Justin Bieber has cancelled the majority of his Justice world tour, having previously postponed the shows due to health concerns.
Fans of the Baby singer were notified of the cancellation through an email sent to ticket-holders last night.
The email stated that Justin’s remaining UK tour dates had all been completely cancelled, after previously being indefinitely postponed.
Justin himself hasn’t yet issued any statement addressing his reasons for pulling out of the UK arena shows, including his night at the AO Arena.
He had previously shared a lengthy message with his fans outlining his health struggles after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, leaving him with complete paralysis on the right side of his face.
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Last September, he wrote: “As a result of this illness, I was not able to complete the North America leg of the Justice Tour.
“After resting and consulting with my doctors, family and team, I went to Europe in an effort to continue with the tour. I performed six live shows, but it took a real toll on me.
“This past weekend, I performed at Rock in Rio and I gave everything I have to the people in Brazil, but after getting off stage, the exhaustion overtook me and I realised that I need to make my health the priority right now.
“So I’m going to take a break from touring for the time being. I’m going to be ok, but I need time to rest and get better.
“I’ve been so proud to bring this show and our message of Justice to the world. Thank you for your prayers and support throughout all of this. I love you all passionately.”
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Refunds are automatically being issued to ticket-holders for the cancelled Justin Bieber arena shows across the UK.
Featured image: Publicity picture
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Nao at New Century, Manchester – A room full of 1,000 ‘Happy People’
Thomas Melia
Attending a Nao gig is worth waiting ‘Another Lifetime’ for… especially when she performs directly from the venue’s bar.
As someone who has followed this artist for quite a few years, finally getting to see her do what she does best on stage and not through a screen is immense.
Last time she stopped off in Manchester she graced Albert Hall,this time she’s opted for another historic venue, New Century.Nao clearly knows how to choose her venues wisely.
Recently, the Nottingham star released her album Jupiter. So recent in fact, that it only reached our ears two weeks ago. The Manchester crowd certainly did their homework, knowing every lyric off by heart.
The first taste of this LP skyrocketed into our ears in October when the singer-songwriter dropped ‘Wildflowers’, so it’s only fitting this marks the opening of this setlist.
This single’s accompanying music video saw her swarmed in a field of red-hue wild grass and it’s made its way to our vibrant city, decorating the Manchester stage.
Credit: The Manc Group
To follow this, she plays two tracks both taken from her other planetary project Saturn. ‘If You Ever’ is a great fire-starter ahead of a cracking night of live music.
It’s almost like someone flips a switch as the audience immediately understands the assignment, feeling every rhythm in their body, rapping The Lumineers name-dropping ‘Make It Out Alive’ verbatim.
Credit: The Manc Group
Four songs in and ‘Happy People’ gets a turn at exciting the crowd. This uplifting and guitar-plucking number is one you can’t help but move to and New Century proves just that.
Nao’s personality flutters over the wild grass adorning the stage and radiates into the flurry of fans. One of these fans has travelled all the way from Portugal and ‘Tommy’, the Manchester legend, who’s attended every city centre tour date, both of which Nao pointed out.
When the 37-year-old star sings her two Mura Masa produced bangers, that bouncy floor at New Century isn’t ready for what’s about to unfold.
Initiating the two-track ensemble the “Woa woa woa woa woa” filled, ‘Complicated’, excites and emits an electric energy, definitely helped by Nao’s necessary yet unexpected dance break.
Credit: The Manc Group
With the second anthemic instalment of the night ‘Firefly’, Nao sings, “Just say you’ll be my firefly” and with vocals this hypnotic, the crowd would do anything she asked of them.
An encore usually means giving a three minute rendition of your biggest hit. Well for Nao this isn’t enough. Instead she takes things one step further, climbing onto the venue’s bar for a stripped back version of ‘Another Lifetime’ and after those vocals my legs were liquid jelly.
Ending the night on even more of a high, Nao sings ‘Drive and Disconnect’ a standout in her discography and a much-loved track, proved by the fact she brings fans on stage to close the night with her.
Credit: The Manc Group
Don’t meet your idols, they say, but when your idol is even better live than on her studio recordings, it’s hard to stay away. Thank you Nao for blessing Manchester once again and me for the very first time.
Gracie Abrams at Co-op Live, Manchester – a night of raw emotion
Dec Kelly
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Daisy Jackson -
1st March 2023 
