Audio

The first-ever Northern Music Awards – all the winners on a night where the region proved why it’s the best

An evening for every Northerner and music lover to revel in and a reminder of just how wonderful it is up here.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 24th April 2024

Last night finally saw the inaugural Northern Music Awards take place at the iconic Albert Hall, a night celebrating everything we know and love about the North: we love our music and we’re bloody good at it, and we also know how to have a knees up better than anyone.

The landmark awards ceremony, put on by music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins and backed by dozens of local, national and global brands (including our lovely selves here at The Manc) has been 18 months in the making and faced plenty of obstacles, but nothing us Northerners couldn’t overcome.

More importantly, it was well worth the wait. Hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music presenter and passionate Nordoff and Robbins ambassador, Chris Hawkins, the night was packed not only with handing out shiny gongs but moving speeches, live performances from some big acts and a great ol’ boogie at the end.

From digs about Co-op Live not quite being ready and jabs at the government, HS2 and investment in Northern infrastructure when an award-winner couldn’t make it on time, to Gary Neville telling City fans to “f*ck off” and Andy Burham giving a rousing speech about why the North is top banana, it had it all.

Credit: The Manc Audio

So who picked up what at the first-ever NMAs for 2024?

The winners of the very first Northern Music Awards

Although a few acts recognised on the night had to phone in, the overall turnout was incredible, with speeches and a stunning stripped-down performance by Liam Fray, household names like Simon Rimmer helping hand out the gorgeously floral and abstract trophies, it was a truly special night at Albert Hall.

It was also wonderful to see how many people were getting involved with Nordoff and Robbins’ charity raffle and silent auction, with all the proceeds going straight back into helping the non-profit carry out its heartwarming work across the country.

But let’s get into who took home the bit of bronze, shall we?

  • Music and Culture for Wellbeing: Dance Syndrome – Lancashire
  • Inspirational Venue of the Year (under 500 cap): Brudenell Social Club – Leeds
  • Inspirational Venue of the Year (under 2000 cap): Band on the Wall – Manchester
  • Festival of the Year: Beat-Herder – Lancashire
Well, look who it is!
  • Industry Icon Award: Michael Adex – Manchester
  • Newcomer of the Year: English Teacher – Leeds
  • DJ of the Year: DJ Paulette – Manchester
  • Breakthrough Act of the Year: The K’s – Earlestown
  • Artist of the Year: Louis Tomlinson – Doncaster
  • Band of the Year: The Courteeners – Manchester
  • Music Moment of the Year: Aitch, Glastonbury – Manchester
  • Disruptor in Music: The Reytons – Rotherham
  • Northern Icon Award: Lisa Stansfield – Manchester
  • Special Recognition Award: Melanie C – Merseyside
  • LiveNation’s Northern Music Award: Tim Burgess – Salford

Congratulations to all of the winners – so well deserved and all spoke so well about why a dedicated Northern Music Awards matters, embodying exactly why we love it so much up here.

The live performances were unreal

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Host Hawkins said it perfectly on the night, these posh dos could take place at who knows where in the future just so long as the only rule is: “insert Northern town or city here“. It was an honour to kick off the Northern Music Awards here in Manchester but we’ll happily big up our Northern cousins any day.

As he reminded us by expertly reeling off a lengthy list of the iconic names to have come out of not just 0161 but the North in general – he even managed to make it rhyme, for the most part – it’d be greedy try and keep it all to ourselves when there are so many other top-tier venues that deserve spotlighting.

Who knows, maybe it’ll head Yorkshire way and our friends over at The Hoot will help take on that difficult second album in 2025.

Regardless, we’ll remember the legend that is Lisa Stansfield still not even breaking a sweat as she got the Albert Hall up on its feet forever and we cannot wait for next year, wherever it may be.

The queen signing things off in style.

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

Featured Images — The Manc Group

Audio

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

Audio

A limited number of additional Oasis tickets to be released in three UK cities on Live ’25 reunion tour

Danny Jones Danny Jones Extra Oasis reunion tickets are being released

Britpop fans, brace yourselves because Oasis have just announced that they will be releasing more tickets for three UK reunion dates – and yes, we can confirm that one of those set for an extra is their massive Manchester homecoming at Heaton Park.

Get ready to scrap in the digital queue again, folks.

With the Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour now less than a week from kicking into gear (cannot believe it’s gone that fast), people are still scrambling around and trying to do whatever they can to get a last-minute ticket.

That being said, the Burnage boys and their promoters look to have given Oasis fans even more of a lifeline besides the hope of last-minute spares and re-sales, as a small release of additional tickets will be made for Manchester and two other cities available this week.

Posting on their social media accounts, the band confirmed: “As the shows are getting closer, Oasis promoters may be able to release a very limited number of additional tickets for sale once final sight lines are checked and the production is fine-tuned.”

Besides Heaton Park, Cardiff and Edinburgh are believed to be the other two shows tipped for the extra ticket allocation.

The update goes on to add: “These final production releases will happen over the coming days. If you are an Oasismynet [fan website] member, keep an eye on your inbox for an email from your regular Oasismynet or Ticketmaster correspondence address.”

Naturally, they’ve also urged would-be recipients to double-check all emails are correct and legitimate before following links or sharing any purchase information”, scammers having been rife ever since the tour broke the internet.

Back in October, it was reported that more than 50,000 invalid tickets had been cancelled and re-listed for sale due to ticket-scalping.

However, there are several organisations currently holding giveaways for small handfuls of tickets, including yours truly…

Amusingly, many of those who saw the latest news from the Gallagher brothers online immediately feared the worst when they spotted the lengthy block of white text on a plain black background.

“Got scared they had a falling out for a second because of the long message”, and “Omg this looked like a statement saying they’d fallen out again”, being just two examples.

But don’t worry; touch wood, rehearsals are now well underway and as far as we know, the Manc music legends are getting on fine and even spent a recent bank holiday together, according to LG himself.

If among the lucky few to be selected for the final ballot, those who attempted to get tickets last time around should receive a code via email, with the tickets available at 8am BST sharp tomorrow (Thursday, 26 June). So, you’d best get checking your inboxes, people!

It’s not just the return of Oasis mania out there, Britpop fever has well and truly gripped the nation with Robbie Williams currently on tour, Pulp back together too, not to mention Blur announcing a surprise new album this July. Time to clobber up and pretend it’s the 90s again.

The UK’s first official Oasis merch fan store is opening in Manchester
Best of luck to all those going for extra tickets – even if not, you deserve some more Oasis merch, at the very least.

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

Featured Images — Adidas/Audio North

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