Legendary US rock, country and folk band the Eagles have announced their last-ever UK gigs and Manchester’s Co-op Live arena has been giventhe honour of bidding them a British goodbye.
One of the most successful and seminal bands of the 1970s and beyond, the LA hitmakers best known for tracks like ‘Hotel California’, ‘New Kid in Town’, ‘Desperado’ and countless others, are rounding off their global Long Goodbye tour with three final shows here in Britain and our city’s newest venue.
Announced as part of a residency at the brand-new Co-op Live, set to open in April this year, the Eagles will be playing a trio of greatest hits shows, with long-standing lineup — Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Vince Gill and Deacon Frey (son of the late great frontman, Glen) — all set to perform.
Better still, the worldwide phenomenon and music veterans are also bringing another beloved American outfit along for the ride, as cult favourite jazz rockers Steely Dan will also be joining them. Iconic.
Writing as per a press release, the band said: “The Eagles have had a miraculous 52-year odyssey, performing for people all over the globe; keeping the music alive in the face of tragic losses, upheavals and setbacks of many kinds.
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“Credit and thanks go to our longtime management team, our dedicated road crew, and our exceptional backup musicians for providing skilled and steadfast support, throughout these many years. We know how fortunate we are, and we are truly grateful.
“Our long run has lasted far longer than any of us ever dreamed. But, everything has its time, and the time has come for us to close the circle… We want to give all our fans a chance to see us on this final round… We hope to see as many of you as we can before we finish up.
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“Most importantly, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for embracing this band and its music. At the end of the day, you are the reason we have been able to carry on for over five decades. This is our swan song, but the music goes on and on.
Having crossed several destinations off the list already, the boys make their way to Manchester on Friday, 31 May, before playing to more shows on Saturday, 1 June and Tuesday 4 June.
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Co-op Live’s Executive Director and General Manager, Gary Roden, said of this huge coup for the venue: “We’ve always said that our mission is to bring the world’s biggest artists to Manchester, and we’re delighted Co-op Live is hosting the only UK shows of Eagles’ farewell tour.
“Hosting these shows epitomises the ambition that the arena is built on, and we can’t wait to be part of plenty more historic events like this one.”
If you to be at the last ever Eagles shows here in the UK and say one last goodbye to the Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, you can grab your tickets HERE. General sale goes live this Friday, 26 January at 10 am so you best be quick! There are some seriously massive names coming to Manchester’s newest gig venue.
Featured Images — Press Image (via Eagles.com)/Mark Tepsic (supplied)
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A new theatre show based on the Oasis and Blur rivalry is heading to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
No one sits on the fence in the great ‘Blur or Oasis’ debate – and now one of music’s greatest rivalries will be brought to the stage in a brand-new theatre show.
Heading to Manchester next year will be the brand-new comedy play, The Battle.
Audiences will take a trip back to 1995, when Britpop heavyweights Blur and Oasis were battling it out on the airwaves – and throwing more than a few jibes at each other along the way.
The Battle follows that moment in time where both bands – one our beloved Northern brothers, the other that clean-cut art-school band from the South – released singles on the same day.
The ensuing ‘battle of Britpop’ saw rivalries flare, friendships fracture, and a media mania that defined the era.
Highlights of the play will include the Brit Awards, the war on the charts, and legendary personalities.
The Battle promises ‘filthy language and razor-sharp dialogue in this cut-throat new comedy that puts you right at the heart of the feuding, the fame, and the fallout’.
The Battle is the debut stage play from screenwriter and Sunday Times best-selling novelist John Niven, and will be directed by Matthew Dunster.
John Niven said: “1995: a time long before music splintered into a billion different Tik Tok feeds. When music was so central to the culture that two pop groups could dominate the entire summer, the evening news and the front page of every newspaper in the country.
“We’re going to take you back there. I’ve never written for the stage before, and it has been an absolute blast to do so for the first time with a producer as supportive as Simon and a director as talented as Matthew.”
Director, Matthew Dunster, added: “I remember the Battle of the Bands. I remember the charts that week. Music mattered.
“I remember being in my twenties in 1995. What a wild time. Full of energy, naughtiness and hilarity. Just like John Niven’s play.
“I’m so delighted to be working with John on such a punchy, hilarious and revealing comedy about two of the best bands of all time, Blur and Oasis.”
Producer, Simon Friend, continued: “Throughout my sister’s teenage years, she had an enormous poster of Damon Albarn on her wall, and I remember her falling out with friends over which band they loved more.
“Ever since, this story has been in the back of my mind, and I was delighted that John Niven agreed to write it because there is no more qualified or hilarious chronicler of this world, and combined with Matthew Dunster directing, we have a fearless team recreating the sweaty mid-‘90s carnage of The Battle of Britpop.”
The Battle will make its world premiere in Birmingham next year before heading out on an extensive UK tour, including a run of shows here in Manchester.
The Battle will be at the Opera House Manchester between 17 and 21 March 2026.
Tickets go on general sale on Friday 2 May at 10am – grab yours HERE.
HAIM announce huge UK arena tour with Manchester date
Daisy Jackson
Everyone’s favourite musical siblings are heading back on tour – and for once, I am not referring to Oasis.
HAIM have just dropped details of a huge UK arena tour later this year, which includes a gig right here in Manchester.
The rock trio of siblings will be playing six dates in support of their upcoming album I Quit.
HAIM will be performing at the biggest venue in Manchester, the Co-op Live arena, this October, alongside shows in Nottingham, London, Glasgow and more.
The Los Angeles sisters, Alana, Danielle and Este, haven’t performed here since 2022, when they played the much smaller O2 Victoria Warehouse.
HAIM are best known for hits like The Wire, If I Could Change Your Mind, and Falling, with three already-released chart-topping albums.
They announced their fourth studio album on stage last week at a set of surprise shows in LA, promising classic rock inspiration that’s been crafted for live performance.
It follows their 2020 release, Women in Music Pt. III, which earned them a Brit Award for International Group as well as two Grammy Award nominations.
Fans who pre-order the album will be able to access a pre-sale from 10am on Wednesday 30 April, ahead of general sale on 10am on Friday 2 May.
Danny Jones -
22nd January 2024 
