Audio

Robbie Williams announces intimate gig in Manchester for BRITs Week 26 for War Child

It's for BRITs Week 26 for War Child

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 11th February 2026

Iconic popstar Robbie Williams has announced a surprise gig in Manchester – and it’s soon.

The British star will be performing as part of the upcoming BRITs Week 26 for War Child, a gig series which is seeing huge artists playing intimate venues all over the UK.

Robbie Williams will be taking to the stage at Aviva Studios in Manchester in just a few weeks’ time, ahead of the BRIT Awards’ northern debut at the Co-op Live.

The 18-times BRIT Award-winner be performing tracks from his debut album Life Thru A Lens and his recent number one album BRITPOP, with support from indie chart-toppers Lottery Winners.

The newly-announced gig for Robbie Williams is part of BRITs Week, which takes place around The BRIT Awards 2026, with other artists performing in Manchester including Olivia Dean, Josh Baker, and The K’s.

ADVERTISEMENT

All proceeds from the shows will go to help War Child’s essential work providing aid, education, specialist mental health support to children whose lives are affected by war.

Robbie Williams will perform at Aviva Studios in Manchester on 27 February.

ADVERTISEMENT

BRITs Week 26 for War Child full lineup

  • 12 February – Fatboy Slim – Boiler Shop, Newcastle, supported by Max Jones
  • 16 February – Lambrini Girls – The Garage, London, supported by Bimini
  • 18 February – Spiritualized – EartH Theatre, London
  • 20 February – The K’s – Gorilla, Manchester
  • 24 February – Myles Smith – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, supported by Saint Raymond
  • 25 February – Jack Savoretti and Katherine Jenkins OBE – Emerald Theatre, London, supported by Gabriella Cilmi
  • 25 February – kwn – Patterns, Brighton, supported by CARI
  • 25 February – Josh Baker – YES, Manchester, supported by Deliah and Alexandria
  • 26 February – Rossi. – YES, Manchester, supported by Olive F
  • 26 February – Olivia Dean – Albert Hall, Manchester
  • 27 February – Jacob Alon – Music Hall at Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, supported by Lizzie Reid
  • 27 February – Robbie Williams – Aviva Studios, Manchester, supported by Lottery Winners

Fans can enter the prize draw and win a pair of tickets to see the artist of their choice, for just a £10 per entry donation to War Child. Available HERE.

A limited number of tickets are also available on general sale HERE.

Read more

Featured image: Publicity picture

Audio

A ‘Primary School Bangers’ gig is coming to Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson A 'Primary School Bangers' gig is coming to Manchester

A night of non-stop, nostalgic primary school bangers is heading up to Manchester this year.

The event comes from viral sensation and Glastonbury festival favourite James B Partridge, who’ll be taking his incredibly silly event on the road in 2026.

Expect to hear all those hits that shaped your childhood, whether you were sat cross-legged on a carpet or one of the lucky ones who got to sit on a PE bench in assembly.

His usual setlist includes classics like Sing Hosanna, One More Step Along The World I Go, and When I Needed A Neighbour.

Primary School Bangers will be heading to the beautiful Albert Hall in Manchester in March, along with a run of dates across the UK.

He’s promising ‘classic school-day singalongs, heart-on-sleeve nostalgia, and the infectious joy that has
made James a national favourite’.

Most recently, the teacher-turned-performer has been delighting audiences with his Big Christmas Assembly tour, playing to tens of thousands across the country.

James continues to teach primary school children during the week, then goes so far as to shut down the fields of Glastonbury with the crowds he pulls in.

He’s also had appearances on the likes of Chris Evans’ Virgin Radio Breakfast Show, BBC Radio 2, The One Show, and Songs of Praise: The Big School Assembly Singalong.

Tickets are on sale now HERE.

The Primary School Bangers UK 2026 tour

  • 14 Mar – Gateshead Glasshouse
  • 15 Mar – Scunthorpe Baths Hall
  • 16 Mar – Manchester Albert Hall
  • 3 Apr – Colchester Charter Hall
  • 4 Apr – York Barbican
  • 6 Apr – London Barbican
  • 7 Apr – King’s Lynn Corn Exchange
  • 8 Apr – Bury St Edmunds Apex Theatre
  • 10 Apr – Watford Colosseum
  • 12 Apr – Southampton O2 Guildhall
  • 14 Apr – Northampton Derngate Theatre
  • 15 Apr – Woking New Victoria
  • 16 Apr – Swansea Grand Theatre
  • 18 Apr – Bristol Beacon
  • 19 Apr – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
  • 20 Apr – Blackpool Winter Gardens (Arena)
  • 21 Apr – Edinburgh Assembly Rooms
  • 23 Apr – Peterborough New Theatre
  • 24 Apr – Birmingham Symphony Hall
  • 26 Apr – Reading Hexagon

Read more

Featured image: Rebecca Johnson

Audio

BBC Radio 6 Music Festival reveals 2026 line-up across Greater Manchester grassroots venues

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson BBC Radio 6 Music Festival line-up in Manchester for 2026 Credit: BBC Radio 6 Music

The BBC Radio 6 Music Festival has today revealed its line-up for this year’s event, which will feature some massive names performing at intimate grassroots venues in Greater Manchester.

This year’s inner-city music festival will take place between Wednesday 25 and Sunday 28 March, at venues including Band on the Wall, YES, and even the Eccles Town Hall Ballroom.

And the headliners are huge, including Bloc Party, Courtney Barnett, The Horrors, and BRIT Award Critics’ Choice winner Jacob Alon.

Ticket-holders will also have the chance to see DJ sets from the likes of Beth Ditto and Nick Grimshaw, Emily Pilbeam & Nathan Shepherd, Lambrini Girls and Steve Lamacq as part of an Indie Forever club night.

Samantha Moy, Head of BBC Radio 6 Music says: “Independent grassroot venues are vital to the UK’s music ecosystem and at 6 Music, we’re proud to support what they do.

“So, it makes sense for the next evolution of the 6 Music Festival to take place in these special spaces, collaborating with new partners and celebrating Manchester’s incredible music legacy, as well as the next generation of artists.”

Nick Grimshaw says: “So excited to be back at the 6 Music Festival in Manchester. Bringing a whole host of excellent artists and showcasing them at grassroots venues – these independent spaces are increasingly under threat but are vital for culture and a space where artists are given the freedom to take risks, grow, and truly flourish. I can’t wait!”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, says: “Greater Manchester’s music scene has always been driven by its grassroots venues and independent spirit. They’re vital to nurturing new talent and keeping our cultural life vibrant.

“It’s fantastic to see the BBC Radio 6 Music Festival celebrating those spaces and shining a spotlight on the creativity that continues to flourish right across our city region.”

BBC 6 Music Festival line-up in full

Weds 25 March – BBC Introducing

  • TTSSFU + Pyncher + Ellen Beth Abdi at Band on the Wall from 7pm

Thursday 26 March

  • Kelly Lee Owens (DJ set) + Wesley Joseph at Band on the Wall from 7pm
  • Mandy, Indiana + SILVERWINGKILLER at YES from 7pm

Friday 27 March

  • Bloc Party + The Horrors at Band on the Wall from 7pm
  • Yard Act + Sorry at YES from 7pm
  • Indie Forever club night with Steve Lamacq, Beth Ditto + Nick Grimshaw, Emily Pilbeam + Nathan Shepherd, and Lambrini Girls at YES from midnight

Saturday 28 March

  • Courtney Barnett + Jacob Alon at Band on the Wall from 7pm
  • Lynks + Tiberius b at YES from 7pm
  • 6 Music Festival and FaT OuT present Lauren Auder, Naima Bock and R.AGGS at Eccles Town Hall Ballroom from 3pm
  • Homobloc presents 6 Music’s Festival’s Closing Party with Olof Dreijer at YES from 11.30pm

The festival will extend to the BBC 6 Music broadcast schedule too, with some shows broadcast live from MediaCity and plenty of highlights shared from the festivalt oo.

All 6 Music and BBC Radio Manchester programmes will be available on BBC Sounds for 30 days after broadcast. Performances and DJ sets will be added to BBC Sounds during the festival.

Headliners will each present a four-part series of Artist in Residence, inviting listeners on a journey into their musical soul, in the lead-up to the festival (Bloc Party (9-12 Feb), Courtney Barnett (16-19 Feb), Kelly Lee Owens (2-5 Mar), The Horrors (9-12 Mar), Jacob Alon (16-19 Mar) and Yard Act (23-26 Mar)).

In addition, a new eight-part BBC Sounds podcast, The Rise and Fall of Madchester, presented by Steve Lamacq and Music & Cultural PR Creative, Alison Bell, will be available on BBC Sounds from 8am on Monday 16 March.

Tickets to each event are sold separately and will be available from www.bbc.co.uk/6musicfestival at 10am on Thursday 12 February.

Read more

Featured image: BBC Radio 6 Music

More Audio

Kaytranada announces huge Manchester gig at Co-op Live on new tour

Audio

Kaytranada announces huge Manchester gig at Co-op Live on new tour

Robyn

Affiliate

Swedish pop icon Robyn to play huge Manchester gig on European tour this summer

Audio

Review | ‘This is a night to remember, Manchester’ – Jason Derulo’s Co-op Live debut

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches