Ed Sheeran has announced a surprise arena tour, and he’s set to take to this stage here in Manchester in just a few weeks time.
It’s hard to keep up with the global megastar today.
It was only this morning the chart-topping singer songwriter announced on his Instagram that his sixth studio album, titled Subtract, will be released on 5 May – but now, just a few hours after breaking the internet with his first bit of news, Sheeran has announced that he’ll be stepping on stage at several major arenas.
The multi award-winner will be heading out on a six-date arena tour of the UK and Europe, and he’s kicking things off right here in Manchester with a massive show this month.
Sheeran will take over the AO Arena for one-night-only on Thursday 23 March 2023.
ADVERTISEMENT
After he’s entertained the masses in Manchester, the ‘Shape of You’ singer will then continue on his tour with two dates in London, followed by shows in Glasgow, Dublin, and Paris all throughout March and April, before his new album drops.
Announcing the tour on his social media platforms this afternoon, Ed teased that he’ll not only be belting out a whole host of fan-favourite songs from his past five chart-topping albums, but he’ll also play a brand-new single before it’s released out into the world.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sheeran candidly revealed this morning that he was “spiralling through fear, depression and anxiety” after a really difficult month in his personal life when he decided to turn to songwriting as “therapy” and make his new album.
He explained that he’d been working on the album for the best part of a decade, but in the space of a week, decided to replace it all with songs written from his “deepest darkest thoughts”.
The singer-songwriter said the new album is like “opening the trapdoor into his soul”.
ADVERTISEMENT
“For the first time, I’m not trying to craft an album people will like, I’m merely putting something out that’s honest and true to where I am in my adult life,” Sheeran said in his statement.
Ed Sheeran to play huge Manchester show THIS MONTH on surprise arena tour / Credit: Ed Sheeran
Understandably, tickets for the shows are expected to be in high demand.
Tickets will go on general sale next Friday 10 March at 9am, although fans can pre-order the new album before 9am on Tuesday 7 March via his official website if they want to gain early access to the ticket pre-sale – which will be held on Wednesday 8 March at 9am.
You can sign up for pre-sale access here, and grab tickets when they go on sale here.
Featured Image – Ed Sheeran (via Instagram)
Audio
Victoria Baths is ‘resurrecting’ its popular spooky silent disco this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Halloween is on its way, and Silence of the Baths is being ‘resurrected’ for another year.
Returning for a ‘fright night of thrills’ after a sell-out debut in 2023, and then for a smash-hit revival of three of Manchester’s most iconic fallen nightclubs in 2024, Victoria Baths has announced that Silence of the Baths will be returning for its third year, transforming the stunning Grade II-listed building into one of the spookiest settings this Halloween.
For the popular one-off event, Victoria Baths is set to ‘show its darker side’, as the pool halls, Turkish Baths, and labyrinth of spaces undergo an epic Halloween makeover.
Victoria Baths is teaming up with Girls on Film for one of the best nights in the city this Halloween, as the historic space becomes a ‘haunted haven’ of glamour and ghosts.
Partygoers are encouraged to dress the part and wander through the empty pools and haunted corridors as each space is transformed into spooky playground filled with ghouls, spiders, bats, and coffins – but most importantly, good times.
From the balcony above the former pool, the Girls on Film crew will take over the silent disco with a trio of DJs on three different channels.
Hattie Pearson will be on Channel 1, Meme Gold on Channel 2, and the Channel 3 will have DJ MXw0rld.
Victoria Baths is ‘resurrecting’ its popular spooky silent disco this Halloween / Credit: Chris Payne (via Supplied)
As mentioned, ticketholders are being encouraged to ‘dress to distress’ on the night, not only because it’s Halloween, but also because the person with the most haunting look has the chance to win a Halloween Swag Bag.
There’ll be plenty of elixirs and spirits to sip on all night long, and don’t forget to strike a pose against the Baths’ iconic backdrop.
The Silence of the Baths III: The Return will take over Victoria Baths on Saturday 25 October, with doors creaking open from 7:30pm, and tickets are now on sale here and setting you back £20 each (plus a booking fee).
The event sold out last year, so early ticket purchase is recommended
All ticket purchases support the work of The Victoria Baths Trust to preserve Victoria Baths, so that communities can continue to enjoy this inspiring building.
Featured Image – Chris Payne (via Supplied)
Audio
DMA’s confirm highly anticipated Hills End 10th anniversary tour dates
Danny Jones
Indie favourites DMA’s have finally confirmed their highly anticipated Hills End anniversary tour, celebrating 10 years since their breakout debut album with several UK dates – including Manchester.
The Aussie band beloved by Brits and music fans all over have been teasing a reveal of some sort over the past weeks, but now the news is official.
Up there with the Sydney music scene’s finest exports right now, DMA’s have always had a strong following over here, but especially so up North and Manchester in particular, with their youthful, uplifting and moving style often striking up similarities to our own indie rock roots.
Revealing details of the Hills End 10th anniversary shows on social media this Monday, the talented trio have confirmed a number of Northern gigs.
Besides us Mancs being the first stop on the run of live shows (honoured, of course), perhaps the most exciting part about this announcement is that this will be the very first time DMA’s will be performing their maiden LP live in full.
At this time, we’re not sure whether or not they’ll be playing from start to finish in order, but either way, fans are understandably very excited; you can consider us here at Audio North firmly included in that group, by the way.
We’re sure we don’t need to remind you lot reading this per se, but cherished tracks from the record obviously include ‘Delete’, ‘Lay Down’, ‘In The Moment’.
They’ll also be playing working-class outposts like Newcastle and Glasgow, as well as paying a visit to our friends over at The Hoot in Yorkshire. You can see the full list of shows down below.
DMA’s Hills End 10th anniversary tour 2026 – UK dates
February
Friday 06 – O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
Saturday 07 – NX, Newcastle
Sunday 08 – O2 Academy, Birmingham
Tuesday 10 – O2 Academy, Bristol
Thursday 12 – O2 Academy Brixton, London
Saturday 14 – O2 Academy, Leeds
Monday 16 – O2 Academy, Glasgow
May
Thursday 21 – Rock City, Nottingham
Friday 22 – UEA, Norwich
What an album this is.
“The UK has always felt like a second home for us. Hills End was where our story really began overseas, so it feels right to come back and celebrate it with the fans who’ve supported us from day one.”
Literally almost a full decade on from its release, the DMA’s anniversary tour kicks here in Manchester next Feb and, as of yet, no support act has been confirmed.
Tickets go on sale at 9am this Friday, 17 October; You can get ready to grab your tickets HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
1st March 2023 
