American multi-hyphenate Lionel Richie paid Manchester a visit last night and gave the 23,500 fans in the crowd all of his ‘Endless Love’.
Richie needs no explanation, being a household name, this artist had the crowd in the palm of his hands as soon as he stepped foot onto the stage, just like he has been doing since he burst onto the music scene over 50 years ago.
When you’re about to watch a legend strut his stuff in various tailcoats ‘All Night Long (All Night)’, you know you’re in for a mini workout.
We tried out Co-op Live’s Backstage Club before the show to fuel up with a pizza and grab a drink to ensure that we could dance ‘All Night Long (All Night) as much as the main man himself.
‘Breezy like a Sunday Morning’.Soaking up the fun at Co-op Live’s Backstage Club.You really do get the VIP treatment.Credit: Audio North
As well as boasting an intimate area with music history covering all four walls, this location had a photobooth, pool table, its own merchandise vendor and a live band.
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For tonight’s show, it was only right that the band soundtracking Co-op Live’s Backstage Club were aptly named The Pennies and the signature drinks were equally fitting, ‘Say You, Say G&T’ and a cocktail offering labelled, ‘Breezy like a Sunday Morning’.
Glasgow solo star Brooke Combe – a favourite of ours from past Neighbourhood Festivals – gave the crowd our first taste of music for the night, playing highlights of her debut album ‘Dancing at the Edge of the World’, which only dropped back in January.
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Her songs ooze soul, from the infectious ‘Shaken by the Wind’ to the instantly catchy ‘The Last Time’ and fan favourite, ‘Are You With Me?’. Combe’s stage presence was nothing short of contagious.
It’s no surprise, really, considering she’s already practised and perfected her craft at Glastonbury back in 2022 among countless other massive slots. Make sure you catch her the next time she’s in Manchester.
The legendary performer knew he had to kick things off in true Lionel Richie style, it’s only obligatory that he opened the show with his greeting-titled hit ‘Hello’.
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Lionel welcoming fans with ‘Hello’ and being greeted with equally impressive roars from the crowd.Richie slowing it down for a moment, performing Commodores classic, ‘Easy’.Credit: The Manc Group
As the chorus approached, the American superstar hailed “Hello” and the audience immediately exclaimed in synch, “Is it me you’re looking for?”.
Social media might’ve been non-existent when the performer first reached our ears, but this didn’t stop Lionel Richie from inadvertently turning last night into a mini ‘Throwback Thursday’ playing his 1977 Commodores swooner ‘Easy’.
If you had told me that Lionel Richie would directly address me and my brother mid-performance, I would’ve laughed in your face, but last night the star adopted the both of us. Life complete.
The American singer came up the catwalk, soaking up all the cheers and love from the Co-op Live crowd, and then pointed directly at me and my brother and gave us a little shoutout.
Before playing the anthem that is ‘We are the World’, Mr. Richie expressed, “Alright, I’ll just tell ‘em” before admitting to the whole arena, “These are my cousins right here”.
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I guess when we sang “Hello, is it me you’re looking for?” earlier in the show, it really was me (and my brother) he was looking for.
Getting called 'cousins' by @LionelRichie was not on our 2025 bingo card, but it has made our entire year. 😭💀
Just like his opening track, the final slot also has its fixed placement in Richie’s setlist; of course, that song is none other than the essential party number, ‘All Night Long (All Night)’.
Richie recites the line, “We’re going to party, Karamu, fiesta, forever”, and the crowd understood the assignment as by the time he sang, “Come on and sing along / All night long”, everyone was up.
This tune is nothing less than cathartic, and for the five minutes it played, everyone was side-stepping, swaying, singing, dancing, not a single inhibition in sight.
Lionel Richie might know his way around writing smash hits and commanding a crowd, but it’s the audience’s joy for the music that made this concert such a special night.
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Did we tell you? Lionel Richie called us his cousins.Richie amidst a flurry of flashlights from the Manc crowd.Credit: The Manc
Manchester to host ‘landmark’ charity concert for Ukraine with star-studded lineup
Emily Sergeant
Manchester is set to host a ‘landmark’ international benefit concert for Ukraine with a star-studded lineup of big names.
Taking place at Co-op Live early next February, Songs of Freedom will aim to unite iconic global musicians, artists, and cultural leaders in solidarity with the women, children, and vulnerable communities affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Bob Geldof, Madness, Chrissie Hynde, and Midge Ure are just some of the more than a dozen famous names announced to be taking part in the show, alongside the Songs for Ukraine Choir, Royal Opera Chorus, and London Metropolitan Orchestra.
And as the concert will be here in Manchester, several local names are also due to appear too, including Peter Hook & The Light, Inspiral Carpets, The Lathums, Lottery Winners, and more.
Additional artists from around the world will perform via live video link into the broadcast – with mega stars Paul McCartney, Barbra Streisand, and Sean Penn all lined up to contribute.
Even more names will be announced in due course, so stay tuned.
The event is aiming to raise ‘vital’ funds and global awareness, while celebrating Ukrainian resilience, identity, and spirit.
All the money raised will go to UNITED24, Voices of Children, Sviatoslav Vakarchuk Charitable Foundation (People of the Future), and Masha Foundation – each of which directly support urgent humanitarian relief.
Manchester is set to host a ‘landmark’ charity concert for Ukraine next year with a star-studded lineup / Credit: Supplied
Backed by key industry figures, Songs of Freedom will be bringing together a lineup of international legends and Ukrainian talent.
Ahead of the concert next year, Harvey Goldsmith CBE said: “I am really pleased to have the opportunity to play my part in helping the Children and Communities in Ukraine.
“This war has gone on far too long and more and more children are suffering as a result. The concert at Coop in Manchester will highlight their plight. We must stand together and play a role in pressuring the need to stop this war.”
Songs For Freedom will take to the Co-op Live stage on Wednesday 3 February 2027, and tickets go on general sale next Monday (16 November) – with venue pre-sales beginning this Thursday (12 November).
Find out more and get tickets when they go on sale HERE.
Featured Image – Supplied
Audio
Stevie Wonder’s 50th Anniversary Tour at the Co-op Live, Manchester – stage times, setlist, tickets and more
Lydia Mastrolonardo
No we can’t believe it either, THE Stevie Wonder is going to be performing at Manchester’s Co-op Live, on Sunday 8 November, as part of his Songs in the Key of Life – 50th Anniversary Tour.
It’s about to be One Of A Kind evening, honouring one of the most influential albums ever created, including some fan favourites like ‘Isn’t She Lovely,’ ‘Love’s In Need of Love Today,’ and ‘Sir Duke.’
This absolutely legendary singer, songwriter, musician, producer and activist, is largely regarded as one of the most influential and decorated musicians of the 20th century, having sold over 100 million records worldwide. He is one of only three artists in Grammy history to win Album Of The Year three times in his career, as well as having 25 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award in his back pocket.
Wonder is deemed a child prodigy having first got signed to Berry Gordy’s Motown’s Tamla label aged 11 and since then his career rapidly took off gaining well-deserved recognition worldwide.
This show is going to be a once in a lifetime experience for many and one you definitely do not want to miss out on or you’ll be Cryin’ Through The Night. See below for all that you need to know…
Gig Guide | Stevie Wonder at Co-op Live, Manchester
These are the only times that are confirmed, but it’s expected that Stevie will be on stage around 8:00pm.
Can you still get tickets to see Stevie Wonder in Manchester?
Put On A Happy Face – there are still tickets on sale for Manchester!
There are remaining general sale and verified resale tickets being sold on Co-op Live’s website through Ticketmaster. Click HEREto get your last minute tickets.
What songs can fans expect to hear?
The show is part of his Songs in the Key of Life 50th Anniversary Tour, where he performs the album in full, with his own backing band.
Therefore suspected set list should follow the album as follows:
Love’s in Need of Love Today
Have a Talk With God
Village Ghetto Land
Contusion
Sir Duke
I Wish
Knocks Me Off My Feet
Pastime Paradise
Summer Soft
Ordinary Pain
Saturn
Ebony Eyes
Set 2
Isn’t She Lovely
Joy Inside My Tears
Black Man
All Day Sucker
Easy Goin’ Evening (My Mama’s Call)
Ngiculela – Es Una Historia – I Am Singing
If It’s Magic
As
Another Star
Imagine (John Lennon cover)
Superstition
However, the 1976 release also contained with a four-track EP, A Something’s Extra, and it has not been announced whether those four have made it to the set list, so you could be in for a few extras.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live.
Getting there by car and parking
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
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For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Thomas Melia -
13th June 2025 
