British rock band The Amazons have announced a run of new UK shows in support of their upcoming record and, naturally, they’re coming to Manchester.
Set to launch their fourth studio LP next month, The Amazons are gearing up for their next album cycle with a limited series of domestic tour dates, including three Northern gigs – four, including Scotland.
In fact, of the ten nights on the list, there are more up North than there are down south; put it this way, the boys might be from Reading, but they know where their bread is buttered.
Kicking off the album support tour this autumn, we can’t wait to welcome them back to Manchester.
The Amazons last played these parts back in 2022 following the release of their third record, How Will I Know if Heaven Will Find Me? (packed with bangers, we’d like to add), selling out Manchester Academy for a second time after doing the same in 2019 – the year they also played a brilliant Oasis cover.
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Better still, they’ve picked an absolutely brilliant venue for their Manc return too, as they’ll be bringing their ‘Black Magic’ to the beautiful Albert Hall.
Now a trio, The Amazons’ current project 21st Century Fiction is set to drop on 9 May and given that their debut title landed at number eight on the album charts and both of their follow-ups have been received similarly well, we’re expecting another great listen from cover to cover.
In their first teaser for the latest iteration of their sound, the Berkshire boys teamed up with fellow contemporary rock favourites Royal Blood for the lead single, ‘My Blood’, which was produced by frontman Mike Kerr and features Ben Thatcher on drums in place of former member Joe Emmett.
You can see the recent music video in full down below.
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You can hear their influence straight away.
The Amazons head to Albert Hall for the Manchester leg of ‘The 21st Century Fiction Tour’ on Saturday, 25 October 2025, with support acts still yet to be announced.
If you’re looking to grab early access, you can do so by pre-ordering the album, with pre-sale tickets going live at 10am on Wednesday, 9 April.
As for general admission, tickets will be available from the same time on the following Friday (11 April).
Elbow announce three very intimate shows in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Elbow have announced a three-night Manchester residency, and they’ll be playing a much more intimate venue than their usual.
The Bury-formed rock legends have announced a run of ‘very special’ intimate gigs to celebrate 25 years of their debut studio album, Asleep In The Back.
Elbow frontman Guy Garvey has said the band want it to be a ‘time machine night’ for both them and their fans.
Last time Elbow played a hometown gig, it was an enormous outdoor summer show at Castlefield Bowl in Manchester.
And the time before that, they were opening the UK’s largest indoor arena, the Co-op Live (admittedly, they weren’t supposed to open the venue, but its opening got delayed to land on the date of their gig).
So to see them play to a crowd of just 1,500 people is not an occurrence we’re likely to see again for a while.
Elbow have just announced three intimate Manchester gigs, performing at the O2 Ritz this November.
They’ll perform their debut, Asleep In The Back, in its entirety, along with selected B-sides and rarities.
Speaking of the announcement, Guy Garvey said: “It’s fascinating for us to revisit the atmosphere we created, and the Ritz feels like the perfect setting to capture that atmosphere.
“A time machine night for us and for the fans. See you there.”
Elbow will perform at O2 Ritz Manchester on Friday 20, Saturday 21, and Sunday 22 November.
Tickets will go on general sale from 10am on Friday 4 September HERE, with an artist presale from 10am on Wednesday 2 September.
Andy Burnham’s favourite Manchester pub, restaurant, neighbourhood and Sunday roast
Daisy Jackson
Andy Burnham’s favourite pub, restaurant, neighbourhood, and Sunday roast have been revealed – and the man’s got taste.
Old footage of now-PM Andy Burnham chatting to content creator Isaac Likes has been doing the rounds again, and while the interview dates back to before Andy left us and headed down to the big smoke, his Manchester recommendations still stand.
From his go-to neighbourhood and favourite pub to where he heads for a Sunday roast, and even the song he likes to play when he gets behind the decks, Burnham gave us a glimpse into his ideal Manchester day.
First up, there’s the Northern Quarter, which Burnham reckons has to be his favourite neighbourhood in the city.
He said: “Got to be the Northern Quarter. It’s the place where it’s all happening.”
When it comes to food, he singled out Firehouse, sitting on the edge of the Northern Quarter, as one of his favourite places to eat. He also gave a shoutout to its sister venue Ramona, where he’s been known to get behind the decks.
Andy said: “On the edge of the Northern Quarter, Firehouse is a place I love to go. Ramona Pizza, I’ve DJ’d there – if the mayor DJs there it’s gotta be alright.”
For a proper pint, Burnham’s choice is a little more traditional, saying his favourite pub is the ‘proper old school’ Peveril of the Peak.
The beautiful tiled pub was recently named the best in the UK, just days before its legendary landlady Nancy passed away.
When Sunday rolls around, Burnham said he has a couple of options up his sleeve. The Wharf in Castlefield gets a mention, as does Edinburgh Castle up in Ancoats.
The Peveril of the Peak pub in ManchesterThe Edinburgh CastleFirehouseSome of Andy Burnham’s favourite places in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
He said: “We love our gravy, we drink it by the pint in Manchester.”
Of course, no conversation with Burnham about Manchester would be complete without talking music.
Asked to name the best Manchester band of all time, he offered a few contenders – The Smiths, New Order, and, ultimately, The Stone Roses.
“The band I think are quintessentially Manchester is The Stone Roses. That was peak Manchester,” he said.
Danny Jones -
7th April 2025 
