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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Avril Lavigne announces huge Manchester gig as she joins Sounds of the City 2024 lineup
Danny Jones
The queen of pop-rock, Avril Lavigne, has been announced as the latest act on the Sounds of the City 2024 lineup.
It doesn’t how much we’ve aged, she never does and neither does her music.
Confirming her first-ever gig at Castlefield Bowl, the Canadian songstress returns to Manchester and the UK at large next summer as part of the popular week-long gig series, Sounds of the City, which is already shaping up to be a truly memorable year for the event.
A pioneer of pop-punk during its heyday and now back on top following its resurgence over the last few years, having released her seventh studio album Love Sux back in 2022 — her first new material in over three years — Avril Lavigne will be playing at the beloved outdoor venue in July.
Confirmed as part of an announcement for a pair of special summer performances, the other being at Cardiff Castle, the 39-year-old (there’s no way that we’re having she’s nearly 40) will be playing Castlefield Bowl on Wednesday, 3 July 2024.
She joins the likes of Jungle, Tom Grennan, The National and several others already announced for the festival, not to mention other non-SOTC-related concerts scheduled for the amphitheatre, like Loyle Carner, Fat Boy Slim and more.
The multi-platinum-selling noughties icon will undoubtedly be one of the biggest names to ever play the Bowl when she rocks up next summer and in addition to hearing some of her more recent tunes, you’re simply not prepared for how loud we’re about to scream ‘Complicated’ and ‘Sk8er boi’.
Better still, she’s also bringing along fellow pop-punk favourites Simple Plan along with her to both shows, so you can enjoy a real throwback vibe come July.
We’re not even going to bother telling you how much general admission will set you back because we already know you’re willing to pay extortionate amounts to see her.
Tickets for Avril Lavigne’s massive outdoor Manc gig at Castlefield Bowl go on sale this Friday, 1 December from 9am and you can grab yours HERE.
Bloody Nora, that Sounds of the City 2024 lineup is looking immense, isn’t it?
Featured Images — Avril Lavigne (via Instagram)
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Massive homecoming New Order gig announced at Wythenshawe Park
Daisy Jackson
Another huge gig for Wythenshawe Park has just been announced, with New Order set to perform there next summer.
The Salford-formed rock band will call in some massive names to support them too, with local legend Johnny Marr on the bill.
The very special homecoming show will be New Order‘s first full headline performance in the city since 2021.
The group are widely accepted to be one of the most influential bands of all time and this year celebrated 40 years of their hit Blue Monday.
They were founded in 1980 by vocalist and guitarist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook and drummer Stephen Morris, who had all been together in Joy Division, which disbanded after the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis.
This year, the band announced reissued editions of their classic compilation ‘Substance 1987’, the band’s biggest-selling album to date.
They also headlined Barcelona’s Primavera Sound before they commenced their UK and European tour this autumn.
New Order will be supported by Johnny Marr, good friend of the band and legendary guitarist of The Smiths.
Marr and Sumner previously worked on synth-dance act Electronic together, and released three albums.
Johnny Marr announced a new album earlier this year – ‘Spirit Power: The Best of Johnny Marr’ will celebrate the first ten years of his solo career, featuring songs from across his four solo albums.
Fans can expect to hear Johnny’s greatest hits alongside the brand new track ‘The Answer’ as he takes to the stage at Wythenshawe Park next August.
Also supporting New Order at Wythenshawe Park will be adopted Manc Roisin Murphy, known in the 1990s as one half of pop duo Moloko.
The Irish singer and songwriter recently released her universally acclaimed sixth studio album, Hit Parade.
Presale tickets will go on sale from Monday 4 December at 10am, while general sale tickets go on sale on Tuesday 5 December at 10am, and you can grab yours here.
Daisy Jackson -
6th July 2023 
