One of the biggest rap, R&B and pop names on the planet rocks up to Manchester this week and we really ‘Stay’, never say his ‘Goodbyes’ and soak up all the ‘Congratulations’…
That’s right, Post Malone is coming to 0161 for not one but two nights on the trot and it’s going to be an absolute party.
It’s been a couple of years since Post Malone was last in the UK for a show, playing Reading Festival back in 2022, and it’s been four whole years since the New York-born rapper was last in Manchester.
Luckily, us Mancs get to make the most of this visit, with Posty set to play two massive shows at AO Arena on Tuesday and Wednesday (16-17 May). With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know.
Thankfully, if you’re looking to get in on the Twelve Carat Tour, there are still a fair few tickets left to see Post Malone in Manchester either night, with even more available on the second night (Wednesday).
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Better still, they all range between various different locations and prices around the Arena too, with tickets in the lower seated section starting from just under £100 and VIP standing spots around his impressive stage area setting you back £126.50.
The cheapest seats up towards the back of the venue will cost you £76.55, but you best be quick if you want these before they get snapped up by someone else. You can always opt for the Champagne, Suite and Heineken Sky Lounge experiences if you really want to splash out.
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Whatever level of flashy you want to go, you can grab yours HERE.
Post Malone’s supports for his Manchestergigs are two-fold: American rap duo Rae Sremmurd — one half of which, Swae Lee, combined with the 27-year-old on the hit track ‘Sunflower’ for the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse film — as well a guest appearance from another name that is yet to be confirmed.
Who it could be is a total mystery; as far as we can tell from the previous gigs on the UK leg of this tour, there has little been little info leaked about who else has got it on the action, but all we know is that an additional support act is set to be confirmed soon.
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Who do you think it could be or, maybe the better question is who would you like to see?
Doors for Post Malone at the AO Arena will be open from 6pm, with the first support act (whoever they might be) taking the stage at 7.
After a swift half-hour set, Rae Sremmurd will take the stage at 8pm until 8:40; from then there’ll be a quick 20-minute interval for you to fill up on snacks and booze before Posty himself starts playing, with the gig set to run to 10:30pm.
Of course, you always have to make room for an encore and with so many bangers to his name, your guess is as good as ours as to what he’ll close the show with.
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Chances of him doing a Manc cover or some kind? He does love that guitar of his…
Predicted setlist
Speaking of the music itself, judging by the tracks and the running order from his recent three-night run at London’s O2 Arena, this is what we are expecting when it comes to Post Malone’s setlist for Manchester AO Arena:
It’s set to be a brilliant double bill at Manchester’s iconic AO Arena and with tickets still left to grab, you still have a chance to see Post Malone do what he does best right on your doorstep: put on a brilliant performance with more genre’s in one night than you’ll get from virtually any other musician around.
From the clips we’ve seen of his world tour so far, this bloke is just enjoying himself, having an absolute party on stage every night and taking crowds along for the ride.
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We hope to see a few of you there and if there are any other details you need, you can always check out the Arena’s info pack down below:
Elbow get behind campaign to save Jodrell Bank from closure
Danny Jones
Manc band Elbow are among the latest to get behind the campaign to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from closing permanently.
The Greater Manchester natives famously played a sold-out gig at the important scientific and cultural landmark for a very special live album recording well over a decade ago, and know all too well the site’s national and, indeed, global heritage.
Choosing the Observatory and the rare chance to perform a show in the shadow of the world-renowned James Lovell Telescope, it probably remains one of their most significant standalone UK date ever.
With that in mind, the local lads have been left just as worried by the news of its impending closure as everyone else, and have therefore issued a fresh appeal to help keep it open.
Posting a timely statement on social media, the group wrote: “Jodrell Bank has long been close to elbow’s heart. In 2012, the band played beneath the Lovell Telescope for one of the most memorable shows in our history.
“The recent news that funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network is set to end in 2028 puts the future of the scientific work at Jodrell Bank under serious threat. It is a remarkable place, with an extraordinary history, and one that continues to play an important role in science, culture and education.”
In addition to reliving clips and images from the historic live set all the years later, they also pointed people towards their ‘elbow – Live at Jodrell Bank‘ album documentary, which has now been made available online for the very first time as part of wider efforts to raise awareness around the cause.
Directing people to key online resources shared by the institution and astrophysics centre itself following their unfortunate update late last month, the push to not only find the funding but sustain support for the facility continues to ramp up throughout the world of science, arts and industry.
For anyone who somehow missed the news – 2028 being the current deadline handed down as per budget cuts across the sector – concerned parties here in the North West and all over the country have since started petitioning to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from shutting down for good.
In addition to being described as a “huge blow” to the field by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), some have even gone so far as to describe the decision as a form of “vandalism” when it comes to research and British culture as a whole.
Having also served as the host venue for the annual bluedot Festival since 2016, the multi-genre science and arts celebration could soon be forced to find a new home.
The battle is far from over yet, and the community has time to rescue Jodrell Bank Observatory from its fate, but it will take lots of money and more notable public figures to make it happen.
Once again, you can do your bit by signing the petition mentioned above right HERE.
Featured Images — Emma Farrer (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group
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Manichester organisers confirm tribute festival will return in 2027
Danny Jones
For anyone who didn’t manage to make it to the inaugural ‘Manichester’ festival held earlier this year in memory of British music legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, you’ll be glad to hear that the tribute festival will be returning in 2027.
Set up in the name of the late, great Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, the event sold out in the blink of an eye, as hordes of Mancs and more turned up to honour the local icon through live music.
Following paying their respects in the immediate aftermath, his surviving family members, peers and other figures from within the industry then held that wonderful evening, where several big names turned up to remember with live performances – and it’s official: they’re not done yet.
Writing in a lengthy caption, the brand said, “The family of Stone Roses legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield have thanked everyone who made Manichester at Diecast such a special day — performers, organisers, and the thousands who turned up to celebrate a true Manchester icon.”
The evidently emotional and grateful statement goes on to read: “On behalf of Gene, George & the Family — thank you to everyone who performed, contributed and attended Manichester on 30 May 2026, and for all your kind words of support.
“The response was massive — fans travelled from everywhere, demand through the roof, love for Mani louder than ever. [Local fashion label] GioGoi even said they could’ve filled Old Trafford.”
Revealing that the team of organisers have now green-lit the follow-up edition next year, they promise to deliver the same kind of magic, only “bigger, better, built properly” and with more music and people involved this time around.
They also thanked Manc-Mexican musician and creative, Alejandro Reyes Knight, for filming and editing the content on the night, adding that since he “grew up in Madchester”, there was no better person to be tasked with the job.
For anyone who was there at Diecast on the special memorial evening itself, we don’t need to tell you how special the energy was in the room.
We spent a good week or so looking back at footage following the maiden Manichester festival, as we’re sure plenty of you did, too; safe to say we’re glad we’ll have another opportunity to celebrate his life and career in the best way we know how: with plenty of tunes and singing our hearts out.
It remains to be seen whether Diecast will remain the host venue for the sophomore tribute fest, and the next date is also still yet to be fully set.
All we do know is that with such a good lineup and turnout the first time around, you can expect an excellent and equally heartfelt sequel in 2027.
You can register your interest right HERE. Wherever and whenever it is, we’ll see you there.
@the.manc Yesterday, Manchester laid one of the city's greatest music legends, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, to rest at Manchester Cathedral. 🍋 Fellow band member and life-long friend Ian Brown read out a speech as hundreds gathered outside the cathedral to pay their respects to The Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist. Mani will be missed by many, and we send love to all his family and friends. ❤️ #manchester#mani#ianbrown#thestoneroses#stoneroses♬ original sound – The Manc