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Manchester Pride 2025 line-up announced, with headline performances from Olly Alexander and Leigh-Anne

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 14th March 2025

Manchester Pride has revealed its 2025 line-up and headliners ahead of the city’s huge LGBTQ+ celebration.

Set to take place, a usual, over the August bank holiday weekend, this year’s live entertainment features headline slots for Olly Alexander, Leigh-Anne, and Billy Porter.

Manchester Pride will span across the Gay Village Party and the newly-announced Mardi Gras event at Depot Mayfield.

The line-up is packed with LGBTQ+ icons and allies once again as summer’s event calendar heats up.

This year’s Manchester Pride festival will take place between Friday 22 and Monday 25 August, culminating in the candlelit vigil at Sackville Gardens.

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Topping the bill this year is Brit Award winner and Years and Years frontman Olly Alexander, along with multi-platinum pop star Leigh-Anne, of Little Mix fame, and Hollywood superstar Billy Porter.

Also announced by Manchester Pride today are special guests including Tulisa, Big Freedia, Sonique and Louisa Johnson, Jodie Harsh, and multi-award winning cabaret artist, Danny Beard with The Danny Beard Show.

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Manchester Pride has also worked with community collectives to commission a number of immersive shows, including House of MCR, which will bring together dance, singing, lip-syncing and fashion.

Kulture Cabaret will be a celebration of queer South Asian and Middle Eastern performers, and Queenz: Drag me to the disco will feature during the bank holiday celebrations.

Bongo’s Bingo will kick off the Manchester Pride celebrations each day.

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This is all part of the first-ever line-up for the brand new Mardi Gras event, which will take place on the Saturday and Sunday and has an ambition to better represent marginalised communities such as trans, non-binary, and queer local talent.

The Gay Village Party will be back in Manchester Pride’s spiritual home from Friday 22 to Monday 25 August, featuring Samantha Mumba, B*Witched and Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge – with more still to be announced.

These performances will be across two stages, the Alan Turing stage and the Indoor Arena, alongside a funfair, market stalls, and pop-up food vendors, plus Ginny Lemon’s Dog Show.

Mark Fletcher, CEO at Manchester Pride, said: “Manchester Pride is the city’s celebration of LGBTQ+ life and culture and each year we’re challenged to respond to the diverse needs of our communities.

“Working closely with LGBTQ+ groups and collectives from Greater Manchester we’ve been able to respond to the needs of our communities in presenting a queer focussed, intentional line up of performers who will elevate and lend their support to the rich bed of LGBTQ+ performers that this city has to offer.

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“With the introduction of the new Mardi Gras event we needed to make sure that we stayed true to what Pride is about in this city.

“Our communities were clear that they wanted to see LGBTQ+ performers front and centre and we’re thrilled to announce a line up which serves.

“With so many stages available across the two live music based events we’re confident that there’s something for everyone; whether that be multi platinum selling pop artists, drag queen royalty or ballroom fierceness that you can expect to see at the special House of MCR Show.”

Manchester Pride 2025 line-up

Friday 22 August

Gay Village Party

  • Samantha Mumba

Saturday 23 August

Mardi Gras

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  • Leigh-Anne // Billy Porter
  • Special Guest: Big Freedia
  • Gok Wan // Sonique // Booty Luv // Joshua James // Bestley
  • The Danny Beard Show // Dean Mccullough’s Pop Machine // Bongo’s Bingo
  • Queenz: Drag Me To The Disco // Black Pride Mcr // Runway X Banksie
  • Rikki Beadle-Blair // Darren Pritchard

Gay Village Party

  • B*Witched // Diana Vickers
  • Gaydio Dance Arena

Sunday 24 August

Mardi Gras

  • Olly Alexander
  • Special Guest: Tulisa
  • Tayce // Jodie Harsh // Louisa Johnson  // K-Klass // N-Trance // Banksie
  • Stephani B // Anna Phylactic // Lucky Roy Singh
  • House Of MCR – Pride Edition //
  • Gaydio Dance Arena // Bongo’s Bingo // Kulture Cabaret

Gay Village Party

  • Sister Sledge Featuring Kathy Sledge // Angie Brown
  • Ginny Lemon’s Dog Show
  • Diva’s Only With Misty Chance // Your Manchester Live With Belinda Scandal

Tickets and more information are HERE.

Featured image: Gemma Parker

Audio

Manchester nightclub clamps down on no-phones policy after ‘disappointing’ rule breakers

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Manchester nightclub Amber's clamps down on no-phones policy after 'disappointing' rule breakers

Amber’s, a nightclub in Manchester with a strict no-filming policy inside, has shared a strict new set of rules to prevent people using their phones.

The venue says it’s seen an ‘increased amount of phones on the dance floor’ despite its very clear policy against such a thing.

That’s included a recent set from Fred Again, where videos of his show were all over social media the next day.

Amber’s has said it’s ‘disappointing’ to see people flouting the rules of the space, leading to the venue introducing a zero tolerance policy.

Fans who are caught filming on their phones will be asked to leave Amber’s on the spot – no second chances.

There’ll even be extra members of staff patrolling the venue, to protect the ‘vibe of the space’.

“If you are spotted at any point across the night using your phone to record, you will no longer be permitted inside Amber’s,” they shared.

Amber’s wrote in a statement today: “Since our launch back in December, we have made it very clear that we are a No Phones venue. We want to create an experience for everyone where they are present in the moment and not distracted by phones.

“While the majority of people that attend Amber’s keep their phones away, there are a select few that don’t.

“This is of course disappointing.

“Over the recent weeks and months, we have seen an increased amount of phones filming on the dancefloor and we are aware of numerous videos shot on phone appearing online.

“To those that come to Amber’s and respect our house rules, thank you, you are contributing to an incredible vibe in the room.

“For those that don’t, we ask that you think about the space and the people around you before removing your stickers.

“The rules previously have been that if you are seen filming on your phone, you are politely asked to stop, if you are seen again, you are asked to leave the venue.

“From now on, as a renewed pledge to our No Phones policy, if you are seen recording in the venue, you will be asked to leave, there will be no second chances.

“There will now be extra members of staff patrolling the venue, ensuring that the vibe of the space is protected and if you are spotted at any point across the night using your phone to record, you will no longer be permitted inside Amber’s.

“Open your mind. Honour the concept. Respect the space.”

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Featured image: Supplied

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Katy Perry at AO Arena, Manchester – stage times, setlist, tickets and more

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Katy Perry will be playing a huge arena show here in Manchester this week, with a sold-out night at the AO Arena imminent.

The popstar is bringing her The Lifetimes Tour, which features an extravaganza of props and pyrotechnics, to town on Wednesday 8 October.

The Roar singer will be heading to the AO Arena this week, alongside shows in Sheffield, Glasgow, Birmingham and London.

Whether you’re going to watch hits like ‘California Gurls’, ‘Hot ‘N’ Cold’ or excited for the newer tracks like ‘I’m His, He’s Mine’, it’s sure to be one of the biggest gigs to hit the legendary arena all year.

Perry has the second most Diamond-certified singles in for a female artist in the U.S, four guiness world records and five UK number one hits.

Her latest album ‘143’, which is a numeric synonym of ‘I love you’ and the singer’s angel number, came out last year and stormed straight into the top 10 on the UK album charts.

If you’re heading to Katy Perry at the AO Arena tonight, we’ve rounded up all your essential information.

Stage times for Katy Perry at the AO Arena

The AO Arena hasn’t yet confirmed exact stage times for tonight’s show, but we do have enough information to give you a good estimate.

Doors will open at 6pm, with a show start of 7.45pm.

That will mean the support act should wrap up around 8.15pm and Katy Perry is likely to take to the stage between 8.30pm and 8.45pm.

Who’s supporting Katy Perry at the AO Arena?

For her Manchester show, Katy Perry will be supported by singer-songwriter Goldie Boutilier.

Goldie, who has also performed under monikers Kay, My Name Is Kay, and Goldilox during her career, will be joining Katy on most of her UK dates, before handing over the reins to Au/Ra and then Becky Hill.

Tickets for Katy Perry at the AO Arena

Katy Perry has completely sold out the AO Arena with The Lifetimes Tour, with no general tickets left at all.

However, there are a few tickets remaining on Ticketmaster’s resale platform, which are priced between £78.73 and £131.18 each.

Expected setlist

Katy has split her show into sections she’s calling ‘Levels’, as a nod to the video game inspiration behind the tour.

Each one is absolutely packed with pop bangers, as you’d expect.

Here’s the latest setlist from her most recent show in Glasgow.

  • Level 1: Artificial
  • ARTIFICIAL
  • Chained to the Rhythm
  • Teary Eyes
  • Dark Horse
  • Level 2: Woman’s World
  • WOMAN’S WORLD
  • California Gurls
  • Teenage Dream
  • Hot n Cold
  • Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
  • Peacock
  • I Kissed a Girl
  • Level 3: Nirvana
  • NIRVANA
  • CRUSH
  • I’M HIS, HE’S MINE
  • Wide Awake
  • Level 3.5: Choose Your Own Adventure (fan requests)
  • Witness
  • The One That Got Away
  • Double Rainbow
  • ALL THE LOVE
  • Level 4: Mainframe
  • E.T.
  • Part of Me
  • Rise
  • Encore:
  • Roar
  • Daisies
  • LIFETIMES
  • Firework

How to get to AO Arena

@the.manc When are you next heading to the @AO Arena? 😱 #themanc #manchester #aoarena #preshow #entertainment #gigs #music #liveshow ♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show

Tram

For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily, it’s connected to Manchester Victoria Station, and it has an integrated Metrolink stop to make your life even easier.

Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Train

Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena, wherever they are.

Bus

A variety of buses cover AO Arena and Victoria Station on their route, such as the 2 bus, which stops just a one-minute walk away from the venue.

A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.

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Getting there by car and parking

The Arena has its own official CitiPark, with 958 car parking spaces, including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.

Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.

Walk/cycle

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through 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.

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