Shania Twain, the queen of country music, will visit Manchester next week on her huge tour.
It’s her first world tour in almost five years (though there was a lengthy Las Vegas residency in between).
Shania Twain is set to perform at the AO Arena in support of new album Queen of Me on 3 February 2023 – her sixth full-length album.
The 49-date tour will see her performing in London, Dublin, Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester next year.
Shania, a five-time Grammy Award-winner, has become the best-selling female artist in country music history thanks to hits like That Don’t Impress Me Much, Man I Feel Like A Woman, and I’m Gonna Getcha Good.
ADVERTISEMENT
Here’s everything you need to know.
Tickets for Shania Twain in Manchester
Shania Twain. Credit: Publicity picture
It’s slim pickings for tickets for Shania Twain’s AO Arena gig.
ADVERTISEMENT
At the time of writing, the gig isn’t completely sold out, but most of the tickets are single seats.
There’s better availability in a couple of blocks which are essentially behind the stage, and that means an obstructed view. So not ideal.
Tickets are priced at £83.50 each, with quite a few tickets also being sold through Ticketmaster’s resale service.
ADVERTISEMENT
What are the stage times?
Exactly stage times for Shania Twain aren’t likely to be announced until the week of the event itself.
But we do know that doors to the AO Arena will open at 6pm, and the show will start at 7.30pm.
Based on stage times from previous shows, Breland will perform at 7.30pm.
Shania Twain is then likely to hit the stage at around 8.30pm.
We’ll be sure to update this article as soon as stage times for Manchester are announced.
Country and hip-hop star Breland – who has long cited Shania Twain as an inspiration for his music – will be supporting her on her Manchester tour date.
He stunned audiences across the US supporting that leg of the Queen of Me tour, and will now be heading over to this side of the pond too.
Breland’s breakout single My Truck established him as a force on the current music landscape ahead of releasing debut album CROSS COUNTRY last year.
Setlist for Shania Twain’s Manchester concert
The below is Shania Twain’s setlist from The O2 in London earlier this month, which is likely to be simiiar (if not the same) as what we’ll get in Manchester.
Waking Up Dreaming Up! Don’t Be Stupid (You Know I Love You) I’m Gonna Getcha Good! Come on Over You’re Still the One Giddy Up! Any Man of Mine Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under? Honey, I’m Home Inhale/Exhale Air (with Breland) Party for Two (with Breland) Nah! / She’s Not Just a Pretty Face / Waiter! Bring Me Water! / When / Thank You Baby! (for Makin’ Someday Come So Soon) Pretty Liar From This Moment On Come on Over (A capella snippet with fan) When (A capella snippet with fan) Number One Forever and for Always Rock This Country! Encore: That Don’t Impress Me Much Man! I Feel Like a Woman!
ADVERTISEMENT
The venue
The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirementscarefully 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.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall Manchester – groovy, hazy and effortlessly cool
Clementine Hall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall proved exactly why they’ve built such a cult following over the past decade.
Formed in 2010 by frontman Ruban Nielson, the band first broke through with their scrappy, lo-fi self-titled debut and since then, they’ve become known for their signature blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and warped pop.
I first saw the band back in 2023 at Glastonbury, and yes sorry I am one of those annoying people that bring it up all the time.
They’re the perfect band to close your eyes, sway your head and tap your foot to – and that’s exactly what the crowd were doing in unison last night at the Albert Hall.
Image: The Manc Group
From the second they stepped on stage, there was no rush – just that signature hazy groove met with enough stage lights to sink a ship.
You could barely see them on stage, but that made it even cooler. And you can only imagine how gorgeous the Albert Hall looked with hundreds of spotlights in different colours whizzing all over it.
Early tracks simmered and pulled us in before the band stretched out into crowd pleasers like ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Hunnybee’. What an absolute tune by the way.
Image: The Manc Group
There wasn’t much crowd interaction but, again, there didn’t need to be. They let the music do the talking and by treating us to some of the most epic guitar solos we’ve ever heard (no, seriously), we’ll forgive them for not talking to us.
Each song melted into each other as the band oozed effortless charm and talent throughout the almost two hour set, which is no mean feat.
Of course, a sea of phones shot up for ‘So Good at Being in Trouble‘, their most popular track which prompted a harmonious audience singalong. Not very harmonious by me, admittedly.
It was a fantastic ending that left the audience feeling united by the laidback brilliance of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and I hope they don’t leave it too long to come back this time.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Daisy Jackson -
21st September 2023 
