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Pet Shop Boys named amongst latest wave of unreal acts set to play MTV EMAs at Co-op Live

It's going to be a huge week for the city.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 30th October 2024

Synth-pop legends Pet Shop Boys are among the latest names to have been added to the artists set to play the MTV EMAs in Manchester next month.

The 2024 MTV EMAs ceremony is coming to the state-of-the-art Co-op Live arena, the biggest indoor entertainment venue of its kind in Europe, for its Manchester debut on 10 November and the lineup of performers and presenters has already pricked up our ears.

Raye, Shawn Mendes and Teddy Swims are just a few of those previously announced, so we were pretty happy to begin with, but now the English duo and 1980s are in the mix we’re starting to get very excited.

Make way, Mancs, because the Pet Shop Boys and their ‘West End Girls’ are coming our way – they’re not the only ones either…

Confirming the news on Wednesday afternoon, MTV revealed that not only will Pet Shop Boys be performing on the highly-anticipated night, but they will also be joined by the likes of K-pop girl group, Le Sserafim and Mexican musician, Peso Pluma.

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Perhaps most excitingly, these new additions will also be joined by South African pop and R’n’B star: the new ‘Queen of Popiana’ herself, Tyla.

The 22-year-old amapiano singer – best known for her breakthrough single ‘Water’, which was an instant hit on the radio, and online and even spawned a viral TikTok dance craze – hasn’t performed in Manchester before given her career is still in its early days

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Make no mistake either way, she’s one of the fastest-rising acts on the planet right now and it’s a really big get for the 30th year of the annual award ceremony.

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Once again, the 2024 MTV EMAs in Manchester take place on Sunday, 10 November, where huge stars like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Beyoncé and more are all nominated, not to mention names like Pet Shops, Boys, Tyla and Raye will all be performing.

In the build-up to the big day, the city is also set to be treated to a massive week-long takeover of local music venues to help celebrate the occasion.

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Audio North is even hosting an exclusive competition for win tickets, a hotel stay and more ahead of the event, but entry runs out this Thursday, 30 October, you best enter quickly!

If you’ve still not made it to Manchester’s game-changing new live music venue, believe us, you’re about to be blown away…

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Eva Rinaldi/Anirudh Koul/VOGUE Taiwan (via Wiki Commons)/The Manc Group

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A 5k charity event where runners dress up as Pitbull is coming to Manchester city centre

Danny Jones Danny Jones Pitbull fancy dress 5k charity run Manchester

Yep, you read it right the first time – a regular 5k charity run returns to Manchester this month, only this time, those taking part will be dressed up as Pitbull for some reason…

Don’t ask us, we just thought it was funny and it’s for a good cause, so why the hell not?

For a little context, this is the latest idea from Slow Run Club: a local running organisation that takes place weekly at three different locations across Greater Manchester.

We know ‘Mr Worldwide’ himself has been and gone, having played a couple of nights in Manchester earlier this year, but these lot have decided two nights of yelling ‘Timberrrr’ still wasn’t quite enough and asking those joining the October fundraising 5k to dress up like the one and only Pitbull.

In case you missed it when ‘Dale’ fever took over the city streets this past summer, bald caps, sunglasses, black felt goatees and drawn-on moustaches descended upon central Manchester as they have been all over the UK and beyond for his live shows.

Was it utterly daft? Yes. Was it still one of THE best gig crowds we’ve seen in yonks? Absolutely.

The 44-year-old Floridian rapper and resurgent pop star played multiple nights at the Co-op Live, and they were brilliant, but we’re not going to pretend that the best wasn’t seeing the sea of shiny bald heads and shades in suits and ties.

It’s rare that you see such a shared moment of abandoning inhibitions and embracing the silliness; it was genuinely so great to see, and it’s that same energy that these guys are trying to tap into. Put simply, it’s about letting go and dancing like no one’s watching.

Teaming up with fellow charity-focused running group, Run The Streets MCR, Slow Run Club (SRC)’s Pitbull fancy-dress-themed run is just the latest in a growing trend of alternative ways to get some exercise in.

You can ‘run and rave’ as part of this new charity-driven social in Manchester city centre
After you’ve gone all ‘305’ at the Pitbull run, these Manchester runners are worth looking into as well.

Having done everything from the regular fancy dress Halloween runs to Oasis, Sabrina Carpenter, ABBA-themed runs, and many more, you’d be surprised how much you don’t care about what people think when you’re running around and dancing to tunes – especially when it’s for charity.

Once again, the Slow Run Club x Run The Streets MCR ‘Pitbull Edition’ 5k charity run takes place this month on Wednesday, 22 October, from 6:30pm onwards outside The Tap House on Circle Square, just off the Oxford Road Corridor, before setting off at a laid-back social pace.

This is the same place and time you’ll find SRC’s city centre regular meet-up every week; speaking to The Manc, founder Holly Spiers said: “We run from The Taphouse every Wednesday (just not usually dressed as Pitbull) and offer an inclusive pace as well as rest stops.”

Speaking of fancy dress, if you haven’t seen the group of four mates who made history at the 2025 Manchester Half, stop what you’re doing and read this:

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Audio North/Slow Run Club MCR

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Courteeners set for huge hometown event at Wythenshawe Park in Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones

The latest artist due to play Wythenshawe Park has been announced, with hometown heroes Courteeners set to take the stage in Manchester.

Now that is a big booking.

The Middleton-formed Manc band remain one of the biggest contemporary names to come out of Greater Manchester, and having already played to record-breaking crowds at Heaton Park, Old Trafford, and most venues in the region over the last two decades, this is just the next one to tick off.

Better still, they’re bringing some brilliant acts along with them for Live From Wythenshawe Park 2026, with the one-day festival becoming more established every year.

Who is supporting Courteeners at Wythenshawe Park?

As well as openers, Getdown Services and Girl In The Year Above, who’ll be representing Bristol and the Irish delegation respectively, there’s no chance of the warm-ups not doing their job before the headliners get underway.

The two big support acts scheduled to join the St. Jude stars for the massive outdoor gig are none other than Merseyside veterans, The Coral, as well as fellow indie favourites, The Vaccines.

Get. IN.

As if that lineup wasn’t already one of the best Live From Wythenshawe Park has seen to date, the latter are set to play their debut album, What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?, in full – 2026 marks a whole 15 years since it was first released, if you can believe that.

You won’t be surprised to hear that their headline UK tour celebrating the same milestone has sold out pretty much across the board, with a second Manchester date added AND now an extra chance to see them live supporting Courteeners.

General admission for the show goes on sale 10am on Friday, 24 October 2025, with tickets available via Gigs and Tours.com as well as Ticketmaster; Courtneers are also donating £1 from every ticket sold directly to the Music Venue Trust, the UK charity protecting and improving grassroots music venues.

That’s what we like to hear.

Contributions like this really do go on to help keep local venues open, support up-and-coming new artists on tour, not to mention it serves as an investment in the future of live music in what is an increasingly challenging industry.

With Courteeners set to follow another big and even more iconic indie rock band already confirmed, Live From Wythenshawe Park 2026 is shaping up nicely.

The Cure announce outdoor summer gig at Wythenshawe Park in Manchester
You can get ready to grab your tickets to both HERE.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)

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