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Foo Fighters cancel Manchester gig following tragic death of Taylor Hawkins

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 30th March 2022

The Foo Fighters have cancelled all upcoming tour dates in the wake of the death of Taylor Hawkins at just 50 years old.

The band’s long-time drummer was found dead in his hotel room over the weekend while on tour with the band in South America.

The rock legends were due to perform at Emirates Old Trafford this June, alongside shows in Birmingham and London.

But a statement posted earlier today has confirmed that all tour dates have been cancelled in the light of the ‘staggering loss’, including the planned Manchester gig on 25 June.

Foo Fighters have cancelled all gigs after the death of Taylor Hawkins. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Foo Fighters wrote: “It is with great sadness that Foo Fighters confirm the cancellation of all upcoming tour dates in light of the staggering loss of our brother Taylor Hawkins.

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“We’re sorry for and share in the disappointment that we won’t be seeing one another as planned.

“Instead, let’s take this time to grieve, to heal, to pull our loved ones close, and to appreciate all the music and memories we’ve made together. With Love, Foo Fighters.”

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Hawkins had been a member of Foo Fighters since 1997 and has been described by frontman Dave Grohl as ‘my brother from another mother, my best friend, a man for whom I would take a bullet’.

Following his death, tributes poured in from across the rock music world, including from Liam Gallagher, Travis Barker, Slash and Ozzy Osbourne.

The news was initially announced on the band’s social media channels early on Saturday morning, with a statement that read: “The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins.

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“His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.

Read more: The owners of Tebay, arguably the world’s best service station, are set to open new site near Manchester

“Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time.”

A toxicology report has now found that there were 10 substances in Hawkins’ body when he died, including marijuana, antidepressants and opioids. 

Ticket-holders will be contacted by their point of purchase for updates on refunds.

Featured image: Wikimedia Commons

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Craig David announces huge outdoor gig at Barton Aerodrome in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Craig David

Craig David is bringing his legendary TS5 party to Manchester for a massive outdoor summer show. 

The legendary singer, songwriter and DJ will be taking over City Airport in Manchester, also known as Barton Aerodrome. 

The special show will combine old school anthems with R&B, garage, and bashment, alongside plenty of contemporary hits. 

Craig David, who rocketed to fame in the late 1990s, first launched his TS5 parties, where he sings, MCs and DJs, as an exclusive pre-party at his own penthouse in Miami. 

Initially, Craig used them as a way to play his favourite music to the people he loved the most – but it proved such a hit that he started to take it on the road. 

Craig David presents TS5 at Barton Aerodrome. Credit: Supplied

Guaranteed to be a great night out, Craig David Presents TS5 is now heading to Manchester for a summer show. 

The star has sold more than 15 million albums, secured more than 10 top 10 hits, and achieved multi-platinum status in more than 20 countries around the world. 

His TS5 shows now sell out at prestigious venues across the globe, and he’s even taken it to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury. 

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The unique live concert will take place at City Airport in Manchester on Friday 14 July, just outside the city – the huge space surrounded by lush green fields will be transformed with epic light and sound productions. 

You can expect a night of sing-along hits, good time grooves and Craig David classics. 

Tickets will go on sale from 9am on Friday 31 March with Skiddle. 

Featured image: Wikimedia Commons

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Rockstock, one of the UK’s biggest and best tribute festivals, returns to Stockport this May

Danny Jones Danny Jones Rockstock 2023 tickets

One of the few pains of being a music fan is that no you can’t always manage to get tickets for the biggest bands in the world, certainly not if you’re looking to see them all in one place.

Moreover, not only is there only so many people you can fit on a big field, but tickets for the likes of Download, Slam Dunk, Reading and Leeds and so on seem to be getting pricier every year, meaning it can be harder and harder for some gig-goers to make it to all the shows on their list.

So, what’s the next best thing? Well, we don’t know about you but a super affordable tribute festival where dozens of acts play nothing but the biggest bangers from some of your favourite artists all weekend sounds pretty good to us.

In fact, we know it is: we’ve been to Rockstock before and we can well and truly vouch for this local cult favourite.

Rockstock is the two-day Stockport-based tribute festival created by the same minds behind Festwich, the biggest tribute festival held just down the road in Prestwich‘s St Mary’s Park every summer for the past 11 years.

Copying the winning formula set out by its popular predecessor, Rockstock 2023 returns for its third year on May 27-28, with more than 30 different bands turning up to not just imitate the greatest rock bands in the world, but sometimes put them to the shame. No, not exaggerating.

The tribute act scene is one we’ve always had a real affection for — there’s nothing quite like going down to your local and watching a bunch of often middle-aged musicians giving it their all as ‘Metalicker’ or ‘Iffy Byro’ — and it doesn’t get much better than this.

Organised by UK Tribute Festivals, their ethos is all about sparing no expense in creating the best possible festival experience possible and delivering the same high production value you’d get if you were going along to any to see the real thing, as well as making sure there’s all the usual festival attractions.

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AC/DC, The Killers, Linkin Park, The Madness, Mötley Crüe and countless others are among this year’s Rockstock lineup. It drew a massive crowd in 2022 and is sure to do the same again this summer.

Although there will obviously be plenty of sunny beers enjoyed, just like at any festival, one of the reasons we like this festival is that it has always proven to be an extremely fun-filled and safe family environment, not to mention serving as a great way for the little ones to go along to their first rock show.

Last but not least, perhaps the best part about this lovely and not-so-little festival is that despite promising to be bigger and better than ever this year, admission will only set you back a tenner, with kids’ tickets costing just £3. Absolutely ace.

You can grab your tickets for Rockstock 2023 HERE.

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

Featured Image — Rockstock/Festwich

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