A rising DJ whose set was cancelled due to ‘safety concerns’ at Parklife festival has now spoken out on his side of events.
Josh Baker is a popular Manchester-born DJ who was set to perform on the brand-new Matinee stage on the Sunday night of the local music festival.
He had the second-highest billing of the day, followed by Chris Stussy as headliner of that particular stage.
But despite being booked onto one of the festival’s smaller stages, Josh Baker’s popularity quickly saw the space becoming overcrowded.
Videos shared on TikTok show fans clambering over the safety barriers that Parklife security had installed as a queue system, desperate to get inside for Josh’s set.
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The young talent has now spoken out again about the incident, saying he could see from his vantage point it ‘quickly became unsafe’.
Josh Baker said that ‘the organisers made the right call’ despite the show ‘meaning a lot’ to him.
He detailed that he has been going to Parklife since the age of 16, and playing such a big slot in the festival ‘felt like a proper full-circle moment’.
He added that he’s been looking into doing free follow-up shows, but has been unable to find a venue that would hold ‘anywhere near the amount of people who were trying to get in to see me play’.
Josh wrote on Instagram: “I’m honestly so sorry to everyone who didn’t get to see the set. It was completely out of my hands, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less. Just know I’ve felt every bit of frustration with you.”
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He then said he’s planning ‘something ridiculous’ for his Creamfields appearance to make it up to fans.
Josh Baker said in his full statement on Parklife: “I’ve taken a few days to process what happened at Parklife last weekend, and I wanted to share a few words.
“This one was always going to mean a lot. Growing up in Manchester, I’ve been going to Parklife since I was 16, so to be booked for such a big slot felt like a proper full-circle moment. But just as I stepped on stage, the music had to be cut. When I came on there were too many people trying to get into the arena and it quickly became unsafe, and therefore the stage had to be closed for the rest of the day.
“It’s gutting, but I want to be clear – the organisers made the right call. Safety has to come before everything. After seeing a few of the videos from the crowd, I’m just relieved the situation did not escalate and everyone remained safe.
“Still, it’s hard to explain how much it hurt not being able to play. I know so many of you were excited for that set and it honestly blew me away seeing that many people turning up.
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“Over the last few days, I’ve been trying to figure out how to make it right. I looked into doing a free follow-up show in Manchester, but the reality is, there are no suitable or possible venues which would hold anywhere near the amount of people who were trying to get in to see me play.
“The last thing I’d want is to announce something and end up disappointing even more people who couldn’t get tickets. After a lot of conversations and digging behind the scenes, we’ve had to accept that there’s no realistic way to do something that feels fair right now.
“I’m honestly so sorry to everyone who didn’t get to see the set. It was completely out of my hands, but that doesn’t make it hurt any less. Just know I’ve felt every bit of frustration with you.
“I really hope to see loads of you at Creamfields because I’m already planning something ridiculous to try and make this up to you in some way.”
The Strokes announce first Manchester gig in two decades
Daisy Jackson
The Strokes are finally set to return to Manchester for the first time in years, announcing a huge arena show today.
The iconic indie rockers have shared details of a new European tour, which includes a night at the massive Co-op Live arena here in Manchester.
The news comes hot off the heels of their celebrated Coachella set over the weekend.
The Reality Awaits Tour, named after their upcoming seventh studio album, will take The Strokes to Manchester as well as London and Newcastle, plus several cities across Europe.
The Strokes broke into the industry back in 2001 with their seminal debut album Is This It, which spawned massive indie anthems like Last Nite, Hard To Explain, and Sometimes.
Since then, they’ve released six studio albums, all of which have climbed into the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart.
You can expect to hear all sorts of fan favourites, like Reptilia, Juicebox, and You Only Live Once, plus new music including their latest single The New Abnormal.
Co-op Live said: “This is set to be an unmissable show as they come to Co-op Live for the first time and we can’t wait!”
Last time The Strokes played in Manchester, it was at the O2 Apollo way back in 2006 – the same year they supported Foo Fighters at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
They played Lytham Festival more recently, but haven’t ventured back into Manchester itself since.
The Strokes will play at Co-op Live in Manchester on 26 October 2026.
Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Friday 17 April HERE, with a number of pre-sales beginning from Wednesday 15 April.
R&B icon Gabrielle to play huge arena gig in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Beloved R&B singer Gabrielle has announced an arena show in Manchester as part of a new UK tour.
The star will be heading out across the UK next year, performing at a mix of arenas, concert halls and iconic music venues.
Gabrielle has announced The Hits Tour today, where she’ll perform the biggest songs from her impressive three decade-long career.
Gabrielle topped the charts from the minute she released music, with her debut single ‘Dreams’ hitting the number one spot back in 1993.
Her career reached new heights in 1999 with the release of her landmark album, Rise, which has gone 4x Platinum certified and is one of the stand-out records of the era.
Over the last 30+ years, Gabrielle’s voice and music have shaped British pop and soul, and she remains a defining figure to this day.
Across her career she’s achieved six top 10 albums, including 2018’s Under My Skin.
She’s also earned two BRIT Awards, two MOBO Awards, and an Ivor Novello Award, recognising both her commercial success and songwriting excellence.
In recent years, she’s joined Adele at BST Hyde Park, as well as toured alongside legends such as Lionel Richie, Simply Red, Tom Jones to name just a few.
In 2025, Gabrielle embarked on her biggest UK tour to date, which included at show at the almighty AO Arena in Manchester, where she’ll return next spring.
Expect to hear hits including Rise, Dreams, Out of Reach, Sunshine, When A Woman, and Give Me a Little More Time when she performs here on Saturday 24 April.
Before The Hits Tour kicks off in 2027, you’ll be able to see Gabrielle performing with Rick Astley and Michael Buble, as well as at festival stages including Tramlines and Kendal Calling.
Tickets for Gabrielle will go on sale on Friday 17 April, with an artist presale from Wednesday 15 April – you can get tickets HERE.
Gabrielle ‘The Hits Tour’ 2027 – UK Dates
Thursday 25 March – Ipswich Regent
Saturday 27 March – Southend Cliffs Pavilion
Monday 29 March – Portsmouth Guildhall
Tuesday 30 March – Oxford New Theatre
Thursday 1 April – Glasgow SEC Armadillo
Friday 2 April – Bradford Live
Saturday 3 April – Newcastle O2 City Hall
Monday 5 April – York Barbican
Wednesday 7 April – Bath Forum
Friday 9 April – London Eventim Apollo
Tuesday 13 April – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Thursday 15 April – University of Wolverhampton at The Civic Hall
Daisy Jackson -
19th June 2025 
