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Biig Piig brings home the bacon at Manchester’s New Century Hall
What a night.
After releasing her long-awaited debut album, Biig Piig delivered an electric performance at one of the city’s coolest venues.
Oversized satin bomber jacket slipping off her shoulders, Biig Piig aka Jessica Smyth, wasted no time jumping around the stage to an audience equally as energetic.
The Irish artist’s headline tour is in celebration of her debut album 11:11, but the night was scattered with tracks from her prolific seven-year discography.
Biig Piig has two methods to her madness which she effortlessly switches between. Her chilled-out atmospheric songs inspired by R&B and jazz alongside her club dance tracks with heavy drops and mesmerising synth.
Throughout the night we were treated to both, receiving a masterclass in finding the balance between the two.
“You guys have filled out this room. I love Manchester there is so much energy”, she says just moments after opening with track ‘4am’.
“I’m out and I’m back and I’ve missed you”, she pleads to the crowd whilst parading up and down the stage adorned with hot pink strobe lights.
Her band, which features a bassist/saxophonist and drummer, adds nice bits of detail to her songs, specifically ‘Roses and Gold’ which won itself a groovy sax solo which was met with rapturous applause.
Moments later she picks up the pace with a few welcomed dance party throwbacks, ‘Sunny’ had everyone two-stepping along with her whilst flirty ‘Favourite Girl’ transformed the venue into an underground dance party.
Ending the night with a bang was ‘Kerosene’ for which she got the crowd to get low on the ground and bounce together as one, a request which can often prove risky but one which was pulled off without hesitation.
It was clear to see the fun that Jessica, her band, and the crowd were having throughout the hour-long show.
But what’s even clearer is Biig Piig’s path to the top of dance music stardom.
Read more: A club night dedicated to the emo anthems of your youth is heading to Manchester
Featured image – The Manc Group
Audio
Role Model adds Manchester arena show to world tour after huge demand
Daisy Jackson
Platinum-certified singer-songwriter Role Model has just added a huge Manchester gig to his upcoming world tour.
The star – real name Tucker Pillsbury – had previously only added one single UK date to his Chuck on Tour tour, and that was down in London.
But now Role Model is officially heading north, announcing a massive gig at the AO Arena in Manchester.
The news follows a sold-out run of dates last year, which brought him to the (much smaller) O2 Apollo here.
His star really rose after the release and viral success of his 2025 single, ‘Sally, When the Wine Runs Out’.
And now with a third studio album to his name – Chuck Timely & The Hourglass – Role Model is ready to return to Manchester and London on his 2026-2027 global tour.
The tour will travel across North America before heading overseas, with dates across Europe early next year.
Keni Titus will support Role Model at all dates on the UK and European leg of the Chuck on Tour tour.
Role Model will perform at the AO Arena in Manchester on Sunday 28 February, with pre-sales available on 4 and 5 November before general release tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday 6 November – grab yours HERE.
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Featured image: Publicity picture
Audio
Pop icons S Club announce new arena tour, with huge Manchester gig
Daisy Jackson
S Club will be heading back to Manchester on a newly-announced 13-date arena tour next year.
The pop icons have announced the Ain’t No Party Like A S Club Party tour, which will see Bradley, Jo, Jon, Rachel and Tina back on stage for the ultimate pop party.
The huge tour includes a night at the AO Arena in Manchester, as well as two gigs at the O2 in London.
S Club are one of Britain’s most successful pop groups, formerly known as S Club 7, who went on to become a cultural phenomenon with their own TV series – one of which, L.A. 7, remains the highest-rated programme of all time on CBBC.
Their smash hits include Reach, Don’t Stop Movin, Bring It All Back, Never Had A Dream Come True, and S Club Party.
In 2023, S Club celebrated their 25th anniversary with a sellout UK and US tour, shortly after the tragic death of former member Paul Cattermole.
Now, five of the original seven are ready to bring the party back to Manchester, as S Club return to the stage.
They’ll have very special guests supporting on the tour too, announcing Boyzlife, the supergroup made up of the former Boyzone and Westlife members Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden.
S Club say: “We can’t wait to get back out on tour, see you all and celebrate the songs, memories and moments we’ve shared together over the years.
“It’s going to be one BIG party, and we want you all to be part of it!”
S Club will play the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 9 October 2027.
Tickets for all shows go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 6 November HERE.
S Club UK tour dates in full
- Fri 08 Oct 27 Glasgow OVO Hydro
- Sat 09 Oct 27 Manchester AO Arena
- Tue 12 Oct 27 Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
- Wed 13 Oct 27 Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
- Thu 14 Oct 27 Cardiff Utilita Arena
- Sat 16 Oct 27 London The O2 MATINEE
- Sat 16 Oct 27 London The O2 EVENING
- Wed 20 Oct 27 Leeds First Direct Arena
- Thu 21 Oct 27 Birmingham Utilita Arena
- Fri 22 Oct 27 Sheffield Utilita Arena
- Sat 23 Oct 27 Newcastle Utilita Arena
- Tue 25 Oct 27 Belfast SSE Arena
- Tue 26 Oct 27 Dublin 3Arena
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Featured image: Luke Dyson
Clementine Hall -
22nd February 2025 
