Audio

All-girl K-pop powerhouse aespa book MASSIVE Manchester arena show

Calling all K-pop fans.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 27th April 2026

All-girl K-pop group, ‘aespa’, are coming to Manchester for some of their largest performances to date as part of a new global tour.

If you know anything about the K-pop scene, you’ll know that most acts are even bigger than you could ever imagine.

Manchester has gained a steady supply of gigs from artists within the genre over the past year or so, and now aespa are the latest to book the AO Arena for a headline show.

Rest assured, these tickets will fly…

Dubbed the ‘SYNK : Complæxity World Tour’, this follows on from their last live iteration, ‘æXIS LINE’ shows, which began back in August 2025 and, technically, have only just ended this April.

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As per an official press release, “Produced by Live Nation, the tour will bring aespa’s acclaimed live production and immersive performance experience to arenas across Asia, North America, Latin America, the UK, and Europe.”

There are actually just two shows in the entirety of Britain (the other being down in the capital), and Manchester has the good fortune of kicking off not only being the first of both, but the inaugural date of the entire European leg.

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Consider us honoured.

Made up of a talented quartet – Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning, the rising South Korean stars – this female-led phenomenon is arguably one of the fastest rising acts in the world of K-pop.

Having now been to a couple of these shows for ourselves, we’re starting to understand that these artists might have some of the most passionate followings on the planet.

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Kicking off the latest run of performances back in their home country’s capital of Seoul, they’ll hit multiple continents before wrapping things up in Paris.

aespa EU tour dates 2027

  • 14 January – AO Arena, Manchester
  • 16 Jan – London
  • 19 Jan – Amsterdam
  • 22 Jan – Stockholm
  • 24 Jan – Copenhagen
  • 26 Jan – Berlin
  • 29 Jan – Milan
  • 31 Jan – Barcelona
  • 2 February – Paris

If you’re a fan or are interested in throwing your hat in the ring for a first K-pop gig experience, you can register by signing up for their exclusive pre-sale window.

As for general admission, tickets to see aespa at the AO Arena in Manchester will go live at 3pm on Wednesday, 6 May; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.

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Featured Images — David J Lee (via Flickr)

Audio

Music industry rallies around pub and music venue as it’s hit with ‘malicious’ noise complaints

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The Golden Lion in Todmorden

A much-loved pub and live music venue is struggling with a series of ‘malicious’ noise complaints, prompting a huge outpouring of support from music industry insiders. 

The Golden Lion over in Todmorden is facing uncertainty amidst the complaints from ‘some random’. 

Matthanee ‘Gig’ Nilavongse, who runs the venue and its live music offering, said he’s ‘had enough’ and believes The Golden Lion is being targeted, The Hoot reports.

It echoes a similar situation in Manchester city centre several years ago, when Night & Day Cafe faced closures based on noise complaints from a resident in a nearby flat.

Gig stressed that nothing in the venue – the sound system, sound proofing, or anything else in its set-up – has changed since the noise complaints started. 

He also added that people have been travelling from across the UK and even further afield to attend its events, benefitting the wider community of businesses and local economy. 

He added: “Bank holiday next weekend and I’II not tolerate the threat from anyone.”

Hundreds of people, including industry names like Sacha Lord, Luke Cowdrey, and Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard, have voiced their support for the grassroots venue. 

Sacha Lord offered his help fighting the complaints, then added: “I’m sick to death of these NIMBYS who threaten businesses and jobs.”

Chelsea Teesdale, head of marketing for the Warehouse Project and Parklife, said: “Sorry you’re going through this. The golden lion means so much to many. I go to all kinds of gigs and venues, nothing is quite like the magic of your home.”

And Nite School Manchester wrote: “So sorry to hear you’re going through this. What you’ve built at The Golden Lion for the people of Tod (& far beyond!) is a guiding star to us Gig, and we’ll be doing everything we can to support you & the team.”

Following on from this heartwarming display of affection for the venue, Gig added: “Thank you for all supports near and far, you’re close to my heart.

“The show must go on, I’m not back down until the door is close.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Audio

A masterclass in The Art of Loving: Olivia Dean brings two unforgettable nights to Co-op Live

Emily Johnson Emily Johnson Olivia Dean Manchester gig review

Olivia Dean took over Co-op Live for not one, but two nights this weekend – and what she delivered felt like a full-circle celebration of The Art of Loving, her incredible sophomore album. 

From the moment Olivia’s silhouette appeared behind the curtain on night two, opening with the album’s title track, it was clear this evening was going to be special.

With a sea of polka dots on arrival, it’s evident that the 27-year-old already has great influence when it comes to style with her fans, and you could spot anyone who was attending Olivia Dean around Manchester city centre immediately.

Despite performing to a crowd of over 20,000 people, the performance felt incredibly intimate, with interactions with the crowd through the evening, even pointing out a fan’s banner saying they had been a fan of Olivia since 2019, which she was humbly taken aback by.

Her voice carried effortlessly around the arena, somehow still managing to feel soft and personal, like she was singing directly to you.

No Dean show would be complete without her incredible outfits either, and last night we were truly spoilt, with two outfit changes throughout the evening, which split the night into three chapters. 

Initially appearing in a black sequin number, before reappearing in the middle of the crowd in an all-white outfit, evocative of an angel –  a moment that felt intimate even in a room that size. 

Later, with disco balls lowered and the energy lifted, she returned in another glitzy look for the more upbeat tracks, including a crowd-pleasing cover of ‘Move On Up’. With her band behind her, the sound filled the arena beautifully.

olivia dean concert review
olivia dean manchester gig review
Credit: Audio North

Everyone was on their feet having a good time, but no one was having as much fun as the woman herself, Olivia Dean.

And that’s the thing with Miss Dean, no one at her gigs is having half as much fun as she is. She’s always smiling, always glowing.

Put simply, she’s a proper ray of sunshine on stage. Towards the end of the show, Olivia looked up at the crowd and stated, “It’s magic in here tonight, Manchester”, and we all believed her.

Looking around at the crowd, arms around each other, best friends, couples – it was hard not to feel the magic too.

Highlights included ‘UFO’ with a sea of lights, which in the moment gave the whole room goosebumps, and of course, the confetti cannon, which was the grand finale to an incredible evening. 

coop live confetti cannon
Credit: The Manc

And on that note, if the opportunity ever arises to take a loved one to see Olivia Dean, there would be no stronger act of service than that.

What a TRULY unforgettable night. 

Over at Manchester’s other big music arena, the team also got to witness a much louder but equally special show…

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

Featured Images — The Manc Group

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