This weekend we enjoyed a new kind of live music experience: rediscovering the joy of listening to a childhood favourite by watching it through the eyes of the next generation – that was how we witnessed a fully-fledged arena return to Manchester for Snow Patrol at Co-op Live.
And it was special for lots of reasons.
Taking a little one to their first gig is something you’ll never forget and sharing a new-found connection with a band that you loved when you were their age is one of those magical things about music that we’re eternally grateful for.
You might assume the Snow Patrol crowd one skews a little older for the most part but we were pleased to see there were more than a few kids and teenagers donning tour tees, looking wide-eyed at the sheer size of the Co-op Live arena, and singing the words back better than Gary Lightbody at times.
Sees the sign: ‘Race you there!’ (Credit: Audio North)
Yes, the Belfast-born frontman made a few mistakes on the night, but it did add a rather laid-back quality to what many acts might have found a daunting performance: playing a sell-out night to around 23,500 fans inside the enormous state-of-the-art venue.
ADVERTISEMENT
But, obviously, there wasn’t even a whiff of nerves from these lads.
You don’t get to have been around for this long and become as successful as they are without being able to relax on stage and lean into those idiosyncratic perfections that feel more like private moments shared between the artist and the crowd.
ADVERTISEMENT
The young lad sat watching it with us certainly got a kick out of it and though we might not have been able to cover his ears in time to censor some light but ever-charming swear words (it always sounds better in Irish, don’t you think?), it made for some nice banter between him and the crowd.
Big props must go to Johnny McDaid on the keys too, who besides having written for the likes of Ed Sheeran, Robbie Williams, Alicia Keys, Biffy Clyro and countless others over the years, also managed to impress by playing the majority of this entire tour after having trapped his hand in a train door. OUCH.
Credit: The Manc Group
Not only was that little interlude up there with one of the most applause-worthy parts of the entire show, but we were always pretty blown away by what we saw, as we all as what we heard.
ADVERTISEMENT
Be it watching a digital tree come to life, shed its leaves and then fall as petal confetti, two sheer semi-opaque paper-thin screens swirl to create the album cover art for their latest album, or kicking the gig off with ‘Take Back The City’ as a multicoloured skyline appeared behind them, it was all pretty incredible.
We even got to hear a personal favourite of ours, ‘Set Fire To The Third Bar’, complete with a virtual performance from the voice that truly makes the song: Martha Wainwright.
It was in moments like this when we turned to see a 10-year-old’s face not quite sure of what it was seeing but an open-mouthed expression confirming they were finding it as stunning as we were.
We thoroughly enjoyed going through the back catalogue and working our way right up to plenty of the songs from The Forest Is The Path – which Gary himself firmly believes is their best work yet when we interviewed him – but it was as visually stunning as it was to the gorgeous sonically.
Both proved to be a brilliant way to see the contemporary rock, indie and alternative veterans, but there’s something about giving them a stage as big as this that reminds you of just how much they deserve it.
Up there with one of the prettiest gig snapshots in our memory.Not quite a hologram but very cool nonetheless.The production levels are always top-tier at Co-op Live but the Snow Patrol set was much more impressive than we expected.
Last but not least, thanks to Co-op Live not just for having but for creating a little boy’s memory that he’ll never forget.
Disney are bringing a live music crossover tour featuring three cult favourite films to Manchester
Danny Jones
The latest Disney Concerts live tour is coming to the UK and Ireland in 2027, bringing a music crossover of three straight-to-TV teen movie favourites to Manchester and more.
For any fans of the old Disney Channel films of the noughties and the 2010s, this next musical adaptation might be right up your street.
Set to land at the AO Arena early next year, the ‘Disney Worlds Collide Concert Tour’ will be embarking on its first-ever run outside of North America, where it’s already proved to be a big success.
Here’s a trailer from the start of the tour just a few months ago:
They’re bringing the singalong, and the crowd helps bring the energy.
Throw a kids’ cult classic like Camp Rock into the mix, and you’ve got a great lineup with nostalgia spanning across multiple generations.
Sharing the news on social, Manchester’s legendary venue wrote: “Ready for THE family pop show of the year?! The Disney Worlds Collide Concert Tour is coming to AO Arena next year, bringing the cast from Descendants, ZOMBIES, and Camp Rock together live for the first time!
That’s right, linking up with a talented cast of live singers bringing the 2015 and ’18 Disney flicks to life, respectively, songs from 2008’s Camp Rock will also be performed to what we’re sure will be an audience of various different ages.
Famously featuring the likes of young Demi Lovato, the Jonas Brothers and more familiar ‘Disney kid’ faces, people remain super nostalgic for the musical/coming-of-age Disney film; even the memes have gone on to enjoy a life of their own.
As for the concerts themselves, these live shows will include stars from the original theatrical releases, too, such as Malachi Barton, Liamani Segura and Dara Reneé; Mekonnen Knife, Hudson Stone, Swayam Bhatia, Kiara Romero, Alexandro Byrd and more.
Having first hit US stages last year, it didn’t take long for this new Disney production to receive positive reviews, notching sold-out arenas in over 40 huge venues, and being named in the ‘Top Family Tour of 2025’ by Billboard Magazine, not to mention being nominated for ‘Top Family Tour’ of 2025 by Pollstar.
For British and Irish fans who might fancy going along to one of these dates, general admission tickets and VIP packages go on sale this coming Friday, June 12, from 10am.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Deacon Communications/AO Arena)
Audio
Take That at Etihad Stadium, Manchester – setlist, stage times, merch, support, and more
Daisy Jackson
Take That will be arriving in Manchester very soon for FOUR huge shows at the Etihad Stadium.
The much-loved pop trio are bringing The Circus Live back to stadiums across the UK, recreating their record-breaking 2009 tour.
Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald are bringing back all the over-the-top, circus-themed madness of the hit tour, more than 17 years later.
And now that the tour has kicked off, we’ve got a good idea of what Take That will be bringing to Manchester – non-stop entertainment.
Expect a hot air balloon, a huge mechanical elephant, clown face paint, acrobats, unicycles, fireworks, sparkly costumes, and loads more.
Take That said upon announcing their Etihad Stadium shows: “The Circus tour was one of our favourite experiences as a band and, in the years since, we’ve talked many times about how much we’d love to do it again one day. Well, that time has come!
“We’re so excited to welcome audiences old and new across the UK and Ireland to the spectacle of The Circus Live next summer. See you out there!”
What dates are Take That performing in Manchester?
Friday 19 June
Saturday 20 June
Sunday 21 June
Wednesday 1 July
Tickets for Take That at Etihad Stadium
Take That are back in Manchester for four stadium shows. Credit: Jason Hetherington
None of Take That’s Manchester gigs have totally sold out yet, but some nights have better availability than others.
Availability for opening night is still decent, with plenty of space in both seating and standing, and it’s similar scenes for Sunday 21 June.
For Saturday 20 June, the Etihad Stadium is down to only single seats (unless you grab an official resale ticket).
And if you can wait til Wednesday 1 July, there’s a really good mix of tickets still available, including seats from just £49.25.
Do What U Like / Promises / It Only Takes a Minute / Take That and Party
Said It All
Never Forget
Patience
Relight My Fire (Dan Hartman cover)
Encore
Hold Up a Light
Rule the World
Take That merch prices
Take That have got a massive range of merch available on The Circus Live Tour, including t-shirts, football tops, totes, jumpers, and even elephant stuffed toys.
The big hitters seem to be their bomber jackets, and the football-inspired shirts and scarves – but your wallet will take a hit too…
Take That t-shirts – £45
The Circus Live football top – £85
Take That bomber jacket – £170
Take That striped t-shirt – £55
Oversized tote bag – £35
Take That striped jumper – £90
Take That hoody – £90
Official tour book – £25
Elephant plushie – £50
City-specific posters – £20
Football scarf – £35
Headband – £20
Key ring – £15
Car air fresheners – £10
Stage times
The Etihad Stadium hasn’t announced the exact stage times for Take That just yet, but based on previous shows on the tour, it should be something like this:
Take That have gathered some incredible support acts for the entire The Circus Live Tour, including their four nights in Manchester.
They’ll be supported by American singing legend Belinda Carlisle, whose solo hits include Heaven Is A Place On Earth, I Get Weak, and Leave a Light On.
Then warming up the crowd even more will be The Script, the beloved Irish pop rock band who are responsible for huge songs like Hall Of Fame, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, and Breakeven.
Danny Jones -
23rd February 2025 
