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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Salford Pride’s popular Pink Picnic returns this summer with ‘iconic’ headliners
Emily Sergeant
Boney M, The Cheeky Girls, and Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK stars are all on the lineup at Salford Pride’s popular Pink Picnic this summer.
As this summer marks 15 years of Pride in Salford, Salford Pride has announced a whole host of exciting events to celebrate – including the return of The Pink Picnic, its biggest family-friendly celebration yet, with headliners like 90s and 00s music icons, community talent, and even a ‘bigger and bolder’ Youth Zone for 2026.
Returning to Peel Park once again, The Pink Picnic brings together LGBTQ+ community, allies, families and friends for a day built around community, joy, and belonging.
For 2026, Salford Pride is expanding the experience further with even more to do across the park than ever before.
The Pink Picnic has been part of Salford’s Pride story since 2011, but this year’s 15th anniversary addition is set to be one for the history books, as alongside a headline lineup featuring Boney M, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’s Kyran Thrax and Paige Three, The Cheeky Girls, Big Brovaz, Booty Luv, and Baby D, a strong programme of community acts will also be spotlighted.
Some of the exceptional community acts already named on the lineup so far include Tallulah Guard, Fear of Marko, and John Tucker.
Across the day, visitors can also shop from dozens of community stalls and market traders, take part in or watch the much-loved annual dog show, and visit the ‘bigger and bolder’ Youth Zone that’s designed to help young people feel seen and celebrated.
“Celebrating 15 years of Pride in Salford feels really special, and we wanted 2026 to feel like a proper thank you to the community that’s built this with us” said Scott Turzański, who is the Head of Marketing and Brand at Salford Pride.
“The Pink Picnic is a family event – it’s welcoming, it’s joyful, and it’s about making space for everyone.”
The Pink Picnic returns to Peel Park in Salford next month on Saturday 13 June, and you can find out more and book tickets online here.
Featured Image – Salford Pride (via Facebook)
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Donny Osmond books biggest-ever Manchester gig
Danny Jones
Iconic American singer and actor Donny Osmond has announced his biggest-ever Manchester concert as part of his upcoming ‘VIVA UK’ tour dates.
Bringing his famous Las Vegas residency show to Great Britain, where he has always had a fervent following, the younger Osmond brother will be making a venue debut over six decades into his career.
Famously part of the musical family who not only sang together but also saw multiple TV shows created in their name – including his very own spin-off, Donny and Marie – he’s been around longer than most in showbiz, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down.
Confirming a whole new run of live dates across the country, Donny Osmond will be returning to Manchester early next year.
Writing on social media, the veteran entertainer said: “I’m so pleased to finally share the official 2027 UK tour dates with you.
“It always means so much to return to the UK – the audiences there have given me some of the most unforgettable moments of my career.”
As for here in our city, he last played Manchester back just a few short years ago at the AO Arena, selling out the 20,000-seater space on 29 November 2023.
Now, though, he’s upgrading to approximately 23k this time, with die-hard fans being encouraged to download his very own ‘Donny App’ to secure the earliest possible access.
Set to play Co-op Live for the very first time, we’d expect this one to sell equally well; you can see the rest of the shows listed so far down below.
Donny Osmond VIVA UK live tour dates 2027
We’ve highlighted all the Northern dates for you:
Wed, 20 Jan – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
Thurs, 21 Jan – Newcastle, Utilita Arena
Sat, 23 Jan – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena
Sun, 24 Jan 24 – Manchester, Co-op Live
Tue, 26 Jan 26 – Hull, Connexin Live
Wed, 27 Jan 27 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
Fri, 29 Jan 29 – Leeds, first direct arena
Sat, 30 Jan 30 – Birmingham, BP Pulse Live
Mon, 1 Feb – Cardiff, Utilita Arena
Wed, 3 Feb – Bournemouth BIC
Friday and Saturday, 5-6 February – London, Eventim Apollo
JUST ANNOUNCED: Donny Osmond Sunday 24 January 2027
Bringing the glamour, high-energy & excitement of his Las Vegas show. https://t.co/Y2sSdg01FV @coopuk members get first in line for tickets. Co-op Member Presale: 10:00 Wednesday 20 May General Sale: 10:00 Friday 22 May pic.twitter.com/i4v2ff7suA
Early access tickets for Donny Osmond’s VIVA UK tour will be available both via the app and the venue’s official Co-op membership, with the presale window opening at 10am on Wednesday, 20 May.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets will go live at the same time the following Friday (22 May), with VIP and hospitaity packages also on offer.
Daisy Jackson -
12th May 2023 
