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Foo Fighters at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester – tickets, supports, setlist and more

It feels like we've been waiting Everlong for them to come back, but they're finally on their way.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 11th June 2024

It’s rare that we get to speak in superlatives like this but arguably the biggest rock band on the planet is coming to Manchester this week; that’s right, the Foo Fighters are back in town.

Undoubtedly one of the biggest names to ever do it, it’s been six years whole years since the Foos last came to 0161 and nearly a decade since they last played the Old Trafford cricket ground, delivering one of the most legendary sets this city has ever seen.

Having released their most recent record, Here We Are (Foo Fighters’ 11th studio album and the first since the tragic loss of Taylor Hawkins) around this time last year, we’re looking forward to hearing all their latest hits live for the first time – as well as all the bangers, of course.

Let’s be honest, they’re pretty much all bangers, that’s why they sell out massive arena tours all over the world. Anyway, enough prattling on, here’s everything you need to know about Foo Fighters’ return to Manchester and Emirates Old Trafford.

Tickets

We’ll be straight with you, it’s very slim pickings.

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Unsurprisingly, you’re only hope of grabbing a ticket to see Foo Fighters here in Manchester is by opting for a resale, with tickets for the main standing pitch starting from £92 on Thursday, 13 June (before fees) and what seats there are left strictly in the Platinum section. Things look even pricier for the Saturday.

We’re talking £172.50 upwards but if money’s no object and you want to spring from a fully decked-out hospitality experience, then by all means, go right ahead.

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You can see what limited availability there is left HERE and obviously, be sure to keep your eye out via trusted resellers like TicketSwap and Twickets but we urge you to avoid illegal ticket touts at all costs.

Who is supporting Foo Fighters in Manchester?

Well, the answer to this question all depends on which night you’re going along to.

For those with tickets to see the first Foo Fighters show on the Thursday, you’ll be treated to the stylings of breakout British stars Wet Leg, as well as fellow rising indie-rock and funky post-punk stars Loose Articles, from none other than right here in Manchester.

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However, if you’re heading to the weekend show on Saturday, 15 June, you’ve got a different pair of support acts in store, as Aussie singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett and Welsh alt-rock trio Chroma will be serving as warm-ups for the main event.

Either way, you’re going to have a hell of a show on your hands.

Stage times for Foo Fighters at Old Trafford

As for when you can expect all of these lovely acts to take the stage, obviously set times are always subject to change but here is everything we know so far.

It’s a much earlier start than most gigs – at least on Thursday, anyway – with gates opening from 4pm and Manc outfit Loose Articles getting things started at 5:25pm and due to finish just before 6pm.

Wet Leg are then set to follow up with the main support set at 6:15pm and playing until 7pm. From there, you’ll have a half-hour interval to grab yourself a drink, nip to the loo etc. before Dave Grohl and co. start their headline set at 7:30pm.

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The curfew is set to 10.30pm, leaving you plenty of time to get home, and although the times haven’t been officially rolled out for Saturday, you can expect something roughly similar.

Setlist

Now, we just so happen to be the first stop on the UK leg of their ‘Everything or Nothing’ at All tour, so we can only go off the most recent run of shows over in the US when looking at what the boys are going to play later this week.

Fortunately, the folks over at trusty old Setlist.fm have done exactly that to compile an average setlist for Foo Fighters’ double bill at Manchester’s Old Trafford Cricket Ground. Subject to change, as always, but here’s what you can roughly expect.

  1. All My Life
  2. No Son of Mine
  3. Rescued
  4. The Pretender
  5. Times Like These
  6. La Dee Da
  7. Breakout
  8. Medicine at Midnight
  9. Walk
  10. Guitar Solo / Sabotage / Keyboard Solo / Blitzkrieg Bop / Whip It / March of the Pigs
  11. The Sky Is a Neighborhood
  12. Learn to Fly
  13. Arlandria
  14. These Days
  15. Shame Shame
  16. Monkey Wrench
  17. The Glass
  18. Aurora
  19. Best of You
  20. Everlong

Encore:

  • The Teacher
foo fighters manchester set times
Foo Fighters have made no secret about their love of Manchester crowds and our music heritage. (Credit: Scarlet Page)

Travel info

Getting there by tram

There are a number of stops within easy walking distance of the ground:

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  • Old Trafford (Bury/Altrincham lines) – located next to the stadium
  • Trafford Bar (Altrincham/East Didsbury/Manchester Airport lines) – 10-minute walk.
  • Firswood (East Didsbury/Manchester Airport lines) – 10-minute walk.
  • Wharfside (Trafford Park line) – located a 15-minute walk from the stadium.

By bus

Along Chester Road – a 10-minute walk from the venue

  • 255 – Piccadilly Gardens – Stretford – Carrington – Partington
  • 256 – Piccadilly Gardens – Hulme – Stretford – Lostock – Flixton
  • 263 – Piccadilly Gardens – Hulme – Stretford – Sale – Altrincham

Along Chester Road/Trafford Bar – a 20-minute walk from the venue

  • X50 – Piccadilly Gardens – Old Trafford – Trafford Park – Worsley
  • 250 – Piccadilly Gardens – Trafford Park – The Trafford Centre

You can see a full interactive map for public transport down below.

Getting there car/parking

According to TfGM, congestion on the roads close to the ground is due to build around two hours before the event, with hotspots towards the ground from junction seven of the M60 (Chester Road), and the Mancunian Way if you are travelling from the city centre, as well as Trafford Park and the Trafford Centre.

If you need to travel by car to the Emirates Old Trafford, we advise you to plan your journey in advance, official parking is available at the venue with entry gates located on both Talbot Road and Great Stone Road, with ‘Pay on Foot’ machines installed at official car parks.

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It goes without saying that you need to ensure you’re parking responsibly during the events so that other road users and local residents can also use the highways in and around the ground.

For all other information on how to get there, you can also use the Bee Network’s journey planner.

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And that should be just about all you need to know about the Foo Fighters two dates at Old Trafford this week – we cannot wait to see all the footage popping up on socials.

We know it’s going to be an emotional couple of nights as this is the first time Manc crowds will be seeing the rock legends take the stage without Taylor, but you already know we’re going to sing our hearts out.

Go and make it a special one, Manchester.

Featured Images — Andi K. Taylor (supplied)/The Manc Group

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The Stone Roses’ Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield has died aged 63

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The Stone Roses' Gary 'Mani' Mounfield has died aged 63

Tributes are pouring in for Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, after it was announced that the Stone Roses legend has died at the age of 63.

The bassist, who was also part of Primal Scream, was born in Crumpsall and has been one of Manchester’s most beloved musical figures ever since finding fame in the 1980s.

Mani’s brother Greg broke the news this afternoon, writing on Facebook: “IT IS WITH THE HEAVIEST OF HEARTS THAT I HAVE TO ANNOUNCE THE SAD PASSING OF MY BROTHER GARY MANI MOUNFIELD. RIP RKID.”

Mani’s wife Imelda also passed away in late 2023 after a battle with bowel cancer, for which the pair had raised money and awareness since her diagnosis.

That included a huge star-studded fundraising party where Mani and Imelda raised more than £100k for The Christie and local NHS charities.

Mani and Imelda shared twin sons, who were born in 2012.

Tributes are now flooding in for Mani, especially from those who have also been a part of the Manchester music scene.

Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown posted on X: “REST IN PEACE MANi X”

Rowetta shared a photo with Mani and Imelda and wrote: “Back with your Imelda, Mani. Going to miss you so much. All my love to the boys, the family & all those who knew & loved him.”

Tim Burgess of The Charlatans fame said: “I shared this photo a week or so ago on Mani’s birthday. It never failed to bring a smile to my face – and that was exactly the same for the man himself.

“One of the absolute best in every way – such a beautiful friend. Love you Mani x x. Never to be forgotten”

Shaun Ryder wrote: “RIP Mani – my heartfelt condolences to his twin boys and all of his family X”

Reverend and the Makers shared: “My heart is broken. Found out this morning and just felt low as it gets all day.

“Mani was my musical hero and just a lovely genuine human. When my Dad died , he offered me the warmest and best advice. No fuss, privately, straight up and always available to everyone.

“I’m a bit ill myself at the minute and not ashamed to say I shed at tear at the news. See on the next one mate.

“A true legend of the game. RIP”

Echo and the Bunnymen wrote: “I’m absolutely gutted to hear the news about Mani, who I have always loved and always will love, deeply and forever. Like a brother.

“I am in shock to be honest. Please tell me I’m just having a bad, bad dream. My thoughts and feelings and Mani, love to all of his family from me. Mac Bunnyman Xxx”

Featured image: Paul Husband

Audio

Honey Dijon and Mix-stress on Homobloc, Manchester nightlife and more

Danny Jones Danny Jones Honey Dijon and Mix-stress on Homobloc, Manchester nightlife and more

We sat down at Manchester’s iconic Star and Garter with the legendary Honey Dijon and Manchester’s own, Rebecca Swarray aka, Mix-Stress for an exclusive interview ahead of Homobloc 2025 to talk about all things queer culture, house music, and the future of clubbing.

From Chicago to Manchester, the pair reflected on the roots of the scene, finding joy in dark times, and why the dancefloor remains a sacred space.

Put simply, it was fascinating to see the pair dive deep into the culture.

Sharing a drink in the historic Manchester city centre pub, here’s how the chat between Mix-Stress and Honey went down…

Mix-Stress meets Honey Dijon – the interview

‘Every time I play Manchester, it’s just always a vibe’

Mix-Stress (MS): Welcome to The Star and Garter. Manchester and Homobloc obviously holds a special place, and you’ve played here a few times. Can you tell me about any sets that stand out that are staying with you over the times you’ve visited here?

Honey Dijon (HD): I always have a great time when I play Manchester. Every time I play Warehouse Project, it’s just always a vibe. The crowd is just so enthusiastic and so fun and just so up for it. And Manchester and Chicago have a long history with house music, so it’s always fun to come here and represent. It doesn’t matter where, when or how – all my sets here have been incredibly fun.

‘So much has changed over the years – it feels like a different century’

MS: This will be your fourth time playing Homobloc in December. You played in 2019 when it started, then two post-pandemic shows. What do you feel has evolved over the years, musically, spiritually or sonically?

HD: So much has changed over the years. I mean, pre-pandemic, it was such a different world. It feels like it was a different century, actually, and we had no idea what we were going into.

At that time, we were just coming from the MeToo movement and the lack of diversity in dance music, so there was all this political awareness around club culture, which was really great – because so many voices that started this global movement have been queer people, people of colour, a lot of women.

The funny thing about diversity is about who’s having that conversation, because my friends and what I grew up with have always been diverse. So it was a different landscape.

During lockdown, there was a shift. If you were like an 18-year-old kid, there were two or three years where you couldn’t experience anything except online. That’s when this major shift happened – things became much more corporate, much more sanitised, and more about metrics and numbers.

There was less focus on, in my opinion, the heart of it – and it became big business. What I try to do as an artist is remind people whose shoulders I stand on and where I learned my craft, and to bring people together from all walks of life. There’s a new generation coming through, but it always goes back to the house.

‘Dancefloors are sacred spaces’

MS: We’ve seen dancefloors across the world put out safe spaces policies. What does a ‘safe space’ mean to you today, and how do you create that energy?

HD: I try to play music that uplifts and celebrates. I think, with just the artist that I am, I try to make everyone welcome. It’s about joy, celebration, and release. Dancefloors are sacred spaces in a lot of ways, and I think through the music vibrationally that I play and what I speak on, it attracts a certain crowd.

For me, safe spaces aren’t just about not being harassed – it’s about being able to show up as yourself without being judged.

A safe space is where all feel welcome, where people can be free and not judged or harassed based on gender or sexuality. Dancefloors do what government and religion can’t – they bring people together from all walks of life to celebrate through music.

As the world moves further right, these spaces are becoming more important than ever. None of us are free until all of us are free – so I try to do that through my work, through the music and what I speak on.

‘Look into the darkness, but don’t stare at it.’

MS: The world is heavy right now – historically and currently. Where do you find joy, and how do you filter that into what you do?

Honey Dijon always gives an insightful interview.

HD: Where do I find joy? Turn off the internet. Be aware. I love this quote from RuPaul: “Look into the darkness, but don’t stare at it.” That really resonates with me.

Music is powerful – that’s why far-right governments fear art and music, because there’s so much power in it. I find joy in love, in freedom of expression, and in self-autonomy. Those are the things I try to facilitate through my art and through my music.

‘If Homobloc was a fragrance…’

MS: If Homobloc was a fragrance, what would be the concoction?

HD: Armpit, asshole, and lip gloss.

If that isn’t an advert for a memorable night at Depot Mayfield, then we don’t know what is.

You can see the full lineup for Homobloc 2025 and grab your tickets to see Honey Dijon in Manchester and plenty more right HERE.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press shots/Jody Hartley Photography (supplied)/The Manc Group

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