Britpop legends Pulp are well and truly back, with the Yorkshire band confirming a whole new raft of domestic dates, including one absolutely massive gig here in Manchester.
The alternative, art rock and indie pop tastemakers of the 1990s originally booked in a run of summer shows last year after announcing an official reunion along with a first return to North America in more than a decade back in March, and now the Sheffield stars are making it a proper tour.
With Jarvis Cocker, Candida Doyle, Nick Banks and Mark Webber all set for a proper UK and Ireland comeback, we can’t wait to see them up on stage again.
And as far as Manchester venues, it quite literally doesn’t get bigger than this.
While their long-waited homecoming appearance at Tramlines Festival at Hillsborough Park already nailed on as a sell-out, especially after having handpicked the 2025 lineup, we’re all in with a chance to see them back in the North.
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Pulp enjoyed a short reunion back in 2011 and couldn’t resist playing a number of special performances in the summer of 2023 either; it looks as though the reception from the fans who’d been patiently waiting for them to grace us once again.
Informing the masses on socials, Cocker wrote, “You deserve more – and we have more. In fact, we have More – (but that’s a whole other story… you’ll have to wait a little more time to hear that one). In the meantime: see you this Summer!”
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Make of that somewhat cryptic middle bit what you will but yes, sir: you will indeed be seeing us and we can’t wait to scream ‘Do You Remember the First Time?’ in perfect pitch, we promise.
Scheduling their return to Manchester as what is now not just the biggest indoor entertainment arena in the city but one of the largest and most state-of-the-art in Europe, Pulp will be heading to Glasgow and Dublin before a double bill in London and a stop off in Birmingham before their Co-op Live debut.
Jarvis Cocker on IG:
"we have more to tell you – but that's another story, you'll hace to wait a little more time to hear that one"
General sale tickets to see Pulp in Manchester at the Co-op Live arena will be available from 9:30am next Friday, 21 February, but pre-sale for the gig will be available to those on the mailing list on Tuesday (18 Feb). Official Co-op members can also access it the following day (Wed, 19 Feb).
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The sensational summer date is set for Saturday, 21 June – get ready to grab yours HERE.
Now is probably a good time as any to ask that fateful question: which is the best Pulp song of all time? I think you already know our answer.
Featured Images — Lauren Krohn (press shot supplied)
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Inside the brand-new Sankeys as legendary Manchester club reopens
Daisy Jackson
The doors are back open to one of Manchester’s most legendary nightlife hotspots – albeit, things look a little different.
Sankeys has opened in a brand-new location, almost a decade after the iconic club shut down in its former home in Ancoats.
Now, the venue is running as a 500-capacity nightclub (with its opening season completely sold out) on Sidney Street, just off Oxford Road.
Sankeys has shared photos from inside the club’s opening weekend, showing off the LED matrix installation, and the no-VIP, no-phones dance floor.
The plan is to bring a raw, immersive clubbing experience back to the city centre.
Click or swipe through the gallery below to see inside the new Sankeys.
Sankeys has reopened in ManchesterA glimpse inside the new era of the nightclubSankeys is in a brand-new locationIt boasts a no-VIP, no-phones dancefloor policy
Sankeys has also announced its first wave of artists, which will include Solardo, Heidi, Maya Jane Coles, Stacey Pullen, Magda, and loads more between February and June – with more still to be announced.
Sticking to its roots, Sankeys will champion fresh new electronic music and emerging talent, as well as legendary names.
Sankeys is now hosting weekly events every Saturday from 7 February.
All the events happening around Manchester ahead of the BRIT Awards 2026
Daisy Jackson
For the first time in its three decade-long history, the BRIT Awards are taking place in Manchester this year – and there’s a whole programme of events happening all week in celebration.
Much like the Oasis fever that had the city in its grip last summer, venues all over Greater Manchester will be getting giddy over the upcoming awards ceremony, which will attract some of the world’s biggest music names to our hometown.
The BRIT Awards themselves will be taking place at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 28 February, as well as being broadcast live on ITV and ITVX.
Performances on the night will come from Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, Rosalía, Mark Ronson, Wolf Alice, and loads more – you can see the latest line-up for the BRIT Awards HERE.
But before that, Mancs will be able to enjoy everything from free art trails to intimate gigs from massive artists.
The BRITs will really be taking over Manchester – here’s everything that’s going on.
The BRITs Art Trail
Northern Quarter and Ancoats | Thursday 12 February – Monday 16 March
The BRITs Art Trail map
Curated by legendary Manchester artist Stanley Chow, and produced by Wild in Art, a new citywide art trail has appeared in the city.
The work of 21 different North West artists – from murals to billboards to installations – has taken over the Northern Quarter and Ancoats.
You’ll find them everywhere from the side of the landmark pink carpark on Church Street to the windows of Fred Aldous – one of our favourites is a classic David Bailey BRITs comic strip.
A Microdot Design by Brian Cannon
Manchester Piccadilly | Tuesday 17 February – Sunday 1 March, 12pm-6pm
Taking full advantage of the closure of Manchester Piccadilly is one of the music industry’s best-known creatives, with a bespoke gallery exhibition popping up on the station’s concourse.
A Microdot Design by Brian Cannon will celebrate three decades of iconic British music artwork, including his creations for bands including Oasis, The Verve, Cast, Ruthless Rap Assassins, New Fast Automatic Daffodils, Inspiral Carpets, The Lathums and Super Furry Animals.
Brian Cannon said: “I established Microdot in Manchester in 1990, and since then, I have worked with many artists from the city and the wider North-West area. I was delighted, therefore, to be asked to curate an exhibition to celebrate The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard’s first visit to Manchester showcasing my work for musicians from the region.
“The retrospective exhibition includes some classic pieces that most people will be familiar with, alongside some lesser-known work from my archive.”
Entry is free, with advance timed tickets available to book HERE.
BRITs Week for War Child, delivered by DHL
Various dates and venues
Huge artists announce intimate charity gigs for BRITs Week 26 for War ChildRobbie Williams announces surprise intimate gig in Manchester at Aviva Studios. Credit: Supplied
Some of the world’s biggest artists – including BRITs-nominated star Olivia Dean – will be performing intimate shows at grassroots venues right across the UK.
Here in Manchester, that means Olivia Dean herself on stage at the beautiful Albert Hall, The K’s at Gorilla, as well two nights curated Warehouse Project at YES – one with Mixmag’s Year Defining DJ Josh Baker, and the other with DJ Mag’s One to Watch Rossi.
These shows have been announced in support of War Child’s vital work supporting children affected by Conflict.
Tickets and further information can be found HERE.
The Rodeo BRITs special edition zine
Friday 20 February
Independent Manchester music magazine The Rodeo are producing a limited-edition zine to celebrate The BRITs coming to town.
As well as interviews with nominated artists, it will feature words from people across our city’s music scene, and will showcase the events taking place all over the city.
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It will officially launch on Friday and you’ll be able to pick up copies in selected shops, record stores, and music venues – UNITOM, Piccadilly Records, Night & Day Cafe, The Rat & Pigeon, Fred Aldous, Ezra & Gil, The Bay Horse Tavern, Cane & Grain, Smithfield Social, Jimmy’s, Pollen, and Cloudwater.
FRINGE LAB
New Century Hall | Friday 27 February
BRITs Fringe will be a week-long programme that celebrates Greater Manchester’s music scene, under the banner ‘Manchester Seen and Heard’.
The event will harness the power of the BRIT Awards to amplify grassroots and local creativity.
At the centre of the programme is FRINGE LAB, a one-day music industry forum, mixer and live showcase at New Century Hall, with a line-up that includes YolanDa Brown OBE DL, Jamz Supernova (BBC 6 Music), Rich Castillo (Lionbear Music), The Lottery Winners, Donae’O, Zed Bias, Låpsley, Sam Potts (AWAL), Scott Lewis (EMI North) and Mark Lippmann (Scruff of the Neck).
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But there’ll also be three days of workshops for young musicians – you can find out more information on that HERE.
Kate Lowes, Director at Brighter Sound, said: “We’re thrilled to be announcing some of the incredible artists and industry figures joining us for BRITs Fringe – with more to be announced in the coming days. The line-up reflects both the calibre and generosity of people ready to share knowledge and open doors for the next generation.
“We’ve had a fantastic response from local creatives and can’t wait to welcome everyone to our events in the week leading up to the awards. From development sessions to live showcases, we’re focused on creating clear, meaningful pathways for Greater Manchester talent.”
Manchester Must Dance (an afternoon with Mike Pickering in conversation with Graeme Park)
The Social, Aviva Studios | Saturday 28 February, 2pm
In celebration of Manchester-born musician, DJ and songwriter Mike Pickering, this special event will give guests an exclusive preview of Mike’s forthcoming book Manchester Must Dance, alongside his take on the music, moments and movements that shaped his groundbreaking career.
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The event will feature an in-conversation hosted by legendary house music DJ Graeme Park, with a live audience Q&A offering a rare opportunity to hear directly from Mike himself.
Danny Jones -
14th February 2025 
