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.
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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!”
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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).
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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.
Elbow get behind campaign to save Jodrell Bank from closure
Danny Jones
Manc band Elbow are among the latest to get behind the campaign to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from closing permanently.
The Greater Manchester natives famously played a sold-out gig at the important scientific and cultural landmark for a very special live album recording well over a decade ago, and know all too well the site’s national and, indeed, global heritage.
Choosing the Observatory and the rare chance to perform a show in the shadow of the world-renowned James Lovell Telescope, it probably remains one of their most significant standalone UK date ever.
With that in mind, the local lads have been left just as worried by the news of its impending closure as everyone else, and have therefore issued a fresh appeal to help keep it open.
Posting a timely statement on social media, the group wrote: “Jodrell Bank has long been close to elbow’s heart. In 2012, the band played beneath the Lovell Telescope for one of the most memorable shows in our history.
“The recent news that funding for the e-MERLIN radio telescope network is set to end in 2028 puts the future of the scientific work at Jodrell Bank under serious threat. It is a remarkable place, with an extraordinary history, and one that continues to play an important role in science, culture and education.”
In addition to reliving clips and images from the historic live set all the years later, they also pointed people towards their ‘elbow – Live at Jodrell Bank‘ album documentary, which has now been made available online for the very first time as part of wider efforts to raise awareness around the cause.
Directing people to key online resources shared by the institution and astrophysics centre itself following their unfortunate update late last month, the push to not only find the funding but sustain support for the facility continues to ramp up throughout the world of science, arts and industry.
For anyone who somehow missed the news – 2028 being the current deadline handed down as per budget cuts across the sector – concerned parties here in the North West and all over the country have since started petitioning to save Jodrell Bank Observatory from shutting down for good.
In addition to being described as a “huge blow” to the field by the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), some have even gone so far as to describe the decision as a form of “vandalism” when it comes to research and British culture as a whole.
Having also served as the host venue for the annual bluedot Festival since 2016, the multi-genre science and arts celebration could soon be forced to find a new home.
The battle is far from over yet, and the community has time to rescue Jodrell Bank Observatory from its fate, but it will take lots of money and more notable public figures to make it happen.
Once again, you can do your bit by signing the petition mentioned above right HERE.
Featured Images — Emma Farrer (via Wikimedia Commons)/The Manc Group
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Manichester organisers confirm tribute festival will return in 2027
Danny Jones
For anyone who didn’t manage to make it to the inaugural ‘Manichester’ festival held earlier this year in memory of British music legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, you’ll be glad to hear that the tribute festival will be returning in 2027.
Set up in the name of the late, great Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist, the event sold out in the blink of an eye, as hordes of Mancs and more turned up to honour the local icon through live music.
Following paying their respects in the immediate aftermath, his surviving family members, peers and other figures from within the industry then held that wonderful evening, where several big names turned up to remember with live performances – and it’s official: they’re not done yet.
Writing in a lengthy caption, the brand said, “The family of Stone Roses legend Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield have thanked everyone who made Manichester at Diecast such a special day — performers, organisers, and the thousands who turned up to celebrate a true Manchester icon.”
The evidently emotional and grateful statement goes on to read: “On behalf of Gene, George & the Family — thank you to everyone who performed, contributed and attended Manichester on 30 May 2026, and for all your kind words of support.
“The response was massive — fans travelled from everywhere, demand through the roof, love for Mani louder than ever. [Local fashion label] GioGoi even said they could’ve filled Old Trafford.”
Revealing that the team of organisers have now green-lit the follow-up edition next year, they promise to deliver the same kind of magic, only “bigger, better, built properly” and with more music and people involved this time around.
They also thanked Manc-Mexican musician and creative, Alejandro Reyes Knight, for filming and editing the content on the night, adding that since he “grew up in Madchester”, there was no better person to be tasked with the job.
For anyone who was there at Diecast on the special memorial evening itself, we don’t need to tell you how special the energy was in the room.
We spent a good week or so looking back at footage following the maiden Manichester festival, as we’re sure plenty of you did, too; safe to say we’re glad we’ll have another opportunity to celebrate his life and career in the best way we know how: with plenty of tunes and singing our hearts out.
It remains to be seen whether Diecast will remain the host venue for the sophomore tribute fest, and the next date is also still yet to be fully set.
All we do know is that with such a good lineup and turnout the first time around, you can expect an excellent and equally heartfelt sequel in 2027.
You can register your interest right HERE. Wherever and whenever it is, we’ll see you there.
@the.manc Yesterday, Manchester laid one of the city's greatest music legends, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, to rest at Manchester Cathedral. 🍋 Fellow band member and life-long friend Ian Brown read out a speech as hundreds gathered outside the cathedral to pay their respects to The Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassist. Mani will be missed by many, and we send love to all his family and friends. ❤️ #manchester#mani#ianbrown#thestoneroses#stoneroses♬ original sound – The Manc
Daisy Jackson -
9th June 2026 
