than 80 artworks, murals, mosaics, and installations celebrating Manchester’s music scene has been announced.

It’s no secret that Manchester is a musical hub, with countless well-known artists getting their start here or calling our city home over the years, and in a fitting way to celebrate this incredible lineup of musical talent, an all-new multi-sensory art exhibition will be taking over the streets of the city centre this summer.

The new exhibition, which is titled Music for the Senses: an art arrangement for a musical city, is a collaboration between global art producer Wild in Art – the creators of the famous Bee in the City project – and Manchester City Council.

It’ll be running across the city centre from early July until the end of August.

Music for the Senses takes over Manchester city centre this summer / Credit: David Oates (via Supplied)

Celebrated musical acts including Busted, Doves, Elbow, Mani, New Order, Oasis, PINS, and Pixies have donated precious instruments to display in windows across the city at locations like Aviva Studios, Piccadilly Records, Band on the Wall, New Century, and many more

Manchester artist Liam Hopkins, known as Lazerian, will also create an interactive installation down on King Street called ‘Guitar Street’ that lovingly-repurposes donated guitars, as well as creating another similar how-stopping installation on St Peter’s Square called ‘Cathedral of Sound’ from 7-20 July, before it moves on to Mayfield Park from 25 July – 31 August.

Meanwhile, more guitars donated by the public have been painted or adorned by a talented collection of professional artists, turning them into individual artworks to be displayed in a wide range of shop windows and venues all across the city.

Music for the Senses
More than 80 artworks, murals, mosaics, and installations will be dotted around the streets / Credit: David Oates (via Supplied)

There will also be four brand-new murals by internationally renowned street artists Lei-Mai LeMaow (Etihad Campus tram stop), Nomad Clan (Oxford Road Train Station), and .EPOD and AKSE (Great Northern).

And all along the trail, visitors can get involved with Manchester Music Mooch – an interactive journey through the locations of the grassroots music community, with exciting interactive AR experiences at five locations around the city.

“Manchester has always been a place for music and we’re delighted to unveil Music for the Senses,” commented Ben Reed, who is the Head of Creative Development at Wild in Art. “It’s our first ever guitar trail, and we think that there is something really magical about repurposing musical instruments into stunning works of art.

“This is also the first time we’ve put together a trail showcasing brand new art while at the same time highlighting some of Manchester’s iconic music inspired artwork.

“It has enabled us to explore creativity in a range of different art forms including new murals around the city by some of the very best street artists in the business.”

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When the art trail draws to close at the end of August, all the guitars featured will be auctioned off for charity, with the funds raised going to support grassroots music projects and venues across Greater Manchester.

Music for the Senses: an art arrangement for a musical city will run from 7 July – 31 August.

Featured Image – David Oates (via Supplied)

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