Manchester music heavyweights Noel Gallagher and Blossoms have been confirmed to play this year’s Teenage Cancer Trust gig series at the historic Royal Albert Hall.
Britpop and global rock and roll icon Noel Gallagher will be bringing his High Flying Birds and the local lads from Stockport along to the legendary London venue as two of the very first names to be confirmed for the annual fundraising concert series.
Scheduled as the third date in the upcoming run of gigs, the former Oasis frontman will be pleased to have his fellow Manchester City fans joining him as special guests this March.
Other names already confirmed for Teenage Cancer Trust at Royal Albert Hall 2024 include adopted Manc electronic group, The Chemical Brothers; The Who, Squeeze, Young Fathers and many more.
Noel and Blossoms follow veterans The Who and Squeeze as the first musical acts on the 2024 lineup.
The Teenage Cancer Trust’s long-running partnership with the Royal Albert Hall has entered a momentous year which will see fellow rock legend and The Who frontman Roger Daltrey, who created and founded the series back in 2000, bow out as the driving force of these very special concerts.
Stepping down as the official curator after 22 years, this year’s series will celebrate his work as he looks to continue as a Teenage Cancer Trust Honorary Patron but step back from his tireless role and allow for the next generation to take over fundraising and advocating for the charity.
For over two decades, Roger has persuaded some of the world’s greatest artists on the planet to perform unique, one-night-only gigs to raise money for the cause, generating over £32 million in vital funds through ticket sales alone and spreading the word of the charity’s extraordinary work.
Enough to pay for over a million hours of specialist care from Teenage Cancer Trust nurses, or 13 whole TCT hospital units — having been staffed by just five units with just a fraction of those nurses and youth support workers back when it started — the gig series has proved to be life-changing for so many.
Speaking on the significant anniversary, Daltreysaid, “The £32 million raised from these concerts has been the foundation for the 28 specialised units within the NHS, as well as specialist nurses and youth workers to be there for a young person when cancer has turned their world upside down.”
As for Noel, he said: “The Teenage Cancer Trust continue to make a real difference to teenagers in what undoubtedly must be the most challenging years of their lives. Having performed at the very first event back in 2000 it is a charity very close to my heart. 24 years and counting is a triumph in itself. NGHFB will be there en masse. Together we will make the night unique. I’d buy a ticket if I were you.”
Following what was a massive year for the Blossoms, they’ll no doubt be buzzing to kick off 2024 with such a special performance.
You can see the lineup for Teenage Cancer Trust at Royal Albert Hall so far in full down below.
Set to play on Thursday, 21 March, 2024, tickets for the concertgo on sale at 9am on Friday, 12 January, with proceeds going straight to the Teenage Cancer Trust.
And for all other Manc music news this year, be sure to follow our dedicated The Manc Audio page over on Instagram. Happy gigging, you lot.
Featured Images — Press Image (via Spotify)/The Manc Group
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A much-loved Manc drinking spot is handing out FREE spritzes to Sounds of the City gig-goers
Danny Jones
Popular Manchester city centre drinking spot, Society, is handing out free spritzes to gig-goers heading to this year’s Sounds of the City festival.
The annual series of live music events returned at the start of the month, with Castlefield Bowl once again being turned into one of the best amphitheatres in the country – not that we’re biased, or anything.
And since we’re in a month packed with outdoor gigs (pretty sure there’s some local band on at Heaton Park), what better drink to help you get a bit loose before the party starts than a refreshing spritz in the sunshiiine?
Better yet, if you fancy copping a complimentary one, Society beer and food hall are handing out freebies for those going to Sounds of the City 2025.
As you can see, the deal is simple: turn up to the beautiful Society beer garden or equally lovely indoor space and show your ticket to the bar staff to get your hands on a free spritzer.
Now, there is a catch, as they’re only promising 100 free drinks in total across all seven concerts this July, and three of them have already been – which could be a blessing or a curse – and they’re available on a first come first serve basis from 4pm on each event date.
However, we’ll admit we were a little late to the news on this occasion, so there’s a chance plenty of others haven’t heard about the offer either, meaning you could still be able to sort yourself a free Sarti or Aperol Spritz (only 50 of each available).
Salivating.Sounds of the City is just a short walk from Society.Credit: The Manc Eats/Audio North
With 2025 season openers, Elbow, having kicked things off in true Manc style, as well as The Charlatans and Shed Seven having already played, the word may have gotten out, but it’s still worth a crack. Besides, Society is still a brilliant summery drinking spot regardless.
The deal is available across all remaining concert dates:
Wed, 9 July – The Black Keys, with support from Miles Kane
Thurs, 10 July – Bloc Party, with support from The Royston Club
Fri, 11 July – Rizzle Kicks, with support from Maverick Sabre and Abbie McCarthy
Sat, 12th July – Basement Jaxx, with support from Mike Skinner (DJ Set) and Storm Mollison
Oh, and if you’re wondering what SOTC 2025 has been like so far, the neighbouring balconies have been full as always, Castlefield Hotel has been packed, and we got Guy Garvey to wave at a train driver…
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Society (supplied)
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Oasis merch prices as huge flagship stand opens in Manchester city centre
Daisy Jackson
An official Oasis merch stand has opened in the heart of Manchester, selling all the Gallagher-printed wares your heart could desire.
The Oasis Live ‘25 Touring Flagship Stand has sprung up on St Peter’s Square today, where it will remain for the duration of the Manchester reunion shows.
Stacked with everything from band tees to bucket hats, plus posters, tote bags, and that exclusive adidas x Oasis collection, the merch stand is already pulling in some serious queues.
And with a few days still to go until Oasis Live ‘25 hits Heaton Park (those dates, if they aren’t burned into your brain, are 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July) there’s still plenty more time to shop.
The merch stand has opened in addition to the official merch fan store across town in Spinningfields.
And it’s at the heart of the Music for the Senses art trail, which has seen painted guitar artworks installed all over the city centre.
Back to that Oasis merch stand in Manchester though – there are pieces from their adidas collection, including a sky blue (obviously) three-stripe long-sleeved jersey for £55, a tour jacquard football jersey for £85, and a classic Firebird track top for £90.
Event-specific merch like t-shirts in various colours emblazoned with the Oasis Live ‘25 artwork will set you back £40, and you can choose from photos of the brothers back together in 2025, or back in their pre-split heyday.
Oasis merch prices as huge flagship stand opens in Manchester city centre
There’s also a £70 black hoody with the tour dates on the sleeve, plus a What’s The Story blue-tone hoody for £70, and a blue tone sweatshirt for £50.
A range of posters starring Liam and Noel are priced at £40 apiece.
There’s an Oasis Live ‘25 tote bag for sale at the merch stand in town, which costs £20.
Then the most Manc item of all – a reversible bucket hat (black on one side with the Oasis logo in the centre, or a collage of Oasis logos on the other side) – is £35.
The stand is home to city-specific event items, exclusive adidas lines, and other exclusives.
The Oasis Live ’25 Touring Flagship Stand is open from 10am to 8pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 6pm on Sundays, then 10am to 7pm on Oasis show days.
Danny Jones -
8th January 2024 
