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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Manchester’s very own Interplanetary Criminal announces major headline Warehouse Project show
Daisy Jackson
Interplanetary Criminal will play a major headline show this autumn, taking the stage at Warehouse Project in his hometown.
Manchester’s very own rising star producer, who has been a driving force behind the global resurgence of UK garage, will play his biggest headline show to date.
Interplanetary Criminal will be joined by a huge line-up that includes ANZ, Joy Orbison, Jyoty, HAAi, and more.
He’ll be returning to his home city for a Warehouse Project gig on Saturday 10 October – his only Manchester appearance of the year.
As well as taking over the illustrious Depot Mayfield, including Depot, Concourse and Archive stages, there’ll be a special WHP Records takeover at the iconic Star & Garter pub too.
Manchester’s very own Interplanetary Criminal announces major headline Warehouse Project show
The line-up has been curated by Interplanetary Criminal himself and spans house, garage, techno and beyond, with a series of surprise B2Bs in the works too.
There’ll be key names on the bill like ANZ, Joy Orbison, Jyoty, DJ Seinfeld, HAAi and Skin On Skin, alongside a deep roster of emerging and established talent.
Pre-sale tickets for Interplanetary Criminal at Warehouse Project in Manchester go on sale from 10am on Thursday 30 April, priced at £35 plus booking fees – you can sign up HERE.
General sale is from 10am on Friday 1 May.
Interplanetary Criminal at Warehouse Project A-Z line-up
All-girl K-pop powerhouse aespa book MASSIVE Manchester arena show
Danny Jones
All-girl K-pop group, ‘aespa’, are coming to Manchester for some of their largest performances to date as part of a new global tour.
If you know anything about the K-pop scene, you’ll know that most acts are even bigger than you could ever imagine.
Manchester has gained a steady supply of gigs from artists within the genre over the past year or so, and now aespa are the latest to book the AO Arena for a headline show.
Rest assured, these tickets will fly…
aespa SYNK : COMPLæXITY
Catch the LIVE TOUR in Manchester at @AOArena on Thu 14th January 2027!
Register by [Wed 29 Apr at 6AM PT / 8PM CT / 9AM ET] for access to the artist presale: https://t.co/JuWFFMCE8Q
Dubbed the ‘SYNK : Complæxity World Tour’, this follows on from their last live iteration, ‘æXIS LINE’ shows, which began back in August 2025 and, technically, have only just ended this April.
As per an official press release, “Produced by Live Nation, the tour will bring aespa’s acclaimed live production and immersive performance experience to arenas across Asia, North America, Latin America, the UK, and Europe.”
There are actually just two shows in the entirety of Britain (the other being down in the capital), and Manchester has the good fortune of kicking off not only being the first of both, but the inaugural date of the entire European leg.
Consider us honoured.
Made up of a talented quartet – Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning, the rising South Korean stars – this female-led phenomenon is arguably one of the fastest rising acts in the world of K-pop.
Having now been to a couple of these shows for ourselves, we’re starting to understand that these artists might have some of the most passionate followings on the planet.
Kicking off the latest run of performances back in their home country’s capital of Seoul, they’ll hit multiple continents before wrapping things up in Paris.
aespa EU tour dates 2027
14 January – AO Arena, Manchester
16 Jan – London
19 Jan – Amsterdam
22 Jan – Stockholm
24 Jan – Copenhagen
26 Jan – Berlin
29 Jan – Milan
31 Jan – Barcelona
2 February – Paris
If you’re a fan or are interested in throwing your hat in the ring for a first K-pop gig experience, you can register by signing up for their exclusive pre-sale window.
As for general admission, tickets to see aespa at the AO Arena in Manchester will go live at 3pm on Wednesday, 6 May; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
Thomas Melia -
14th October 2024 
