Revolutionary New Jersey singer and rapper Lauryn Hill made her show in Manchester a real family affair with support from her son Zion Marley.
‘The Celebration Continues Tour’ sees Ms. Lauryn Hill, alongside long-time industry friends and bandmates The Fugees, performing hits of the last few decades while raising a glass to her debut album ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ which turned 25 last year.
On Saturday night the tour landed at the massive Co-op Live arena in Manchester.
DJ Reborn built the atmosphere before Ms. Hill took to the stage. Playing a remix of Wonderwall by Oasis paired with Best I Ever Had by Drake, she really was combining tastes from the past and present.
Besides contributing to the success of one of the best-selling hip-hop groups of all time, Lauryn Hill also has an impressive roster of hits racked up in her solo discography too.
She made that clear with her bold entrance to Co-op Live with a dramatic version of ‘Everything is Everything’. The crowd were devoted subjects to their Queen.
Ms. Lauryn Hill playing a show to a full Co-op Live.The crowd being re-educated while celebrating 25 years of ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’. Credit: The Manc Group
Ms. Lauryn Hill performed her passionate album track ‘To Zion’ dedicated to her son before giving him the stage to captivate the audience with a collection of three reggae tracks.
The crowd were on a constant high throughout, as much as they were hyped for the visionary that is Lauryn Hill’s setlist, they gave Zion Marley the same energy too.
As the piano riff to her ground-breaking UK top three hit ‘Doo Wop (That Thing)’ started playing out to the Manchester crowd, everyone rises out of their seat like it’s time for the national anthem, and for Lauryn Hill fans… it is.
As she sings the infamous, ‘Guys you know you better watch out’, it’s not only the guys who need to be watching their backs for the R&B icon, as even a quarter of a century since the release of her sole studio album and magnum opus, she is showing modern-day singers who paved the way.
The setlist for this concert was packed with recognisable numbers and Wyclef Jean made an appearance to co-captain Hill as they performed a selection of The Fugees’ tracks. Hits like ‘Killing Me Softly’ and ‘Fu-Gee-La’ were among the many.
As Ms. Hill uttered the words ‘Ready or Not’ the crowd were louder than ever. She sings ‘Manchester you can’t hide you can’t run’ and why would we want to when we’re currently being blessed by the vocals of a 90’s icon?
Hill’s musicality has become much more than her 16-track album, she’s a mainstay in pop culture and has pioneered some of the biggest 21st century artists.
Canadian rapper Drake’s 2018 song ‘Nice For What’ samples the 1999 single ‘Ex- Factor’ while American R&B singer Kehlani has the album cover tattooed on her arm.
If you thought you could escape the female R&B and rap trailblazer, she’s made sure her legacy is continued through her bloodline with the prospects of her son and fellow recording artist YG Marley.
The 22-year-old prodigy has seen quite the success with the release of his reggae-fused melody ‘Praise Jah In The Moonlight’ across social media platforms.
Unfortunately, he was unable to attend but Ms. Hill made sure tonight was a real family affair by playing his hit through the speakers to close the show.
It’s clear that Lauryn Hill’s music has gone on to inspire not just her generation, but future ones too and with her son now making waves with Gen Z and beyond on TikTok.
Tonight has proven that Ms. Hill and The Fugees legacy and sound will never be forgotten.
Featured Image: The Manc Group
Audio
Country star Tyler Childers is coming to town for his biggest Manchester show to date
Danny Jones
US country music star Tyler Childers is returning to Manchester for his biggest ever show in this city, and tickets go on sale very soon.
Fresh off the back of his new album, Snipe Hunter – which was only just dropped back in July – the 34-year-old singer-songwriter is riding a fresh wave of excitement after years of hard work within the genre, mixing in plenty of classic bluegrass and folk into his modern take on the classic American sound.
As one of the most-streamed and well-respected contemporary country musicians on the scene right now, the Kentucky-born solo star and understated acoustic guitarist often falls into that category of your favourite artist’s favourite artist.
Now Tyler Childers is coming to our most legendary arena as part of his UK and European tour early next year, and we’ll certainly be queuing online for tickets.
As far as AO Arena shows booked in for the new year go, we’re very excited about this one.
His seventh studio album has been well-received by his die-hard followers and newcomers alike, delivering that same traditional Appalachian storytelling and hard-bitten humour, as well as plenty of attitude and anecdotal idiosyncrasies, not to mention plenty of vocal range as always.
Having not long come back from a pilgrimage to India, Lawrence County king teamed up with legendary producer Rick Rubin (along with some help from Sylvan Esso’s Nick Sanborn) to create one of his most eye-opening, broad and best records yet.
Post-release, the Associated Press went on to label him “one of country music’s most compelling and unpredictable artists”, and we tend to agree.
The LP immediately spawned plenty of fan favourites, and we certainly have ours – and the video has definitely had a hand in it:
It may just be his best work yet.
Experimenting with his current unique take on country rock sound more than ever, you couldn’t ask for a better time to go and see him live.
Once again, Tyler Childers comes to the AO Arena in Manchester on Sunday, 8 March 2026, with an official pre-sale available via Three+ from 9am on Wednesday, 10 September.
As for general admission, tickets go live at the same time on the following Friday (12 Sep); you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
We don’t know about you, but we’re very much enjoying our country moment at the minute…
Lil Baby cancels entire European tour including Manchester Co-op Live date
Daisy Jackson
A major act at Co-op Live has cancelled their gig today, just weeks ahead of their scheduled appearance.
Rapper Lil Baby has called off his entire European tour, which included a massive gig here in Manchester.
Fans have been notified via email that the shows will no longer be going ahead.
The Grammy award-winning artist was set to play the Co-op Live on Friday 26 September as part of his WHAM World Tour.
But Lil Baby will no longer be performing in Manchester – along with cancelled shows in London and across Europe – due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.
A statement from AXS sent to fans said: “The event organisers have been in touch to let us know that due to unforeseen circumstances, Lil Baby’s performance has now been cancelled.
“We will be automatically refunding your tickets to the method of payment you used to buy your tickets, so you don’t need to do anything further.
“Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
Lil Baby has released four chart-topping albums, with his seminal album My Turn going seven-time Platinum.
Fans have been voicing their dismay at the cancellation of the tour, with one writing on X: “All rappers do is cancel SMH. Lilbaby cancelled tour cba.”
Another wrote: “Why the hell has lil baby cancelled his show.”
Someone on TikTok said: “I woke up to this email now my day is ruined cos Wdymm.”
And someone else posted: “I PURPOSELY TOLD MY PEOPLE NOT GOING ON HOLIDAY FOR MY BDAY BECAUSE LIL BABY PERFORMING IN LONDON ON 27 THE NEXT DAY! FOR HIM TO CANNNNCEEELLLLL 2 WEEKS BEFORE.”
Thomas Melia -
14th October 2024 
