The undisputed kings of pop-punk, blink-182, are back and they’re playing not one but two massive dates at Manchester’s AO Arena.
And when we say back, we mean properly this time: Tom DeLonge returning on guitar and vocals and everything. This is going to be so mint.
The American outfit — which was recently restored to its original lineup of DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker — announced their new record, One More Time… back in September, which is the band’s ninth studio album all-told and the first in 12 years since the trio last recorded together.
We think we speak for everyone when we say it’s going to be a big night at the Arena. Or two. With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about blink-182‘s Manchester double-header this Sunday and Monday.
Are their tickets left for either of Blink 182’s nights at the AO Arena?
If you’re looking to grab a last-ditch ticket to see the Blink boys do their thing, you’re in luck: there are still plenty of tickets available for both nights on this occasion, however, this fortunate situation does come with a catch…
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We’re not going to lie to you, these aren’t the cheapest gig tickets you’ll ever buy. In fact, it was a bit of a story when they were first released as some people were paying over the odds to secure theirs. The cheapest seats you’ll find start from £64.95, whereas standing tickets on the main floor and the inevitable pit will set you back upwards of £166. Crikey.
If money’s not an issue then happy days; should that be the case, you can even spring for one of the extremely premium ‘Beautiful North’ packages — these things are more expensive than the usual Electric Lounge VIP boxes and will set you back a whopping £380.75. Nope, not joking.
On the other hand, we would argue the one thing these ticket prices do have to their name is overall value for money when you look at the calibre of blink-182’s support acts on this tour.
Pop-punk and rock royalty demands only the best of warm-up acts and, in this case, the place will be literally scorching long before the main event gets underway.
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Manc fans will get also to see contemporary favourites of the genre, The Story So Far, who recently released their first new music in half a decade.
These are two bands most people would happily pay a significant sum to see on their own, let alone together in a huge arena setting where they’re sure to be on top form.
Doors open at 6pm and The Story So Far will kick things off around 7:30pm. While we’re still not too sure how long their set is going to be, blink-182 are scheduled to take the stage at 8:45pm.
As for the California rockers themselves, they typically play 90-minute sets judging from what we’ve been hearing from other shows on this European tour so far, and AO will have an 11pm curfew as it does with most gigs.
Oh, and if you hear any word of an after-party somewhere in town, you best let us know!
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What’s the setlist going to be?
When it comes to what the seasoned pros will be playing for their long-awaited reunion, there will of course be a sprinkling of the tracks from the new album but they know as well as we do that everyone wants to hear the hits.
Fortunately, Setlist.fm has come in handy as usual and according to their most recent shows, the lads will be playing a staggering 27 tracks in total including an encore, so you’re really getting the full spectrum no matter what night you pick.
Here’s the running order as far as we know:
Anthem Part Two
The Rock Show
Family Reunion
Man Overboard
Feeling This
Violence (where Travis plays blindfolded)
Up All Night
Reckless Abandon
Dumpweed
More Than You Know
Edging
Dance With Me
Aliens Exist
Happy Holidays, You Bastard (played twice, the second time at double-speed)
Stay Together for the Kids
Always
Down
Bored to Death
I Miss You
Adam’s Song
Ghost on the Dance Floor
What’s My Age Again?
First Date
All the Small Things
Dammit (they have brought out a special guest at this point in the past)
Encore:
One More Time (the title track off the new record)
blink-182’s new album, One More Time…, releases on October 20 and from the glimpses we’ve heard so far, Mark, Tom and Travis are really enjoying being back playing and making music together.
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It goes without saying that we love seeing them in each other’s company again too and whether you’re lucky enough to be seeing them on Sunday, 15 October or starting off your week right with the gig on Monday, 16 October, we beg you scream ‘All The Small Things’ at the top of your lungs.
To find out more about all the other big gigs taking place in Manchester, check out our trusty October gig guide down below:
Peter Hook is hosting a charity gig and Q&A at an iconic Manchester pub to raise money for mental health
Danny Jones
Joy Division and New Order co-founder, Peter Hook, is taking part in a charitable evening of live music and conversation right here in Manchester city centre early next year, and it’s being hosted at one of Manchester’s most beloved pubs, the Star and Garter.
Being held at the legendary city centre pub, which now bears the freshly restored mural of his former bandmate and one of the greatest English musicians of all time, Ian Curtis, the significance of the intimate concert being held at such an iconic music venue is not lost on anyone.
Better still, the special one-off gig, Q&A session and evening as a whole has been set up with the help of local music-driven mental health organisation, Headstock, and will be raising money for their partnered nationwide charity, Shout.
Peter Hook and the Light are merely the latest in a long line of huge names to grace the Star and Garter.
Announcing the gig on Monday, 4 December, the veteran vocalist, bass player and singer-songwriter said of the inspirational fundraising gig, which will also pay tribute to Curtis: “I have campaigned for a long time for Ian and Joy Division to be commemorated anyway and anywhere possible.
“From the statue in Macclesfield, still ongoing, and the mural there as well; to the mural in Manchester and the upcoming one in Stockport. I will only rest when every town in Great Britain has something.
“I am immensely proud of Ian and our work as Joy Division and to celebrate it in this way is such a pleasure. I am hoping to bring Ian’s best man at his wedding and childhood friend, Kelvin Briggs to join me so fans can get a real insight into this wonderful man and artist.
“To play at such an iconic venue as the Star and Garter just seals the deal perfectly.”
Speaking on the event, Headstock founder Atheer Al-Salim said, “We are so grateful to Peter Hook and his band who are giving up their time and talent to help us raise much-needed funds to support our charity partner, Shout, and their life-saving text-support service.
“The evening promises to be a poignant moment for Manchester, and an event of huge musical and cultural significance for the city.”
As for Shout, their CEO Victoria Hornby added: “We’re incredibly grateful to Peter Hook and The Light and Headstock for putting on this very special event which will raise vital funds for us to keep the Shout text messaging support service running 24/7.
“Our volunteers take up to 2,000 conversations with children, young people and adults in urgent need of mental health support every day, and every £10 raised funds a conversation that could save a life.”
Set to play a predominantly Joy Divison-based set in the same year that the famous Manc four-piece finally received their inaugural nomination to be entered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, there will be just 200 spaces available and the Star and Garter be packed just as it was back in its heyday.
Tickets will be allocated via a ballot on Skiddle, with the first ballot already open and will close on Friday, 2 February 2024. Each successful ballot entrant will be allocated a maximum of two tickets to the event.
The pricing for ‘An Evening of Music and Conversation with Peter Hook’ on 12 April, 2024 is as follows:
1x ballot entry – £10
3x ballot entries – £15
10x ballot entries – £20
The gig is already selling fast, so secure your spot to see an unforgettable night of music and insight, all for a great cause, HERE.
Parklife 2024 announces first headliner – and cheaper tickets
Daisy Jackson
Parklife has announced an industry-first ticket price reduction for its 2024 festival, along with its first headliner.
The much-loved Manchester music festival will be back in the fields of Heaton Park between 8 and 9 June, bringing tens of thousands of fans to the biggest party of the year.
And Parklife has just revealed its first headliner for its next instalment, with a European exclusive performance from trailblazing house superstars Fisher and Chris Lake.
They’ll be bringing their mammoth Under Construction show, which first debuted at Coachella in 2023 to a 50,000-strong audience, to Heaton Park for the first time outside of America.
Fisher and Chris Lake will be performing at the new-and-improved Hangar stage at Parklife 2024.
The festival has also revealed that ticket prices will be reduced in 2024 – the first festival to announce such a move.
Parklife organisers say they’re determined to make the event, which attracts 160,000 fans across the weekend, more accessible to generations of music fans.
Aitch performing at Parklife 2023. Credit: Sam NeillThe Parklife 2024 announcement poster as ticket prices are announced. Credit: Supplied
Weekend tickets for Parklife 2024 will start from just £125, down from last year’s price of £129.50 (meanwhile Glastonbury hiked its price from £335 to £355…)
Day tickets will cost £69.50, available from parklife.uk.com.
Tickets will go on sale this week, with a presale from 10am on Wednesday 6 December, followed by general sale from 10am on Friday 8 December.
Payment plans are available, with a £50 deposit.
The full programme for Parklife 2024 will be revealed in January 2024.
How much are Parklife 2024 tickets?
Weekend tickets start from £125 (plus booking fees)
Danny Jones -
13th October 2023 
