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Take That at AO Arena, Manchester – seating plan, stage times and more after gigs shift from Co-op Live arena

THOUSANDS of people will head to the AO Arena for these three this week.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 6th May 2024

There aren’t many bands who can sell out SEVEN arena shows in Manchester – but Take That is clearly one of them.

Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald were set to perform a staggering run of shows across May and June at the Co-op Live – but we all know what happened there.

Their first five gigs have now been moved to the AO Arena instead, and will officially kick off on Tuesday 7 May.

It’s a huge homecoming gig for the trio, who’ll be performing hits from their whopping nine studio albums.

Ever since their comeback in 2006 they’ve become one of the biggest and best-selling pop groups on the planet, with almost every album topping the charts and reaching Platinum status.

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But change of venue for Take That has meant thousands of tickets have been reallocated, and there is a date change in the mix too.

If you’re one of the lucky ones to bag tickets for Take That’s This Life On Tour tour in Manchester, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know.

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What dates are Take That performing in Manchester?

The AO Arena in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Co-op Live WILL open this week, it has assured fans. Credit: The Manc Group
Take That’s first batch of Manchester gigs have moved from the Co-op Live (right) to the AO Arena. Credit: The Manc Group

At AO Arena

  • Tuesday 7 May
  • Thursday 9 May (rescheduled from Wednesday 8 May)
  • Friday 10 May
  • Saturday 11 May
  • Sunday 12 May

At Co-op Live

  • Tuesday 11 June
  • Wednesday 12 June

How to get your new tickets after venue change from Co-op Live

If you had tickets for the group’s original planned shows at the new Co-op Live arena, you’re probably wondering how the venue change will work.

Any tickets that were purchased through Ticketmaster will automatically change in your account in the next few days (if they haven’t already).

If you have any queries about your ticket, contact your point of purchase.

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What if your new seats for Take That are worse than your original booking?

Take That will bring their huge 2024 tour to Manchester this week. Credit: Publicity picture
Take That will bring their huge 2024 tour to Manchester this week. Credit: Publicity picture

Ooh yeah, this has been a bit of a sore subject for Take That fans, some of whom have found themselves in much worse seats than they initially paid for.

That’s down to the different layouts of the two arenas, and the fact that the AO Arena is slightly smaller than Co-op Live.

The AO Arena has asked ticketing providers to reallocate seats as fairly as possible, keeping seats as close to the original booking as they can.

The arena said in a statement to one disgruntled fan: “We appreciate your frustration and advise you contact your provider to discuss further.”

On their FAQ page, it states: “The transfer process takes into account the position of previous tickets, and the number of tickets in the individual booking.

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:However, each venue is different in their block row and seat configuration, which will undoubtedly mean that some fans won’t get exactly what they had for the original show.”

If you’re one of the affected people who’s not happy with your new seat, you need to contact your ticket provider directly for help and advice.

What to do if you can’t make the rescheduled date

Most of the Take That shows have remained on their original dates, simply switching from Co-op Live arena to the AO Arena.

But the show originally scheduled for Wednesday 8 May has unfortunately had to be rearranged to Thursday 9 May.

If the new date doesn’t work for you, refunds are available from your point of purchase.

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Seating plan at the AO Arena for Take That’s Manchester gigs

The exact venue layout for Take That at the AO Arena hasn’t actually been released by Ticketmaster at the time of writing.

But after decades hosting some of the biggest acts in the world, the venue is pretty familiar to most of us at this point.

The below chart is the one for Girls Aloud, which is also being staged as a fully seated concert.

Take That have been making use of a B Stage in the heart of the floor audience too, which will likely be added to their Manchester gig.

Who is supporting Take That at their Manchester shows?

In an effort to create the most chart-friendly, crowd-pleasing, middle-of-the-road pop night of all time, Take That have recruited Olly Murs as their support act.

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The former X Factor alumni headlined arenas across the UK in 2023 with his Marry Me tour, and now he’s back to warm up the crowds for Take That.

You can expect to hear some of the 39-year-old’s biggest hits, including Please Don’t Let Me Go, Heart Skips a Beat, and Dear Darlin.

What is Take That’s expected setlist?

Take That have already performed multiple dates on this tour, so we’ve got a good idea of what their setlist in Manchester will look like.

  • Keep Your Head Up
  • Windows
  • Giants
  • Days I Hate Myself
  • Everything Changes
  • Sure
  • Shine
  • A Million Love Songs
  • I Found Heaven
  • Pray
  • Forever Love (Gary Barlow song)
  • Clementine (Mark Owen song)
  • Speak Without Words (unreleased Howard Donald song)
  • Patience
  • The Flood
  • Get Ready for It
  • March of the Hopeful
  • The Champion
  • This Life
  • Greatest Day
  • These Days
  • Time and Time Again
  • Relight My Fire
  • One More Word
  • Hold Up a Light
  • Back for Good
  • Never Forget
  • Rule the World

What will the stage times be for Take That at the AO Arena Manchester?

  • Doors – 6pm
  • Olly Murs – 7.20pm
  • Take That – 8.35pm
  • Curfew – 11pm

*Stage times are often subject to change so allow plenty of time to get into the arena.

Are there still tickets for Take That?

At the minute, tickets have been taken off sale for Take That, presumably while the AO Arena and Ticketmaster deal with transferring tickets from one arena to the other.

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But given that Co-op Live was completely sold out, and the AO Arena is smaller, there are unlikely to be any tickets remaining.

Your one remaining chance may be some re-released tickets from those who can no longer make the rearranged date, or reliable re-sale sites.

Is tram travel included with your gig ticket?

As part of Co-op Live’s huge opening season, they announced free tram travel for gig-goers in a partnership with TfGM.

Thankfully, this is being honoured for the shows that have switched to the AO Arena.

Tram travel around Greater Manchester is included with event tickets for four hours before and after Take That on Tuesday 7, Thursday 9, Friday 10, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 May.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

Audio

Audio North’s favourite albums of 2025

Danny Jones Danny Jones best albums of the year 2025 ranked

It’s that time of the year again: time to round up the best, or at least our favourite albums of 2026 here at Audio North.

We’re ready for your spiky opinions and intense judgement.

For those of you who haven’t been following over the past year or so, members of The Manc, The Sheff and The Hoot have banded together in our love of music to create the one-stop shop for all the best Northern tunage there is, going to as many gigs and chatting with as many artists as possible.

However, we’d never dare limit an audiophile’s listening to one region, so you can expect plenty of globe-trotting, genre-hopping and head-bopping excellence on this list. Without further ado, here is Audio North‘s round-up of the best records of the year for 2025.

Lux by Rosalía – Emily

5/5

I am not a trusted voice in music criticism, nor do I claim to be, so take what this verging-on-30-year-old white girl who only speaks English and has no relationship to religion whatsoever, says with a pinch of salt… but I think this might be one of the best albums of the decade, never mind this year.

When was the last time a genre-bending concept album about feminine spirituality and female saints sung in 14 DIFFERENT languages managed to wiggle its way into the cultural zeitgeist and onto the global charts? Yeah, never.

But that’s exactly what’s happened with Spanish singer Rosalía’s fourth studio album, Lux. It sees the hugely influential musician return to her roots by showcasing her classical training, with touches of flamenco mixed in with contemporary pop and orchestral sound – and to me, it’s exactly where she belongs.

Go on, give it a listen if you haven’t already.

We’re Never Getting Out by Deaf Havana – Danny

4.5/5

Since early adolescence onwards, Deaf Havana have been with me through every major milestone, significant moment and formative part of my life, good, bad, and everything in between, so it only feels fitting that I’d enter my third decade on this planet with one of their records to start me off right.

In fact, not only did they release this in my birthday month, but they also happened to play Manchester not long before the big day. I couldn’t have asked for a better 30th gift, but getting to hear this long-awaited batch of new tunes live and seeing frontman James Veck-Gilodi back at his best felt special.

They’ve been through many iterations over the years and I’ve loved them all in their own way; their previous two albums definitely felt like a return to form after perhaps somewhat of a blip (for various background reasons), but it still staggers me how Matty and James’ stuff never fails to connect with me more than any other artist, no matter the age, stage or style.

To be completely truthful, I’ll always lean towards their heavier guitar-driven stuff – and they’ll never abandon it – but I guess there’s a comfort in knowing just how challenging a period of life James has gone through, yet he still continues to be the most raw, introspective and eternally honest lyricist.

For my money, the best and most underrated songwriter of a generation. Help hail him if you want it, or don’t; even if not, it feels like he gets to stay mine, or at least for those of us initiated, OURS.

Thanks for everything up until now, and you know what? Sod it, I’ll take the liberty of speaking on behalf of all Deaf fans when I say we’re SO bloody happy you’re back with us, even if ‘The Present Is still feels like* a Foreign Land’.

West End Girl by Lily Allen – Daisy

5/5

Would I have called myself a Lily Allen fan six months ago? No. But I have always called myself a fan of a diss track and a good gossip, so when I learned of her divorce album, I consumed it HARD.

West End Girl is a solid pop album, but also a masterclass in knowing your worth, speaking your truth, and serving revenge ice-cold. And bringing the receipts, too.

It’s also a masterclass in music marketing – not only did it drop right before the release of her ex-husband’s biggest project of his career, but her tour posters were then placed directly opposite Stranger Things posters, so her face reflected back over his.

He effectively vanished from his own press tour, and possibly the face of the planet? Has David Harbour gone into witness protection in ‘The Upside Down’? I would.

Love and light, Lily, and thank you for delivering the best.

The Art of Loving by Olivia Dean – Clementine

5/5

Before you ask, yes, I have endured a breakup this year and, coincidentally, around the same time as Ms Dean released this absolute masterclass of a sophomore album.

The Art of Loving is a perfect analysis of love in all forms. Her heartfelt yet humoured lyricism explores its constant ups and downs, from delightfully romantic songs like ‘So Easy (To Fall In Love)’ to more gut-wrenching, raw confessions like ‘Let Alone The One You Love’.

But perhaps the most prominent theme of love throughout is self-love; Olivia portrays herself as not a victim but a student, and we, as listeners, are reassured that we’re all in the same boat and that if we trust the process, the right sort of love will find us eventually.

It’s no surprise that Olivia Dean is one of the most exciting artists in the world right now, oozing class, charm and impeccable talent – we can’t wait to see her live again and to see what she does next.

A Complicated Woman by Self Esteem – Kris

5/5

Self Esteem has kicked the door off its hinges this year with her third studio album, A Complicated Woman, with standout critical acclaim. The album explores identity, womanhood and burnout against a backdrop of delicious pop-bops and powerfully honest lyrics with a theatricality that few other musicians can muster.

I only properly “discovered” Self Esteem this year, and she has absolutely knocked my musical socks off. I had the joy of watching her sensational performance at Glastonbury, shedding a number of tears at the likes of ‘I Do And I Don’t Care’, ‘In Plain Sight’ and ‘Focus Is Power’.

Her lyrics and her music have a way of mining the depths of your emotions and dragging feelings out of you that you didn’t even know existed. ‘The Deep Blue Okay’ is the perfect closer, reminding us that self-preservation is acceptable and OK.

In a world where there is constant pressure, internally and externally, to be perfect, this whole album reminds us that sometimes being imperfect and trying is what matters. Every day we get to have is big.

Whilst Sheffield-born Self Esteem might be a complicated woman, there is nothing complicated about this album being an absolute knock-out.

Addison by Addison Rae – Fran

4.5/5

I’m usually a pop-punk, obsessed with Oli Sykes kinda girl, but Addison Rae… You are my Queen.

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The soundtrack to my summer, Addison Rae brought us all classics like ‘Summer Forever’, ‘Diet Pepsi’, ‘Headphones on’, and the absolute fan favourite ‘Fame Is A Gun’ on the self-titled album, Addison.

She followed me to all my holidays, and the album itself takes you on a journey of what it’s like to be a woman; it’s empowering, showcasing what it’s like to be young, being in love, not wasting time and maybe a little bit of money – it’s a joyful masterpiece.

I fell short of seeing her live in Manchester earlier this year, but it didn’t stop me from scrolling through TikTok the next morning.

Addison, thank you for being the noise of one of my favourite summers – now put your ‘headphones on’ and enjoy.

People Watching by Sam Fender – Lonnie

4/5

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People Watching… WHAT an album. Where do I even start? Sam Fender really has knocked it out of the park on this one – Wythenshawe Park, specifically.

It’s raw, emotional, yet still full of energy. I was lucky enough to see Fender for that wonderful day fest in Wythy back in August, where he did this album the utmost justice.

The title track ‘People Watching’ is a full-on banger: high energy and massive sound. It also carries a message that will hit people from all walks of life. Knowing it’s about a late mentor and friend of Sam’s made it land even harder.

‘Rein Me In’ is another standout, touching on self-sabotage in love, which most of us can acknowledge we have done at one time or another. It’s honest, extremely relatable, and hits home without trying too hard; having Clem’s favourite Olivia Dean then hop on it was just the stuff of dreams.

Overall, the album feels incredibly human. Reflective without being boring, emotional without being over the top. It’s the sort of record you stick on and let play, and it’ll hit different ways depending on where your head is. A brilliant album and one of Sam Fender‘s strongest to date.

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Hopefully! by Loyle Carner – EmJ

4/5

Hopefully! has been one album I’ve listened to time and time again this year. Loyle Carner (real name Benjamin Coyle Larner) continues to prove why his music connects so deeply with so many people.

From the moment I pressed play on the record, I was met with an immediate sense of comfort. The opening track, ‘feel at home’, begins with a child-like sound of wind chimes before switching into a jungle/breakbeat rhythm – a more experimental direction for Loyle, but one that feels completely natural.

Sonically, the album is interesting. There are moments that lean into a murky, slightly off-kilter sound that will remind many listeners of King Krule and Mac DeMarco – more in mood and atmosphere than direct influence. It shows Ben pushing himself creatively without losing what makes his music feel so personal.

Throughout the album, you can hear the weight in Loyle Carner’s voice. Often sounding like there’s a lump in his throat, his thoughts feel raw, unpolished and imperfect, and that’s exactly what makes the record resonate with me.

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Vulnerability has always been at the heart of Loyle’s music, but it feels especially front and centre here. The album flows effortlessly, and it’s one of those records you end up listening to front-to-back without even realising.

DON’T TAP THE GLASS by Tyler, The Creator – Aimee

5/5

Tyler, The Creator’s latest album, DON’T TAP THE GLASS, is another reminder of why his evolution has been so compelling to watch. I’ve been listening to his music since the Odd Future days, and what’s impressive is how he’s managed to grow without losing that edge.

The album is inspired by people’s fear of dancing in public due to social media; it’s an album about letting loose and expressing yourself. Production is layered and interesting, but never distracting, giving Tyler room to say exactly what he wants to say.

‘Sugar On My Tongue’ stands out immediately. It’s the kind of track that grows with every listen and sticks around long after the album ends.

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This isn’t Tyler trying to prove anything. It’s an artist fully comfortable in his sound, still pushing himself forward while staying true to where he started.

Hearts Sold Separately by Mariah the Scientist – Thomas

4.5/5

With this project featuring my top song, album and artist of the year, ‘Is It a Crime’ if I didn’t choose this to be my album of the year? Yes. Mariah has resorted to every artist’s favourite era of inspiration, calling back to the 80s for some echoey drums, chimes and synths which dominate this record’s soundscape.

This album’s magnum opus, ‘Burning Blue’, sees her letting down her guard as she finds true love with ‘Eternal Flame’ and ‘Like You Never’ continuing this theme. Fittingly, Ms Scientist uses this album to discuss her expertise in one specific chemical reaction, love.

Roll on January, when I’ll be belting out Hearts Sold Separately for its entire duration when she plays Manchester Academy.

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Getting Killed by Geese – Lilly

5/5

As an avid rock fan, I’ve been hungry for an album that flips the genre on its head and finally provides us with a fresh new perspective. Thankfully, Geese DELIVERED this year, and brought out their third wild and weirdly wonderful LP, Getting Killed, which has since gone platinum in my house.

Each song on the album feels like its own religious experience; it’s a perfectly crafted amalgamation of art-rock and post-punk with references to prime funk and soul, conveyed through groovy basslines and sonic shifts.

Cameron Winter’s uniquely brilliant vocal range shines through once again, accompanied by his absurdist lyricism and the band’s overall 70s flair; Getting Killed isn’t just a good rock album in my eyes, it’s a modern-day classic.

With a name like ‘Geese’… It’s hard to forget a band like these lot – and once you hear this album, they’ll be cemented in your brain forever.

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Go on, then – how did we do?…

Let us know your favourite albums of 2025 down below, and here’s to what we’re sure will be another brilliant year of music in ’26.

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Featured Images — Audio North/Publicity pictures (various)

Audio

Lola Young shares first public statement since cancellations and stepping away from the spotlight

Danny Jones Danny Jones Lola Young first public statement after career hiatus

UK pop star Lola Young has shared her first public statement since cancelling the remainder of her tour and stepping away from the spotlight.

Lola Young, 24, took a break from her still-burgeoning career after numerous concerning incidents on stage, including throwing up and even passing out in the middle of a performance.

The BRIT School graduate announced the unfortunate cancellation of her upcoming shows “for the foreseeable future”, including a gig here in Manchester, at the end of September.

Breaking her silence after the best part of three months, the London-born singer-songwriter took to social media in a fairly brief but heartwarming statement.

As you can see, the time away from the public eye certainly seems to have been beneficial, telling her followers that “it has helped more than you will ever know”.

In addition to embracing ADHD – even labelling her hit song ‘Messy’ as an “ADHD anthem” in multiple anthems – she was also diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at just 17.

The latter can include symptoms such as psychosis, hallucinations, intense mood swings, bipolar mania, depression and more.

Prior to calling off the rest of her headline shows, Young also had to pull out of her then-biggest festival slot to date, Parklife, though this was reportedly due to a scheduling conflict.

All that being said, we’re glad to hear that she’s on the mend; we saw her back in March, and you could tell from the crowd that she’s already got a very passionate cult following.

Both conditions and their associated obstacles have obviously affected her, but have equally helped influence her music and lyrical material, certainly, too.

Responding in the comments, fellow artist SZA wrote: “Love you, starfire angel. Your music is FULL of longevity and substance! We’re so grateful for you”.

Joining in support, ‘dark pop’ musician Carter James added, “Your wellbeing comes before anything. So excited for your next chapter whenever it arrives!”

We hope she’ll be doing better enough soon to get back on stage when she’s ready.

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Featured Images — Audio North/Jamsterdodger (via Wikimedia Commons)

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