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.
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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.
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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”.
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“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.
She wrote: “Today our hearts were broken forever! After a year long battle with cancer, it finally got the better of you, our amazingly strong and gorgeous boy.
“You were such a kind, loving and beautiful soul and I will never understand why you were taken from us? It was far too soon. You had so much more love to offer to this world.
“You never once got angry, complained or felt sad. You were a true warrior throughout and fought so hard until the very end.
Graeme Park’s son Oliver has died at the age of 18, the DJ has announced. Credit: Instagram, @graemepark
“We will love and miss you every single day for the rest of our lives, Ol.
“The power and love we feel from your guiding spirit is all around us and WILL provide us and Ben, your twin, with the strength to carry on. Especially when times get too tough.
“We love you Ol, so, so much and even though you’re not here in your physical body, the strength you provide us with and your loving strong Spirit will be with us always!!!!
“We love you so much, Oliver Park and thank you for sharing 18 years of your precious life with us.”
Graeme’s post drew in thousands of messages of love and support, including from Vernon Kay, Sacha Lord, and DJ Paulette.
He shared last night: “Thank you for all of your kind, supportive words regarding my son. Much appreciated.
“I won’t be DJing in Huddersfield, London or Manchester this weekend, there will be no radio shows and there may be a delay to recent merchandise orders too. Please bear with me. Back soon.”
Featured image: Instagram, @graemepark
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The View, Brooke Combe, Corella and more join the Neighbourhood Weekender 2023 lineup
Danny Jones
More acts have joined the Neighbourhood Weekender lineup for 2023 and as well as some big names, it looks like there’s going to be even more Manc music on show this year. You love to see it.
Neighbourhood 2023 is already shaping up to be an absolute belter with the likes of Pulp, The Kooks, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbot, The Wombats, Anne Marie and countless other huge others already announced for this year.
But if there’s one thing we know about the Warrington weekender it’s that there are always more surprises down the line, right up until the last minute, and to whet your appetite for the festival favourite.
The latest from the organisers is that several new artists are now joining the NBHD lineup, such as Scottish stars and veritable indie veteran The View, fellow compatriot Brooke Combe (one of the most exciting new soloists we’ve heard in a long time), The Goa Express from Burnley and 14 other acts.
One of the names we’re most excited to see playing on the Sunday are local lads, Corella. Named after an indigenous Australian bird, the rock and indie quarter are former BIMM students who are quickly becoming one of the most talked-about groups in the city.
The Manc musicians went on to survive lockdown together, writing new tunes and even hosting virtual live gigs called ‘Club Corella’ every weekend throughout the pandemic. God, we don’t half love this kind of graft, especially in hard times. Well in, lads.
Since then, they’ve gone from strength to strength and now, fresh from their sellout gig at Gorilla — which they hailed as “a dream come true” and a “moment we will never forget” — they’ll be following it up with a full Weekender slot in just a couple month’s time.
If their performance at Gorilla and at last year’s Neighbourhood Festival in the city is anything to go by, they’re going to absolutely smash it.
Neighbourhood Weekender 2023’s lineup is sounding more and more like it could go down as a year you don’t want to miss.
The weekend of gigs kicks at the beautiful Victoria Park in Warrington on 27 May and last until the following Sunday. However, to make things even better there’s also going to be a massive warm-up show featuring The Stone Roses’ Ian Brown, Happy Mondays and more.
Emily Sergeant -
1st March 2023 
