We’re all set to take a big trip down memory lane this weekend, when The Clone Roses and a whole host of Manchester tribute bands take to the stage at Heaton Park.
The momentous show, titled Heaton Park: The Resurrection, is in celebration of the 25th anniversary of The Clone Roses, who are the most successful The Stone Roses tribute band.
They’ll be joined on the stage at the outdoor gig by names like Oas-is, The Smiths Ltd, and Courtbetweeners.
It’s all taking place on Saturday 13 May, a decade after The Stone Roses’ 2012 reunion gigs at Heaton Park.
And while it’s mostly tribute acts harking back to the heyday of Manchester’s music scene, there will be a few actual familiar faces on the bill.
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Bez from the Happy Mondays, and legendary DJ Clint Boon, will both be spinning tunes in the park.
Gav Scott (aka ‘Ian Brown’) says: “We’ve been wanting to do Heaton Park for ages but it’s such a popular and busy park. When the opportunity finally came, we couldn’t say no!
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“Over the years, we’ve played the Blackpool Empress Ballroom, Spike Island, and now this… it feels like we’ve completed The Stone Roses cycle to a certain degree!”
Here’s everything you need to know for The Clone Roses in Heaton Park.
Tickets for The Clone Roses in Heaton Park
The Clone Roses. Credit: Manc Wanderer
Final release tickets are now on sale with just one day to go until the big day.
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General admission is priced at £31.50 face value (or £34.65 including booking fee) and you can grab your tickets from Ticketline here.
Who’s on the line-up?
All the biggest names in Manchester’s 80s and 90s music scene… except not quite.
The tribute show will be showcasing the incredible music history of the city, from The Stone Roses to Courteeners to The Smiths, all performed by talented tribute bands.
That means audiences will be treated to sets from (here come the puns) The Clone Roses, Courtbetweeners, The James Experience, Happy Mondaze, Oas-is, and The Smiths Ltd.
Plus sets from actual Manc legends Bez and Clint Boon.
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What are the stage times?
Stage times are always subject to change, but this is the expected running order for The Clone Roses at Heaton Park.
1pm – Gates open
1.50pm – Happy Mondaze
2.50pm – The James Experience
3.50pm – Courtbetweeners
5pm – The Smiths Ltd
6.05pm – Bez
7pm – Oas-is
8.15pm – The Clone Roses
About the venue
For The Clone Roses gig at Heaton Park, there’ll be a strict 18+ age limit in place.
Ticket-holders can only bring one small bag each, no bigger than A4 size.
There’s a list of prohibited items (including alcohol, fireworks, umbrellas and selfie sticks) which you should check before you go.
Security checks and searches will be in operation throughout the night.
Customers arriving on foot are advised to head for Gate 13 at Heaton Park, which is directly opposite the Heaton Park tram stop. Additional Metrolink services will be in operation to get gig-goers in and out of the area as quickly and safely as possible.
Other gates will be open for entry, but Gate 13 will be the only one used to exit at the end of the night.
If you’re getting dropped off by car, or driving yourself, you should use Gate 15 off St Margaret’s Road – follow the signs and instructions from staff on site.
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There are still coach tickets available from several cities to Heaton Park, through Big Green Coach Co.
The nearest train station is Manchester Victoria, from which you can jump on a tram out to the gig site – but be aware of train strikes running on 13 May.
Featured image: Manc Wanderer
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Sara Cox tipped to replace Scott Mills for Eurovision 2026
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own Sara Cox is reportedly set to replace Scott Mills at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following his sacking from the BBC.
Mills was axed by the news and entertainment corporation on Monday, 1 April, for ‘misconduct’, which has now been revealed to involve a historic relationship with a boy aged under 16.
While the fallout surrounding Scott Mills is only just beginning, the task of finding his replacement in multiple roles has already begun – though it looks like one may have already been decided.
Now reported by multiple outlets, it appears as though Bolton-born Sara Cox is first in line to pick up Mills’ co-hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision show.
Having already been involved with coverage of the event on multiple ocassions in the past, it now appears that she’ll be in post for the Grand Final too.
As a long-standing radio and TV staple, it only takes a quick look at social media to see how much backing she has already received in the past, with a post from last year reading, “Great to have Sara Cox back commentating on Eurovision“, and others from over a decade ago praising her past presenting.
In fact, it might not end just here either, as many are already calling for her to replace the 53-year-old breakfast show host.
From her days as a Radio 1 favourite to becoming a BBC mainstay across the board, her popularity only seems to have grown over the last decade, especially thanks to her charity fundraising efforts.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, the feeling is that it is all but confirmed for her to take over from Mills as part of the Eurovision commentary team.
As for the now vacant early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, the likes of Claudio Winkleman, Vernon Kay, fellow Manc Nick Grimshaw, the aforementioned Rylan, and several others have all been floated as potential stand-ins/future full-time hosts.
Do you think both should be given to Sara Cox, and if not, who would you like to see replace Scott Mills?
Beyond The Music moves to MediaCity for the first-time ever
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester arts festival and conference Beyond The Music is back for 2026, but this time it will be heading to MediaCity for a Salford debut.
The long weekender is still a relative newcomer when it comes to the Manc events calendar, but it’s quickly gathered plenty of repute not just in the North West but within the industry as a whole.
Holding just its third edition later this year, Beyond The Music ’26 is set to be the most ambitious yet, spread across the three days and promising an impressive lineup both in terms of live performers, but also speakers, industry experts and wider activities.
With MediaCity and dock10 hosting their inaugural Beyond The Music, it’s another big win for the second city, with Sports Personality of the Year sticking over Salford way for the foreseeable future, along with other events like the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Awards moving to the Quayside.
Much of the BBC’s World Cup coverage is also being hosted at their Salfordian studios and main Northern base this summer, too.
Given that so many big annual dates have now made the switch to central Manchester – the BRITs and the MOBOs, just to name two recent examples – you could say it only makes sense to spread things out across the surrounding boroughs and their equally rich heritage.
Not that you should need reminding, but Salford isn’t just part of the region: it’s a city all of its own right that boasts an immense amount of pride over what is nothing short of a sterling musical history.
As for the 2026 Beyond The Music programme, besides both the local artists and more international creatives than ever, there’ll be keynote conversations, industry showcases, and wider networking opportunities for anyone looking to immerse themselves deeper in this world.
You’ll have to wait a little while longer for a full live music lineup, but watch this space…
Mayor Andy Burnham and friends help launch Beyond the Music at MediaCityUK (Credit: Mark Waugh)
Sarah Pearson, Co-founder of Beyond The Music, said in an official statement: “Beyond The Music’s mission is to seize this moment, to come together and drive meaningful and lasting change in the music and content industry.
“It’s undeniable that the impact and importance of music and content are stronger than ever, but this is not reflected in their perceived value.
“The ethical and economic infrastructure of the music and content industries demands urgent attention and bold reform… It is our responsibility to protect creativity in order to ensure it doesn’t just survive but thrives. Things may feel difficult, but they are still possible.”
Mayor Burnham added: “Greater Manchester has always been at the forefront of cultural innovation, and Beyond The Music is a vital opportunity for the sector to come together and address the challenges and opportunities facing music and content creation…
“With its move to MediaCity and a bigger-than-ever programme, Beyond The Music is helping to cement our city region’s place at the centre of the creative economy.”
Taking place between 7-9 October 2026, you can register for early bird tickets right HERE. Roll on an even more extensive festival season than ever.
Daisy Jackson -
12th May 2023 
