The week has finally arrived for Harry Styles to bring his Love On Tour tour to Manchester.
The star will be performing two massive shows at the Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground this week.
Thousands of fans will descend on the venue to see the Watermelon Sugar singer strut his stuff on one of Greater Manchester’s biggest stages.
The dates come straight off the back of his chart-topping third album, Harry’s House.
After his two gigs in Manchester on the 15 and 16 June, he’ll head down to perform two shows in London before jetting off around Europe.
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Here’s what you need to know ahead of Harry Styles’ gig in Manchester.
What are the stage times and when do gates open?
Harry Styles in the music video for As It Was. Credit: YouTube.
The gates for both nights of Harry Styles’ Love on Tour shows will open at 4pm, and the venue is urging people not to arrive any sooner.
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A statement from Emirates Old Trafford says: “Please DO NOT arrive the day, or night, before the show. Gates open at 4pm for both shows. The roads around Emirates Old Trafford are extremely busy with narrow pathways causing danger for pedestrians. Please do not put yourselves and others at risk!”
The stage times are expected to be as follows:
4pm – Doors open
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7.15pm – Mitski
8.30pm – Harry Styles
Curfew will be around 10.30pm.
Who is supporting Harry Styles?
Mitski
Mitski will support Harry Styles in Manchester. Credit: Publicity picture
Harry has chosen rising star Mitski to be his support act for Love On Tour.
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The singer-songwriter, dubbed the ‘best young songwriter’ in the US, has released six studio albums, the most recent of which – Laurel Hell – came out earlier this year.
Despite quitting social media in 2019, Mitski has a massive online following, and will surely warm up the crowd nicely.
Can I still get tickets?
Harry Styles. Credit: Publicity photo
Unsurprisingly given his massive following, no you can’t.
Tickets for Harry Styles sold out in the blink of an eye, with the singer adding an extra date to try and meet demand.
You might be able to pick up tickets on resale sites, but make sure you’re using official platforms so you don’t get ripped off.
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How do I get to the Emirate Old Trafford cricket ground?
Credit: Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground
TfGM has issued some travel advice for those heading to the cricket ground to see Harry Styles.
Trams on the Altrincham line operate to Old Trafford, which is directly next to the stadium, or you can try to beat the crowds a bit by using one of the other tram lines and stops that are within walking distance.
Firswood, Wharfside and Exchange Quay are all between a 10 minute and a 20 minute walk away.
Tram services are expected to be very busy, so those who live within walking distance of the venue are encouraged to head there on foot.
Road closures will be in place around the cricket ground – visit TfGM for details.
This was Harry’s setlist from his gig at the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow on 11 June.
Music for a Sushi Restaurant
Golden
Adore You
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Daylight
Cinema
Keep Driving
Matilda
Boyfriends
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Fine Line
Satellite
Lights Up
Canyon Moon
Treat People With Kindness
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What Makes You Beautiful (One Direction song)
Late Night Talking
Love of My Life
Encore
Sign of the Times
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Watermelon Sugar
As It Was
Kiwi
Featured image: Publicity picture
Audio
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall Manchester – groovy, hazy and effortlessly cool
Clementine Hall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall proved exactly why they’ve built such a cult following over the past decade.
Formed in 2010 by frontman Ruban Nielson, the band first broke through with their scrappy, lo-fi self-titled debut and since then, they’ve become known for their signature blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and warped pop.
I first saw the band back in 2023 at Glastonbury, and yes sorry I am one of those annoying people that bring it up all the time.
They’re the perfect band to close your eyes, sway your head and tap your foot to – and that’s exactly what the crowd were doing in unison last night at the Albert Hall.
Image: The Manc Group
From the second they stepped on stage, there was no rush – just that signature hazy groove met with enough stage lights to sink a ship.
You could barely see them on stage, but that made it even cooler. And you can only imagine how gorgeous the Albert Hall looked with hundreds of spotlights in different colours whizzing all over it.
Early tracks simmered and pulled us in before the band stretched out into crowd pleasers like ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Hunnybee’. What an absolute tune by the way.
Image: The Manc Group
There wasn’t much crowd interaction but, again, there didn’t need to be. They let the music do the talking and by treating us to some of the most epic guitar solos we’ve ever heard (no, seriously), we’ll forgive them for not talking to us.
Each song melted into each other as the band oozed effortless charm and talent throughout the almost two hour set, which is no mean feat.
Of course, a sea of phones shot up for ‘So Good at Being in Trouble‘, their most popular track which prompted a harmonious audience singalong. Not very harmonious by me, admittedly.
It was a fantastic ending that left the audience feeling united by the laidback brilliance of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and I hope they don’t leave it too long to come back this time.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Daisy Jackson -
15th June 2022 
