Some of the biggest names in music will come together this weekend for the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert.
The late Foo Fighters drummer, who tragically died in March this year, will be remembered in true rock and roll style – with a night of live music.
The all-star concerts have been organised by Hawkins’ bandmates, including frontman Dave Grohl, as well as his bereaved family.
Two shows are set to take place – one at London’s Wembley Arena, and another in Los Angeles.
Famous faces taking to the stage to honour the rock legend will include Liam Gallagher, Brian May, Mark Ronson and Supergrass, to name a few.
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The Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts will start this week. Credit: Facebook, Taylor Hawkins
The Foo Fighters themselves will also be performing on what’s set to be an emotional night.
The band cancelled all tour dates, including a date in Manchester, in the wake of Hawkins’ death, so this weekend will be a rare chance to see them perform again.
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Here’s how you can watch the show from Manchester.
How to watch the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert
Although the actual gig is taking place down in London, Foo Fighters and the Hawkins family have arranged for it to be live-streamed across the planet.
The gig will begin at 4.30pm on Saturday 3 September.
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You’ll be able to watch it live through the MTV YouTube channel below when the concert starts.
MTV will also air a one-hour special across its channels around the world starting on Sunday 4 September.
Who’s headlining?
As one of the most famous and respected musicians in the industry, Taylor Hawkins and his Foo Fighters bandmates aren’t short of famous friends wanting to pay their respects.
It’s led to a bumper bill of rock royalty, who will perform alongside Foo Fighters at Wembley.
In alphabetical order, this is who you’ll see on stage on Saturday.
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Travis Barker (Blink-182)
Nandi Bushell
Martin Chambers (The Pretenders)
Chris Chaney (Jane’s Addiction)
Chevy Metal
Stewart Copeland (The Police)
Josh Freese
Liam Gallagher
Violet Grohl
Omar Hakim
Justin Hawkins (The Darkness)
Shane Hawkins
Joshua Homme (Queens Of The Stone Age)
Chrissie Hynde
James Gang
Alain Johannes
Brian Johnson (AC/DC)
John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)
Kesha
Greg Kurstin
Geddy Lee (Rush)
Alex Lifeson (Rush)
Brian May (Queen)
Krist Novoselic (Nirvana)
Nile Rodgers
Mark Ronson
Luke Spiller (The Struts)
Supergrass
Roger Taylor (Queen)
Rufus Taylor (The Darkness)
Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
Wolfgang Van Halen
Plus a special guest appearance from Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock
The gigs have been created to raise money for Music Support and MusiCares, as well as to honour the late Taylor Hawkins.
Music Support is a charity that provides help and support for those who work in music and live events affected by mental ill-health and/or addiction.
MusiCares’ website states that they ‘help the humans behind music because music gives so much to this world’.
The charity provides critical health and welfare services to the music community in three key areas: mental health and addiction recovery services, health services and human services.
All merchandise sold will also benefit the two charities.
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What Taylor Hawkins’ loved ones say
Taylor Hawkins and Dave Grohl with the Foo Fighters. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
A statement from Foo Fighters said: “As one of the most respected and beloved figures in modern music, Taylor’s monolithic talent and magnetic personality endeared him to millions of fans, peers, friends and fellow musical legends the world over.
“Millions mourned his untimely passing on March 25, with passionate and sincere tributes coming from fans as well as musicians Taylor idolized.
“The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts will unite several of those artists, the Hawkins family and of course his Foo Fighters brothers in celebration of Taylor’s memory and his legacy as a global rock icon.”
A statement from the Hawkins family said: “As Taylor’s wife, and on behalf of our children, I want to share how much you meant to him and how dedicated he was to ‘knocking your socks off’ during every performance.
“Taylor was honored to be a part of the Foo Fighters and valued his dream role in the band every minute of his 25 years with them. We consider every band member and the extended Foo Fighters team our family.
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“Taylor’s endearing spirit and deep love of music will live on forever through the collaborations he so enjoyed having with other musicians and the catalog of songs he contributed to and created.
“In celebration of his life, it is now up to all of us who loved him most to honor Taylor’s legacy and the music he gave us.
“Thank you all again for your love and sympathy. Taylor loved all of you & we love you too. With gratitude, Alison Hawkins.”
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
Audio
DMA’s add extra Manchester gig to highly anticipated Hills End 10th anniversary tour
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 not one but now TWO here in 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 earlier this week, the talented trio confirmed a number of Northern gigs – and then quickly had to add a bunch more…
Besides us Mancs being the first stop on the run of live shows (honoured, of course), we’re one of three UK cities getting an additional live show after fans lapped up the pre-sale.
Perhaps the most exciting part about this announcement is that this will be the very first time that DMA’s will be performing their much-loved 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 (make that twice), 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
Speaking on the initial announcement, the band said: “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 off at O2 Victoria Warehouse next February and, as of yet, no support act has been confirmed.
Johnny Took, Matt Mason and lead singer Tommy O’Dell will then be coming back to Manchester for round two on Sunday, 15 February.
Tickets go on sale at 9am this Friday, 17 October; you can get ready to grab your tickets 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.