Noah Kahan, the man behind the folk-pop obsession sweeping the music scene right now had every single corner of Europe’s biggest indoor arena, Co-op Live, singing every word back at him last night.
The Grammy-nominated chart-topping overall-wearing ukulele-playing superstar has been on the up and up for the past couple of years since his viral sensation ‘Stick Season’, and his cult following is only growing.
Not taking the traditional route of songs about heartbreak (well not all of them anyway), his music addresses bigger topics like mental health and self image. And despite one popular song literally being about decomposing bodies being eaten by worms, his lyrics resinate with his audience in a way unique to his fellow popular artists.
The singer sold out the 23,500 capacity venue in one of the final shows of his “We’ll All Be Here Forever” World Tour. As my first time seeing the new arena in all of its glory i have to say it’s very impressive, particularly the fact that the seats have cup holders – truly revolutionary.
Noah Kahan performing two acoustic songs at Co-op Live. Credit: The Manc GroupCredit:Luke Brewin
Supporting Kahan was an artist on her own fast-track path to super stardom, Maisie Peters. Just days away from supporting the queen herself, Taylor Swift, at Wembley Stadium the talented singer got the audience going with a medley of top hits from her album ‘The Good Witch’. The blonde pocket rocket is one to look out for, and trust me ladies if you’re reading this in the depths of heartbreak this album is just what you need.
ADVERTISEMENT
Spot on nine o’clock, and I’m a real stickler for punctuation, the band appeared on the stage followed by Noah and they dived straight into a crowd favourite ‘Dial Drunk’. Now I won’t be the only person in that room hoping for a surprise appearance from Post Malone but even without the tattooed American hunk it was the performance to get the evening going.
Not only an incredible lyrisct, a lot needs to be said for Kahan’s vocals because wow can that man sing. What was even more impressive was his ability to take on a such a huge venue but make the show feel so intimate, the sea of fans hanging on to every vulnerable lyric.
Noah Kahan performing at Co-op LiveCredit:Luke Brewin
The Vermont-born singer-songwriter made his way through more popular songs, next with ‘New Perspective’ and ‘Everywhere, everything’ which I’ll be honest with is when the tears started for me. Fans were then pleasantly surprised by a performance of one of the singer’s original songs, ‘False Confidence’ and seemed equally surprised by how many people were his day ones.
After a few emotional acoustic moments and a lot more bangers, 21 songs in total which was a real treat, Noah teased us all with an abrupt ending before springing back on stage for ‘The View Between Villages’ and of course the viral sensation ‘Stick Season’.
ADVERTISEMENT
And with that, a few tears and a lot of confetti the evening came to an end and I can’t imagine anyone could have a bad word to say about the evening. As someone who has been a fan of Noah Kahan for years it’s amazing to see someone with such genuine talent climb so quickly to the top and I can’t wait to see what he does next.
As we left the arena, Chappell Roan’s ‘HOT TO GO!’ blasted out getting everyone doing our generations version of the ‘YMCA’ ending the night on a high. Nice touch Co-Op Live.
Audio
Extra date added for festive screening of The Holiday with live orchestra in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
You can watch The Holiday on a big screen with a live orchestra playing the soundtrack in Manchester this Christmas.
The Holiday is one of the best-loved Christmas films of all time.
In case you haven’t got around to watching it before, the 2006 romcom directed and produced by Nancy Meyers stars Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law, and Jack Black, and tells the story of how two women, who have never met and live 6,000 miles apart, find themselves in the same exact place in life.
They meet online through a home exchange website, and impulsively switch homes for the holiday.
Shortly after arriving at their destinations, both women find the last thing either wants or expects – a new romance.
An extra date has been added for a festive screening of The Holiday with live orchestra in Manchester / Credit: Universal Pictures
Since its release nearly two decades ago, watching The Holiday has become an annual tradition for millions worldwide every time the festive season rolls around – but how would you like to watch this classic in the most magical way possible? Streamed live onto a big screen in the theatre with a complete concert orchestra playing its soundtrack by the legendary Hans Zimmer? Well now you can this Christmas.
After a sell-out run in 2023, The Holiday In Concert will be going on a 16-date tour across the UK again this November and December, and will be taking place in the some of the country’s greatest concert halls – including The Bridgewater Hall here in Manchester.
The in-concert experience with a full orchestra and cinema-size screen is described as being an “incredibly unique” and “immersive” way to experience this cult-classic film.
JUST ANNOUNCED // Due to popular demand, The Holiday in Concert returns to the Hall on Monday 23 December for an extra date! Enjoy Hans Zimmer's score played live-to-film by a stunning full concert orchestra 🎼 Tickets on sale Friday 13 September 10am. ℹ https://t.co/TslToqd32Apic.twitter.com/5WpA6X5vQ2
Due to overwhelming demand for the Manchester show on Friday 6 December, a second date in our city has now been added to the tour’s run on Monday 23 December, and tickets for the new show are on sale at 10am tomorrow (Friday 13 September).
Liverpool, York, and Sheffield are some of the other northern English cities forming part of the tour, while the show will also be staged in London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Swansea, and more.
New Haçienda book to be launched with event featuring all-star guest speaker lineup
Thomas Melia
A launch party is taking place for an exciting new collaborative book about an iconic Manchester nightclub venue.
New Century Hall is going to be hosting a one-of-a-kind event for a book written exclusively about Manchester’s clubbing epicentre, The Haçienda.
This new publication by Rebecca Hook will explain what the atmosphere of the famous nightclub was like from the perspective of everyone who was there at the time.
From performers and staff, to clubgoers themselves, The Haçienda: Threads features excerpts from well-known musicians like Happy Mondays’ Bez, and The Stone Roses’Mani, as well as a foreword from New Order bassist, Peter Hook.
In its heyday, the legendary nightclub – which was founded Factory Records’ Tony Wilson, music manager Rob Gretton, and new-wave band New Order – saw performances from a long list of music giants, as well as being the venue for Madonna’s first UK performance, and three-time performers, Manchester band The Smiths.
A new Haçienda book will be launched with an event featuring an all-star guest speaker lineup / Credit: Supplied
The Haçienda also became a pioneer with the growth of the ‘Madchester‘ movement, thanks to its Ibiza Nights which ran in the late 80s.
Oasis played this revolutionary venue in 1984 to celebrate the release of their debut album Definitely Maybe – with Noel Gallagher becoming a frequent visitor to the club when he wasn’t performing, hence why he’s set to be one of the guest speakers at the book launch event next month.
The launch party is taking place on Wednesday 9 October, and has an exciting timetable planned for the evening once doors open at 6pm.
Programming for the night includes welcome cocktails upon entry, an ‘In Conversation’ segment, a book signing, and then it’s all up to the DJ’s to soundtrack the rest of your night from 9pm until closing.
Throughout the night, there will be guest speakers reminiscing the legacy of The Haçienda – with the likes of Graeme Park, Peter Hook, Mani, Greg Wilson, as well as Noel.
If you want to relive the good old days of the legendary nightclub, you can get your hands on tickets to the launch event here.
Abbie Bartlett -
14th August 2024 
