Pitbull has finally announced that he’s bringing his party to Manchester, days after he set London alight with a concert that has taken the internet by storm.
If you’re as chronically online as I am, you’ll have spent the last few days completely immersing yourself in Pitbull’s show at The O2, which looked, if I’m being completely honest, life-changing.
From the hordes of fans dressed like Pitbull (bald caps and goatees) to the backing dancers to the pyrotechnics to the inspirational speeches, this is a man who knows how to bring a party.
And now he’s bringing it to Manchester at last, with Pitbull announcing a massive gig at Co-op Live as well as a second London gig.
Tickets will be in demand, despite the price – it’ll cost £104.50 to go general admission standing.
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The global superstar, who’s behind hits like Fireball, Hotel Room Service and Give Me Everything, will be heading to town with his Party After Dark Tour.
The last time Pitbull graced the Manchester crowds was all the way back in 2018, so we’re well overdue the chance to yell TIMBERRRRR!! in the same room as him.
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As if his Latin charm wasn’t enough to have us weak in the knees, he’s bringing a special guest to select shows too, including Manchester.
And he’ll be joined by the equally legendary Shaggy, a multi-Grammy-award-winning dancehall and reggae icon.
Pitbull has announced a massive Manchester gig. Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Eva Rinaldi
Mr Worldwide himself is promising a high-energy show (again, the London one saw the entire arena boogying all the way into the nosebleeds) with pure party energy.
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Expect stunning visuals (and we don’t just mean Pitbull himself), explosive pyrotechnics, and an amazing performance from his band, The Agents, and dancers, The Most Bad Ones.
The expanded 14-city tour will kick off on 5 June in Dublin before heading to cities including London, Paris, Amsterdam, Prague, and Berlin.
Pitbull will perform at the Co-op Live Manchester on Sunday 8 June.
Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday 26 February at 9am with artist presale, before general sale begins on Friday 28 February at 9am – you can get your tickets HERE.
So go on, whack on your best bald cap, grab a pair of sunnies and get memorising all the states mentioned in ‘International Love’.
Yet another major Deansgate Locks nightlife spot has closed in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Deansgate Locks is set to lose yet another of its nightlife spots, with Ark confirming it will be shutting its doors ‘within weeks’.
The multi-room, multi-storey, multi-genre nightclub has been part of the canalside development for more than a decade, having first opened back in 2014.
At that time, Deansgate Locks was arguably Manchester’s leading nightlife destination, drawing hundreds of students and party-goers to its mix of venues.
The railway arches have been home to iconic clubs and bars including Baa Bar, Lola Lo, Revolution, and Sugar Buddha, as well as The Comedy Store.
But with news that Ark Manchester is closing too, it leaves only Popworld left at what was previously one of the city’s hottest destinations.
In a statement shared with the Manchester Evening News, a spokesperson for Stonegate said: “The hospitality sector continues to face significant challenges.
Ark Manchester will be closing for goodIt leaves Deansgate Locks with just one venue
“After careful consideration, and despite our best efforts, Ark Manchester is no longer commercially viable and we have taken the difficult decision to close the venue.
“Our priority is to support our hard‑working team during this time, and we would like to thank them for their commitment and dedication. We would also like to thank our guests and the local community for their support over the years.”
It’s believed that Ark Manchester will close on Deansgate Locks in the next few weeks.
The Streets announce big change for Castlefield Bowl gig in Manchester amid World Cup clash
Daisy Jackson
One of the biggest gigs taking place in Manchester this summer has announced a pretty major change to its plans.
The Streets are set to perform two nights at Castlefield Bowl this weekend, taking to the magnificent outdoor stage in the heart of the city.
But one of those shows happens to clash with a pretty major event – England’s quarter final World Cup match against Norway.
But The Streets have got the nation’s interests at heart, and have announced a plan to make sure fans can watch both their gig and the football.
Mike Skinner et al will be shifting their entire Saturday gig forward by a full hour, which means gig-goers should be able to escape Castlefield Bowl and peg it to the nearest pub in time for the footy.
“Fear not,” they wrote in an update on Instagram today. “Saturday’s show will begin early to accommodate England vs Norway at 10.”
It also means their support acts – Mancunian artist Antony Szmierek, and rap and grime MC CASISDEAD – will be playing an hour earlier than planned.
The Streets’ gig on Friday will remain at the time originally planned.
Doors to Castlefield Bowl will open earlier ahead of Antony Szmierek’s performance at the revised time of 5.50pm.
Then CASISDEAD will perform at 6.15pm, with The Streets on stage at 7.45pm.
Fans have been delighted with The Streets’ decision to move their Manchester Saturday show forward, with one writing: “THANK YOU CASTLEFIELD BOWL AND MIKEYYYY. We had a very difficult decision on our hands today, this is what dreams are made of. See you Saturday!!!!”
Many more are calling for the England games to be screened at Castlefield Bowl, but no plans have been confirmed for that just yet. Watch this space…
Thomas Melia -
25th February 2025 
