It feels like we’ve been waiting a long time to welcome Biffy Clyro back to Manchester, and they really didn’t disappoint on their Co-op Live debut.
Here’s our review of what was a proper rock show.
After a strong lineup of support acts with The Armed and Soft Play (formerly Slaves) injecting plenty of early energy into the crowds, already knew two things: the Scots wouldn’t disappoint, and a Manc crowd NEVER lets you down.
We knew everyone was on top form from the moment the Kilmarnock icons stepped out on stage under a swathe of blankets to the opener from their latest album, Futique.
Once the curtain was eventually lifted during ‘A Little Love’, which has quickly become one of the most popular singles for some time, you could see the sea of fans below start bouncing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Rolling into the likes of ‘Hunting Season’ and Only Revolutions classic, ‘The Captain’, those bounces quite quickly turned into a healthy-sized pit, and those up in the stands with us finally got on their feet.
That was maybe our only complaint: we love seeing a seated section pretending they’re in standing from their start, but we get it and each to their own, of course.
In fact, the same goes for the rest of the session players joining them on the road this year.
One thing we weren’t expecting was quite how cool the production levels were going to be. We’ve never been Biffy fans for their creativity when it comes to toying with stage design or lighting rigs, but they threw in some fun effects regardless.
ADVERTISEMENT
Highlights from the night included ‘Tiny Indoor Fireworks’, ‘Bubbles’, and ‘Black Chandelier’, though we were sad not to hear ‘Victory Over The Sun’, and it was especially gutting that one of our favourite tracks from the new record, ‘True Believer’, didn’t end up on the setlist.
Again, you can’t have anything – we’re just glad we got to be there and see a truly great British rock band proving that they are well and truly an arena-level band.
Lastly, even after all the years and an X-Factor cover trying its hardest to take the credit away from them, ‘Many of Horror’ is still an unbelievable rock ballad, and d’ya know who is an unbelievable rock band? “Biffy. F***ing. Clyroooooo.”
Johnny Depp supergroup Hollywood Vampires have announced an arena gig in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Hollywood Vampires are heading back out on tour, with a huge Manchester gig announced for this year.
The supergroup, which consists of one of the biggest names in Hollywood as well as one of rock’n’roll’s most iconic names, are set to perform at the AO Arena as part of a run of shows.
Hollywood Vampires is made up of A-lister Johnny Depp, as well as rock royalty including Alice Cooper, and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, plus Tommy Henriksen.
They last performed in Manchester with an arena gig back in 2023, making these their first gigs in almost three years.
Hollywood Vampires have now announced a return to the stage, with an AO Arena show on the cards for Tuesday 18 August 2026.
They’ll be supported in Manchester by The Jesus and Mary Chain, who marked their 40th anniversary in 2024 with a new album, Glasgow Eyes.
Johnny Depp supergroup Hollywood Vampires announce Manchester gig. Credit: Aaron Perry
Hollywood Vampires formed in 2012, named after Cooper’s celebrity drinking club of the same name where the aim was reportedly to ‘drink until no one could stand up’.
Over the years, the supergroup has worked with the likes of Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, and Zak Starkey (formerly the drummer for Oasis).
They’ve now announced a massive UK tour , including a date at the AO Arena.
A Three Presale for tickets will take place from 10am on Wednesday 21 January, followed by a venue presale on Thursday 22 January, then general sale from 10am on Friday 23 January.
Harry Styles has FINALLY come out of hibernation, with fourth album announced
Daisy Jackson
Harry Styles has FINALLY announced details of his long-awaited (like seriously, LONG-AWAITED) fourth studio album.
The pop megastar has confirmed that his next record will be called ‘Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.’
Fans have been begging for HS4 for years, after Harry Styles set the world alight with his Love On Tour tour way back in 2022, which included two nights at the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester.
It’s become something of a running joke among his fans – nicknamed ‘Harries’ – that he’s disappeared from the industry so thoroughly, instead taking on side quests including marathons, shaving his head, and watching the new Pope be announced.
Excitement over the Cheshire-born musician’s comeback has been ramping up this week after mysterious ‘We Belong Together’ posters began appearing in cities across the globe.
And now, the Grammy Award-winning star is officially back.
Details on the new album are so far sparse, but there are a few things we can tell you.
Harry Styles will release his fourth album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally in March
One – it’ll be called Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.
Two – it will have 12 tracks.
Three – it’s been executive produced by Kid Harpoon, a Grammy-award winner and long-time collaborator of Harry’s, who also worked on his last album, Harry’s House.
Four – it’s set for release on 6 March 2026, and you can pre-order it HERE.
The next question will be those hotly-anticipated tour dates, with rumours swirling of residencies at Madison Square Gardens and Wembley Stadium.
Pre-ordering the album may get you in with a shot at accessing pre-sale tickets if and when he does tour.
And if Harry Styles skips Manchester on his stadium tour… *shakes fist*
Danny Jones -
18th January 2026 
