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Rita Ora on hosting the MTV EMAs, northern music and why Manchester is so special

We sat down with Rita Ora ahead of the MTV EMAs to chat all things music, Manchester and more.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 9th November 2024

The MTV EMAs will touch down in Manchester tomorrow, bringing a mass of famous faces and celebrities to our city for a night celebrating the music industry.

The star-studded event will be taking place at the Co-op Live on Sunday 10 November, and also streamed and broadcast live.

Ahead of the event we had a chat with the host of the evening, Rita Ora, who filled us in on what we could expect for the big night.

Image: The Manc Group

Tomorrow is the big day, the MTV EMAs live right here in Manchester, how are you feeling about it?

I’m very excited, a bit nervous but that’s normal you know. It’s really nice as this is my third time now, with the same crew so you know, I trust everyone now. It’s always just a bit mental, because you don’t really know what’s going to happen, but it’s just the best part of it for me.

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This is your third time hosting the EMAs so you’re clearly a favourite among the MTV crowd – what is it about this event that makes it so special?

I think for me, what I love is that it’s so global, you know, internationally, the artists are coming from Korea, Mexico. It’s just kind of one of the only award shows that really do make a point of the international global musician aspect of things.

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I love seeing everybody flying in, and, you know, it’s in Manchester so it’s kind of like coming back home so it feels just like a reunion as I love seeing all the artists and especially the ones I know.

There are some big names nominated tomorrow and a fair few I’m sure you know very well, is there anyone you’re particularly rooting for tonight?

There’s so many, I think it’s it’s great to see Shawn Mendes again I love what he’s doing. Teddy Swims is also one of my favourite vocalists in the world.

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I think for me, though, it’ll be great to have a reunion with Raye, all the females have been killing it this year.

We know you love a night out in Manchester – where are some of your favourite spots?

When I was last here I performed at Pride so I would just walk up and down Canal Street and it was great. It was just me and the queens and that’s all I need.

Canal Street is always a class night out – what is it about the Manchester party scene that sets it apart do you think?

Well, first, the history is just incredible, musically and everything like that. You know, you’ve got the amazing attitude of Manchester which is very rock and roll, you know, the Gallaghers and everything. I think it really sets the tone of the, I would say how to be a rock star.

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And I feel like that kind of trickled into the culture of Manchester into the bars. And, you know, you walk in and you just get a feeling of like, you’re welcome.

And could you give us one artist that’s really excited you this year and that everyone needs to look out for?

You know I never want to singular them out because I do feel like everyone deserves to be here but I did see the rehearsals of the new Korean girl group, Le Sserafim, and they’re really, really cool.

Let’s finish off with a few quick fire questions. Who is your favourite Manc in the world?

You know, I think I’ve got to say the lads from The Happy Mondays. I love them, they’re icons.

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Who’s your favourite artist from the north?

It’s got to be The Beatles.

And finally, can you sum up Manchester in three words?

Oh, gosh, that’s a big one. Vibrant, brave and talented.

You can see the full list of nominees for the MTV EMAs – and thus the potential celebrities you could spot – HERE.

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Featured image – Supplied

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Nelly announces massive Manchester gig on Where The Party At Tour

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Nelly has announced a huge tour that includes a Manchester date. Credit: Publicity picture

Hip-hop star Nelly is heading to Manchester on his upcoming Where The Party At Tour, celebrating the 25th anniversary of his debut album Country Grammar.

The Hot In Herre singer and rapper has announced a run of shows across the UK and Europe for next year.

Those include a massive gig at the AO Arena in Manchester, where Nelly will perform hits from across his career.

He’s lined up some huge support acts to join him on the UK leg of the Where The Party At Tour too, including Eve, Fabolous, Jermaine Dupri and St. Lunatics.

Expect to hear chart-topping hits like Hot In Herre, Dilemma, and Ride Wit Me, in a show that he promises will be ‘packed with surprises’.

Nelly is a multi-platinum, three-times Grammy Award-winning entertainer and entrepreneur, who very recently landed a gig as a special guest for Janet Jackson’s Together Again Tour.

His newly-announced 54-date tour will take him across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the United States, kicking off on 21 March 2025.

Nelly said: “Yo, ‘Where Da Party At Tour’ we are taking this tour worldwide – I got my folks with me Ja Rule, Jermaine Dupri, Eve, the St. Lunatics, and Fabulous — so you know it’s all 2025… LETS GOOOOO..!!! Da Party AT…!!”

Nelly will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 7 June 2025.

General sale tickets are available from 10am on Friday 13 December, with various presales live from Tuesday 10 December.

Nelly UK tour dates for 2025

  • Wed 4 June – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Thu 5 June – London, UK – The O2 Arena
  • Sat 7 June – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
  • Mon 9 June – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro

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Featured image: Publicity picture

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Lidl are offering a reward for their Liam Gallagher plaque to be safely returned

Danny Jones Danny Jones Missing Lidl Liam Gallagher plaque reward

Supermarket chain Lidl are desperate and in dire need of our help: they’re offering a reward to whoever safely returns one of their most treasured possessions – a Liam Gallagher plaque.

If you don’t remember the rather silly story from earlier this year, Oasis’ soon-to-return lead singer did plenty of poking fun at the Co-op Live‘s opening date being pushed back and multiple cancellations.

The iconic frontman ultimately ended up playing his four nights at the state-of-the-art arena with no issues, but as a tongue-in-cheek testament to his joke that’d he play a “gig in Lidl” if the venue wasn’t ready in time, the German-founded group erected a plaque in memory of the gag.

However, Lidl’s beloved Liam Gallagher plaque has since gone missing but rather than launch a full-scale manhunt, they’re trying to keep up the festive spirit and instead offering a pretty significant reward to the person that brings it back to them.

Although leads on the missing bit of royal blue metal are scarce, the plaque that was hung outside their Newton Heath store back in June disappeared this month.

Not only was it an amusing bit of history for the brand but the sign itself actually became a bit of an ironic but nevertheless genuine tourist attraction, with people grabbing snaps next to it and it even featured on the Manchester Taxi Tour itineraries.

This little plaque was actually just the start of a weird love affair between the two; back in October, Lidl also dropped an absolutely perfectly placed advert right in front of a giant poster of Liam Gallagher’s Berghaus ad campaign in the centre of Manchester.

Very good indeed.

All that being said, they really would love to be reunited with the memento of their relationship, so much so that they’re offering a whopping £500 to spend in Lidl vouchers for its safe return.

Credit: James Speakman/PA Media Assignments (supplied via Lidl GB)

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Just think of all the nonsense you could buy in the ‘Middle of Lidl’ aisle, a.k.a. the best part of the whole shop.

Those who have any information on the whereabouts of the Liam Gallagher plaque should email the following address: [email protected]. The Burnage brothers aren’t holding grudges anymore and neither are Lidl.

Let’s bring Liam home for Christmas. As you were x

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Lidl UK (supplied)

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