Gracie Abrams’ ‘The Secret of Us’ tour is more than just a concert – it’s a raw, emotive journey through the heart of her music.
From the moment she steps onto the Co-op Live stage in Manchester, Gracie Abrams commands the room with an aura of vulnerability, wearing a shimmering silver sequined dress that mirrors her own luminous energy.
The simplicity of the stage setup – just her, her band, and a microphone – lets the music take centre stage, free from distractions.
The UK leg of the tour is a testament to Gracie’s growth as an artist. Each song feels like an intimate conversation, with Gracie sharing her innermost thoughts through poetic lyrics and hauntingly beautiful vocals.
In an era when pop music can feel superficial, Gracie’s authenticity stands out, making her more than just another pop star – she’s an artist with a story to tell.
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As the crowd sings along, it’s impossible to ignore the sea of teenage girls, many of them wearing bows in their hair, all passionately shouting and singing along to lyrics about heartbreak and longing.
It’s as if the collective voice of the crowd is woven into Gracie’s own, amplifying the depth of each song’s emotion.
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The connection between Gracie and her fans is palpable – her music serves as a soundtrack to their shared experiences, a bond that makes every lyric feel personal and every note resonate deep within.
Gracie’s candid performance style draws the audience in even further, as she opens up about her songwriting process and the emotions behind her music.
This transparency transforms the show from a performance into a shared experience. It feels less like you’re watching an artist perform and more like you’re navigating life’s highs and lows together.
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Gracie Abrams at the Co-op Live in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
When she takes a seat at the piano for ‘I Gave You I Gave You’, the emotion in her voice is undeniable. The stripped-back setting only amplifies the intensity, making the moment feel incredibly intimate. The crowd is spellbound, feeling like they’re witnessing something deeply personal.
Gracie’s influences are clear, particularly from pop sensation Taylor Swift. Like Swift, Gracie has cultivated a deeply personal connection with her fans. During the show, she delighted the crowd by performing ‘Block Me Out’, a song she wrote years ago, offering a glimpse into her evolution as an artist.
Gracie also pays tribute to Taylor Swift by performing ‘Us’, a track on which Swift herself features.
This moment of homage sparks an intriguing question: has Taylor Swift become the “godmother” of this new wave of pop artists, like Gracie and Sabrina Carpenter? Whether by design or not, it’s undeniable that Taylor’s influence has shaped their artistry, leaving an indelible mark on the way they create and connect with their audiences.
One of the night’s highlights is Gracie’s connection with the audience. She FaceTimes a fan’s friend, Monica, during the show, adding a personal touch that makes the concert feel like an intimate gathering.
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Her playful sense of humor shines through as she jokes with fans about bows, showcasing her warmth and relatability.
While the night is emotionally anchored by slower, melancholic tracks, a shift in tone could’ve provided a welcome break.
Nevertheless, Gracie’s ability to hold the audience’s attention with her heartfelt delivery is unmatched.
Her upbeat songs, like ‘That’s so true’ bring the crowd to life, but it’s the slower, introspective moments that truly define the night.
The tour had its challenges, with the cancellation of shows in Leeds and Nottingham, leaving some fans disappointed. However, Gracie and her team ensured the spirit of the tour remained intact.
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In both cities, the opening act, Dora Jar, performed intimate gigs, giving fans a chance to experience something special. This thoughtful gesture reinforced the strong connection Gracie fosters with her audience.
Despite a few setbacks, it’s clear that Gracie Abrams and her team are fully dedicated to their craft.
Her authenticity, charm, and emotional depth make this tour an unforgettable experience – one that will resonate long after the final note fades.
With a passionate fan base and a future filled with promise, Gracie Abrams is an artist whose music will continue to speak to the soul for years to come.
Example announces new headline tour with just a handful of UK shows
Danny Jones
British rapper Example is back for another headline tour and just a handful of UK dates, including what is sure to be a bouncing gig right here in Manchester.
We’re going to say it: it’s the perfect venue for him, too.
The UK rap, dance and pop musician (real name Elliot John Gleave) was a regular chart-topper throughout the 2010s and has still been plenty busy in the time since then.
Although he has gradually pivoted more towards the production side of the music industry in recent years, he’s not lost any energy when it comes to performing – as seen by his most recent run of festival appearances. With that in mind, we can’t wait to see Example back playing live in Manchester.
The 43-year-old is known for his high-octane live shows, and has always had a particular flair for anything EDM-related, smashing sets at pretty much every major music event in Europe, from Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, Creamfields, Bestival, Latitude, Benicassim, TRNSMT and many more.
Announcing his aptly-titled ‘Hits & Bits’ tour for 2026, Example wrote on Instagram: “If the last tour is anything to go by, these shows will sell out.
“I’m playing every single one of my songs that charted in the Top 20 (that’s 14 hits), plus some album favourites and a few new bits; plus huge unique visuals, laser and FX show, which will level up once again, as we always do. Things are about to get very ravey. Don’t sleep on this. El x”
In terms of the ‘bits’ side of things, we reckon he’ll include a little more of his newer material, the most recent of which is his collab with Local, having also worked with the likes of YouTube cult favourite Elro and fellow digital garage, grime, bassline artist, as well as TikTok personality, Window Kid, of late.
You can hear his newest crossover, ‘Head’s Gone’, in full down below.
Bit of a banger, to be fair; hope it’s on the selist.
Here are all the shows he has confirmed for next year, including that sure-to-be-electric gig at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester next spring:
Example UK tour dates 2026
Wed 13 May 2026 – Newcastle NX
Fri 15 May 2026 – Birmingham O2 Academy
Sat 16 May 2026 – London O2 Academy Brixton
Fri 22 May 2026 – Nottingham Rock City
Sun 24 May 2026 – Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse
Pre-sale is set to go live this Wednesday, 12 November, and general admission for the Example Hits & Bits UK Tour will be available on the following Friday (14 Nov) at 10am; you can get ready to grab your tickets for his Manchester gig right HERE.
Featured Images — MRCZMT/Press shot (supplied via SJM Concerts)
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Role Model at O2 Apollo, Manchester – a night where everyone wanted to be Sally | Review
Clementine Hall
The O2 Apollo was a sea of cowboy hats and gingham for Role Model’s return to Manchesteron his No Place Like Tour.
If you don’t know who Role Model is, then you’re probably not a 20-something year old girl addicted to TikTok and strawberry matcha like me – and that’s absolutely fine, but Role Model, aka Tucker Pillsbury, is more than just a social star with a couple of viral hits.
His steep incline to stardom, especially through his latest album Kansas Anymore released last summer, and the follow-up deluxe Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye), earlier this year, has recently seen him perform on SNL with Charli XCX, as well as this week featuring in People’s Magazine Sexiest Man Alive 2025 edition in the centrefold spot, no less.
So it’s safe to say, he really is the man of the moment.
Role Model on stage at O2 Apollo Manchester in November 2025 / Image: The Manc Group
The all-American heartthrob wasted no time getting into his catalogue of hits, kicking things off with ‘Writing’s On The Wall’, before transitioning smoothly into ‘Look At That Woman’ and ‘Scumbag’, all taken from his 2024 album.
Guitar firmly in hand, Role Model shimmied across the stage effortlessly as a sea of adoring fans sang every single word back without fail.
The highlights from the show are never-ending, like taking a seat and singing the beautiful ‘Something, Somehow, Someday’ from a leather notebook – which he tells us is “my favourite song I’ve ever written, and I’m going to read it to you like a story”.
His vocals are identical to the studio recordings, and the energy in the room was just how you wanted it to be, especially during the iconic bridge in ‘Some Protector’.
Presuming you’re not familiar with the Role Model lore? Well, allow me to fill you in.
Each night during the undeniable smash-hit, ‘Sally, When the Wine Runs Out’, Tucker brings out a special guest to be that night’s so-called ‘Sally’ and dance on stage with him.
On the European tour so far, London were treated to Lewis Capaldi and Niall Horan back to back, so it’s safe to say we were waiting with baited breath to be introduced to our very-own Sally.
Although we didn’t get anyone famous (we were hoping he’d go super meta and get Sally from Corrie, but alas), what did get was arguably better. A lovely, smiling fan who held Tucker’s hand and had the absolute time of her life for that one-minute where all eyes were on her – this is what it’s truly all about, at the end of the day.
If anyone in that crowd went home without feeling a bit in love with Role Model, then I’d be very surprised.
Dec Kelly -
8th March 2025 
