Mika’s Manchester stop on his ‘Spinning Out’ global tour was a vibrant, high-energy celebration of all things pop.
Not happy with just walking on stage – this is Mika we’re talking about – he made his entrance on a spinning hamster wheel, bathing the AO Arena in kaleidoscopic lights.
Opening with ‘Modern Times’ and ‘Eleven’ from his latest discography before leaning into one of the classics, ‘Relax, Take it Easy’, the atmosphere inside the packed arena felt charged.
His stamina was something that stood out from the get-go, delivering every track with that signature Mika flair, accompanied by choreography and a live band that matched his energy – no mean feat.
The production leaned heavily into colour and movement, with swirling visuals and playful stage design that mirrored the tour’s theme of motion and momentum with nods to themes of LGBTQ+ rights.
ADVERTISEMENT
Working through this current album, and after a quick outfit change, we were treated to an a cappella intro to another classic, ‘Lollipop’ with Mika dressed in a full pink suit (and shoes).
Between songs, Mika’s easy rapport with the crowd added warmth and intimacy to the arena-sized performance.
ADVERTISEMENT
He shared anecdotes and playful banter, encouraging the crowd to sing along, uniting the fans.
Highlights included a rendition of ‘Grace Kelly’, which sparked one of the loudest reactions of the night, and a heartfelt performance of his more reflective ‘Happy Ending’ offered a welcome contrast to the glittering pop anthems.
Sam Fender to play TWO massive Etihad Stadium gig in Manchester next year
Daisy Jackson
Sam Fender has announced two massive stadium gigs in Manchester for next summer as part of a new UK tour.
The Geordie singer-songwriter will be performing at the Etihad Stadium in July 2027, along with huge venues in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, and Dublin.
He’ll also be performing two nights at St James’ Park in his home city of Newcastle.
Support on all of the UK stadium dates will come from the critically acclaimed British alt-rock band, Wunderhorse.
Sam Fender released his number one selling, critically acclaimed third album People Watching in 2025, which went on to earn him the 2025 Mercury Prize.
He debuted People Watching’s ‘Rein Me In’ alongside Olivia Dean at his London Stadium Show last summer, later releasing it and setting new records, with 23 non-consecutive weeks at number one.
Rein Me In featuring Olivia Dean became the longest running number one single in British history, and took the Brit Award for Song of the Year.
Sam Fender teased the announcement earlier this week on Instagram, with a video that showed him dressed as a Lord of the Rings character ‘lighting the beacons’ across the country.
Posters were also suddenly plastered all over Manchester, including taking over the biggest screen in the city at Victoria Warehouse.
The last time he performed here, it was a headline slot at the Live From Wythenshawe Park gig series, with support from Olivia Dean.
Sam Fender will perform at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on 15 and 17 July – tickets will go on general sale from 9.30am on Friday 30 October HERE.
You can also pre-order his fourth album to access ticket presales.
Sam Fender UK and Ireland tour dates in full
3 June – St. James’ Park, Newcastle
5 June – St. James’ Park, Newcastle
10 June – Principality Stadium, Cardiff
18 June – Wembley Stadium, London
20 June – Wembley Stadium, London
1 July – Marlay Park, Dublin
8 July – Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Sam Fender teases enormous stadium gig in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Sam Fender has teased a return to the live stage – and they’re set to be his biggest shows yet.
The Newcastle-born singer-songwriter released a Lord of the Rings-inspired skit video last night, which showed him taking on the role of Frodo Baggins.
He then lit ‘beacons’ at several stadiums around the UK and Ireland, including in Manchester and his home city of Newcastle.
The Mercury Prize-winning star last performed in our city last summer, when he headlined a night at Live From Wythenshawe Park 2025.
But now he’s teasing a show at the Etihad Stadium, which will be significantly larger.
Alongside his Manchester gig, Sam Fender seems set to announce stadium concerts at St James’s Park in Newcastle (where he performed three headline shows in 2025) Malahide Castle in Ireland, Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, Murrayfield in Edinburgh, and Wembley Stadium in London.
Posters have also popped up around Manchester city centre today ahead of the official announcement, which read ‘PROPER MASSIVE’.
Obviously, Sam Fender will be fitting his gig in around another rather large and already-announced tour at the Etihad Stadium, with Oasis already set to play a record-breaking 11 nights next June.
Aimee Woodcock -
12th February 2026 
