Girls Aloud will be performing in Manchester for the first time in more than a decade this week.
The iconic pop group are about to take on a three-night residency at the huge AO Arena, a tour that will honour founding bandmate and Mancunian Sarah Harding who sadly passed away in 2021.
Cheryl, Kimberley, Nadine, Nicola and Sarah won over the nation on Popstars: The Rivals, and have legions of loyal fans excited to see hits like Sound of the Underground, Love Machine, and The Promise live.
Girls Aloud will be marking their 20 year anniversary with the tour, which kicked off in Dublin and is almost ready to head across to Manchester.
If you’re going along to the AO Arena to see Girls Aloud, here’s everything you need to know.
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Tickets for Girls Aloud in Manchester
There are still a handful of tickets available for Girls Aloud’s three shows in Manchester, though a lot of those are resale tickets.
You can also book hospitality packages and platinum seats still.
Stage times are always subject to change, but based on Girls Aloud’s tour dates so far, this is when you should be able to expect them to hit the stage.
Doors – 6pm
Support – 7.30pm
Girls Aloud – 8.45pm
Support act
Warming up the crowds so far has been DJ Mr Theo, who’s been filling arenas with back-to-back pop bangers.
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It should set the tone for a pop-tastic evening in Manchester.
Act I Untouchable The Show Something New Love Machine Can’t Speak French Biology Whole Lotta History Act II Wake Me Up Sound of the Underground Girl Overboard No Good Advice Graffiti My Soul Long Hot Summer I’ll Stand by Youn(Pretenders cover) ACT III Sexy! No No No… On the Metro Jump (For My Love) Call the Shots Something Kinda Ooooh Encore: The Promise
The Mezz at the AO Arena
The Mezz restaurant at the AO ArenaThe Mezz bar at the AO Arena
The Mezz is the AO Arena’s newly-opened, ultra-luxury members’ bar and restaurant, where gig-goers can kick back in relax in beautiful surroundings before, during and after the show.
There are a range of packages, including themed bottomless offers (for Girls Aloud, that means prosecco and small plates), plus a restaurant with a menu created by Simon Rogan.
Then you can head through your own dedicated entrance into the plush seats reserved for The Mezz guests.
Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts to play huge Heaton Park gig in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts are bringing their Love Earth World Tour to one of the biggest stages in Manchester – Heaton Park.
The huge outdoor show will take place next summer, marking Neil Young’s long-awaited return to the city.
The band’s Manchester show will kick off the European leg of the Love Earth World Tour, which will go on to visit open-air venues and festivals across the continent next summer.
Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts will be supported by legendary rockers Elvis Costello & The Imposters in Manchester.
The newly-announced gig at Heaton Park will take place the night before Parklife festival kicks off.
Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts are one of music’s most enduring and influential artists, and this gig will offer fans a rare opportunity to see him perform in one of our city’s most iconic outdoor spaces.
Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts will play at Heaton Park in Manchester on Friday 19 June 2026.
Tickets are available from 9am on Monday 24 November via an exclusive, 48-hour presale for Neil Young Archives members.
General on-sale begins Friday 28 November at 9am HERE.
Neil Young and The Chrome Hearts – Love Earth Tour 2026 dates
Jun 19 – Manchester, England @ Heaton Park ^
Jun 22 – Nimes, France @ Festival de Nimes ^
Jun 24 – Nancy, France @ Nancy Open Air ^
Jun 27 – Chelmsford, England @ State Fayre, Hylands Park ^
Jun 29 – Glasgow, Scotland @ Glasgow Summer Sessions, Bellahouston Park ^
Jul 01 – Cork, Ireland @ Virgin Media Park ^
Jul 03 – Oxfordshire, England @ Blenheim Palace Festival ^
Jul 05 – Cardiff, Wales @ Blackweir Fields ^
Jul 08 – Weert, The Netherlands @ Evenemententerrein Weert-Noord ^
Jul 10 – Zottegem, Belgium @ Rock Zottegem
Jul 12 – Locarno, Switzerland @ Moon+Stars, Piazza Grande
The Stone Roses’ Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield has died aged 63
Daisy Jackson
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”