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Manchester rapper RIO releases debut album: ‘The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly’

The rapper revealed he was working on some new material that would "change the game" in Manchester - and six months later we have his ten-track LP The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.

The Manc The Manc - 18th December 2020
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Manchester hip-hop artist RIO has officially released his long-awaited debut studio album.

A respected and popular member of grime’s old guard, RIO announced his grand comeback in summer following a five-year hiatus from music .

The rapper revealed he was working on some new material that would “change the game” in Manchester – and six months down the line we have his ten-track LP: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.

Remembered for club hits such as ‘Can’t Stop We’ and ‘We Love Grime’, RIO’s new record is a more mature, thoughtful piece of storytelling – digging into his Mosside roots and exploring his rollercoaster journey through the music world.

RIO started selling mixtapes on Market Street in 2010 before rising through the ranks and appearing on the likes of BBC Radio 1Xtra, Radio 1, Red Bull, Soccer AM and Capital Xtra, receiving support from big names such as DJ Target, Semtex, Tim Westwood, Mistajam, Ras Kwame, Mary Anne Hobbs and Annie Nightingale.

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The rapper also collaborated with the likes of Ghetts, Blizzard, C4 and Royce Da 5’9″.

Now, after being out of the game for over a half a decade, RIO claims he is “here to stay”.

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His new release, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, is a multifaceted effort executively produced by JSD – flipping through genres, moods and styles.

The record features introspective tracks like ‘Ghost’ (which divulges his reasons for taking a step back from music), the spine-tingling ‘Awake’, and Caribbean-flavoured ‘Medusa’ featuring Mr Benz.

You can listen to The Good, The Bad & The Ugly online now here.

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A documentary on the rapper’s career has also been posted to YouTube.

Stay up to date with RIO by following his socials for news about upcoming releases & more: INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK| TWITTER | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK | SPOTIFY | WEBSITE

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Doves announce first hometown gig for 15 years in Manchester on UK tour

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Doves have announced a Manchester gig on a new UK tour. Credit: Publicity picture
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Doves have announced a massive homecoming show – their first Manchester gig in 15 years – on their upcoming tour, but without frontman Jimi Goodwin.

The Manchester-founded band are heading out on a full UK tour in support of their sixth studio album Constellations for the Lonely.

Doves will be heading to Aviva Studios for a huge show, along with dates in Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and London, to name a few.

The new tour dates are in addition to the already sold-out intimate dates in Stoke, Birkenhead and Hebden Bridge.

Lead singer Jimi Goodwin will sit out the live tour to focus on his health – the band had previously cancelled their 2021 tour to protect his wellbeing.

He has said that his current circumstances are ‘not compatible with a mad, city-to-city schedule’.

Instead, Andy and Jez Williams will alternate on vocals and are promising a ‘one-of-a-kind experience’.

In a heartwarming statement about their Doves bandmate, they said: “This tour is incredibly special as Jimi is stepping back from live to focus on his well being.

“Mental health has always been central to Doves, and we fully support him in his decision.”

Doves announced their new album Constellations For The Lonely last week, shortly before confirming their UK tour and Manchester homecoming gig.

The band have recorded tracks, including recent Goodwin-fronted single Renegade, through a patchwork of in-person and remote recording sessions.

Doves UK tour dates in full

  • Tue 25 Feb – Glasgow, SWG3
  • Wed 26 Feb – Edinburgh, La Belle Angele
  • Thu 27 Feb – Newcastle, Boiler Shop
  • Sat 1 Mar – Leeds, Beckett SU
  • Sun 2 Mar – Sheffield, Leadmill
  • Tue 4 Mar – Liverpool, O2 Academy
  • Fri 7 Mar – Manchester, Aviva Studios, home of Factory International
  • Sun 8 Mar – Birmingham, O2 Institute
  • Mon 10 Mar – Nottingham, Rock City
  • Tue 11 Mar – Norwich, Waterfront
  • Thu 13 Mar – London, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
  • Fri 14 Mar – Bristol, SWX
  • Sat 15 Mar – Southampton, Engine Rooms
  • Mon 17 Mar – Brighton, Chalk
  • Tue 18 Mar – Oxford, O2 Academy

Tickets for all dates go on general sale on Thursday 21 November at 9.30am HERE.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

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Robbie Williams announces massive Manchester show next summer and ‘new music’ coming soon

Danny Jones Danny Jones Robbie Williams Manchester gig tickets Live 2025
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British pop royalty Robbie Williams has just announced a massive Manchester show coming next summer and has teased that new music is “coming soon” – the scramble for these tickets is going to be unreal…

The former boy band favourite turned chart-topping solo star is back at the forefront of the public consciousness once again after revealing the trailer for his upcoming biopic that has caught plenty of people’s attention.

Set to release on Boxing Day 2024, we think it’s fair to say this is no ordinary retelling of a famous musician’s career as it will see Williams reimagined as a CGI monkey, with Robbie lending his voice for the singing and narration sections.

As if that recent unveiling wasn’t eye-catching enough, the 50-year-old has followed it with the sudden announcement of a huge European tour, where it has now been confirmed that songs from the Better Man film and some new stuff will be played.

Sharing details of 28 dates, Robbie said in an official statement: “This tour is going to be my boldest yet – I can’t wait to see you next year.”

He also went on to add, “There will be songs from the movie Better Man and some new music too…but more on that soon.”

Although it’s unclear whether this is the first hint at what would be his 13th studio LP, with previous records including everything from the bread-and-butter pop that made him a household name, to swing, old-world big band covers and even a Christmas album.

Williams’ last outing was the XXV greatest hits compilation album, marking 25 years of his highly successful solo career since leaving fellow 90s icons Take That, who he returned to for a short spell after 15 years back in 2010 before parting ways once again.

He’s also roped in some Northern help from none other than Leigh’s very own The Lottery Winners for all dates but one, meaning the Manc vibes will be immaculate. Huge for the much-loved local band.

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Known for his legendary live shows, Robbie Williams is considered one of the UK’s greatest entertainers of all time and previously held the Guinness World record for feats such as selling more than 1.6 million tickets in a single day, not to mention playing to over 375,000 across three nights at Knebworth.

Put it this way, these shows are in very high demand and will sell out quicker than you say ‘Rock DJ’.

Set to play Manchester and make his Co-op Live debut on 11 June, fans can secure early access to tickets for the ‘Live 2025’ tour from 10am this Wednesday by pre-ordering the Better Man movie soundtrack or by downloading the Co-op Members app.

As for general admission, tickets for Robbie Williams’ Manchester date and all other UK and Ireland gigs go live at 10 the same time on Friday, 15 November.

Given his connection to this city, this is as close to a homecoming show as you’re going to get until he headlines Stoke one of these days, so you don’t want to miss it. You can get ready to grab yours HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)

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