Welsh rock band and all-round music legends Stereophonics are embarking on their first tour together in three years next summer, announcing a series of massive ‘Stadium Anthem’ dates.
Formed in 1992, the band have enjoyed plenty of commercial and critical acclaim over the years, with 11 UK top ten hits and despite only managing one chart-topping single in 2005, the unforgettable ‘Dakota’, they’re known for countless other hits like ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ and ‘A Thousand Trees’, just to name a few.
Led by the instantly recognisable voice of frontman, Kelly Jones, the band has gone from making music together as neighbours to becoming one of Wales’ biggest exports and a beloved British group. It’s no wonder that more than 30 years later they’re still headlining huge stadiums.
However, we’re sure you were right on track to ‘Have A Nice Day’, but we sadly have to break the news that they’ll be skipping Manchester as well as other big Northern cities like Leeds, Sheffield and more.
Announcing the ‘Stadium Anthems’ tour on Monday, 7 October, the boys from Cwmaman village in the Cynon Valley are doing their bit to back that same small-town feel and show some love for cities that often get overlooked when it comes to big arena tours.
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Notably including Cork and Huddersfield’s John Smith Stadium among the small handful of sure-to-be sell-out concerts.
Crowds can expect all the usual suspects: ‘The Bartender And The Thief’, ‘Mr Writer’ and ‘Pick A Part That’s New’, their iconic ‘Handbags and Gladrags’ cover, alongside songs from their discography which dates all the way back to 1997 and their debut LP, Word Gets Around.
As well as hearing all the favourites in the flesh, crowds can also expect to be treated to some more live music from special guests, although the support act(s) will be announced at a later date.
The rock band are ready to deliver an unforgettable performance to a crowd of almost 25,000 as they bring their UK and Ireland tour to the home of Huddersfield Town and Giants on 14 June 2025, but Manchester fans will have to travel for a change.
On top of their incredible achievements with smash hit singles, the band also managed to amass eight number-one albums, a feat which many aspiring artists dream of.
Catching attention throughout the turn of the millennium, their second studio album Performance and Cocktails released in 1999 was when Kelly Jones’ unmistakable vocals got us all hooked for the foreseeable future.
Eager fans who want a bigger chance of securing tickets can do so by pre-ordering the band’s newest album, the title and artwork for which are yet to be revealed.
Tickets for Stereophonics’ stadium tour including the West Yorkshire date go on general sale Friday 11th October at 9am HERE.
Victoria Baths is ‘resurrecting’ its popular spooky silent disco this Halloween
Emily Sergeant
Halloween is on its way, and Silence of the Baths is being ‘resurrected’ for another year.
Returning for a ‘fright night of thrills’ after a sell-out debut in 2023, and then for a smash-hit revival of three of Manchester’s most iconic fallen nightclubs in 2024, Victoria Baths has announced that Silence of the Baths will be returning for its third year, transforming the stunning Grade II-listed building into one of the spookiest settings this Halloween.
For the popular one-off event, Victoria Baths is set to ‘show its darker side’, as the pool halls, Turkish Baths, and labyrinth of spaces undergo an epic Halloween makeover.
Victoria Baths is teaming up with Girls on Film for one of the best nights in the city this Halloween, as the historic space becomes a ‘haunted haven’ of glamour and ghosts.
Partygoers are encouraged to dress the part and wander through the empty pools and haunted corridors as each space is transformed into spooky playground filled with ghouls, spiders, bats, and coffins – but most importantly, good times.
From the balcony above the former pool, the Girls on Film crew will take over the silent disco with a trio of DJs on three different channels.
Hattie Pearson will be on Channel 1, Meme Gold on Channel 2, and the Channel 3 will have DJ MXw0rld.
Victoria Baths is ‘resurrecting’ its popular spooky silent disco this Halloween / Credit: Chris Payne (via Supplied)
As mentioned, ticketholders are being encouraged to ‘dress to distress’ on the night, not only because it’s Halloween, but also because the person with the most haunting look has the chance to win a Halloween Swag Bag.
There’ll be plenty of elixirs and spirits to sip on all night long, and don’t forget to strike a pose against the Baths’ iconic backdrop.
The Silence of the Baths III: The Return will take over Victoria Baths on Saturday 25 October, with doors creaking open from 7:30pm, and tickets are now on sale here and setting you back £20 each (plus a booking fee).
The event sold out last year, so early ticket purchase is recommended
All ticket purchases support the work of The Victoria Baths Trust to preserve Victoria Baths, so that communities can continue to enjoy this inspiring building.
Featured Image – Chris Payne (via Supplied)
Audio
DMA’s confirm highly anticipated Hills End 10th anniversary tour dates
Danny Jones
Indie favourites DMA’s have finally confirmed their highly anticipated Hills End anniversary tour, celebrating 10 years since their breakout debut album with several UK dates – including Manchester.
The Aussie band beloved by Brits and music fans all over have been teasing a reveal of some sort over the past weeks, but now the news is official.
Up there with the Sydney music scene’s finest exports right now, DMA’s have always had a strong following over here, but especially so up North and Manchester in particular, with their youthful, uplifting and moving style often striking up similarities to our own indie rock roots.
Revealing details of the Hills End 10th anniversary shows on social media this Monday, the talented trio have confirmed a number of Northern gigs.
Besides us Mancs being the first stop on the run of live shows (honoured, of course), perhaps the most exciting part about this announcement is that this will be the very first time DMA’s will be performing their maiden LP live in full.
At this time, we’re not sure whether or not they’ll be playing from start to finish in order, but either way, fans are understandably very excited; you can consider us here at Audio North firmly included in that group, by the way.
We’re sure we don’t need to remind you lot reading this per se, but cherished tracks from the record obviously include ‘Delete’, ‘Lay Down’, ‘In The Moment’.
They’ll also be playing working-class outposts like Newcastle and Glasgow, as well as paying a visit to our friends over at The Hoot in Yorkshire. You can see the full list of shows down below.
DMA’s Hills End 10th anniversary tour 2026 – UK dates
February
Friday 06 – O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
Saturday 07 – NX, Newcastle
Sunday 08 – O2 Academy, Birmingham
Tuesday 10 – O2 Academy, Bristol
Thursday 12 – O2 Academy Brixton, London
Saturday 14 – O2 Academy, Leeds
Monday 16 – O2 Academy, Glasgow
May
Thursday 21 – Rock City, Nottingham
Friday 22 – UEA, Norwich
What an album this is.
“The UK has always felt like a second home for us. Hills End was where our story really began overseas, so it feels right to come back and celebrate it with the fans who’ve supported us from day one.”
Literally almost a full decade on from its release, the DMA’s anniversary tour kicks here in Manchester next Feb and, as of yet, no support act has been confirmed.
Tickets go on sale at 9am this Friday, 17 October; You can get ready to grab your tickets HERE.
Thomas Melia -
7th October 2024 
