2024 is already off to a flyer at Manchester’s AO Arena, with the likes of Arenacross delighting thousands in the opening week of the year, tens of thousands of metalcore fans set to descend on Victoria for the Bring Me The Horizon gig weekend, but we’re only just getting started.
There is some seriously massive stuff happening at the AO Arena in the first half of the year alone and having had the pleasure of going to plenty of amazing shows in 2023, we’re already dying to be back inside the legendary Manc venue.
And when we say there’s some massive stuff, we mean it; some of the biggest names on the planet across all forms of live entertainment are set to fill the 20,000-capacity venue over the next six months.
Best gigs and events happening at the AO Arena (January-June)
1. Peter Kay
Bolton‘s beloved comedian is taking to the stage for the first time in 13 whole years and what better way to make a return than by performing for almost the entire year in 2024?
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The doors open for the first show on Friday, 26 January and run right up until Saturday, 21 December but, as you might expect, the demand is extremely high and you’ll probably be relying on resale for this one.
Having pushed his tour back from 2022, tickets have been highly anticipated and most shows are currently at limited availability. He also has a monthly residency at the O2 in London, but we all know seeing him on home soil would make it that little bit sweeter.
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The star of stage and screen is a British icon and he’s finally back doing what he does best. So, if you do get the chance to see Kay in action we can almost guarantee an evening of side-splitting stand-up. You can try your luck HERE.
2. The 1975
The Wilmslow group have arguably established themselves as one of the biggest and most generation-defining bands of the decade so far, and now they’re back for their biggest tour to date yet.
Simply entitled the ‘Still… At Their Very Best’ tour, they certainly are. Due to insane demand, they quickly realised that one show in Manchester was never going to be enough, so now we’ve got two, coming to the AO Arena on 17 and 18 February, having also added additional shows in Glasgow and London.
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Supporting acts are still yet to be confirmed but watch this space. We all know if there’s one place to see Matty Healy and the boys it’s under the lights at the AO Arena. You can scout for tickets HERE.
Let’s just say we enjoyed ourselves a little too much last time around…
As big a name as ever, Rick Astley will be closing out his ‘Are We There Yet?’ tour right here in Manchester. The 57-year-old rose to prominence in the late 80s with era-defining classics like ‘Together Forever’ and a little-known tune called ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’, but remains a cultural icon to this day.
Astley is continuing his 21st-century renaissance, having shone at Glastonbury, R&L 2023, Kendal Calling (we can vouch for two out of three of those) in the summer, not mention becoming best mates with Blossoms over the past couple of years.
His almost sold-out show will be coming to the AO Arena on Saturday, 2 March, supported by the legendary Belinda Carlisle and Leigh-based indie-pop group, The Lottery Winners.
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Why not grab some tickets below? At the end of the day. he’s never gonna let you down, famously.
Irish sensation Niall Horan is back on tour, a world tour! Before moving on to Europe, Asia and the US, he’s closing out the UK leg with a big performance at the AO on Tuesday, 5 March, but be quick because only the last few tickets are available.
The former 1D superstar has continued where he left off with his solo career, giving us ‘Slow Hands’ and ‘This Town’ and building on his already global fanbase. He’s also going to be one of the first acts to play at the new Co-op Live later in the year.
This time out he’s giving us The Show, his third studio album released in the summer and with it the first chance to hear it live. He will be back in Manchester in August, but if you can’t wait until then you know what to do.
We can’t lie, we love a bit of this Irish lad’s stuff and even if you don’t grab tickets to see him, we will be.
Certified chart-topper Ne-Yo is back in the UK in 2024 with setlists guaranteed to be packed out with iconic hits.
The three-time Grammy award winner will be opening and closing his ‘Champagne and Roses Tour’ in Manchester with the first show on Thursday, 7 March. After bouncing around the country for ten dates he’ll be wrapping things up at the AO Arena again on Tuesday, 19 March.
His melodic debut single, 2005’s So Sick’ hit No.1 on the Billboard Top 100 and went on to become a quadruple platinum record. Since then, Ne-Yo’s been dishing out bangers like a busy butcher, ‘Miss Independent’, ‘She Knows’ and ‘Time of Our Lives’ just to name a few.
If one American superstar wasn’t enough, have another. Alongside Ne-Yo, R&B heavyweight Mario will be joining the tour whose track ‘Let Me Love You’ will have a millennial meltdown in the crowd covered… if Ne-Yo hadn’t sorted that already.
Anyone else becomes slightly obsessed with the World Darts Championships over the New Year, and by slightly we mean massively!
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Well, the Premier League is coming to town on Thursday, 4 April. The world’s top four, Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, Michael Smith and Stockport’s very own Nathan Aspinall will be joined by four wildcards, including a debut season from the teenage phenomenon, Luke Littler.
Disclaimer: Luke ‘The Nuke’ will no longer be 16 years old at this point.
Over 17 weeks in 17 cities, Dart’s biggest names will be battling it out for the coveted title so make sure you take the chance to see it live in our own backyard. Dig out your daft fancy dress and get your ‘180!’s at the ready! You can book your seat on the boring, boring tables (or elsewhere) HERE.
7. The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals
The biggest musicals, all in one night, all in one place? Yep! Hosted by comedian and musical theatre star Jason Manford, the show serves as a special thank you to National Lottery players who have in the past year helped support over 750 theatre-related projects across the UK.
The lineup includes performances from the cast of Hamilton, Disney’s Aladdin, Les Misérables and Grease. The highly coveted event sold out in a matter of hours on first release and the additional few hundred that were released last week were snapped up in the same style.
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Coming to the AO Arena on Monday, 22 January, it’s only around the corner, so if you we’re fortunate enough to get your hands on some tickets start looking forward to some of the UK’s best stage talent.
It goes without saying that this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the gigs, live entertainment and all the other events happening at the AO Arena in 2024.
It’s going to be a great year, we can just feel it.
Keep an eye on our Instagram and dedicated The Manc Audio page to make sure you don’t miss one bit of it — and see you out there!
Featured Images — Supplied/The Manc Group/Marc Benner
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Five Greater Manchester artists we’ve been listening to this past month | March 2026
Danny Jones
Don’t look at us like that… It was a bank holiday, and we had a lot of stuff to sort before the long weekend – and a good chunk of that was spent listening to loads of Manc music, new and old, so just shut your trap and get ready for another batch of fantastic artists.
Seriously, though, we’re sorry you had to wait a few extra days than usual to get your latest fix of local tunes, but good things always come to those who wait.
If you happen to be new to this regular series of ours in 2026, it’s pretty much what it says on the tin: every month, we round up the stuff from in and around the Greater Manchester region that we’ve been listening to of late.
Simple as that. Let’s crack on, shall we?
1. Freak Slug
Born in Italy and now based in Manchester after studying in London, Xenya Genovese – a.k.a. ‘Freak Slug’ – is mixing trippy, shoegazey, alt-pop and rock sounds to great effect, which is even more impressive when you find out she produces pretty much everything herself.
There are notes of everything from Slow Pulp and Mazzy Star, to bits of Hazel English and Soccer Mommy; if you were thinking NewDad, too, you’d be absolutely right. In fact, the rising star is currently on tour with them over in North America after having played some domestic and European shows.
If you’re just getting started, we’d recommend two of her biggest hits, ‘Radio’ and ‘Friday’, as you’ll get a good broad strokes idea of her style, but we do love the slightly more Northern attitude and almost Kate Nash-esque no-nonsense of recent single ‘Honest Man’. You can find a snippet of her latest down below.
In at number two is Manchester’s answer to the country music scene – specifically, the growing host of fantastic female artists who are becoming increasingly influential in the space. If you’re a fan of Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley, Ashley Cooke, Alana Springsteen and the like, she’s right up your alleyway.
One of our own, if you’re a fellow British country fan who often suffers from a dash of impostor syndrome, you’ll be glad to hear she does her best work when she leans more into that some of that self-awareness and self-deprecation, highlighting what makes her different rather than trying to blend in.
It’s a trap that plenty of UK artists can fall into when trying to tap into a sound, but instead, this is what sets it apart; there are no better examples than ‘Past Life Cowgirl’ and ‘Don’t Give Me Hope’, which still show a pop sensibility that could see her playing arenas. And if you don’t like it, as the girl says, you can ‘Kiss [Her] Accent’.
We spoke to her at our first taste of C2C music festival.
3. Ishango Bone
In at number three up is an up-and-coming band that technically has only one Spotify release as yet, along with a smattering of other raw recordings from gigs, etc. online, but they’re nonetheless one that has quickly caught our attention – and not least because of that moniker.
Taking on the same title as a 20,000-year-old ‘calculator’ found near the Nile River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (fall down the rabbit hole at your peril), choosing to name themselves after this gives you a little bit of insight into this curious, interesting, experimental and admittedly odd project.
Even their social media is pretty unique and eccentric, mirroring that somewhat detached, third-person voice used by the likes of Sleep Token, and talking about the project as if it were research into some new alien entity. Bit weird, but so are we, and we like it. New single ‘The Agency’ out on 24 April.
The Salford kid is still very early in his career. It was only back in February 2023 that a then 12-year-old Denton won Marr’s eponymous award from the Salford Foundation Trust. However, since then, the young man has clearly got the right people around him as his sound is already coming across well-developed.
He doesn’t have tonnes out yet, so you might as well complete his discography. Thus far, you can hear influences of Britpop legend Richard Ashcroft, but also fellow Wiganers, the Stanleys, but it’s still too early to tell where he’ll go. All we know is it’s uplifting indie that’s perfect for a spring soundtrack.
5. The Cavs
Last but not least, we have The Cavs, who feel like they’ve been around forever because, well, it has been a good seven years or so since their very first song. We feel like we’ve caught them at festivals here and there, but never quite seen them have their one breakout moment. Could it be coming this year?…
The local lads are back after a little break, having last released music this time last year, but there feels like a fresh wave of momentum might be about to take them onto that next level, as we’re once again seeing them all over our algorithm. They’ve always had a big sound, but it deserves a bigger following.
We might still have a soft spot for the anthemic, 90s/early noughties feel of ‘Find A Way’, and we still maintain that ‘Headshot’ has one of the most addictive intros and recurring riffs we’ve any contemporary rock band could hope to write, but their new release ‘Hallowed Ground’ is well worth a listen to, as well.
So there you have it: another round-up to wrap up Q1 of this year’s journey through Manchester’s musical scene.
As always, we’re looking for new suggestions all the time, so let us know who you’re listening to at the minute – or rather who we should be – down in the comments.
Oh, and since you’re here, why not check out last month’s list?
Featured Images — Audio North/Press shots (supplied)
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Parklife 2026 | all stage splits and stage times
Thomas Melia
One of Manchester’s biggest music festivals, Parklife, is back at Heaton Park and has just announced its stage splits for its 2026 line-up.
Parklife 2026 is just around the corner, and with some hefty headliners, it’s safe to say this year is looking absolutely stacked in terms of amazing music.
Get ready to immerse yourself in not one but two days soundtracked by some of the world’s best DJs, b2b sets, live performances and more.
This year’s a biggie too, as Scottish dance heavyweight Calvin Harris, Swedish sensation Zara Larsson, Bradford’s own Nia Archives, and London lad Skepta are just some names planning to win over the Heaton Park crowd.
So grab a paper and pen because it’s time to make a note of all the artists you’re interested in seeing and which stage they’re playing live, so you can make the most of your Parklife experience.
Parklife 2026 | Stage splits and stage times
Saturday 20 June
Skepta and Sammy Virji are headliners for Saturday 20 June at Parklife 2026 in Heaton Park / Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Alistair McVeigh (supplied)
G Stage
12pm – 1.30pm | Mya
1.30pm – 3pm | A For Alpha
3pm – 4.30pm | The Trip
4.30pm – 6pm | Kepler
6pm – 8pm | Locky b2b Phill De Janeiro b2b Benji King
8pm – 9.30pm | Locklead
9.30pm – 11pm | Jamback
Magic Sky
12pm – 1pm | North Base
1pm – 1.40pm | Catching Cairo
1.40pm – 2.30pm | Lens (w/ Dread)
2.30pm – 3.20pm | Born On Road (w/ Carasel)
3.20pm – 4.15pm | Kanine(w/ Rage)
4.15pm – 5.15pm | Wilkinson (w/ AD-APT)
5.15pm – 6.10pm | Bou (w/ B Live 247)
6.10pm – 7.10pm | Dimension
7.10pm – 8.15pm | Andy C (w/ Tonn Piper)
8.15pm – 9.10pm | Hedex (w/ Eksman)
9.10pm – 10.05pm | Mozey (w/ 2Shy)
10.05pm – 11pm | K Motionz (w/ IC3)
Matinée
12pm – 1pm | Niamh
1pm – 2pm | ATRIP
2pm – 3pm | MPH
3pm – 4pm | Oppidan
4pm – 5pm | Effy
5pm – 6.20pm | MALUGI b2b Sam Alfred
6.20pm – 7.40pm | Marlon Hoffstadt
7.40pm – 8.40pm | Morgan Seatree
8.40pm – 10pm | Mall Grab
10pm – 11pm | Daria Kolosova
Panorama
12pm – 1.15pm | Ellia Jaya
1.15pm – 2.30pm | Julian Fijma
2.30pm – 3.45pm | bullet tooth
3.45pm – 5pm | SOSA
5pm – 6.30pm | Cloonee
6.30pm – 8pm | ALISHA
8pm – 9.30pm | Rossi.
9.30pm – 11pm | East End Dubs
The Valley
12pm – 1pm | Rich Reason & Yami
1pm – 2pm | Alexandria
2pm – 3.30pm | Prospa
3.30pm – 5pm | Josh Baker
5.15pm – 6pm | 4am Kru
6.30pm – 7.30pm | Nia Archives
8pm – 9pm | Skepta
9.30pm – 10.45pm | Sammy Virji
Sunday 21 June
Zara Larsson and Calvin Harris are headliners for Parklife 2026 on Sunday 21 June at Heaton Park / Credit: Charlotte Rutherford / Press Shot (supplied)
G Stage
1pm – 1.50pm | Mattik b2b Larishka
1.50pm – 2.40pm | Shade V b2b Rich Reason
2.40pm – 3.40pm | Dismantle
3.40pm – 4.40pm | Douvelle19
4.40pm – 5.10pm | Window Kid
5.10pm – 6.10pm | Osmosis Jones
6.10pm – 7pm | Arthi
7pm – 8pm | Bushbaby
8pm – 9pm | BAKEY
9pm – 10pm | SHY FX
10pm – 11pm | RYOTA
Magic Sky
1pm – 2.10pm | Cam Stockman
2.10pm – 3.20pm | Olive F
3.20pm – 4.30pm | DXNBY
4.30pm – 5.40pm | Riordan
5.40pm – 6.50pm | Omar+
6.50pm – 8pm | Marsolo
8pm – 9.30pm | L.P. Rhythm
9.30pm – 11pm | Obskür
Matinée
1pm – 2.15pm | 4000HZ
2.15pm – 3.30pm | Saidah
3.30pm – 4.45pm | Fumi
4.45pm – 6pm | Diffrent
6pm – 7.20pm | Faster Horses b2b Benwal
7.20pm – 8.20pm | ¥ØU$UK€ ¥UK1MAT$U
8.20pm – 9.30pm | blk.
9.30pm – 11pm | AZYR
Panorama
1pm – 2pm | Minna
2pm – 3pm | Delilah
3pm – 4.10pm | Silva Bumpa
4.10pm – 5.20pm | Luuk Van Dijk
5.20pm – 6.30pm | Chloé Caillet
6.30pm – 8pm | Ewan McVicar
8pm – 9.30pm | KETTAMA
9.20pm – 11pm | Chris Stussy
The Valley
1pm – 2.15pm | Nicola Bear
2.15pm – 3.15pm | Mix-Stress
3.30pm – 4.15pm | Clementine Douglas
4.30pm – 5.30pm | Armand Van Helden
6pm – 6.45pm | Rudim3ntal
7.15pm – 8.15pm | Zara Larsson
9.15pm – 10.45pm | Calvin Harris
Parklife 2026 has delivered a stellar line-up once again, and if you’re after catching any of these artists live at Heaton Park later this year, you can grab a range of tickets.
Feel like Saturday is more your vibe? Check out the ticket option for just Saturday, 20 June HERE, or if Sunday sounds better for you, then grab a ticket or two for Sunday 21 June HERE.
And if one day just isn’t enough, how about a whole weekend? Enjoy two days of live music with tickets for Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June HERE.
Harry Quick -
10th January 2024 
