As The 1975 slowly work their way back towards Manchester on their massive world tour, they played the first of two stunning sold-out shows in the capital on Thursday night.
However, those lucky enough to get a ticket to the gig at London’s O2 weren’t just treated to The 1975 ‘At Their Very Best’, as the band also had a very special surprise in store as well.
Yes, not only did the audience fans get to see Matty Healy and co., but they also had their minds blown as the band just casually dropped a Taylor Swift guest appearance in their laps.
As you can imagine, the reaction was utterly ridiculous. Here is the moment The 1975 bring on Taylor Swift to thousands of unsuspecting fans, just because they can. Headphone users beware…
Rumours of both Swift and Harry Styles being spotted in and around the venue, but no one could have prepared themselves for this.
Set to embark on a fresh tour herself in March following the release of her new album Midnights back in October, she decided to pop up with a little acoustic set as The 1975 lads watched on from the wings.
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As well as doing her own cover of ‘The City’ from Wilmslow‘s outfit Facedown EP and self-titled debut album, Taylor also played her latest hit single ‘Anti-Hero’ live for the first time.
Again, the reaction was as ecstatic as you expect:
The surprises didn’t just stop there either. Guitarist Adam Hann’s wife Carly Holt finally got her moment in the spotlight too, as she joined the band on stage for only the second time to perform ‘About You‘.
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Holt sings the bridge on the penultimate song on the group’s latest album, Being Funny in a Foreign Language, with the track and her section, in particular, becoming a bit of a cult favourite among their fan base.
The clamour on social media for her to become part of the permanent setlist has been massive and it seems the band have been listening. This is rather sweet, isn’t it?
American fans attending during the American leg of the tour were also treated to a surprise appearance by Phoebe Bridgers back in November and whilst it hasn’t been a staple of their shows, historically, fans are starting to wonder who else might step out on stage before the full run of shows is done.
With their homecoming gig at the AO Arena just around the corner (20 January) and a certain ex-One Direction star already having been spotted at that gig, some are starting to wonder whether they’ll be seeing some extra Style for Manchester date.
Either way, the pandemonium, controversy and unlimited supply of memes this tour has sprung really is quite something. We don’t see there being a future 1975 gig without “don’t like menthols” hanging over it for some time.
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We hope you enjoy repeating 'don't like menthols' over and over again for the rest of your life. 👍😂https://t.co/ygOP1oET1Y
Manchester Day is back with a ‘mammoth day’ of music-themed FREE fun next month
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Day is making a grand return for 2025 this summer, and you can expect a day filled with loads of music-themed fun.
Oh, and it’s free fun at that… doesn’t get much better.
With a whopping 1.3 million music tourists expected in Manchester this summer – apparently a little band called Oasis is performing or something? First we’ve heard of it – and a massive lineup of live music legends set to take over venues and parks across the city these next couple of months, this year’s Manchester Day is aiming to get everyone ‘in the groove’.
Manchester City Council is working with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme that promises something for music fans of all ages and all musical abilities.
From the English National Opera teaming up with Manchester’s football fans, to community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, hip-hop wrestling, and loads more, this year’s Manchester Day has got all musical tastes covered.
Manchester Day is back on Saturday 26 July. 🎉
Inspired by music, expect pop-up performances, spontaneous sing-a-longs and have-a-go activities. 🎶
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) June 2, 2025
As always, activities will be taking place right across the city centre – from St Ann’s Square to Cathedral Gardens, and everywhere in between.
Organisers say there will be plenty of chances throughout the day for visitors, both young and old, to get stuck in, try their hand at making music and maybe even uncover a hidden musical talent they didn’t know they had.
You can expect strum-along ukulele sessions, spontaneous sing-alongs, dancing to a steel pan band or some surprising Ska, and the stand-out music parade event travelling from St Peter’s Square to the Cathedral, with families invited to take a ‘musical meander’ through the city streets.
Manchester Day is back with a ‘mammoth day’ of music-themed free fun next month / Credit: Manchester City Council
“We’ve got a mammoth summer of live music coming up in the city this year, which means it’s only right that we max out on the music for Manchester Day,” commented Councillor Pat Karney, who is the Chair of Manchester Day, as this year’s theme was announced.
“Everyone in Manchester loves music, Mancs have music in their bones, there’s so much talent here – we’re either making it or playing it, and that’s why everyone’s on the guest list for this year’s Manchester Day to help us celebrate the music that Mancunians make best.
“We’ve got a fantastic day lined up, so loosen up those vocal chords, grab a guitar, grab your granny, all the family, and don’t miss it.”
Manchester Day is taking over the city centre on Saturday 15 July, and will be kicking off at midday right through to 5pm that same evening.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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Drake announces two HUGE Manchester gigs… and they’re next month
Emily Sergeant
Talk about last minute, Drake has just announced he’ll be coming to Manchester for two huge gigs this summer.
Yes, that’s right – he’s literally here next month.
You may remember that on Valentine’s Day, the GRAMMY award-winning and multi-platinum global artist Drake teamed up with fellow Canadian rapper PARTYNEXTDOOR to release their collaborative album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, and now to celebrate the release, the duo are making their highly anticipated return to the UK and Europe.
The arena tour, aptly named ‘$ome$pecial $hows 4 UK’, will kick off on 20 and 21 July at Birmingham Utilita Arena, before Drake comes to visit us Mancs shortly after.
JUST ANNOUNCED @drake Drake returns for the first time in six years. Bringing the $ome$pecial$hows 4 UK tour to Manchester on 25 & 26 July 2025. Support from @partynextdoor.@coopuk Member Presale: 4 JUNE 12:00 General Sale: 6 JUNE 12:00
The Toronto rapper will be taking to the stage at Manchester‘s newest live entertainment arena, Co-op Live, on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July, following three nights of headlining Wireless Festival at London’s Finsbury Park.
The tour will then continue across Europe, with stops in Munich, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and more, all before wrapping up on 23 September in Hamburg at Barclays Arena.
The tour marks Drake’s first return to Europe and the UK in six years, following his 2019 Assassination Vacation Tour.
$ome $pecial $hows 4 UK 2025 dates:
Sunday 20 & Monday 21 July – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July 25 – Co-op Live, Manchester
Throughout 2023 and 2024, Drake completed his monumental sold-out 80-date It’s All A Blur Tour across North America, featuring special guests 21 Savage and J. Cole.
Breaking more records along the way, Wireless announced Drake as the 2025 headliner for all three nights, each featuring unique setlists and special guests, and the festival sold out within minutes – which is the fastest sell-out in its 20-year history.
Drake will be at Co-op Live on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 July, and in true last-minute fashion tickets go on sale in the pre-sales tomorrow (4 June), before general on sale begins this Friday 6 June.
Danny Jones -
13th January 2023 
