Up-and-coming Greater Manchester musician Elliot James Reay, from just down the road in Bury, has just joined fellow rising solo artist and already established US superstar Benson Boone on his upcoming American tour.
Yes, a lad from Bury is opening for the bloke who belts out that ‘Beautiful Things’ tune that’s been stuck near the top of the charts for what feels like the last year.
Fittingly joining Boone for the US leg of his American Heart tour supporting his sophomore album of the same name, 23-year-old Elliot James Reay has already played a trio of shows warming up the crowds ahead of the headliner and is quickly gaining new fans across the pond.
Especially since his music harkens back to some of their most famous music icons of all time.
The youngster is still having to pinch himself at the mere notion of being on the road with such a big name so early in his career, posting on social media this week, “How do I explain this one to my friends back in Bury?
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“A dream come true to be opening for Benson Boone in St Paul last night, I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity to sing to you all and thank you for all the love you gave me!”
Roy Orbison-obsessed Raey – who also takes plenty of look and feel from the likes of Elvis and Billy Fury, among other old school, soulful American singers – has gone from releasing covers on YouTube to dropping his first-ever EP back in June and now playing full Stateside stadiums.
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What a whirlwind journey it’s been for the local lad already.
The Manc songwriter and guitarist featured as one of our artists of the month last December, and we’re glad to see he’s only gone from strength to strength.
It’s fair to say that he’s matured a lot in the time since then, let alone the last 12 months or so, and booking a slot as a support act for as big as Benson Boone is right now is nothing short of huge.
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We said late last year, and we’ll say it again: we see a bright future ahead for this talented young Macunian, and we wish him all the best for the dozen or so remaining US tour dates.
If you haven’t listened to his stuff before, you can get a little taste with his latest single HERE.
Or, if you want to take our advice, why not watch a great music video filmed around some very familiar city centre sites down below?
He’s certainly got his own style, even if it his heavily inspired by some of the greats.
Kings of Leon announce Manchester arena show on short run of UK dates
Daisy Jackson
Kings of Leon have just announced a short run of UK shows for next year, which includes an arena gig here in Manchester.
The multi-Grammy Award-winning rock band will be performing at the Co-op Live arena, along with two other British dates in Leeds and Glasgow.
Kings of Leon are one of the biggest alternative rock bands in the world, and never fail to sell out arenas in Manchester when they perform here.
The group of brothers (plus one cousin) have headlined some of the world’s most iconic festivals, including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza, as well as reclaiming an all-time attendance record with a fifth night at Hyde Park in London last year.
Kings of Leon have been dominating charts for more than 20 years, ever since the release of their debut album Youth & Young Manhood in 2003.
They now have nine studio albums, including last year’s Can We Please Have Fun, which (as with all their albums so far) comfortably reached the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart.
The band is made up of Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill, and just last week they dropped an EP with four new songs.
Now, it’s another brief run of live shows for the UK, with Kings of Leon performing at Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 4 July 2026.
Tickets for Kings of Leon in Manchester will go on sale from 9am on Friday 21 November, and you can get yours HERE.
Pulp announce epic Live from Wythenshawe Park gig, with support from Self Esteem
Daisy Jackson
Pulp have been announced as the latest headliners of next year’s Live from Wythenshawe Park gig series – and they’re bringing a very special guest along to support.
The legendary Sheffield band will be joined by fellow Sheffielders Self Esteem for the outdoor summer show.
The news of Pulp’s epic gig in Wythenshawe Park follows a run of live reunion shows this year and the release of More, their first album in 24 years.
Jarvis Cocker, Candida Doyle, Nick Banks, Mark Webber, and their collaborators will bring their electric live show to Manchester in summer 2026.
This will be the only chance to see Pulp perform outdoors up north next year.
Their announcement concludes the line-up for Live from Wythenshawe Park, which now consists of The Cure, Lewis Capaldi, Courteeners, The Prodigy and Pulp across five nights in August.
Pulp have announced an epic Live from Wythenshawe Park gig, with support from Self Esteem
Founded in the late 1970s in Sheffield, Pulp have become one of Britain’s best-loved bands and proudest exports, from Common People and Disco 2000 to This Is Hardcore.
Pulp with be joined at Wythenshawe Park by Self Esteem, the critically-acclaimed fearless pop project of Rebecca Lucy Taylor.
Pulp will play Live From Wythenshawe Park on Friday 28 August 2026, with tickets going on general sale on Friday 21 November at 10am HERE.
There’s also a pre-sale live on Wednesday if you sign up HERE.
Live from Wythenshawe Park 2026 line-up
Friday 21 August – The Cure (Sold Out) Saturday 22 August – Lewis Capaldi (Sold Out) Friday 28 August – Pulp (Just Announced) Saturday 29 August – Courteeners (Sold Out) Sunday 30 August – The Prodigy (Last Remaining Tickets)
Danny Jones -
27th August 2025 
