Calling all those living in Cole World since 2007, J is coming to Manchester on his first world tour in more than five years, and we’re collectively losing our minds.
You could even say we’re in Dreamville.
Announcing a run of just half a dozen live gigs here in Britain, his UK leg will be kicking off this autumn, amid other shows over in mainland Europe, Australia and New Zealand, the States and the rest of North America, even South Africa.
Confirming Co-op Live as the chosen room for his long-awaited return to Manchester, this will be his debut at the massive indoor venue.
He’s even done a cool twist on the tour announcement.
Set to tour his latest release, The Fall-Off – his seventh studio album, which is rolling back the years after being pushed as a double-disk mixtape-esque CD – this feels like a full circle moment, nearly two whole decades on from his actual breakout mixtape, The Come Up. Time flies.
ADVERTISEMENT
Moreover, it feels like Mancs have had to wait almost just as long to see him again.
The last time J. Cole visited Manchester was on the ‘4 Your Eyez Only Tour’ in 2017, meaning it’ll be nearly 10 whole years by the time we watch him live back up in the North West of England.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s also been widely publicised that this record was made with the intentions of it being his last (say it ain’t so), meaning this could also be one of your last chances to see the hip-hop legend live – at least for another VERY long time.
All told, the 41-year-old is set to perform in a total of 50 cities across 15 different countries on this upcoming tour, which gets underway in October.
31 October – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena Nottingham
As detailed by the arena already, official Co-op members can get first in line for tickets, but you can also try your luck with presale by ordering a copy of The Fall-Off.
ADVERTISEMENT
Otherwise, general admission will be available from 9am this Friday, 20 February, so you’d best be quick about getting them in your basket, all bought and paid for.
If this is set to be his final hurrah, it’s been one hell of a ride for someone who will, without a doubt, go down as one of the best rappers of all time.
Featured Images — Press shot (supplied via Co-op Live)
Audio
Andy Burnham’s favourite Manchester pub, restaurant, neighbourhood and Sunday roast
Daisy Jackson
Andy Burnham’s favourite pub, restaurant, neighbourhood, and Sunday roast have been revealed – and the man’s got taste.
Old footage of now-PM Andy Burnham chatting to content creator Isaac Likes has been doing the rounds again, and while the interview dates back to before Andy left us and headed down to the big smoke, his Manchester recommendations still stand.
From his go-to neighbourhood and favourite pub to where he heads for a Sunday roast, and even the song he likes to play when he gets behind the decks, Burnham gave us a glimpse into his ideal Manchester day.
First up, there’s the Northern Quarter, which Burnham reckons has to be his favourite neighbourhood in the city.
He said: “Got to be the Northern Quarter. It’s the place where it’s all happening.”
When it comes to food, he singled out Firehouse, sitting on the edge of the Northern Quarter, as one of his favourite places to eat. He also gave a shoutout to its sister venue Ramona, where he’s been known to get behind the decks.
Andy said: “On the edge of the Northern Quarter, Firehouse is a place I love to go. Ramona Pizza, I’ve DJ’d there – if the mayor DJs there it’s gotta be alright.”
For a proper pint, Burnham’s choice is a little more traditional, saying his favourite pub is the ‘proper old school’ Peveril of the Peak.
The beautiful tiled pub was recently named the best in the UK, just days before its legendary landlady Nancy passed away.
When Sunday rolls around, Burnham said he has a couple of options up his sleeve. The Wharf in Castlefield gets a mention, as does Edinburgh Castle up in Ancoats.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterThe Edinburgh CastleFirehouseSome of Andy Burnham’s favourite places in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
He said: “We love our gravy, we drink it by the pint in Manchester.”
Of course, no conversation with Burnham about Manchester would be complete without talking music.
Asked to name the best Manchester band of all time, he offered a few contenders – The Smiths, New Order, and, ultimately, The Stone Roses.
“The band I think are quintessentially Manchester is The Stone Roses. That was peak Manchester,” he said.
Fontaines D.C. announce massive return to Manchester on new European tour
Daisy Jackson
Fontaines D.C. have just announced their biggest headline tour to date, including a massive arena gig here in Manchester.
The wildly popular Irish rock band are set to play a whopping 20 arena shows across Europe and the UK this autumn.
The tour has been announced in celebration of their upcoming fifth studio album, Dopamine Chamber, which is set for release this October.
Fontaines D.C. will hit the road just five days after the album drops, kicking off their European tour in Lisbon on 21 October.
Then they’ll make their way over to the UK, with shows in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow, Birmingham and London.
Fans in their home country of Ireland are told to stay tuned for live news very soon.
As we speak, Fontaines D.C. are warming up to play one of the country’s biggest festivals, with headline slots at Reading & Leeds Festival.
They’ve already released Marianne, the first single from their new album, and frontman Grian Chatten says of the album: “The album itself is a dopamine chamber. You step inside and we test these different mind- or mood-altering pieces of music on you.”
The new record has been recorded between London, the English countryside, and Palermo, where Chatten recorded vocals in a makeshift booth built from mattresses and cushions.
He said: “There’s a poignant sense of us being on the brink of some other kind of form of humanity, or non-humanity.”
Tickets will go on general sale at 10am on Thursday 3 September, with pre-sale live from 10am on Tuesday 1 September.
You can access tickets for Fontaines D.C. in Manchester HERE.
Fans who pre-order Dopamine Chamber from the official store by 6pm on Monday 31 August will gain access to the UK pre-sale.
Fontaines D.C. UK tour dates in full
Friday 20 November – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
Saturday 21 November – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
Sunday 22 November – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Tuesday 24 November – Leeds, UK – First Direct Bank Arena
Wednesday 25 November – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Danny Jones -
16th February 2026 
