Noel Gallagher will perform a headline set at a huge fundraising gala at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground next month.
The former Oasis star will be joining Jamie Carragher, Vernon Kay, Melanie C and more at the Football for Change event.
The inaugural fundraising gala took place last year in Liverpool and raised nearly £250,000, boosted by a lunch event with Sir Rod Stewart and Tom Grennan that raised a further £100,000.
It’s hoped that the huge cricket ground gig will raise even more money for the charitable initiative Football for Change, to help people affected by poverty.
Credit: Football for Change
The initiative has already sent more than 40 disadvantaged children to the USA on sporting and educational retreats, as well as distributing grants to organisations in the most deprived areas of the country.
Taking place on 22 September, the Football for Change gala will bring together performances from Spice Girl Mel C, Emeli Sande, and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.
Vernon Kay will host, while Sky Sports presenter Jamie Carragher holds a high-profile Q&A with a sporting superstar.
A major auction will also be held, with prizes donated by Robbie Williams, Sir Rod Stewart, Manchester United, Manchester City and Formula 1.
Credit: Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground
Jamie Carragher said: “It is amazing to have Noel and his band supporting Football For Change by playing at our annual fundraising gala next month. He is a music icon and we’re all looking forward to it.
“This event follows our launch in 2021 which was attended by our patron Sir Rod Stewart. It is going to be a great night.”
Dan Hughes, founder of the leading PR firm ThisGeneration, who launched the Football For Change initiative said: “Securing Noel Gallagher is a massive coup. This is a major homecoming for one of the world’s biggest music stars and his support will help improve the life chances of disadvantaged young people in the North West.”
Football for Change was launched by Jamie Carragher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Conor Coady last year with leading PR firm ThisGeneration Communications. Sir Rod Stewart is the official patron.
A number of football stars including Jude Bellingham, Lionesses hero Beth Mead, Jack Harrison and Gary Neville are also involved.
Gary Lineker is an ambassador too, alongside Steven Gerrard and Brazilian international Lucas Moura.
Football for Change aims to lift young people from disadvantaged backgrounds out of poverty with life-changing opportunities in education and employment.
The fundraising gala is being backed by Swinton Insurance, DAM Health, Together Money and Watches of Switzerland.
Olivia Dean has announced a special intimate show in Manchester
Danny Jones
Soulful singing sensation Olivia Dean has set the UK music scene alight by announcing a number of intimate shows up and down the nation, including one right here in Manchester.
The fast-rising solo artist, who blends everything from pop and jazz to neo-soul as well as R’n’B, is one of the best and up-and-coming artists in Britain right now, with her highly anticipated sophomore album, The Art of Loving, set to release at the start of autumn.
As well as releasing her smash hit new single ‘Nice To Each Other’, the 26-year-old recently delighted even more music fans by joining Sam Fender on stage in London for a live twist on his track ‘Rein Me In’, which was instantly adored by millions and has now been shared as an official studio version.
Safe to say she’s flying high right now, and the second LP isn’t even out yet, which makes this small handful of gigs even more special and tickets super sought-after.
Revealing just seven pared-back shows across the country, Olivia said on her socials: “The art of loving in person! We’re doing some intimate shows, playing some songs acoustically and talking about making the album”, which is due to release on Friday, 26 September.
Partnering up with music shop chain and independent artist champions Rough Trade for the event, she’s set to play the just over 500-capacity gem that is Manchester’s Gorilla.
Other gigs up north include Liverpool at The Jacaranda and over at The Wardrobe in Leeds, where beloved local legends Crash Records will be helping host the show.
With the debut single already out, along with an already viral music video and accompanying dance alongside it, there’s plenty of excitement surrounding this project.
We’d pay virtually anything to see Olivia Dean and a group of backing singers do this at an intimate gig in Manchester.
We think we speak for pretty much everyone when we say that not only are we excited to hear The Art of Loving once it’s out, but hearing it live and in this special acoustic format is sure to go down as one of those ‘I was there moments.’
Playing smaller acoustic album launch shows is nothing new, but they are sometimes the only chance fans will get to hear their favourite musicians play their songs in such a way, so Olivia Dean die-hards are understandably going to be scrambling for these tickets.
Once again, her second album is available to pre-order now, and tickets for her show on Friday, 19 September, will go live tomorrow (Wednesday, 5 June) at 10am.
You can get ready to grab yours HERE, and for now, why not read our review of the last time she came to Manchester for what was a truly magical headline slot?
Rising Manc star Lusaint and more to serenade cricket crowds at The Hundred 2025
Danny Jones
The Hundred crowds inside Emirates Old Trafford are in for a real treat as rising Manchester star, Lusaint, is set to join the lineup of live music acts playing the 2025 tournament.
We’re so excited about this up-and-coming local singer and the rest of the live music lineup on show at this year’s competition.
Ahead of the fast-paced, family-friendly format returning to Emirates Old Trafford this August, the bands and musicians offering yet more entertainment on matchdays have now been announced, along with details of more activities for all ages.
The Hundred Final at Lord’s in London will be headlined by solo singer, Perrie (a.k.a. Perrie Edwards, formerly of Little Mix), and the Manchester games are boasting some great names too.
In addition to Perrie, other big names signed up for 2025 are the likes of York four-piece Glass Caves, Bristol experimental live-looper, Bexx, as well as the best of soul and R’n’B in Brighton, Iyamah.
But we can’t lie, naturally, it’s all about whose playing The Hundred fixtures at Old Trafford that we’re most fussed about.
Following past years where the competition has seen the likes of Zara Larsson, Rudimental, Bastille and Jax Jones; Raye, Becky Hill, Everything Everything and Self Esteem, they’ve managed to pique our interest yet again.
Really channelling the platforming power of the BBC Introducing partnered stages for the latest edition, Lusaint was the first name to catch our attention for obvious reasons.
She featured on our Manchester artists of the month list not too long ago, and if you haven’t given her music a try before, now’s the perfect time before seeing her in person at The Hundred – worth the ticket price on her own, if you ask us.
Better still, she’s not the only name we’re excited about seeing this summer, as joining the live music lineup in Manchester is native hip-hop, grime, soul and afrobeats musician, Prido, whose storytelling style has been making waves not just within the genre but across the city.
For instance, his last live set for BBC Introducing at Reading Festival 2024 saw plenty of attention online, and he’s definitely one to watch, even if you don’t manage to catch him at the cricket. Aimei 媚 and Lowes complete this year’s lineup and are set to take the stage throughout August.
Manchester Originals women’s player Sophie Ecclestone said: “The live music at The Hundred is one of my favourite things about playing in the competition. It brings an extra element to The Hundred which is different to other forms of cricket.”
With early bird tickets available from just £5 for under 16s and for £17 adults, it’s no surprise that 9,000 have already been sold for the Originals‘ derby against Northern Superchargers on Sunday, 17 August.
You can find out more information on what else is in store at The Hundred 2025 beyond the live music lineup and grab your tickets for Manchester HERE.
You can read our review of her recent show HERE.PerriePridoJust some of the names that make up The Hundred live music lineup for 2025. (Credit: Press shots/Audio North)
Daisy Jackson -
17th August 2022 
