Audio

The Chemical Brothers announce massive homecoming gig in Manchester

The boys are back in town. (Contains affiliate links)

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 27th March 2023

The Chemical Brothers have announced a series of massive arena gigs, including a hometown show in Manchester.

The electronic duo, who formed after meeting at the University of Manchester in 1989, are heading back to the AO Arena.

The Chemical Brothers will bring their globally renowned live show to arenas across the UK this autumn.

They recently released their first new music in two years, dropping the single ‘No Reason’ this month.

A 10th studio album is currently in the works, due for release later this year.

ADVERTISEMENT

Over the course of their three-decade-long career, they’ve smashed records with songs including ‘Block Rockin’ Beats’, ‘Galvanize’, and ‘Hey Boy Hey Girl’.

The Chemical Brothers
The Chemical Brothers. Credit: Facebook

The Chemical Brothers have sold more than 13 million albums, reaching the top of the charts six times.

ADVERTISEMENT

Their tracks have been streamed a whopping three billion times to date.

The Chemical Brothers will be performing at the AO Arena Manchester on Friday 27 October, before heading on to other shows in Leeds, Birmingham, London, Dublin and Glasgow.

Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Friday 31 March through See Tickets, with a fan pre-sale on Wednesday 29 March.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Chemical Brothers 2023 UK tour dates

Thu 26 October – OVO Hydro, Glasgow

Fri 27 October – AO Arena, Manchester

Sat 28 October – First Direct Arena, Leeds

Wed 1 November – 3Arena, Dublin

Fri 3 November – Utilita Arena, Birmingham

ADVERTISEMENT

Sat 4 November – The O2, London

Featured image: Ray Baseley

Audio

Stockport band Blossoms set for BIG return to Leeds Festival this year

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Blossoms have just announced their big return to Leeds Festival, as the four-day music event continues to impress with its stacked lineup.

They might have a ‘Joke About Divorce’ from time to time, but when it comes to entertaining a Leeds Festival crowd, Blossoms take it very seriously, having played at Bramham Park three times in the past decade already.

The Stockport band have captivated audiences since the rise of standout track ‘Charlemagne’ and more recently with the addition of their fifth studio album, Gary, named after an eight-foot fiberglass gorilla.

Known for always putting on a stellar performance, Tom, Joe, Charlie, Myles, and Josh are bringing a brand-new set to Leeds when they visit this August bank holiday weekend.

As well as releasing new music, Blossoms are making a big return to Leeds Festival 2026 / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)

Currently, Leeds Festival 2026 has seven headline acts spanning all genres from Dance and EDM to Pop and Rap with the likes of Charli XCX, Raye, Dave and more topping the bill.

The Stockport five-piece are featured alongside three other insane artists as ‘Special Guests’, appearing next to Skepta, Sombr and Role Model.

Also listed on the lineup are rising stars like R&B vocal powerhouse Skye Newman, pop princess Jade, Merseyside indie rockers The K’s and Wigan-formed The Lilacs with more to be announced.

Although nothing is confirmed yet, this upcoming Leeds Festival set from Blossoms will contain high energy and obviously all their biggest and best bangers from across their four chart topping albums as well as new music.

Whether you’re there for ‘Your Girlfriend’ or ‘What Can I Say After I’m Sorry’, one thing’s for sure, you’re guaranteed to have an absolutely spectacular night.

Blossoms are making their big return to Leeds Festival 2026 which is taking place from 27 to 30 August at Bramham Park with tickets live HERE.

Audio

Stage and Radio issue defiant statement in response to concerning development plans

Danny Jones Danny Jones Stage and Radio petition and statement against new flats redevelopment Manchester

Manchester centre bar, music venue, and nightlife institution, Stage and Radio, has shared an impassioned and defiant statement in the face of proposed plans to be built next to the venue.

And when we say next to, we mean next door – and by that we mean practically on their doorstep, not to mention that of other local businesses.

Situated within one of the city’s most important creative and cultural hubs, in the form of the Northern Quarter, the gig space, club and popular meeting place finds itself under serious threat.

Here’s their statement in full:

Speaking in the accompanying caption, they said: “Comment below and we’ll DM you a link to take action (It’s also in our bio!).”

They go on to say, “We’re urgently asking for the public to support Stage & Radio by voicing concerns by 10th June 2026 about a future development going up within a few meters of the venue.”

Unsurprisingly, the post has been met with an outpouring of not only shared rage, frustration and confusion, but more importantly, they’ve received a huge amount of support in the comments, too.

Fellow Manc favourite nighttime venue, Hidden, added, “Sit tight @stageandradiomcr you’re not going anywhere; meanwhile, several people across multiple sites have simply written, ‘Stage and Radio 4 Life.”

New developments and residential ventures continue to pop up all over the city and surrounding regions, as they always will, but these potential additions don’t look to be very welcome under the current proposals – a similar case has been made for the regeneration of Chorlton Cross Shopping Centre.

Lots of people are excited by the idea, but not everyone is in total agreement that the prospect of adding new, much taller and likely expensive properties into the mix is what’s best for the area.

As for Stage and Radio, we’ve had the pleasure of spending a fair few late nights there (not to mention well into the early hours of the next morning) over the years.

Besides being a great place to watch up-and-coming live acts, DJ sets, and more, it’s also one of the best places to go before and after a gig in Manchester city centre.

Releasing a direct statement to The Manc and Audio North, they told us: “We are deeply concerned about whether residential flats positioned directly beside an established grassroots music venue can realistically provide appropriate residential amenity and conditions suitable for long-term human
habitation, while also protecting an existing venue from future conflict.”

S&R also noted these circumstances are not entirely unlike those that have jeopardised the future of fellow NQ neighbours and live music venue, Night and Day Cafe, in recent times.

The countdown is now ticking away for Stage and Radio – quite literally, as you can see by the banner now showing on the homepage of their website.

If you want to help save not just this venue but the culture, community and artistic scene it stands for, you can sign the protest petition and get involved in the fight right HERE.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Audio North

More Audio

Affiliate

Dermot Kennedy at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour

Northern music artists of the month May 2026

Art & Culture

The best Northern music artists of the month | May 2026

NBHD Weekender back for 2027 early bird tickets on sale this week

Art & Culture

Neighbourhood Weekender confirmed for return in 2027 after standout year

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches