Didn’t get tickets for Oasis? How about we all just go see one of the best tribute acts in Manchester instead? Sounds like a plan, let’s do it.
Yes, unfortunately, one of the biggest downsides to one of the greatest bands of all time returning for a worldwide reunion tour is that, rather ironically, pretty much everyone on the entire planet wants a ticket.
The reality is that many of us Mancs and Oasis fans all over the country and the globe will sadly be missing out on the comeback gigs this summer. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on listening to the same iconic tunes as everyone else in a room full of other Britpop lovers.
After all, as we all know, seeing bands live is great and all that – but half the fun is jumping up and down like a loon with hundreds of other people, and these lads can certainly sort that.
🐝 Missed out on Heaton Park tickets? We've got you covered! (quite literally, this one's indoors 🌧)
That’s right, hailed as the UK’s ‘best and most authentic Oasis tribute band’, Oasi-is will be coming to the legendary Manchester Academy complex to give us locals the next best thing.
ADVERTISEMENT
Not only that but the highly celebrated impersonators and soundalikes will be playing the 950-cap venue on Friday, 11 July, i.e. the same night as Oasis‘ first of five hometown Manchester shows at Heaton Park.
To make things even more interesting and appealing to the die-hards who can’t be there for the real deal this summer, Oasi-is are the only tribute act to the 90s rock and roll stars that can boast using official Oasis equipment in their sets.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gig-goers will also be treated to authentic visuals and footage projected on the big screens behind them, and dedicated tour DJs to drum up an unrivalled recreation of their heroes, as well as shades and ‘Wellend’ haircuts so convincing you’ll soon forget it’s not the actual Gallagher brothers.
Aiming to mirror the ‘Live ’25’ tour shows as best as possible, you can expect all the classics and even a few curveballs from Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants and Dig Out Your Soul. Who knows? All we can guarantee is that we’d rather be here than just sit enviously watching clips of it at home come July.
We’re not forcing that familiar ‘no-Glasto fever’ on ourselves, we’re just going to make the best of it, thanks to Oas-is.
As if it wasn’t already a pretty great value-for-money gig, with general admission priced at just £20 (plus booking fees), you’ll also get to see an equally brilliant tribute band as well as a local legend for the support slots.
ADVERTISEMENT
Warming up the crowd will be the world’s premier Arctic Monkeys tribute act, Arctic Numpties, along with Manc DJ legend, Dave Sweetmore. That’ll do just fine.
Tickets are already on sale and it won’t surprise you to learn that, the genuine article or not, it’s selling really well because let’s be honest: we just want to spend the night singing our hearts out whilst jumping up and down to the hits with all our mates.
You can grab your tickets for the Oas-is’ ‘Same Hits. Same Night. Same City’ tribute show at Manchester Academy 2 HERE and, in the meantime, you might want to check out these fellow Oasis obsessives over in Japan too…
Salford Pride’s popular Pink Picnic returns this summer with ‘iconic’ headliners
Emily Sergeant
Boney M, The Cheeky Girls, and Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK stars are all on the lineup at Salford Pride’s popular Pink Picnic this summer.
As this summer marks 15 years of Pride in Salford, Salford Pride has announced a whole host of exciting events to celebrate – including the return of The Pink Picnic, its biggest family-friendly celebration yet, with headliners like 90s and 00s music icons, community talent, and even a ‘bigger and bolder’ Youth Zone for 2026.
Returning to Peel Park once again, The Pink Picnic brings together LGBTQ+ community, allies, families and friends for a day built around community, joy, and belonging.
For 2026, Salford Pride is expanding the experience further with even more to do across the park than ever before.
The Pink Picnic has been part of Salford’s Pride story since 2011, but this year’s 15th anniversary addition is set to be one for the history books, as alongside a headline lineup featuring Boney M, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’s Kyran Thrax and Paige Three, The Cheeky Girls, Big Brovaz, Booty Luv, and Baby D, a strong programme of community acts will also be spotlighted.
Some of the exceptional community acts already named on the lineup so far include Tallulah Guard, Fear of Marko, and John Tucker.
Across the day, visitors can also shop from dozens of community stalls and market traders, take part in or watch the much-loved annual dog show, and visit the ‘bigger and bolder’ Youth Zone that’s designed to help young people feel seen and celebrated.
“Celebrating 15 years of Pride in Salford feels really special, and we wanted 2026 to feel like a proper thank you to the community that’s built this with us” said Scott Turzański, who is the Head of Marketing and Brand at Salford Pride.
“The Pink Picnic is a family event – it’s welcoming, it’s joyful, and it’s about making space for everyone.”
The Pink Picnic returns to Peel Park in Salford next month on Saturday 13 June, and you can find out more and book tickets online here.
Featured Image – Salford Pride (via Facebook)
Audio
Donny Osmond books biggest-ever Manchester gig
Danny Jones
Iconic American singer and actor Donny Osmond has announced his biggest-ever Manchester concert as part of his upcoming ‘VIVA UK’ tour dates.
Bringing his famous Las Vegas residency show to Great Britain, where he has always had a fervent following, the younger Osmond brother will be making a venue debut over six decades into his career.
Famously part of the musical family who not only sang together but also saw multiple TV shows created in their name – including his very own spin-off, Donny and Marie – he’s been around longer than most in showbiz, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Confirming a whole new run of live dates across the country, Donny Osmond will be returning to Manchester early next year.
Writing on social media, the veteran entertainer said: “I’m so pleased to finally share the official 2027 UK tour dates with you.
“It always means so much to return to the UK – the audiences there have given me some of the most unforgettable moments of my career.”
As for here in our city, he last played Manchester back just a few short years ago at the AO Arena, selling out the 20,000-seater space on 29 November 2023.
Now, though, he’s upgrading to approximately 23k this time, with die-hard fans being encouraged to download his very own ‘Donny App’ to secure the earliest possible access.
Set to play Co-op Live for the very first time, we’d expect this one to sell equally well; you can see the rest of the shows listed so far down below.
Donny Osmond VIVA UK live tour dates 2027
We’ve highlighted all the Northern dates for you:
Wed, 20 Jan – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
Thurs, 21 Jan – Newcastle, Utilita Arena
Sat, 23 Jan – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena
Sun, 24 Jan 24 – Manchester, Co-op Live
Tue, 26 Jan 26 – Hull, Connexin Live
Wed, 27 Jan 27 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
Fri, 29 Jan 29 – Leeds, first direct arena
Sat, 30 Jan 30 – Birmingham, BP Pulse Live
Mon, 1 Feb – Cardiff, Utilita Arena
Wed, 3 Feb – Bournemouth BIC
Friday and Saturday, 5-6 February – London, Eventim Apollo
JUST ANNOUNCED: Donny Osmond Sunday 24 January 2027
Bringing the glamour, high-energy & excitement of his Las Vegas show. https://t.co/Y2sSdg01FV @coopuk members get first in line for tickets. Co-op Member Presale: 10:00 Wednesday 20 May General Sale: 10:00 Friday 22 May pic.twitter.com/i4v2ff7suA
Early access tickets for Donny Osmond’s VIVA UK tour will be available both via the app and the venue’s official Co-op membership, with the presale window opening at 10am on Wednesday, 20 May.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets will go live at the same time the following Friday (22 May), with VIP and hospitaity packages also on offer.
Danny Jones -
6th March 2025 
