Happy New Year! Can you really get away with that at the end of January?… Who knows?
Either way, 2025 is underway and we just know it’s going be another fantastic 365 days for music.
If you’re new here then first off, hello – we appreciate you clicking and hope you’ll be back here on a regular basis; secondly, for those of you who joined us in 2024, you know the drill: every month we put together a list of Greater Manchester music we’ve been listening to over the past few weeks.
It is to our perennial sadness that we’ll never be able to ‘complete’ all of the music that will ever be released in the world, but we can certainly give keeping up with everything 0161 is doing and has done a good old go or so help us, almighty tunage gods! Enough pratting about, let’s get stuck in:
Five Manchester bands and artists we’ve been listening to recently
1. Casino Club
Ok, landing our inaugural artist nod of 2025 is a group we truly believe is going to go very far this year and part of what is a promising new creative boom down the road in the WN postcode area.
That’s right, we’re heading to Wigan first and foremost and giving a very big shout-out to local band, Casino Club, who are helping spearhead the next generation of music coming out of the Greater Manchester borough. This isn’t just indie rock, it’s indie rock and roll that we’re very excited about.
With rip-roaring guitar riffs that hint at everything from Green Day to Sterephonics and Catfish, as well as frontman Marcus Grimshaw’s fantastic vocals, they’ve struck an infectious and extremely listenable balance already. As for songs, there are plenty, but we’d say start with ‘The Fear’, ‘Kick a Hole Into the Sun’ and ‘Runaway’.
Buzzing to announce our new single ‘Begging You’ will release on 14•02•25
Oh yeah, we do old bands too; this series is just as much about spotlighting perhaps forgotten or underrated Manc music as it is about the new blood and The Chameleons are a great example of that.
The Middleton-formed band came to the fore at the start of the 80s when so many other massive names were coming through the Greater Manchester scene, so it was hard to carve out even a slither of the spotlight let alone one rivalling the likes of The Smiths, New Order, Inspiral Carpets and so on.
But make no mistake, this lot are still going strong, with a die-hard following eagerly awaiting their new album. It might sound like a sweeping generalisation but their sound does typify that era. Most will start with ‘The Swamp Thing’ but their 1993 debut album Script From The Bridge is still their best.
Now up next is a singer-songwriter and chief Manc music queen in charge of ‘devastating alt-pop’: her words, not ours – though we do to tend agree and heartily recommend you give her a listen. She’s actually been going since 2016, unbelievably, but she’s gaining more and more traction year after year.
The BIMM graduate was actually born over in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, but she’s been studying, living and making a new for herself here in Manchester for a good long while now, so yes, we’re absolutely claiming her as one of our own – especially after becoming a Neighbourhood Festival fave.
Her style has definitely evolved but, more importantly, there’s no genre she won’t put a distorted electronic twist on. At present, you’ll get notes of St Vincent, 070 Shake, MARINA and more; ‘Break My Heart’ and ‘Lucky Me’ make for the perfect starting point and ‘IDK’ was on Killing Eve. ‘Nuff said.
Our penultimate pick for January is the iconic electronic and techno outfit 808 State, who made new waves with their sound in the late 1980s, well into the 90s and are partly still going to this day.
If you’ve never come across them before, their influence on modern electronica and the wider dance music is massive, not only being labelled among the pioneers of acid house but former member Gerald Simpson (A Guy Called Gerald) went on to lay the foundations for what would go on to become jungle.
That’s right: we have them to thank for not just drum and bass but many sub-genres of electronic music as a whole. With such and varied long career (even if it’s only co-founder Graham Massey now) there’s plenty to enjoy: ‘Cübik’, ‘Spanish Heart’, and the Bicep remix of ‘In Yer Face’, just to name a few.
They took their name from the Roland TR-808 drum machine, which also played a big role in revolutionising modern music production.
5. The Falls
Last but not least, we’re giving an early seal of approval to a young bunch of lads going by ‘The Falls’ and while they might not sound anything like the predecessors from Prestwich – with which their name differs only because it’s a plural – we’re hoping they’re bound for similar success.
Hailing from Salford, this fledgling four-piece has barely even got going yet but they’ve definitely got a good feel for the indie warehouse from the off and
They’ve only released four songs thus far too, so you can get on board with these boys early doors. ‘The Millionth Time’ and ‘Waiting For Yesterday’ promise lots of solo showing off in the future, and the loose-wristed main riff on ‘My mind’ almost reminds us of the fast-paced part of ‘Shiver’ by Coldplay before turning into something very different. We look forward to seeing where they go.
And just like that, the first Manc artists of the round-up of the year is all said and done – we hope enjoyed it and at least we’re introduced to a couple of names you haven’t come across before.
That’s basically how it works: we’ll be back here, ‘same bat-time, same bat-place’ every month with another batch of Manchester bands, solo artists and more for you to feast your ears on.
Until next time, you can get stuck into our final round-up from 2024 down below, not to mention all the others from last year and, as always, keep your eyes peeled on Audio North for all the big and interesting music news.
Oh, and of course, if there are any Manchester artists that you think we should check out then let us know in the comments.
Diana Ross at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
It’s true, the Queen of Motown Records, Diana Ross, is coming to Manchester, and she’s bringing The Hallé Orchestra with her too.
Diana Ross and her band are making their way to Manchester for a night of glitz and glam, but they’re also making room for the much-loved Manc-based music collective
You can expect this Pop and disco diva to perform lots of other timeless classics such as ‘I’m Coming Out’, ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, ‘Chain Reaction’, she really is ‘The Boss’.
Diana Ross gig guide – everything you need to know
Diana Ross, her band and The Hallé Orchestra are coming to Co-op Live Manchester on 26 June.Credit: Crisco 1492 (via Wikimedia Commons)
This living legend is a bucket list gig for many, but we’re sure if you’re fast enough, you’ll be able to secure a ticket for yourself and your ‘Baby Love’.
Diana Rosshas racked up 58 top 10 hits and we’re sure she’ll play a hefty amount of these at Co-op Live.Credit: DVROSS (via Flickr)
Diana Ross setlist
I’m Coming Out
More Today Than Yesterday
Baby Love
You Can’t Hurry Love
Come See About Me
Stop! In the Name of Love
Touch Me in the Morning
I’m Still Waiting
Chain Reaction
He Lives in You
Good Morning Heartache
Love Hangover
Ease on Down the Road
Home
The Boss
Endless Love
Reach Out and Touch
Upside Down
Tomorrow
Count on Me
Just in Case
If the World Just Danced
Why Do Fools Fall in Love
Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Amazing Grace
I Will Survive
Thank You
What are the stage times for Diana Ross in Manchester?
The supreme space that is Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, so you’ll be able to dance your socks off without having to ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’, while still making it back to bed before the early hours.
Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6:30pm with a kick-off time of 7:30pm and no official announcement regarding a support act.
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre, and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
This will be Diana’s first time performing at Co-op Live in Manchester.Credit: Crisco 1492 (via WikiCommons)
Featured Images — Publicity Picture (supplied)/Wikimedia Commons/Flickr
Audio
A limited number of additional Oasis tickets to be released in three UK cities on Live ’25 reunion tour
Danny Jones
Britpop fans, brace yourselves because Oasis have just announced that they will be releasing more tickets for three UK reunion dates – and yes, we can confirm that one of those set for an extra is their massive Manchester homecoming at Heaton Park.
Get ready to scrap in the digital queue again, folks.
With the Oasis Live ’25 reunion world tour now less than a week from kicking into gear (cannot believe it’s gone that fast), people are still scrambling around and trying to do whatever they can to get a last-minute ticket.
That being said, the Burnage boys and their promoters look to have given Oasis fans even more of a lifeline besides the hope of last-minute spares and re-sales, as a small release of additional tickets will be made for Manchester and two other cities available this week.
Posting on their social media accounts, the band confirmed: “As the shows are getting closer, Oasis promoters may be able to release a very limited number of additional tickets for sale once final sight lines are checked and the production is fine-tuned.”
Besides Heaton Park, Cardiff and Edinburgh are believed to be the other two shows tipped for the extra ticket allocation.
The update goes on to add: “These final production releases will happen over the coming days. If you are an Oasismynet [fan website] member, keep an eye on your inbox for an email from your regular Oasismynet or Ticketmaster correspondence address.”
Naturally, they’ve also urged would-be recipients to double-check all emails are correct and legitimate before following links or sharing any purchase information”, scammers having been rife ever since the tour broke the internet.
Amusingly, many of those who saw the latest news from the Gallagher brothers online immediately feared the worst when they spotted the lengthy block of white text on a plain black background.
“Got scared they had a falling out for a second because of the long message”, and “Omg this looked like a statement saying they’d fallen out again”, being just two examples.
But don’t worry; touch wood, rehearsals are now well underway and as far as we know, the Manc music legends are getting on fine and even spent a recent bank holiday together, according to LG himself.
If among the lucky few to be selected for the final ballot, those who attempted to get tickets last time around should receive a code via email, with the tickets available at 8am BST sharp tomorrow (Thursday, 26 June). So, you’d best get checking your inboxes, people!
It’s not just the return of Oasis mania out there, Britpop fever has well and truly gripped the nation with Robbie Williams currently on tour, Pulp back together too, not to mention Blur announcing a surprise new album this July. Time to clobber up and pretend it’s the 90s again.
Danny Jones -
31st January 2025 
