Legendary classic rock band Rush has announced a pair of Manchester arena gigs as part of their ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations, with this being their first return to Europe in over a decade.
The Canadian veterans haven’t been back to Britain in a long time, but with their ’50 Something’ tour now confirmed, they’re finally making their return to the likes of Manchester and more.
Known for tracks such as ‘Tom Sawyer’, ‘Limelight’, ‘Spirit of the Radio’, ‘Fly By Night’, ‘Working Man’ and countless others, they have a discography that spans a whopping 19 albums, with their last studio LP, Clockwork Angels, released back in 2012.
Touring it a year later – the same year they were finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – that was the last time they played here in the UK or anywhere else in Europe, for that matter; safe to say it’s a big deal to have them back.
With co-founders Geddy Lee (bass, keyboard, vocals) and Alex Lifeson (guitar, vocals) still going strong, the pair will pay tribute to their late, great drummer and fellow songwriter, Neil Peart, who sadly passed away back in 2020.
ADVERTISEMENT
As you can see, the remaining and seasoned members of the original lineup will be joined by German musician Anika Nilles, who’ll be handling the percussion on the de facto reunion tour.
Better still, they’ll also be joined by the experienced Loren Gold, who previously toured with the likes of Roger Daltrey and The Who, as well as Chicago and more, on the keys.
ADVERTISEMENT
Now that’s some pedigree right there.
Detailed in the official reveal by Co-op Live, where they will be making their debut, “the show will feature two sets, with setlists drawn from their hits and fan faves.”
NEW DATE ADDED: due to phenomenal demand, Rush will play Co-op Live on 14 March 2027 and 12 March 2027.
Their visit to Co-op Live in Manchester is among just three chosen domestic cities here in Great Britain, so Manc Rush fans can count themselves lucky to be included in the run.
ADVERTISEMENT
Besides the rest of their world tour dates this year, you can see the rest of the schedule down below – including that extra Manc date.
Rush UK tour dates 2027
8 March, OVO Hydro – Glasgow
12 March and 14 March – Co-op Live, Manchester
16 and 18 March – O2 Arena, London
As always with gigs at this venue, official Co-op members get early access, with tickets going live at 10am this Wednesday, 25 February.
However, exclusive artist presale for the Rush Fan Club and ‘RushBackstage’ members begins even earlier at the same time this Tuesday (Feb 24), as do VIP packages.
For those interested in simple general admission, tickets will be available from 10am the following Friday, (27 Feb) – you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
Blossoms to play special ‘intimate’ 10th anniversary gig at The Deaf Institute, Manchester
Danny Jones
Local indie and alternative lads Blossoms have announced a special one-off anniversary show at none other than The Deaf Institute right here in Manchester.
Coming to the iconic small-cap venue this summer, the Stockport band will be marking the 10th birthday of their self-titled debut album by playing one of the smallest gig spaces in the centre, but one that was a massive milestone for them back in the day.
Now a full decade on from the breakout LP, released on 5 August 2026, Blossoms will be rolling back the years by playing the biggest hits from the record, along with a selection from the many other bangers that they’ve gone on to release since.
This is going to be one very special night for the SK natives.
We’re playing an intimate gig at The Deaf Institute on Weds 5th August to celebrate 10 years of our debut album! We’re going to record the show & release it as a special edition double CD of our new album. Pre-order it now for exclusive pre-sale access. https://t.co/ztAkh95RWspic.twitter.com/kuZNnJJBok
Blossoms have never shied away from championing their Stopfordian roots, but neither have they forgotten the city that helped establish them as one of the biggest bands in Britain.
For instance, this upcoming Deaf Institute show – which promises to be a much more intimate show than they’re used to doing these days – comes not even two years on from the mini Manc residency, when they played five nights here in Manchester over the course of a single week.
As we come up to the sixth studio project, Songs From The Wedding Cake, and already have two singles from the next release, we have no shame in admitting we still listen to those first tracks as much as ever.
With that in mind, it’ll be a surreal full circle for everyone, we’re sure, when Tom, Chaz, Myles, Josh and Joe take the stage in that hallowed hometown room with a capacity of just 250 next month; they’re even playing it EXACTLY 10 years on the precise date that maiden outing dropped: 5 August 2026.
Combine this with them pulling stunts like playing people’s weddings and popping up with a surprise set from inside a van outside 42s nightclub on Deansgate, and it’s hard to think of an artist nailing it as well as Blossoms are right now.
Fans can enjoy exclusive early access by pre-ordering the new Blossoms album on their website, and those who have already done so qualify for presale automatically – just keep an eye out for the code in your email inbox.
This limited window will open from 9:30am this Thursday, 30 July, with general admission tickets for their return to Deaf Institute going live at the same time the following Friday (31 July).
Oh, and in case you somehow missed it, they’re also set to play their biggest ever arena shows across the UK later this year, including a huge gig at Co-op Live. Find out all the info down below.
Keo play Projekts: garage and grunge revivalists crush Manchester skatepark for new music video
Danny Jones
This past Thursday evening, fast-rising rock band Keo took over Projekts MCR skatepark for a special pop-up gig and to film a brand-new music video for their latest single, ‘Pistol’, starring some of their biggest fans here in Manchester.
In fact, it didn’t take long for us to suss out that plenty of them had flocked from far and wide to be there, and let’s say we’re sure they’ll say it was worth the journey.
We caught Keo’s well-attended festival set inside the Woodlands at Kendal Calling 2025, not to mention their completely sold-out show at the O2 Ritz back in March – their biggest headline date up to that point – and we’re more certain than ever that they’re going to be absolutely massive.
And if they keep up doing more memorable stuff like this, it’s just a matter of how soon…
Packing out Projekts to the point that people were literally hanging off fences and standing on electrical boxes at the side of the street to try and get a peek at the post-punk, grunge and garage rockers, some of their most enthusiastic young fans had been waiting outside the location as early as noon.
For context, doors opened six hours later, and the boys didn’t come on until 7:30pm.
Those who signed up to Keo‘s mailing list were sent information regarding securing a spot at the one-off performance earlier this month.
While you would have seen the place fill up even if they were just standard concert tickets, the fact that the band were taping the whole thing to use as the visuals for their newest single, as mentioned, meant that Keo’s avid followers were literally clamouring AND clambering to get the best view position possible.
Turning the popular skaters’ hub’s central bowl into a makeshift stage, with lights, camera, booms and various crew surrounding the entire venue, it was a surreal experience to say the least.
And, of course, they were absolutely brilliant – just as they were at the Ritz at the start of the year and Kendal before that, playing a short but sweet set that left everyone wanting more and choruses of punters chanting Keo long after the final song.
We can’t wait to see how the video itself turns out, especially seeing how much the people who wrapped around them and the skatepark were lost in the moment, and we’re also looking forward to them headlining Neighbourhood Fest in Manchester city centre this October.
You can grab a ticket to see them and the rest of the NBHD lineup right HERE, but until then, give the full studio version of ‘Pistol’ a play and get ready for their debut album.
Danny Jones -
23rd February 2026 
