Audio

New FREE Oasis exhibition showing never-before-seen photos opens in Manchester next week

Time to take a trip down music memory lane.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 26th June 2025

A new free photography exhibition showing never-before-seen pictures of Oasis fans from the 90s opens in Manchester next week.

With a sensational summer of sound now firmly in our sights, and right as Manchester gears up to welcome Oasis back home once again, the city’s iconic Kimpton Clocktower Hotel has announced a new free exhibition that’s set to take music fans a trip down memory lane.

Opening next Wednesday, Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 will showcase a series of exclusive photographs by renowned photographer, Jon Shard, to the public for the first time ever, opening the door to a world before online sales, dynamic ticket pricing, and frantically refreshing a website to get the hottest ticket in town. 

Renowned for his visually distinctive work across a number of fields, this was Shard’s first assignment for iconic music magazine NME.

The collection of photographs – which has been co-curated by the British Culture Archive – shows scenes of fans excitedly queuing up in the cold winter of 1996, hoping to get their hands on tickets for the band’s sold-out shows at Manchester City’s Maine Road stadium.

“Queuing in person had its charm,” admitted Jon Shard.

“I felt privileged to capture the dedication of fans willing to stay out all night and brave the cold. Getting the ticket was an event itself, almost a rite of passage for fans.”

Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 opens in Manchester for free next week / Credit: Kimpton Clocktower Hotel (Supplied)

Giving visitors a deeper insight into the world of sold-out shows, as well as the magic of Oasis and their music over the years, the new exhibition will also feature a ‘Fan Wonderwall’ with archive images from 1994-97 of fans attending gigs, spanning from pre-smart phone gig-videos, through to their latest performances. 

“It’s a privilege to play a part in the city welcoming the Gallagher brothers home,” commented David Lockhart, who is the General Manager of Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, ahead of the exhibition opening next week.

“The photographs by Jon Shard offer a glimpse into a defining moment in Manchester’s music history, and we’re proud to share this with our guests and the city.”

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Oasis Fans – 1994-1997 is open to the public from 7pm on Wednesday 2 July on the walls of Refuge at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel.

At to make it even more worth the trip, the first 50 visitors to the exhibition will also receive a free limited edition zine, so they can take a piece of Oasis history home with them.

Featured Image – Jon Shard (Supplied via Kimpton Clocktower Hotel & British Culture Archive)

Audio

Popular noodle bar Chopstix to host ALL-NEW live music event in Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Much-loved noodle box eatery Chopstix are hosting an all-new series of live music events, with the first kicking off at one of Manchester’s most popular venues.

Chopstix has become a foodie’s favourite in the city centre with its combo boxes and now they’re about to win over the music lovers thanks to these brand-new live-performances.

The Asian restaurant chain is launching ‘Red Box Live’,a first-of-its-kind music event series taking place in some of the UK’s best independent music venues,, and it kicks off at one of the city’s most beloved music venues, YES.

These events will see a rising star headline slot, DJ’s, free drinks and of course, food, because it couldn’t be a Chopstix party without some of its iconic flavour-packed boxes.

Chopstix are known for serving up flavoursome feasts in their combo boxes.
Chopstix is known for serving up flavoursome feasts in their combo boxes.
The Asian restaurant chain has chosen YES as the first spot for their 'Red Box Live' event.
The Asian restaurant chain has chosen YES as the first spot for their ‘Red Box Live’ event.
Credit: Supplied

Indie-pop artist Liang Lawrence is claiming the first headline spot and she’s definitely no stranger at frequenting some of the most famed stages in the country, having recently performed at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sefton Park on the BBC Introducing stage, following in the footsteps of Manc rap-talent Aitch.

The ‘Red Box Live’ music events build from the eatery’s previous music-focused series ‘Red Box Sessions’ which saw acts like Flames Collective and Grace Davies (X-Factor) in intimate studio sessions.

Rob Burns, Marketing Director for Chopstix, said: The launch of our brand new Red Box Live event series is incredibly exciting.”We’re bringing big, bold flavour and raw music talent together – serving up an unbeatable combo for our flavour craving crowd right here in Manchester.”

“We’re bringing BIG, BOLD flavour and raw music talent together – serving up an unbeatable combo for our Flavour Craving crowd right here in Manchester.”

Liang Lawrence will be performing at 'Red Box Live' organised by Chopstix.
Liang Lawrence will be performing at ‘Red Box Live’ organised by Chopstix.
There will be free food and live music at this exclusive event.
There will be free food and live music at this exclusive event.
Credit: Supplied

The first ‘Red Box Live’ is taking place on 16 July with a headline performance from Liang Lawrence at YES in Manchester. Doors open from 7pm with a DJ set, and tickets are available to win for free on Chopstix’s website.

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If you want to get in on the ultimate mix of banging beats and bold eats, you can enter our FREE ticket draw to win your way in HERE.

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

Featured Images – Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)

Audio

Diana Ross at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

It’s true, the Queen of Motown Records, Diana Ross, is coming to Manchester, and she’s bringing The Hallé Orchestra with her too.

Diana Ross and her band are making their way to Manchester for a night of glitz and glam, but they’re also making room for the much-loved Manc-based music collective

Much like collaborator and friend, Lionel Richie, who also paid a visit to Co-op Live earlier this month, Ross likes a bit of ‘Dancing On the Ceiling’ with her flipped-dance hit ‘Upside Down’.

You can expect this Pop and disco diva to perform lots of other timeless classics such as ‘I’m Coming Out’, ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’, ‘Chain Reaction’, she really is ‘The Boss’.

Diana Ross gig guide – everything you need to know

Diana Ross, her band and The Hallé Orchestra are coming to Co-op Live Manchester on 26 June.
Diana Ross, her band and The Hallé Orchestra are coming to Co-op Live Manchester on 26 June.
Credit: Crisco 1492 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Diana Ross UK tour dates

  • Sun 22 June – Birmingham, UK – bp pulse Live
  • Mon 23 June – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
  • Wed 25 June – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
  • Thu 26 June – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Sat 28 June – Leeds, UK – first direct arena
  • Mon 30 June – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
  • Wed 2 July – London, UK – The O2

Diana Ross tickets for Co-op Live gig

This living legend is a bucket list gig for many, but we’re sure if you’re fast enough, you’ll be able to secure a ticket for yourself and your ‘Baby Love’.

Any available tickets can be found HERE.

Diana Ross has racked up 58 Top 10 hits and we're sure she'll play a hefty amount of these at Co-op Live.
Diana Ross has racked up 58 top 10 hits and we’re sure she’ll play a hefty amount of these at Co-op Live.
Credit: DVROSS (via Flickr)

Diana Ross setlist

  • I’m Coming Out
  • More Today Than Yesterday
  • Baby Love
  • You Can’t Hurry Love
  • Come See About Me
  • Stop! In the Name of Love
  • Touch Me in the Morning
  • I’m Still Waiting
  • Chain Reaction
  • He Lives in You
  • Good Morning Heartache
  • Love Hangover
  • Ease on Down the Road
  • Home
  • The Boss
  • Endless Love
  • Reach Out and Touch
  • Upside Down
  • Tomorrow
  • Count on Me
  • Just in Case
  • If the World Just Danced
  • Why Do Fools Fall in Love
  • Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To)
  • Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
  • Amazing Grace
  • I Will Survive
  • Thank You

What are the stage times for Diana Ross in Manchester?

The supreme space that is Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, so you’ll be able to dance your socks off without having to ‘Stop! In the Name of Love’, while still making it back to bed before the early hours.

Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6:30pm with a kick-off time of 7:30pm and no official announcement regarding a support act.

How to get to Co-op Live

Tram

For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.

Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.

Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre, and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bus

You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.

Getting there by car and parking

If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.

The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.

Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:

  • Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
  • Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
  • Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.

There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:

  • Ashton Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
  • Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces

Walk/cycle

Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on 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. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.

For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.

This will be Diana's first time performing at Co-op Live in Manchester.
This will be Diana’s first time performing at Co-op Live in Manchester.
Credit: Crisco 1492 (via WikiCommons)

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

Featured Images — Publicity Picture (supplied)/Wikimedia Commons/Flickr

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