In case you hadn’t heard already, iconic funk, soul, and R’n’B artist Kool and the Gang are finally coming back to Manchester after far too long away from our musical city for a massive arena gig later this year.
Coming back to 0161 ‘For One Night Only’, the award-winning US supergroup and industry giants are set to make their first appearance here in over 15 years.
With a rich back catalogue and a career spanning six decades, not to mention multiple genres including funk, soul, disco, jazz (how they first began as an ensemble) and more, it’s only fitting they be given the top billing at the one and only AO Arena.
After Manc fans have had to wait for long, this is sure to be a night of ‘Summertime Madness’.
Though they need no real introduction if you know your music history, specifically African-American and Black music culture, Kool and the Gang are arguably one of the most influential acts to ever make it.
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Having performed together longer than other R’n’B outfit on the planet, stood as one of the most sampled artists of all time and released a staggering 34 studio albums to date, they’re nothing short of foundational.
While, sadly, there is only founding member Robert ‘Kool’ Bell left from the original lineup formed back in 1964, the various iterations of the surviving live band have captured that same effortless cool, charisma, and effortless control of a crowd on the road that made the OG Gang such a toue de force.
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As well as touring with everyone from Elton John and the Dave Matthews Band to The Roots and even a 50-city tour alongside equally legendary rock group, Van Halen, they have no shortage of accolades to their name.
How does two Grammys, seven American Music Awards (AMAs), a BET Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award; a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a place in the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine top ten hits in the pop charts, as well as 31 gold and platinum albums, strike you?
— Melodies & Masterpieces (@SVG__Collection) May 27, 2025
Best known for beloved tracks like ‘Celebration’, ‘Get Down On It’, ‘Cherish’ and ‘Jungle Boogie’, just to name a very small few (again, their discography is huge), you’ve most likely heard their songs or at least one of their serially sampled beats more times than its possible to count.
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Yep, if there’s anyone that deserves the ‘icon’ moniker, it’s these lot.
Kool and the Gang come to the AO Arena in Manchester next month on Friday, 11 July and will have fellow British soul counterparts, The Real Thing, who looked to mirror their success throughout the ’70s, along for the ride.
General admission tickets are already on sale as we speak – you can grab yours HERE.
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
Danny Jones -
18th June 2025 
