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Kendrick Lamar announces huge Manchester Arena show

The Pulitzer prize-winning rapper is bringing his Big Steppers World Tour to Manchester this November.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 16th May 2022

Kendrick Lamar crashed the internet this morning when he dropped his new album Mr Morale and the Big Steppers.

Now it looks like he might be about to crash it again.

The Californian rap superstar has confirmed he will be performing across the globe as part of his Big Steppers World Tour, and Manchester is lucky enough to be getting a visit.

Fans will be treated to the artist’s first live performance in four years when Kendrick returns to the city in November.

Read more: New terrace party series launches under the archways at ABC Taproom

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One of just seven planned stops on the UK leg of his tour, he will appear in Manchester on 16 November for one night only before jetting off abroad.

With support from Baby Keem and Tanna Leone, Kendrick will take his latest thorny opus – a double album that features everyone from Kodak Black to Sampha and Portishead’s Beth Gibbons – out on the road later this year.

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Image: Spotify

Tickets will go on general sale from Friday 20 May at 10am via livenation.co.uk

Kendrick Lamar’s last album DAMN debuted at No. 1 in the US and managed to go triple platinum in just over a year, which is no mean feat.

Understandably there has been a huge amount of anticipation surrounding his new release, which finally dropped today leaving fans across the globe reeling.

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The Pulitzer prize-winning rapper’s fifth album has a lot to live up to, even more so as his last planned release with longtime label Top Dawg Entertainment.

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Described as a “deeply uncomfortable” work by Pitchfork Media, it has already spurred fans online to create somewhat patronising guides on how best to listen to the album.

The full set of UK tour dates for the Big Steppers World Tour are as follows:

Wed Nov 02– Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Thu Nov 03 – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
Fri Nov 04 – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena
Sat Nov 05 – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Mon Nov 07 – London, UK – The O2
Tue-Nov 08 – London, UK – The O2
Wed Nov 16 – Manchester, UK – AO Arena

 Feature image – Kendrick Lamar / Renell Medrano

Audio

Clubland announce huge throwback arena tour that will take you back to your youth

Danny Jones Danny Jones Clubland Live Manchester dates

Clubland have announced a massive UK arena tour to mark their 20th anniversary and, my word, it’s an absolute throwback.

As revealed on Monday, the iconic legendary record label and album series is holding Re-live the Night of Your Life tour to celebrate 20 years of club anthems, the first live arena tour in over a decade.

Featuring the likes of Cascada, Scooter, BassHunter; Ultrabeat, DJ Sammy, a Darren Style DJ set and more, you’ll be transported back in time as you party through non-stop noughties bangers.

Here is your full Clubland 2023 Arena Tour line-up:

Credit: Supplied

The Clubland compilation albums began way back in 2002 and went on to become the iconic umbrella brand for an entire movement of commercial dance music.

Clubland albums went on to sell in excess of 30 million copies and became the market leader in dance music during this time, even managing to outsell Cream and even Ministry of Sound.

Then, in 2008, the first Clubland Live was launched, playing to tens of thousands of people across the UK in packed arenas – the first time most club and dance music had headlined in such venues.

There were a further 2 sold-out tours in the following couple of years which many fans coined as ‘The Night of Your Life’. Now, all this time later, the winning formula of those noughties shows is back with the Re-live the Night of Your Life Clubland Arena Tour 2023.

The Clubland 2023 tour dates are as follows:

  • Thu 30 March – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
  • Fri 31 March – Aberdeen, P&J Live
  • Sat 01 April – Newcastle, Utilita Arena
  • Thu 06 April – Cardiff, International Arena
  • Fri 07 April – Sheffield, Utilita Arena
  • Sat 08 April – Manchester, AO Arena

Read more:

To make each night even more special, there are some artists that will only be appearing on select nights. Lucky for you, Manchester‘s Clubland line-up is a belter:

Clubland @ AO Arena
Vengaboys  / Basshunter  / *Secret Headliner To Be Announced* / LMC ft Rachel McFarlane / Ultrabeat ft Rebecca Rudd  / Kelly Llorenna  /Flip n Fill ft Karen Parry 

Tickets go on general sale at 9:00am on Friday 9 December. You can grab yours HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Supplied

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Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott ‘working on plans’ to screen England vs France game at AO Arena gig

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Paul Heaton has said that he’s ‘working on plans’ to screen the England vs France World Cup match ahead of his gig in Manchester this weekend.

Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott are set to play a huge gig at the AO Arena this Saturday – clashing with England’s quarter finals game.

Paul has said that they understand fans ‘might prefer not to miss the youthful looks of Jack Grealish’.

His announcement that they are hoping to show the game has drawn a mixed reaction from fans.

Many welcomed the news that they wouldn’t have to miss the huge match from the Qatar World Cup.

But others said that it would ruin the show, with one person tweeting: “Please don’t ruin the show with that. I’ll be wanting my money back if I’m going to see football rather than the music!”

Paul replied to say: “We won’t. We just have to make sure the place isn’t half full.”

He has now gone on to address the divided opinions on the football being screened at the AO Arena, sharing a photo of himself pulling a silly face with the words: “Me trying to work out what to do next Saturday @England @AOArena.”

Many fans have pointed out that Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott aren’t actually due on stage until 9pm and that, all being well, the game will be over by then anyway.

Others have pleaded that they don’t cut the show short to fit it in around the England vs France game, and wondered what it would mean for Billy Bragg’s supporting slot.

Jacqui Abbott hasn’t been able to perform with the group for the last few shows due to ill health, but it’s hoped she’ll be back on stage with her former The Beautiful South bandmate by the time they gig in Manchester.

The duo offered refunds to anyone who no longer wanted to attend the concerts without Jacqui after she was told to sit them out on doctor’s orders.

Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott's gig will clash with the World Cup
Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott’s gig will clash with the World Cup. Credit: Publicity picture

But Paul added: “For those who choose to retain their tickets for the next three shows, I promise you that myself & the boys will put on a show to remember. We’ll sorely miss Jacqui but our intent is to make those who refund their tickets bitterly regret that decision. Thanks for your support.”

The pair were on the receiving end of a lot of praise from members of the public after announcing the tour, and capping ticket prices at £30.

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They went on BBC Breakfast to speak about rising costs in the music industry while promoting their new album.

He said at the time: “I’m very much against greed in the industry. I feel as though there is quite a lot. We are trying to just battle and say ‘we’ll do it for as low as we can’.”

They also said they want to ‘set a bit of an example’ for the rest of the industry.

Featured image: Publicity picture

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