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Manc music legends James announce MASSIVE hometown show
Finally getting more like the kind of recognition they deserve.
Greater Manchester music legends James have just revealed a massive hometown show here in the city centre as part of a landmark domestic arena tour.
Daisy bucket hats at the ready.
James is arguably the epitome of what it is to be the understated, underdog British band; they’ve gone about the business of making quality music somewhat quietly for several decades now, but they’ve had a fresh wave of interest over the past year or so
Having opened up for the likes of Catfish and the Bottlemen’s comeback shows, not to mention playing multiple big festival slots in recent months alone, they’ve now announced a huge run of UK arena shows – and nowhere does a James crowd quite like us Mancs.
Announced as part of the celebrations around their Nothing But Love ‘best of’ LP, which pulls tracks from James’ whopping 18 studio albums, the new run of UK arena shows in 2026 follows on from numerous noteworthy shows this calendar year.
In addition to the aforementioned outdoor gigs, like their stunning sold-out night at The Piece Hall in Halifax – not too far from frontman Tim Booth’s hometown in Yorkshire – the indie veterans also celebrated a huge landmark in 2025.
Surpassing the milestone of 40 years as a band, with a lineup that’s remained largely intact and only really grown in terms of live session players and touring bandmates.
The new “definitive” greatest hits record also includes two brand-new songs in ‘Wake Up Superman’ and ‘Hallelujah Anyhow’, both of which are produced by Leo Abrahams, who worked with the band on their long-awaited number one album Yummy in 2024 – a feat loooong overdue if you ask us.
As evidenced by the sheer amount of new material they continue to put out and the almost non-stop touring, they remain one of the most prolific artists in the country. FACT.
You can see the rest of James’ upcoming tour dates, including a healthy number of Northern stops in the likes of Liverpool, Leeds and more.
James UK arena tour dates 2026
- Fri 2 Birmingham Utilita Arena
- Sat 4 Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
- Tues 7 Aberdeen P&J Live
- Wed 8 Glasgow OVO Hydro
- Fri 10 Newcastle Utilita Arena
- Sat 11 Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
- Mon 13 Cardiff Utilita Arena
- Tues 14 Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
- Fri 17 London The O2
- Sat 18 Manchester Co-op Live
With James returning to Manchester for their Co-op Live arena debut next April, along with a sensational support slot from fellow local legends, Doves (I know, how lucky are you lot?!), you can bank on this one selling out quickly.
General admission goes on sale this Friday, 10 October at 9:30am, so you’d better be ready to grab yours in a flash.
You can find the ticket link HERE, and we’ll see you in the crowd for a good ol’ singalong.
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Featured Images — Ehud Lazin/Press shots (supplied)
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Robbie Williams announces intimate gig in Manchester for BRITs Week 26 for War Child
Daisy Jackson
Iconic popstar Robbie Williams has announced a surprise gig in Manchester – and it’s soon.
The British star will be performing as part of the upcoming BRITs Week 26 for War Child, a gig series which is seeing huge artists playing intimate venues all over the UK.
Robbie Williams will be taking to the stage at Aviva Studios in Manchester in just a few weeks’ time, ahead of the BRIT Awards’ northern debut at the Co-op Live.
The 18-times BRIT Award-winner be performing tracks from his debut album Life Thru A Lens and his recent number one album BRITPOP, with support from indie chart-toppers Lottery Winners.
The newly-announced gig for Robbie Williams is part of BRITs Week, which takes place around The BRIT Awards 2026, with other artists performing in Manchester including Olivia Dean, Josh Baker, and The K’s.
All proceeds from the shows will go to help War Child’s essential work providing aid, education, specialist mental health support to children whose lives are affected by war.
Robbie Williams will perform at Aviva Studios in Manchester on 27 February.
BRITs Week 26 for War Child full lineup
- 12 February – Fatboy Slim – Boiler Shop, Newcastle, supported by Max Jones
- 16 February – Lambrini Girls – The Garage, London, supported by Bimini
- 18 February – Spiritualized – EartH Theatre, London
- 20 February – The K’s – Gorilla, Manchester
- 24 February – Myles Smith – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, supported by Saint Raymond
- 25 February – Jack Savoretti and Katherine Jenkins OBE – Emerald Theatre, London, supported by Gabriella Cilmi
- 25 February – kwn – Patterns, Brighton, supported by CARI
- 25 February – Josh Baker – YES, Manchester, supported by Deliah and Alexandria
- 26 February – Rossi. – YES, Manchester, supported by Olive F
- 26 February – Olivia Dean – Albert Hall, Manchester
- 27 February – Jacob Alon – Music Hall at Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, supported by Lizzie Reid
- 27 February – Robbie Williams – Aviva Studios, Manchester, supported by Lottery Winners
Fans can enter the prize draw and win a pair of tickets to see the artist of their choice, for just a £10 per entry donation to War Child. Available HERE.
A limited number of tickets are also available on general sale HERE.
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Featured image: Publicity picture
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A ‘Primary School Bangers’ gig is coming to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A night of non-stop, nostalgic primary school bangers is heading up to Manchester this year.
The event comes from viral sensation and Glastonbury festival favourite James B Partridge, who’ll be taking his incredibly silly event on the road in 2026.
Expect to hear all those hits that shaped your childhood, whether you were sat cross-legged on a carpet or one of the lucky ones who got to sit on a PE bench in assembly.
His usual setlist includes classics like Sing Hosanna, One More Step Along The World I Go, and When I Needed A Neighbour.
Primary School Bangers will be heading to the beautiful Albert Hall in Manchester in March, along with a run of dates across the UK.
He’s promising ‘classic school-day singalongs, heart-on-sleeve nostalgia, and the infectious joy that has
made James a national favourite’.
Most recently, the teacher-turned-performer has been delighting audiences with his Big Christmas Assembly tour, playing to tens of thousands across the country.
James continues to teach primary school children during the week, then goes so far as to shut down the fields of Glastonbury with the crowds he pulls in.
He’s also had appearances on the likes of Chris Evans’ Virgin Radio Breakfast Show, BBC Radio 2, The One Show, and Songs of Praise: The Big School Assembly Singalong.
Tickets are on sale now HERE.
The Primary School Bangers UK 2026 tour
- 14 Mar – Gateshead Glasshouse
- 15 Mar – Scunthorpe Baths Hall
- 16 Mar – Manchester Albert Hall
- 3 Apr – Colchester Charter Hall
- 4 Apr – York Barbican
- 6 Apr – London Barbican
- 7 Apr – King’s Lynn Corn Exchange
- 8 Apr – Bury St Edmunds Apex Theatre
- 10 Apr – Watford Colosseum
- 12 Apr – Southampton O2 Guildhall
- 14 Apr – Northampton Derngate Theatre
- 15 Apr – Woking New Victoria
- 16 Apr – Swansea Grand Theatre
- 18 Apr – Bristol Beacon
- 19 Apr – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
- 20 Apr – Blackpool Winter Gardens (Arena)
- 21 Apr – Edinburgh Assembly Rooms
- 23 Apr – Peterborough New Theatre
- 24 Apr – Birmingham Symphony Hall
- 26 Apr – Reading Hexagon
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Featured image: Rebecca Johnson
Danny Jones -
6th October 2025 
