KISS will perform in Manchester this week as part of their final-ever tour.
The metal rock band announced details of their End of the Road World Tour last year – some 23 years after announcing that the band were retiring.
But 2023 will officially mark the final shows of this legendary’s group’s career, which started way back in 1973.
Made up of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer, they’re famed for their black and white face paint and huge hair as much as their massive hits.
KISS were meant to perform in Manchester in 2021, but had to reschedule to Friday 7 July due to – well, you know what.
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KISS said of their farewell tour: “All that we have built and all that we have conquered over the past four decades could never have happened without the millions of people worldwide who’ve filled clubs, arenas and stadiums over those years.
“This will be the ultimate celebration for those who’ve seen us and a last chance for those who haven’t. KISS Army, we’re saying goodbye on our final tour with our biggest show yet and we’ll go out the same way we came in… Unapologetic and Unstoppable.”
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Here’s everything you need to know if you’re seeing KISS at the AO Arena in Manchester.
Are there tickets left for KISS at AO Arena, Manchester?
Ticketmaster still has some availability for tickets for tonight’s show, though there aren’t loads left.
The cheapest tickets start at £75.95, with the majority of seated tickets priced at £87.50.
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Things get pricier after that – floor standing tickets are £98.50, while the better seats are £109.95.
Standard seats go all the way up to £171.50, and then you’re into Platinum seats and VIP packages.
Who’s supporting KISS in Manchester?
KISS will be supported by Welsh heavy metal band Skindred at their show in Manchester.
Skindred are known for fusing metal with reggae sounds, and for their blistering live shows.
The Wild Things, who will also be performing at Night & Day in October, are also taking to the stage at the AO Arena to open the show.
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Expected setlist
This is the setlist KISS used at their London O2 Arena gig this week.
Detroit Rock City Shout It Out Loud Deuce War Machine Heaven’s on Fire I Love It Loud Say Yeah Cold Gin Lick It Up Makin’ Love Calling Dr. Love Psycho Circus 100,000 Years God of Thunder Love Gun Black Diamond Encore: Beth I Was Made for Lovin’ You Rock and Roll All Nite
Stage times for KISS
The AO Arena hasn’t, at the time of writing, confirmed the stage times for KISS, and it doesn’t look like they’ve made a habit of announcing stage times at previous shows either.
Doors to the venue will open at 6pm, with the AO Arena saying the show won’t start until 7.30pm.
Based on that, you can expect The Wild Things on stage around 7.30pm, Skindred around 8.15pm, and KISS on stage somewhere around 9pm, ahead of the venue’s curfew.
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The venue
The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirementscarefully before you travel.
For example, only one small bag per person is allowed, and bags like backpacks, travel cases and laptop bags are not permitted inside the arena.
All bags are scanned on entry to check for prohibited items like laser pens, flares, projectiles, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and even selfie sticks.
Featured image: Publicity picture
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Beyond The Music moves to MediaCity for the first-time ever
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester arts festival and conference Beyond The Music is back for 2026, but this time it will be heading to MediaCity for a Salford debut.
The long weekender is still a relative newcomer when it comes to the Manc events calendar, but it’s quickly gathered plenty of repute not just in the North West but within the industry as a whole.
Holding just its third edition later this year, Beyond The Music ’26 is set to be the most ambitious yet, spread across the three days and promising an impressive lineup both in terms of live performers, but also speakers, industry experts and wider activities.
With MediaCity and dock10 hosting their inaugural Beyond The Music, it’s another big win for the second city, with Sports Personality of the Year sticking over Salford way for the foreseeable future, along with other events like the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Awards moving to the Quayside.
Much of the BBC’s World Cup coverage is also being hosted at their Salfordian studios and main Northern base this summer, too.
Given that so many big annual dates have now made the switch to central Manchester – the BRITs and the MOBOs, just to name two recent examples – you could say it only makes sense to spread things out across the surrounding boroughs and their equally rich heritage.
Not that you should need reminding, but Salford isn’t just part of the region: it’s a city all of its own right that boasts an immense amount of pride over what is nothing short of a sterling musical history.
As for the 2026 Beyond The Music programme, besides both the local artists and more international creatives than ever, there’ll be keynote conversations, industry showcases, and wider networking opportunities for anyone looking to immerse themselves deeper in this world.
You’ll have to wait a little while longer for a full live music lineup, but watch this space…
Mayor Andy Burnham and friends help launch Beyond the Music at MediaCityUK (Credit: Mark Waugh)
Sarah Pearson, Co-founder of Beyond The Music, said in an official statement: “Beyond The Music’s mission is to seize this moment, to come together and drive meaningful and lasting change in the music and content industry.
“It’s undeniable that the impact and importance of music and content are stronger than ever, but this is not reflected in their perceived value.
“The ethical and economic infrastructure of the music and content industries demands urgent attention and bold reform… It is our responsibility to protect creativity in order to ensure it doesn’t just survive but thrives. Things may feel difficult, but they are still possible.”
Mayor Burnham added: “Greater Manchester has always been at the forefront of cultural innovation, and Beyond The Music is a vital opportunity for the sector to come together and address the challenges and opportunities facing music and content creation…
“With its move to MediaCity and a bigger-than-ever programme, Beyond The Music is helping to cement our city region’s place at the centre of the creative economy.”
Taking place between 7-9 October 2026, you can register for early bird tickets right HERE. Roll on an even more extensive festival season than ever.
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.
Daisy Jackson -
6th July 2023 
