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80s icons Duran Duran are hosting a special Halloween gig at a massive Manchester venue

Consider us 'Hungry Like the Werewolf' for this one.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 23rd June 2025

British pop-rock legends Duran Duran are heading back to Manchester, but not just for any old gig: they’re hosting a huge Halloween special at the city’s biggest arena.

The ‘Rio’ and ‘Girls on Film’ singers are still going strong nearly five decades on, and after releasing their 16th studio album, Danse Macabre, back in October 2023, the boys have been in a somewhat gothic mood for a hot minute now.

With that in mind, the Brummy boys are sticking in that lane for a little while longer, deciding to set up an All Hallow’s Eve night just a couple of years on from the LP’s release.

Better yet, they’ve managed to book no less than the bloody Co-op Live for it too. Massive.

Encouraging all those coming along to show up in the finest fancy dress and get in the holiday spirit, the show is taking place on Halloween itself, so that’s your plans for this year sorted already.

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As per an official press release, “fans can expect a one-night-only exclusive Halloween set filled with the essential hits, alongside rarely-played songs from the Duran Duran crypt.”

The first of what is now a “highly anticipated annual tradition”, ‘The Danse Macabre Halloween Party’ first began at a fabled October 31st gig at the Wynn Theatre in Las Vegas in 2022.

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With that night now immortalised across 13 songs on the eponymous cult favourite record, which features new tracks, themed covers, as well as dark reimaginings of Duran Duran classics, Manchester is set for its first state of the experience.

At the risk of overusing a very easy pun, it does sound spook-tacular. Sorry not sorry.

We’re absolutely here for this era of Duran Duran.

Once again, Duran Duran make their way to Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on Friday, 31 October, setting fans up for a perfect Halloween 2025 weekend.

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VIP pre-sale for official Co-op members begins this Wednesday, 25 June from 8am onwards, with general admission tickets going live to the public at 10am the following Friday (27 Jun).

You can get ready to grab your tickets HERE.

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Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

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Deep Purple announce huge Manchester show at the iconic AO Arena

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Deep Purple have announced a gig at the AO Arena in Manchester. Credit: Jim Rakete

Rock royalty Deep Purple have just announced a huge Manchester gig at the AO Arena.

These pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock will be heading out on a tour next year that includes shows in Newcastle, Glasgow, Birmingham and London.

And Deep Purple will be performing on the most iconic stage in Manchester, with a gig at the AO Arena next winter.

Even five decades on, the group remain one of the world’s most revered live acts, with 50 years’ worth of chart-topping albums, sold-out tours, and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Perhaps best known for their legendary hit Smoke On The Water, along with songs like Highway Star and Child In Time, the group are listed as one of the genre’s most influential bands of all time.

Child In Time was reworked to soundtrack Netflix’s smash-hit series Stranger Things, capturing Deep Purple’s timeless and lasting influence.

The British rockers show no sign of slowing down, releasing a critically-acclaimed album in 2024.

They’ll be supported by Mammoth, fronted by Grammy Award-winning ssongwriter, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Wolfgang Van Halen.

Also joining Deep Purple for their AO Arena gig in Manchester will be Jayler, fast-rising UK rockers.

Deep Purple will play at the AO Arena in Manchester on Sunday 22 November, 2026 – tickets go on sale from 10am on Friday 21 November and you can get yours HERE.

Deep Purple 2026 UK tour dates

  • Wednesday 18 November – Newcastle Utilita Arena
  • Thursday 19 November – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
  • Saturday 21 November – BP Pulse Arena, Birmingham
  • Sunday 22 November – AO Arena, Manchester
  • Tuesday 24 November – Eventim Apollo, London

Featured image: Jim Rakete

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Kings of Leon announce Manchester arena show on short run of UK dates

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Kings of Leon announce Manchester arena show on short run of UK dates

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.

Kings of Leon UK tour dates for 2026

  • Friday 3 July – Bellahouston Park Glasgow
  • Saturday 4 July – Co-op Live Manchester
  • Monday 6 July – First Direct Bank Arena Leeds

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