Donny Osmond is heading to Manchester on his newly-announced UK tour, which will be his first in six years.
The legendary music star is taking his Las Vegas show to arenas across the country this year, with tickets on sale later this week.
The 12-date tour will kick off at the Hull Bonus Arena on 28 November, before heading to venues in Nottingham, Glasgow, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Brighton and London.
Donny will touch down in Manchester for a show at the AO Arena on Wednesday 29 November.
His career spans a phenomenal six decades, over which time he’s earned 33 gold records, sold more than 100 million albums, had three UK number ones and spent 333 weeks in the UK charts.
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The Puppy Love singer released his celebratory One Night Only live album in 2017, which includes footage from his sold-out tour from the same year.
The Osmonds. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
His 2023 tour will mark 50 years since The Osmonds, the band that was made up of Donny and his brothers, first performed on British soil – to Beatles-like levels of hysteria from audiences.
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In fact, The Osmonds were once banned from Heathrow after their arrival drew so many fans to the airport that a balcony collapsed beneath them.
Donny said: “Performing in the UK has always felt like coming home and I’m thrilled to be returning for a tour at the end of this year.
“I’m bringing the whole cast from my new Las Vegas production that highlights six decades of entertaining. I can hardly wait to revisit those Osmondmania memories with everyone. The only difference is, they’re going to let me land at Heathrow this time.”
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Highlights from his career have included a starring role as Gaston in Disney’s Beaty and the Beast on Broadway, performing at the Concert for Diana (seen by more than two billion viewers), and singing songs for Mulan.
He was also the first entertainer on the American version of The Masked Singer, before joining the UK version as a guest judge.
Donny recently released the album Start Again, a milestone 65th album for the performer.
He’s currently headlining a solo residency at Harrah’s in Las Vegas – a show he’s now taking out on tour.
Donny Osmond will perform at the AO Arena on Wednesday 29 November 2023.
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Tickets and VIP packagesfor all shows are available via See Tickets from 10am on Thursday 23 February.
Featured image: Publicity picture
Audio
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall Manchester – groovy, hazy and effortlessly cool
Clementine Hall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall proved exactly why they’ve built such a cult following over the past decade.
Formed in 2010 by frontman Ruban Nielson, the band first broke through with their scrappy, lo-fi self-titled debut and since then, they’ve become known for their signature blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and warped pop.
I first saw the band back in 2023 at Glastonbury, and yes sorry I am one of those annoying people that bring it up all the time.
They’re the perfect band to close your eyes, sway your head and tap your foot to – and that’s exactly what the crowd were doing in unison last night at the Albert Hall.
Image: The Manc Group
From the second they stepped on stage, there was no rush – just that signature hazy groove met with enough stage lights to sink a ship.
You could barely see them on stage, but that made it even cooler. And you can only imagine how gorgeous the Albert Hall looked with hundreds of spotlights in different colours whizzing all over it.
Early tracks simmered and pulled us in before the band stretched out into crowd pleasers like ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Hunnybee’. What an absolute tune by the way.
Image: The Manc Group
There wasn’t much crowd interaction but, again, there didn’t need to be. They let the music do the talking and by treating us to some of the most epic guitar solos we’ve ever heard (no, seriously), we’ll forgive them for not talking to us.
Each song melted into each other as the band oozed effortless charm and talent throughout the almost two hour set, which is no mean feat.
Of course, a sea of phones shot up for ‘So Good at Being in Trouble‘, their most popular track which prompted a harmonious audience singalong. Not very harmonious by me, admittedly.
It was a fantastic ending that left the audience feeling united by the laidback brilliance of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and I hope they don’t leave it too long to come back this time.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Daisy Jackson -
21st February 2023 
