Sam Smith’s Gloria tour will finally arrive in Manchester this week, as the singer wraps up the UK leg of their huge tour.
Sam had to pull out of several other UK tour dates after being struck down by a virus.
But after a run of gigs across Europe, they’re back in British soil and ready for their AO Arena gig.
The ‘Unholy’ singer will be hitting the huge stage on Wednesday 24 May – bringing along the giant golden nude statue that they and their dancers perform on.
The Gloria tour is in support of Sam Smith‘s album of the same name, which was released earlier this year.
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Here’s everything you need to know ahead of their AO Arena Manchester gig.
Tickets for Sam Smith in Manchester
Tickets have been selling fast for Sam Smith’s Gloria tour, with just a handful left on sale.
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Seated tickets range between £35 and £80, with standing tickets priced at £60 – plus booking fees.
Sam will be supported by Cat Burns throughout the Gloria tour.
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This British, Brit Award-nominated singer-songwriter shot to fame with her 2020 single ‘Go’, which peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart after trending on TikTok.
Sony Music has described Cat Burns as a mixture of ‘gospel and pop influences combined with guitar-led indie music’.
Stage times for Sam Smith at AO Arena
Based on recent shows, you can expect to see Cat Burns take to the stage at 8pm.
Then Sam should start performing from 9pm, with a venue curfew of 11pm.
As always, stage times are subject to change.
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Expected setlist
Stay With Me I’m Not the Only One Like I Can Too Good at Goodbyes To Die For Perfect Diamonds How Do You Sleep? Dancing With a Stranger (Sam Smith & Normani cover) I’m Kissing You (Des’ree cover) Lay Me Down Love Goes Gimme Lose You Promises (Calvin Harris & Sam Smith cover) I’m Not Here to Make Friends Latch (Disclosure cover) I Feel Love (Donna Summer cover) Gloria Human Nature (Madonna cover) Unholy
The venue
The AO Arena seating plan.
The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe. Make sure to check entry requirements carefully before you travel.
For example, only one small bag per person is allowed, and bags like backpacks, travel cases and laptop bags are not permitted inside the arena.
All bags are scanned on entry to check for prohibited items like laser pens, flares, projectiles, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and even selfie sticks.
Featured image: Publicity picture
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Andy Burnham’s favourite Manchester pub, restaurant, neighbourhood and Sunday roast
Daisy Jackson
Andy Burnham’s favourite pub, restaurant, neighbourhood, and Sunday roast have been revealed – and the man’s got taste.
Old footage of now-PM Andy Burnham chatting to content creator Isaac Likes has been doing the rounds again, and while the interview dates back to before Andy left us and headed down to the big smoke, his Manchester recommendations still stand.
From his go-to neighbourhood and favourite pub to where he heads for a Sunday roast, and even the song he likes to play when he gets behind the decks, Burnham gave us a glimpse into his ideal Manchester day.
First up, there’s the Northern Quarter, which Burnham reckons has to be his favourite neighbourhood in the city.
He said: “Got to be the Northern Quarter. It’s the place where it’s all happening.”
When it comes to food, he singled out Firehouse, sitting on the edge of the Northern Quarter, as one of his favourite places to eat. He also gave a shoutout to its sister venue Ramona, where he’s been known to get behind the decks.
Andy said: “On the edge of the Northern Quarter, Firehouse is a place I love to go. Ramona Pizza, I’ve DJ’d there – if the mayor DJs there it’s gotta be alright.”
For a proper pint, Burnham’s choice is a little more traditional, saying his favourite pub is the ‘proper old school’ Peveril of the Peak.
The beautiful tiled pub was recently named the best in the UK, just days before its legendary landlady Nancy passed away.
When Sunday rolls around, Burnham said he has a couple of options up his sleeve. The Wharf in Castlefield gets a mention, as does Edinburgh Castle up in Ancoats.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterThe Edinburgh CastleFirehouseSome of Andy Burnham’s favourite places in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
He said: “We love our gravy, we drink it by the pint in Manchester.”
Of course, no conversation with Burnham about Manchester would be complete without talking music.
Asked to name the best Manchester band of all time, he offered a few contenders – The Smiths, New Order, and, ultimately, The Stone Roses.
“The band I think are quintessentially Manchester is The Stone Roses. That was peak Manchester,” he said.
Fontaines D.C. announce massive return to Manchester on new European tour
Daisy Jackson
Fontaines D.C. have just announced their biggest headline tour to date, including a massive arena gig here in Manchester.
The wildly popular Irish rock band are set to play a whopping 20 arena shows across Europe and the UK this autumn.
The tour has been announced in celebration of their upcoming fifth studio album, Dopamine Chamber, which is set for release this October.
Fontaines D.C. will hit the road just five days after the album drops, kicking off their European tour in Lisbon on 21 October.
Then they’ll make their way over to the UK, with shows in Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow, Birmingham and London.
Fans in their home country of Ireland are told to stay tuned for live news very soon.
As we speak, Fontaines D.C. are warming up to play one of the country’s biggest festivals, with headline slots at Reading & Leeds Festival.
They’ve already released Marianne, the first single from their new album, and frontman Grian Chatten says of the album: “The album itself is a dopamine chamber. You step inside and we test these different mind- or mood-altering pieces of music on you.”
The new record has been recorded between London, the English countryside, and Palermo, where Chatten recorded vocals in a makeshift booth built from mattresses and cushions.
He said: “There’s a poignant sense of us being on the brink of some other kind of form of humanity, or non-humanity.”
Tickets will go on general sale at 10am on Thursday 3 September, with pre-sale live from 10am on Tuesday 1 September.
You can access tickets for Fontaines D.C. in Manchester HERE.
Fans who pre-order Dopamine Chamber from the official store by 6pm on Monday 31 August will gain access to the UK pre-sale.
Fontaines D.C. UK tour dates in full
Friday 20 November – Liverpool, UK – M&S Bank Arena
Saturday 21 November – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
Sunday 22 November – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Tuesday 24 November – Leeds, UK – First Direct Bank Arena
Wednesday 25 November – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Daisy Jackson -
23rd May 2023 
