Maneskin, the Italian rock stars who became a global sensation after winning Eurovision, have announced a huge world tour – and the only UK date is here in Manchester.
The four-piece from Rome will be taking their Rush World Tour to cities across the USA, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
The huge tour will wrap up here in Manchester, with a gig at the AO Arena on 19 December.
We’ll be the only city in the UK to welcome Maneskin, who have also announced a landmark gig at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York.
This will be the first time they’ve performed here in Manchester after shooting to fame by winning 2021’s Eurovision Song Contest with their song Zitti e buoni.
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They’ve since found viral fame with their cover of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons’ ‘Beggin’, as well as their own songs ‘I Wanna Be Your Slave’ and ‘Supermodel’.
Måneskin are currently on their Loud Kids world tour in Europe, which will take them to London in May.
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They’ve also been announced as performers at Glastonbury festival this summer.
Maneskin announced their Rush World Tour on social media yesterday, posting: “This year we want to keep the whole world rockin’!!!
“Get ready, cause RUSH! WORLD TOUR is coming to youuu. Tickets info soon.”
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Tickets for Maneskin’s gig in Manchester will go on sale on Monday 20 March at 10am through See Tickets.
Maneskin Rush World Tour Dates in full
Maneskin after winning Eurovision. Credit: Publicity picture
SEPTEMBER 3 – Hanover, Germany – EXPO Plaza 6 – Nancy, France – Nancy Open Air 21 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden 23 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion 25 – Boston, MA – TD Garden 27 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena 29 – Chicago, IL – Allstate Arena
OCTOBER 1 – Detroit, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill 3 – Nashville, Nashville, TN – Nashville Municipal Auditorium 6 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory 10 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum 13 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena 15 – Vancouver, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre 20 – Mexico City, Mexico – Palacio De Los Deportes 24 – Bogotá, Colombia – Movistar Arena 27 – Santiago, Chile – Estadio Bicentenario La Florida 29 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Movistar Arena
NOVEMBER 1 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Qualistage 3 – San Paulo, Brazil – Espaço Unimed 20 – Brisbane, QLD – BCEC 22 – Sydney, NSW – Hordern Pavilion 23 – Melbourne, VIC – Margaret Court Arena 25 – Adelaide, SA – AEC Theatre 27 – Singapore
DECEMBER 2 – Tokyo, Japan 3 – Tokyo, Japan 7 – Kobe, Japan 14 – Dublin, Ireland – 3 Arena 19 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
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 -
16th March 2023 
