Conan Gray has just announced a UK leg to his upcoming tour, and he’ll be stopping off in Manchester for a huge arena gig.
In just a few short years, Conan Gray has become a star… and his star is only rising higher.
The 26-year-old singer-songwriter, born in California but raised in Texas, got his start on YouTube, where he began uploading vlogs, covers, and original songs as a teenager, hoping to get his start in the entertainment industry.
He first garnered critical and fan acclaim from the release of his commercially successful singles ‘Maniac’ and ‘Heather’ before he went on to put out his debut studio album, Kid Krow, in 2020 – which placed at number five on the US charts, announcing his talent to the world and making it the biggest US artist debut of the year.
Conan Gray has announced a huge Manchester arena show next year / Credit: Supplied | Angelica Whitney (Wikimedia Commons)
After gaining millions of streams and developing a truly a faithful fanbase, Gray went on to release his second studio album, Superache, in 2022, and his third album, Found Heaven, a couple of years later in 2024.
ADVERTISEMENT
If three albums in four years wasn’t impressive enough as it is, Gray released his fourth studio album, Wishbone, back in August and it’s catapulted him to a new level of fame, especially with the TikTok success of the single ‘Vodka Cranberry’.
Now Gray is embarking on a major world tour to celebrate his latest album, following the unforgettable Wishbone Pajama Show tour in the US, where he sold out legendary venues like Madison Square Garden, and the Kia Forum.
ADVERTISEMENT
Manchester! @conangray brings the Wishbone World Tour to the @AOArena – Save the date: Sat 9th May 2026!
The UK arm of the Wishbone World Tour sees Gray pay a visit to us here in Manchester, as he takes to the iconic AO Arena stage next year in May.
Birmingham, Glasgow, and London are the other cities Gray will be stopping off at on his UK tour.
Conan Gray will be playing a huge gig at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 6 May 2026 as part of the Wishbone World Tour, and tickets officially go on sale this week – with both pre-sales and general sale available.
The Three+ presale will begin on Wednesday 22 October at 9am, and the AO Arena presale will start on Thursday 23 October, again at 9am, before general sale launches on Friday 24 October at 9am.
Featured Image – Dillon Matthew Photography (Publicity Picture – Supplied)
Audio
The Strokes announce first Manchester gig in two decades
Daisy Jackson
The Strokes are finally set to return to Manchester for the first time in years, announcing a huge arena show today.
The iconic indie rockers have shared details of a new European tour, which includes a night at the massive Co-op Live arena here in Manchester.
The news comes hot off the heels of their celebrated Coachella set over the weekend.
The Reality Awaits Tour, named after their upcoming seventh studio album, will take The Strokes to Manchester as well as London and Newcastle, plus several cities across Europe.
The Strokes broke into the industry back in 2001 with their seminal debut album Is This It, which spawned massive indie anthems like Last Nite, Hard To Explain, and Sometimes.
Since then, they’ve released six studio albums, all of which have climbed into the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart.
You can expect to hear all sorts of fan favourites, like Reptilia, Juicebox, and You Only Live Once, plus new music including their latest single The New Abnormal.
Co-op Live said: “This is set to be an unmissable show as they come to Co-op Live for the first time and we can’t wait!”
Last time The Strokes played in Manchester, it was at the O2 Apollo way back in 2006 – the same year they supported Foo Fighters at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
They played Lytham Festival more recently, but haven’t ventured back into Manchester itself since.
The Strokes will play at Co-op Live in Manchester on 26 October 2026.
Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Friday 17 April HERE, with a number of pre-sales beginning from Wednesday 15 April.
R&B icon Gabrielle to play huge arena gig in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Beloved R&B singer Gabrielle has announced an arena show in Manchester as part of a new UK tour.
The star will be heading out across the UK next year, performing at a mix of arenas, concert halls and iconic music venues.
Gabrielle has announced The Hits Tour today, where she’ll perform the biggest songs from her impressive three decade-long career.
Gabrielle topped the charts from the minute she released music, with her debut single ‘Dreams’ hitting the number one spot back in 1993.
Her career reached new heights in 1999 with the release of her landmark album, Rise, which has gone 4x Platinum certified and is one of the stand-out records of the era.
Over the last 30+ years, Gabrielle’s voice and music have shaped British pop and soul, and she remains a defining figure to this day.
Across her career she’s achieved six top 10 albums, including 2018’s Under My Skin.
She’s also earned two BRIT Awards, two MOBO Awards, and an Ivor Novello Award, recognising both her commercial success and songwriting excellence.
In recent years, she’s joined Adele at BST Hyde Park, as well as toured alongside legends such as Lionel Richie, Simply Red, Tom Jones to name just a few.
In 2025, Gabrielle embarked on her biggest UK tour to date, which included at show at the almighty AO Arena in Manchester, where she’ll return next spring.
Expect to hear hits including Rise, Dreams, Out of Reach, Sunshine, When A Woman, and Give Me a Little More Time when she performs here on Saturday 24 April.
Before The Hits Tour kicks off in 2027, you’ll be able to see Gabrielle performing with Rick Astley and Michael Buble, as well as at festival stages including Tramlines and Kendal Calling.
Tickets for Gabrielle will go on sale on Friday 17 April, with an artist presale from Wednesday 15 April – you can get tickets HERE.
Gabrielle ‘The Hits Tour’ 2027 – UK Dates
Thursday 25 March – Ipswich Regent
Saturday 27 March – Southend Cliffs Pavilion
Monday 29 March – Portsmouth Guildhall
Tuesday 30 March – Oxford New Theatre
Thursday 1 April – Glasgow SEC Armadillo
Friday 2 April – Bradford Live
Saturday 3 April – Newcastle O2 City Hall
Monday 5 April – York Barbican
Wednesday 7 April – Bath Forum
Friday 9 April – London Eventim Apollo
Tuesday 13 April – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Thursday 15 April – University of Wolverhampton at The Civic Hall
Emily Sergeant -
20th October 2025 
