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Backstreet Boys are back – with a massive gig in Manchester this year

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 10th May 2022

Backstreet Boys have added a massive gig in Manchester to their world tour this year.

The legendary 90s boyband will be performing at the AO Arena on their DNA World Tour.

An extra UK show in Manchester, as well as more dates in Paris and Antwerp, have been added after their London gig sold out.

The five-piece said they ‘can’t wait to see even more of you’ when they arrive in Europe in October.

Backstreet Boys were behind iconic songs such as Everybody (Backstreet’s Back), I Want It That Way, and Quit Playing Games.

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Credit: Backstreet Boys

The band is made up of Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, and cousins Brian Littrell and Kevin Richardson, all of whom will be heading back to the live stage.

They’ve sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making them the best-selling boyband of all time.

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The group also undertook a two-year residency in Las Vegas between 2017 and 2019.

They’ll be performing at the AO Arena Manchester on 8 November.

Read more: BBC’s Deborah James shares devastating health update – and says ‘goodbye’ with enormous fundraiser

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Backstreet Boys said: “The Boys are excited to announce the addition of 3 EU/UK dates to their DNA World Tour!

“Tickets for the following shows will go on sale to the public starting this Friday, May 13th, but Backstreet Army fans will have exclusive access to pre-sale concert tickets TOMORROW!”

Backstreet Army pre-sale tickets go on sale at 10am on 11 May, with general sale starting at 10am on 13 May.

Featured image: Publicity photo

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Wu-Tang Clan announce final farewell shows in UK, including a massive Manc arena gig

Danny Jones Danny Jones

The one and only Wu-Tang Clan and their music may be ‘forever’, but they’re coming together for one more global run with their final live gigs here in the UK, including one huge Manchester arena gig that is sure to sell out.

Arguably the most legendary and influential hip-hop groups ever, Wu-Tang saw their farewell tour across America wrap up this past summer, and now, after having gone from state to state, the Clan will be heading to mainland Europe and beyond for one last ride.

The scenes from the aptly-titled ‘Final Chamber’ have been nothing short of incredible in their home nation, but with a truly worldwide following, you can expect us Mancs and the overseas crowds to provide the same energy.

Narrated by British comedian and renowned lover of rap music, Romesh Ranganathan, the Wu-Tang Clan have announced a handful of additional dates, giving fans one last chance to see them live.

If you haven’t heard about the Final Chamber tour up until now, it’s seen all 10 members of the iconic collective – yes, including Cappadonna – get the show back on the road for what are undoubtedly Wu-Tang‘s biggest shows to date.

After all, if you’re going to call it a day, you might as well go out on the biggest high possible and play to the largest audiences ever.

Following three decades’ worth of music, these farewell shows broke ticket-sale records for the band, selling out 36 shows across North America with Killer Mike and producer El-P’s duo Run The Jewels as the main support act.

Now THAT is some lineup.

Confirmed to play their final ever Manchester show early next year, Wu-Tang Clan will be saying goodbye to their Northern following with a Co-op Live debut.

What makes this even more special is that this is just one of two shows they are currently scheduled to play in the UK – the only other being The O2 in London.

You could keep your fingers crossed for extra dates being added for what we can only imagine will be huge demand, but this could very well be the only other chance you get to see Wu-Tang Clan live in Manchester before they hang up the mic.

Co-op Member presale access for their March 2026 show will be available from 10am on Wednesday, 22 October, with general admission tickets going live at the same time this coming Friday (24 Oct). You can get ready to grab ours HERE.

Until then, you can see more from Wu-Tang’s ‘Final Chamber’ tour so far down below.

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

Featured Images — Matty Fest (via Flickr)/Press shot (supplied)/Miloš Krstić (via Flickr)

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A 5k charity event where runners dress up as Pitbull is coming to Manchester city centre

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pitbull fancy dress 5k charity run Manchester

Yep, you read it right the first time – a regular 5k charity run returns to Manchester this month, only this time, those taking part will be dressed up as Pitbull for some reason…

Don’t ask us, we just thought it was funny and it’s for a good cause, so why the hell not?

For a little context, this is the latest idea from Slow Run Club: a local running organisation that takes place weekly at three different locations across Greater Manchester.

We know ‘Mr Worldwide’ himself has been and gone, having played a couple of nights in Manchester earlier this year, but these lot have decided two nights of yelling ‘Timberrrr’ still wasn’t quite enough and asking those joining the October fundraising 5k to dress up like the one and only Pitbull.

In case you missed it when ‘Dale’ fever took over the city streets this past summer, bald caps, sunglasses, black felt goatees and drawn-on moustaches descended upon central Manchester as they have been all over the UK and beyond for his live shows.

Was it utterly daft? Yes. Was it still one of THE best gig crowds we’ve seen in yonks? Absolutely.

The 44-year-old Floridian rapper and resurgent pop star played multiple nights at the Co-op Live, and they were brilliant, but we’re not going to pretend that the best wasn’t seeing the sea of shiny bald heads and shades in suits and ties.

It’s rare that you see such a shared moment of abandoning inhibitions and embracing the silliness; it was genuinely so great to see, and it’s that same energy that these guys are trying to tap into. Put simply, it’s about letting go and dancing like no one’s watching.

Teaming up with fellow charity-focused running group, Run The Streets MCR, Slow Run Club (SRC)’s Pitbull fancy-dress-themed run is just the latest in a growing trend of alternative ways to get some exercise in.

You can ‘run and rave’ as part of this new charity-driven social in Manchester city centre
After you’ve gone all ‘305’ at the Pitbull run, these Manchester runners are worth looking into as well.

Having done everything from the regular fancy dress Halloween runs to Oasis, Sabrina Carpenter, ABBA-themed runs, and many more, you’d be surprised how much you don’t care about what people think when you’re running around and dancing to tunes – especially when it’s for charity.

Once again, the Slow Run Club x Run The Streets MCR ‘Pitbull Edition’ 5k charity run takes place this month on Wednesday, 22 October, from 6:30pm onwards outside The Tap House on Circle Square, just off the Oxford Road Corridor, before setting off at a laid-back social pace.

This is the same place and time you’ll find SRC’s city centre regular meet-up every week; speaking to The Manc, founder Holly Spiers said: “We run from The Taphouse every Wednesday (just not usually dressed as Pitbull) and offer an inclusive pace as well as rest stops.”

Speaking of fancy dress, if you haven’t seen the group of four mates who made history at the 2025 Manchester Half, stop what you’re doing and read this:

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

Featured Images — Audio North/Slow Run Club MCR

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