Two more massive gigs have just been announced at Robin Park in Wigan, with both Noel Gallagher and The Lathums gigging on home turf.
There’ll be five huge shows at the new 11,500-capacity home of Wigan Warriors across the summer of 2024.
Also announced already are gigs from James Arthur, and two nights for Richard Ashcroft.
Noel Gallagher‘s High Flying Birds will be headlining on Thursday 18 July, following the release of their fourth studio album, Council Skies.
The band, fronted by the former Oasis legend, also sold out a huge homecoming gig at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Park last August bank holiday weekend.
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Opening the run of gigs at Robin Park will be former X Factor champion James Arthur, who has scored four top 10 albums, and collaborated with the likes of Anne-Marie, Sigala, Rudimental, Marshmello and many more.
Up next will be Wigan locals The Lathums, with their biggest headline show to date on Friday 19 July.
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They’ll be supported by very special guests Jake Bugg and Brooke Combe, in an emotional, celebratory homecoming that will show off their two chart-topping albums in the town they grew up in.
The Lathums will also play Robin Park in Wigan. Credit: Ewan OgdenRichard Ashcroft announces first Wigan homecoming show in 25 years. Credit: Supplied
Richard Ashcroft closes the series, in his first Wigan gig in over 25 years, which has driven such demand that a second date has been added.
He said: “After 25 years, I’m back playing in my hometown. Looking forward to an amazing night in Wigan.”
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Wigan’s musical history ranges from the emergence of George Formby in the 1930s to being the beating heart of the Northern Soul scene, and also the town which created 90s Britpop legends The Verve.
Now it will build on its legacy with a new summer gig series at the multi-million pound Robin Park, built in association with Wigan council.
Located next to The DW Stadium, Robin Park is just a 20 minute walk from Wigan town centre, and Wigan North Western train station.
Live at Robin Park 2024 gigs and tickets
Wednesday 17 July – James Arthur + special guests – Tickets on sale Friday 8 December at 9am here
Thursday 18 July – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds + special guests – Tickets on sale Friday 8 December at 9am here
Friday 19 July – The Lathums + special guests Jake Bugg and Brooke Combe – Tickets on sale Friday 8 December at 9am here
Saturday 20 July + Sunday 21 July – Richard Ashcroft + special guests – Tickets here
Featured image: Matt Crockett
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Reggae legends UB40 announce massive Manchester arena gig
Danny Jones
UK reggae icons UB40 have just announced a massive run of domestic arena dates, including a huge show at an equally legendary venue here in Manchester.
The Brummy veterans of the British reggae and ska scene have been going for more than four decades now, blending both pop and rocksteady styles, as well as other Caribbean influences into their music.
A cult favourite group since their inception, whose lineup has always remained fluid – sometimes featuring more than nine different musicians on stage – they’re known for their brilliant live sets just as much as their studio material.
Started by the Campbell family, there might not be many founding members left now, but with American actor and singer Matt Doyle now serving as the modern lead singer since 2021, there’s still plenty of energy, youth and experience to their spirited gigs.
Revealing a return to Manchester and yet another trip to the AO Arena on Monday morning, 3 November, UB40 have also confirmed that former frontman Ali Campbell will be back on the road with them once again next summer.
While the 66-year-old hasn’t strictly ‘reunited’ with the group, he does star as the main featured artist on the upcoming 2026 tour.
He will also be joined by R’n’B/reggae-fusion artist Maxi Priest, as well as fellow contemporaries, Aswad – another seasoned act who have been making music in the genre and performing live since 1975.
Speaking on the comeback, co-founder Robin Campbell said: “For more than 40 years, we’ve been one of the hardest working touring bands in pop music.
“We aim to have a party every show. As much as we enjoyed our Zoom chats [about more shows] during lockdown, there’s no substitute for the relationship and synergy we have with our live audiences.”
Dropping a definitive UB45 compilation featuring their greatest hits back in April 2024 – and celebrating as many years in their recording career – UB40 are also set to release another new album next year, in line with the fresh UK tour dates.
We’re pleased to announce our June, 2026 UK Arena Tour with special guests @MaxiPriest & @aswadband! Sign up to our newsletter via the link below for more info on how to access the ticket pre-sale and to find out more about how to pre-order our new studio album coming in 2026.
Five Greater Manchester-based artists we’ve been listening to this month | October 2025
Danny Jones
Surprise, surprise, it’s that time again: we’re rounding up the best music from in and around Greater Manchester that we’ve been listening to over the past few weeks, and this month’s been a belter.
In fact, we actually got a lot of our favourite stuff of late all in one day, and that just so happened to be Halloween 2025, a.k.a. one of the best new music Fridays we’ve had in ages.
We had a few new releases on our radar come 31 October, and they didn’t disappoint, with regional artists both new and old dropping some tasty new material.
So, without further ado, here is the Greater Manchester-based music we’ve been enjoying recently.
Music from in and around Manchester we’re listening to lately
1. Richard Ashcroft
Where else to start than with the man of the moment, in our opinion: the almighty Richard Ashcroft, who recently came back to not only the live circuit in the biggest way as the main support act on the Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour, but who finally returned with new music since 2018.
Releasing his seventh studio album, ‘Lovin You, this October, we’ll admit that we much prefer his classic Britpop style to the few attempts at more modern poppy rock on the record, but the second you get onto the second track ‘Out Of These Blues’, you know that his timeless sound hasn’t depreciated one bit.
Now 54 and a music industry veteran, we still firmly believe he’s one of our greatest artists and songwriters. We’d recommend ‘Find Another Reason’ and ‘Heavy News’ off the new LP, as well as ‘All My Dream’ for old time’s sake. All hail “King Richard” and here’s to more long-overdue recognition for Wigan‘s finest.
We never tire of ‘They Don’t Own Me’, nor listening to the Oasis that pays tribute to him, either.
2. The Charlatans
From one local icon to another legendary British band with deep roots here in Manchester. This year’s big music story may have been the Oasis reunion, but there’s another band of Britpop/Madchester survivors that recently reared their heads again, too, and that’s The Charlatans.
Led by frontman Tim Burgess, the veteran alternative band always had one foot in the indie side of the Manc music scene, meanwhile keeping the other in the more psychedelic sub-section of UK rock, and nothing has changed with this satisfying return.
Even from the instantly recognisable and heavily processed keys in lead single ‘Deeper Deeper’, you’re immediately reminded of ‘The Only One I Know’, and the title track of their first new album since 2017, ‘We Are Love’, is one of the best in years; ‘You Can’t Push The River’ is also a quiet delight.
It’s good to have you back, lads. (Credit: Cat Stevens)
3. The Maple State
Now, this is a band that we always felt never really got the recognition back in the day, but since they’ve also been on an understated comeback trail of their own, we’d like to think they’ve picked up a few new fans – and that’s part of the reason they’re included this month, because they deserve it.
We’d argue that The Maple State never quite fully took off because the emo/American-influenced scene here in Greater Manchester didn’t either; back in 2004, when the band was formed by two brothers and some school friends who started playing regularly in college, it was still mostly a transatlantic export.
Either way, we always had a soft spot for this unsung act that tried appealing to fans of that style over here, and their debut album, At Least Until We’ve Settled In, became a cult favourite of some famous names. ‘Temperate Lives’ is a timeless track for us, and we love ‘Canonball’ from their long-overdue 2018 follow-up, but we couldn’t be happier to hear them back in the studio again. Hear more below.
4. Westside Cowboy
Speaking of US influences, one group that has arguably benefitted from that same climate shifting over the years is the hugely exciting Westside Cowboy. As a kid who grew up somewhat awkwardly straddling a love for the big bands in the States and our domestic rock artists, the ‘Britainicana’ movement is right up my street.
Delivering the exact kind of sound you’d expect with a name like that – blending those more American, perhaps even ‘Midwest emo’ sounds with more familiar UK vibe and context – this isn’t a culture clash: it’s a contrast that really works and we’re hoping to see more of, with the guys at the forefront.
Expect twangy, metallic guitar riffs, staccato snares mixed in with marching drum patterns that steadily build behind the joint vocals of their different vocalists and more. Our favourite songs so far include ‘Don’t Throw Rocks’, ‘Drunk Surfer’, and ‘I’ve Never Met Anyone I Thought I Could Love (Until I Met You)’. How very 1975 of you, WC.
Last but not least, this one is almost more of a special mention as they’re more North West than Manc per se, but they’re only based down the road in neighbouring Warrington; plus, since we’ve already written about other bands from Cheshire and other nearby outposts, we’re making an exception.
‘Why so keen to include them…’, you ask? Well, for one, they’re so bloody brilliant we couldn’t not talk about them, and two, they already have strong roots here in Manchester. Besides, regularly visiting and performing here, they recorded their first-ever EP in our city and even feature a tram on their single art.
Speaking of their material, Gustaffson‘s debut album, Black & White Movie, was even produced by Elbow’s very own Craig Potter, which only reinforces that local connection further. The LP itself has soulful notes similar to The Teskey Brothers and St Paul and the Broken Bones, and really is a joy from start to finish – get a load of their latest track, which was also recorded and visualised in Manchester:
A soulful, funk throwback with contemporary blues and a dancey feel. What a vibe.
We hope you give this October’s round-up of new Greater Manchester music a go and find these names in your rotation for months to come.
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As always, the best part about doing this is sharing artists people may not have heard yet, so please feel free to ping your own suggestions our way.
You’ll find us here again the same time next month, but until then, why not check out September’s picks?
Daisy Jackson -
4th December 2023 
