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.
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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’.
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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.
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Popular grassroots music festival to return to hidden Manchester street with new fringe events
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s much-loved grassroots music festival is back next month, and this year, there’s some new fringe events too.
Set across a handful of popular venues up on Deansgate Mews – including The Lion’s Den, Low Four Studios and The Mews Bar – Deansgate Mews Festival is returning for its sixth year this late May bank holiday weekend.
More than 40 music artists will be performing on a mix of outdoor and intimate indoor stages.
But that’s not all, as in what’s set to be an exciting new chapter for 2026, the festival is expanding beyond its core programme with the launch of the first-ever Mews Fest Fringe too.
Popular grassroots music festival Mews Fest returns this late May bank holiday / Credit: Supplied
The inaugural Mews Fest Fringe will be hosted in a large unit within Great Northern Warehouse, which will be transformed into a ‘vibrant’ hub celebrating music, art and independent culture.
Designed as a platform for Manchester’s creative community, the festival space will welcome artists, designers, collectors, and creative entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their work while connecting with festival-goers.
At the Fringe event, you can expect everything from record sellers and vinyl collectors, to vintage clothes, arts and crafts makers, independent creatives, and even bands selling merchandise.
This year there’s also the addition of the Mews Fest Fringe / Credit: Supplied
Already known for its strong grassroots ethos and growing reputation, Mews Fest continues to champion local talent and independent culture – but now with the addition of the Fringe event, the stage is set for its most ‘ambitious and inclusive’ edition to date.
Oh and the best bit? Both festivals will be free to attend, with no need to book tickets beforehand.
Mews Fest and Mews Fest Fringe will take over Deansgate Mews next month on late May bank holiday weekend from Friday 22 – Monday 26 May.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Fans stunned as indie band The Reytons announce Co-op Live gig
Daisy Jackson
The Reytons have just announced their biggest shows to date – and fans can’t quite believe the size of venue they’ve gone for in Manchester.
The indie group will be playing at Co-op Live later this year as part of their very first world tour.
It’s comfortably the biggest indoor music venue in the UK, and will be the largest gig on the entire tour, which also includes shows at Alexandra Palace, plus venues across North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
The Reytons have most recently been out touring with a headline slot at Tramlines Festival in Sheffield, as well as pulling Gary Neville up to play with them on stage.
The Rotheram-formed group recently announced their fourth studio album ‘A Love Letter To A Broken Town’ – due for release in July.
Frontman Jonny Yerrell said: “I honestly feel like this album is the best we’ve ever done!
“A lot of bands and artists like to change direction later in their careers, but that’s just not us. We absolutely love the style of music we make, the social commentary aspects and the people who turn up to jump around with us. Why would we change?
“Expect more, just bigger and better with a few surprises on the side!”
This latest announcement for The Reytons sees them booking an incredibly ambitious jump in venue size – the 23,500 capacity Co-op Live, compared to last year’s 5,000 capacity Aviva Studios.
And now a load of fans are bickering online about whether they’ll be able to sell it out, with one person writing: “Everyone said they wouldnt sell out sheffield arena, clifton park, tramlines or wembley arena… they sold out all 4. I know 3 are local shows but people will travel to see them as well as proven by the Wembley gig.”
Another said: “People will follow them, doesn’t matter where they go. When it sell out, ill make sure to come let you know.”
Even their own press release described it as an ‘against all odds’ rise to success, describing the band as ‘UK music’s biggest underdogs’.
Tickets for The Reytons world tour, including their Co-op Live gig in Manchester, will go on sale at 10am on Friday 24 April HERE.
Abbie Bartlett -
14th August 2024 
