Legendary band Pixies have announced a brand new global tour to mark an incredible landmark anniversary, and will be coming to one of our favourite Manchester venues.
The Boston rock icons are celebrating 40 years as a band in 2026, and as part of the newly announced ‘P40’ world tour, they have revealed a run of European dates and a dedicated leg of live gigs right here in the UK.
In terms of dates here in England, the Manc show is also one of just three, so count yourselves lucky.
With a fandom as die-hard as the one they’ve maintained for going on 40 years, you can expect this one to sell out rather quickly.
P40 • Celebrating 40 Years of PIXIES
2026 marks the 40th year since the bands formation.
In celebration we're pleased to announce that we're heading back on the road. Announcing the first of many tour dates for next year.
The major live plans will see founding members Black Francis, Joey Santiago and David Lovering, as well as bassist Emma Richardson, visit Britain, Ireland and beyond – including their very first performance at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall.
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Seems hard to believe given their legacy, right?
As for the Manchester date, Pixies will be playing at our leading city centre arts and cultural venue, Aviva Studios, located right next to the banks of the River Irwell.
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Not only a thriving live music space, but the home of Factory International’s hub here in Greater Manchester, it’s fast become one of our favourite places to watch a gig.
You can find the rest of the P40 UK/EU live shows down below.
Pixies’ 40th anniversary tour UK and Europe dates
20 May – Barbican, York
21 May – Alhambra theatre, Dunfermline
25 May – Aviva Studios, Manchester
28 May – Royal Albert Hall, London
31 May – Live at the Castle, Limerick
2 June – Olympia, Dublin
30 June – Zitadelle Spandau, Berlin
1 July – Parkbühne Clara-Zetkin-Park
2 July – myticket Jahrhunderthalle, Frankfurt
14 July – Parco Della Musica, Milan
17 July – Maassilo, Rotterdam
18 July – Muziekcentrum, Enschede
19 July – PLT, Heerlen
This announcement comes amid their ongoing worldwide tour, which kicked off back in August and wraps up this November.
Not only is it approaching four whole decades since their formation as a band, but it’s also 35 years since their groundbreaking Platinum-certified third album, Doolittle, and the 20th anniversary of their reunion at Coachella.
Commenting underneath the post, Factory International‘s official account replied: “Cannot wait to welcome you to Manchester.”
Tickets go on sale this Friday, 26 September at 10 – get ready to grab yours HERE.
Another groundbreaking group of musicians are celebrating the exact same milestone this year and couldn’t resist booking a Manchester date either.
DMA’s confirm highly anticipated Hills End 10th anniversary tour dates
Danny Jones
Indie favourites DMA’s have finally confirmed their highly anticipated Hills End anniversary tour, celebrating 10 years since their breakout debut album with several UK dates – including Manchester.
The Aussie band beloved by Brits and music fans all over have been teasing a reveal of some sort over the past weeks, but now the news is official.
Up there with the Sydney music scene’s finest exports right now, DMA’s have always had a strong following over here, but especially so up North and Manchester in particular, with their youthful, uplifting and moving style often striking up similarities to our own indie rock roots.
Revealing details of the Hills End 10th anniversary shows on social media this Monday, the talented trio have confirmed a number of Northern gigs.
Besides us Mancs being the first stop on the run of live shows (honoured, of course), perhaps the most exciting part about this announcement is that this will be the very first time DMA’s will be performing their maiden LP live in full.
At this time, we’re not sure whether or not they’ll be playing from start to finish in order, but either way, fans are understandably very excited; you can consider us here at Audio North firmly included in that group, by the way.
We’re sure we don’t need to remind you lot reading this per se, but cherished tracks from the record obviously include ‘Delete’, ‘Lay Down’, ‘In The Moment’.
They’ll also be playing working-class outposts like Newcastle and Glasgow, as well as paying a visit to our friends over at The Hoot in Yorkshire. You can see the full list of shows down below.
DMA’s Hills End 10th anniversary tour 2026 – UK dates
February
Friday 06 – O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
Saturday 07 – NX, Newcastle
Sunday 08 – O2 Academy, Birmingham
Tuesday 10 – O2 Academy, Bristol
Thursday 12 – O2 Academy Brixton, London
Saturday 14 – O2 Academy, Leeds
Monday 16 – O2 Academy, Glasgow
May
Thursday 21 – Rock City, Nottingham
Friday 22 – UEA, Norwich
What an album this is.
“The UK has always felt like a second home for us. Hills End was where our story really began overseas, so it feels right to come back and celebrate it with the fans who’ve supported us from day one.”
Literally almost a full decade on from its release, the DMA’s anniversary tour kicks here in Manchester next Feb and, as of yet, no support act has been confirmed.
Tickets go on sale at 9am this Friday, 17 October; You can get ready to grab your tickets HERE.
Johnny Marr announces huge hometown show at Castlefield Bowl
Danny Jones
Johnny Marr is the latest act announced for next year’s Sounds of the City (SOTC), with the Manchester music legend set for a massive hometown show at Castlefield Bowl.
Not that we’re getting carried away or anything, but the SOTC 2026 lineup is already shaping up to be arguably one of the best ever.
With The K’s confirmed as the first band playing the annual outdoor festival in the city’s stunning amphitheatre, and other names now starting to fly in, the iconic Manc musician becomes number three on the roster.
Detailing his huge homecoming gig on Monday, 13 October, the legendary guitarist and songwriter is coming to Castlefield Bowl next summer.
I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be performing a hometown show at Castlefield Bowl on Thursday, 9 July 2026.
Presale begins Wednesday, 15 October at 10am BST, with general on sale from Friday, 17 October at 10am BST.
While he might be best known for his time with The Smiths, Johnny Marr has remained a noteworthy session player and featured artist alongside various artists ever since.
More importantly, he’s been releasing solo material for well over a decade now, with his recent Look Out Live! compilation record – made up of recordings from his London best of show – having only just dropped this past September.
Better still, he’s bringing fellow native indie and alternative band, Everything Everything, along for an all-Mancunian evening under what we hope will be sunny skies.
As big fans of both here at The Manc, we cannot wait for this one.
In case you missed the previous reveal, number two on the multi-date Sounds of the City lineup is another genre-defining name, as The Streets are set to play Castlefield Bowl once again, having last played the bucket list venue back in 2021.
As for ‘Misery Moz’s mate, the 61-year-old will be coming to the 10-day live event on 9 July, in between The K’s and Mike Skinner’s entourage.
Fans can land early access by signing up for presale via the official Johnny Marr mailing list from 10am this Wednesday, 15 October BST, while general admission tickets will be available from the same time on the following Friday (17 Oct).
Danny Jones -
23rd September 2025 
