Irish post-punk pioneers Fontaines D.C. have just announced a brand new UK and Ireland tour ahead of their new album later this year and leading new arts and live entertainment venue, Aviva Studios, has been selected for their massive Manchester date.
The Dublin powerhouses have emerged as one of the most exciting acts on the planet for our money, combining everything from new wave, alternative and often grungey guitars, to more classic rock and even indie sounds, making them one of the most instantly recognisable sounds on the modern scene.
With all that being said, we cannot wait for their return to Manchester and what will no doubt be one of the biggest and best gigs Aviva Studios has seen yet.
Fontaines D.C. roll up to 0161 in Fall 2024 and they’ll have a brand new album under their belt to boot.
Become a Factory International Members to gain early access tickets on Wednesday 24 April, 10am.
Fontaines D.C. return to Manchester for the first time since 2022.
Home to Factory International, which kicked off an incredible debut calendar of cultural events last year, Aviva Studios is already proving to be an impressive addition to the Manc skyline, especially now it’s coaxing names like Fontaines D.C. to come and perform there over other gig spaces.
As for the band themselves, they dropped the lead single entitled ‘Starburster’ this week and it proved to be quite the sea change for often fast, frantic and no-nonsense five-piece. If you haven’t heard it yet, strap in and get ready to be over-exhaling out loud non-stop for the next hour – you’ll see what we mean.
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With their fourth record Romance set to release on 23 August, we think it’s fair to say this new record – the first with new producer James Ford (Blur, Arctic Monkeys) – is off to a much more experimental start than their heavily acclaimed 2019 debut, Dogrel.
Set to take the stage in Aviva Studios’ Warehouse space on Friday, 29 November, Fontaines’ Manchester date is part of a new run of shows announced as part of their full European which kicks off in June.
Heading back from the continent in August and starting off the UK leg in Wolverhampton on 20 November, it’ll be a fast and furious nine-show run culminating with a homecoming concert in Dublin.
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Tickets for all headline dates go on general sale at 10am next Friday, 26 April and for first access to presale, fans can pre-order the album by 3pm on 23 April.
Indie icons The Kooks have announced a huge Manchester gig on UK arena tour
Daisy Jackson
The Kooks have announced a huge UK arena tour, which will see the indie icons performing here in Manchester this autumn.
The new tour, which features their biggest-ever headline show, has been announced in support of their upcoming seventh studio album, Never/Know.
And The Kooks will be supported by a big North West name for their tour – Breakthrough Act of the Year, The K’s.
The Kooks are icons of the British indie music scene, releasing their breakthrough album Inside In / Inside Out almost two decades ago, spawning huge hits like Naïve, You Don’t Love Me and She Moves In Her Own Way.
The group’s newly-announced major UK tour features a stop in their hometown of Brighton.
The Kooks will be performing at The Co-op Live in Manchester, as well as venues in Cardiff, Newcastle, Birmingham and London, this autumn on the Never/Know tour.
The Kooks will play Manchester on their new UK tour. Credit: Maria VillanuevaThe Kooks will play Manchester on their new UK tour. Credit: Jordan Munns
Their album of the same name is slated for release on 9 May, which has already featured springtime anthem Sunny Baby.
Speaking about the single, frontman Luke Pritchard said, “We’re told how bad everything is at the moment; everything’s sh*t; the world’s sh*t.
“And I was like, I’m just going to refuse to not let these be the best years of life, because I’ve got a young family. It’s about me getting to a balanced life; having a family. It’s a love song about someone making me fall back in love with myself.”
The Kooks will play at Co-op Live in Manchester on Friday 3 October, with general release tickets on sale at 10am on Friday 25 April HERE.
The Kooks 2025 UK tour dates
Friday 3 October – Co-op Live – Manchester
Saturday 4 October – Cardiff Utilita Arena – Cardiff
Sunday 5 October – Brighton Centre – Brighton
Thursday 9 October – Newcastle Utilita Arena – Newcastle
Featured image: Party in the Paddock and Renae Saxby
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Manc music legend Peter Hook is running his fourteenth Great Manchester Run for charity
Emily Sergeant
Manchester music icon Peter Hook is taking on an incredible endurance challenge for charity next month.
The Great Manchester Run is coming up next month on Sunday 18 May, with thousands of runners taking up the 10K or Half Marathon challenges either for their own personal achievements, or in the name of a number of worthy causes.
First staged in 2003 as a legacy event following the Manchester-hosted Commonwealth Games in 2002, the 10K has grown to be one of the largest in Europe, and in recent years, it has evolved to include a popular half marathon too.
35,000 runners are taking on the challenge this year, with 100,000 supporters set to line the streets… and one of those runners is none other than the legend himself, Peter Hook.
Incredibly, this is the fourteenth time the former bassist and co-founder of two of Manchester’s biggest bands, Joy Division and New Order, has taken part in the Great Manchester Run.
And it’s also the fourteenth time he’s raising money for The Christie Charity in the process.
Manc music legend Peter Hook is running his fourteenth Great Manchester Run for charity next month / Credit: Wikipedia Commons | Great Run Company
Hooky, as he’s affectionately known by friends and fans, took on his first run in 2006 and has continued over the years raising money for The Christie Charity – which supports the work of The Christie hospital in Manchester.
Peter’s relationship with The Christie and its charity started when he lived in Withington for many years and saw patients going into the hospital for treatment, and sadly things became very personal when two good friends, as well as family members were treated there – his former manager Tony Wilson, musician Dave Dee, and his aunt and father-in-law.
“I love running as it clears my head, and I can’t think of a better cause to run in support of,” Peter Hook explained ahead of the Great Manchester Run next month.
“The feeling of hope and solidarity on the day is fantastic and the sense of achievement when you finish is second to none, so I’m extremely proud to be representing The Christie Charity and supporting the wonderful work it does.”
Josh Hughff, who is the mass participation events officer at The Christie Charity, added: “Hooky is one of our longest standing event participants and we’re delighted he has chosen to support us again this year.
“He knows better than most just how important the work of The Christie is and how crucial charity fundraising is, as it allows us to fund life-changing and life-saving projects that will benefit cancer patients both now and in the future.”
Danny Jones -
19th April 2024 
