Spotify is bringing some very exciting live performances and DJ sets to an upcoming Manchester event and hometown heroes Blossoms are top of the billing – and it’s free.
Teaming up with global beer brand, Budweiser, the streaming giants are bringing their ‘Music Depot’ show to the city centre for an exclusive and crucially free event which we’re hoping could be the start of a very cool regular music series here in 0161.
Popping up in the massive Diecast warehouse over on Ducie Street, there’ll be plenty of space to dance your pants off into the next day.
Better yet, Blossoms aren’t the only name you can expect to rock up on the night – though we’d be quite happy just getting another chance to see this moment live:
Although the high-flying Stopfordians are set to headline the event, London-based group Good Neighbours – made up of duo Scott Verrill, Oli Fox and their touring band – are also set to perform on the night too.
Having not only seen Blossoms live on a number of occasions this year and caught Good Neighbours at Neighbourhood Festival earlier this year, we can only vouch for how good a time you’ll have watching them if you secure a ticket.
The organisers at the venue, working in tandem with both Budweiser and Spotify are promising an “extraordinary night where music and culture meet like never before.”
DJ sets will also be delivered by festival circuit regular Rowena Alice, Manchester-based old-school R’n’B DJ and host, Chaise, as well as regular BBC Radio 1 Dance Anthems presenter, Tinea Taylor.
As well as the tunes themselves, there will also be exclusive merch giveaways, flash tattoos from Debut Studios, and bars stocked with Budweiser to keep the energy high.
Blossoms at the O2 RitzGood Neighbours at NBHD 2024Whether you’re a big Blossoms head or just love live music, you don’t want to miss this Spotify event (Credit: The Manc Group/Supplied)
Taking place on Wednesday, 11 December, things kick off from 7pm onwards and the party won’t stop until gone 12:30am. As for the set times, it’s all still a mystery to us – all we can tell you is that this is a strictly 18+ night.
It goes without saying that this free Spotify Presents event is fairly exclusive, meaning tickets are very limited, so you’ll have to be quick about securing a spot in the crowd.
General admission can be accessed via DICE, the app that protects people from touts, with digital passes going live around an hour before the gig is due to start. There is a max limit of two tickets per person and tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
RVSP doesn’t guarantee you a ticket but it’s well worth throwing your name in the hat. Don’t lose all hope either, because even if you miss out you join the waiting list for any more tickets that are released/returned. You can try and grab yours HERE.
Kaiser Chiefs continue debut album’s 20th anniversary celebrations with more tour dates
Danny Jones
Northern music veterans Kaiser Chiefs are set to continue the celebrations of their debut album’s 20th anniversary with even more milestone tour dates next year.
It’s hard to believe it’s been two decades since their very first LP, Employment, was first released, just before the onslaught of indie landfill took over the UK and beyond back in the 200s, but it really has been that long.
2025 has seen the beloved Yorkshire band rolling back the years and playing all the hits from the seminal debut record, and since the scenes at Glastonbury, Kendal Calling, Tramlines, Latitude and more have been such good vibes, they’ve decided to keep the party going even longer.
Announcing further tour dates next February, the Leeds legends will be heading back on the road before you know it and playing all of the hits.
Confirming a dozen new live shows, the noughties hit-makers behind ‘I Predict A Riot’, ‘Ruby’, ‘Oh My God’ and many more will be heading to Manchester for just the second stop on their upcoming tour.
Heading to O2 Victoria Warehouse on Saturday, 14 February, the ever-familiar British five-piece haven’t yet announced a hometown gig.
That being said, we have a feeling you can expect something extra special – perhaps a Temple Newsam 2.0 – to be revealed for them not too far down the line.
Speaking on the tour extension, frontman Ricky Wilson said: “This summer, we played a load of shows to mark the release of our debut album, Employment. It went well. Probably better than our first summer 20 years ago.
“It was the year after that first year that things really took off, so we hope you will join us in February to help celebrate with us ‘the year it really took off’.
“If you were with us the first time, or unfortunately missed out due to other commitments, we hope you will join us for a joyous lap of honour. (Plus, I spent quite a bit on a new blazer and want to get my money’s worth)”.
NEW: @kaiserchiefs NEW: Kaiser Chiefs are heading on the 'MORE Employment' tour, playing their debut album in full plus their greatest hits at #O2VictoriaWarehouseManchester on Sat 14 Feb!
— O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester (@O2VicWarehouse) August 15, 2025
Our Audio North followers will be glad to hear that there a plenty of gigs taking place up at the top end of the country, and you can see the full list of ‘More Employment‘ shows down below.
Kaiser Chiefs’ 2026 UK tour dates:
13 Fri – Bradford, Live
14 Sat – Manchester, O2 Victoria Warehouse
15 Sun – Stockton, Globe
17 Tue – Dundee, Live House
18 Wed – Glasgow, Barrowland
20 Fri – London, Eventim Apollo
21 Sat – Hull, Connexin Live
23 Mon – Norwich, UEA
24 Tue – Swansea, Building Society Arena
26 Thu – Bournemouth, International Centre
27 Fri – Cambridge, Corn Exchange
28 Sat – Wolverhampton, The Halls
Tickets for the Kaiser Chiefs’ show here in Manchester, as well as all other nights live on Friday, 22 August from 9am; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
We’ll see you there.
And until then, why not see what the lads had to say to our friends over at The Hoot when we interviewed them back in May?…
Featured Images — Cal McIntyre (supplied)/press shots/The Manc Group
Audio
Manchester Pride announces Nelly Furtado as surprise headliner
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Pride has just dropped another huge headliner for this year’s festival – and it’s only global pop superstar Nelly Furtado.
The huge LGBTQ+ festival, celebration and protest had kept its final headliner under wraps for months, but has today announced the Maneater star will be joining the line-up for 2025.
Nelly Furtado will co-headline Manchester Pride alongside Olly Alexander, with tickets for both the Gay Village Party and Mardi Gras already on sale.
Also announced on the line-up today are DJ Paulette and Moonchild Sanelly.
Manchester Pride 2025 will take place from Friday 22 to Monday 25 August, with four days of live music, celebrations, the parade, parties, and the candlelit vigil.
Already-announced headliners include Olly Alexander, Leigh-Anne, Billy Porter, and Tulisa, alongside loads more queer artists.
Nelly Furtado is known for her anthems like Maneater, Promiscuous and I’m Like A Bird, and will bring Mardi Gras to an uplifting, powerful end on Sunday 24 August.
Homegrown legend DJ Paulette will also join the Sunday Mardi Gras line-up, along with South African trailblazer Moonchild Sanelly on Friday at the Gay Village Party.
Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, said: “Welcoming an Icon like Nelly Furtado alongside DJ Paulette and Moonchild Sanelly further showcases the diversity of musical tastes that we’re catering for. They’re each sure to create some unforgettable moments.
“Manchester Pride 2025 will be bold, brilliant, and bursting with Pride energy, but it’s at a tipping point.
“Pride can only thrive if our community shows up: by attending events, joining the Parade, and buying supporter bands.
“We’ve seen what happens when we don’t rally together, and we cannot let that happen in our City. This is the moment to stand up, come together, party as a protest and ensure Pride continues to shine long into the future.”
For full-day line-ups and more information on Manchester Pride 2025, download the Manchester Pride app.
Danny Jones -
29th November 2024 
