When it comes to live performers, Brandon Flowers is on his way to legend status – and The Killers last night proved why they’ve deserved to reign supreme for nearly two decades.
The band, who are celebrating 20 years since the release of their iconic debut album Hot Fuss, have just played the first of four nights at the Co-op Live arena.
From the moment the first notes of Read My Mind echo through the venue, it’s clear that this night will be special. The crowd erupts with energy that will last throughout the 21-song setlist.
With tracks like Somebody Told Me and Spaceman following swiftly, the atmosphere inside the enormous new arena is electric, each song greeted with roars of approval and the audience singing every lyric back to the band.
The nostalgia is high with hits like Jenny Was a Friend of Mine and Smile Like You Mean It transporting us back to the early 2000s and reminding us why we fell in love with The Killers in the first place.
ADVERTISEMENT
They seamlessly mix these indie rock classics with newer hits like Running Towards a Place and Caution.
One of the night’s highlights is undoubtedly All These Things That I’ve Done. The collective euphoria reaches its peak during the anthemic chorus, with the crowd chanting “I’ve got soul, but I’m not a soldier” in unison.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s moments like these that make live music so magical – the shared experience, the connection between band and audience.
Brandon Flowers, ever the charismatic frontman, is in his element. His interaction with the crowd, his commanding stage presence, and his flawless vocals make for an unforgettable performance.
As the main set wraps up with When You Were Young, the crowd’s applause reaches deafening levels, demanding more. The Killers oblige with a five-song encore that includes a surprising, yet brilliant cover of Erasure’s A Little Respect.
ADVERTISEMENT
But it’s Mr Brightside, the final song of the night, that truly brings the house down. The entire venue is a chorus, singing along to what has become an anthem for a generation.
The Killers’ ability to blend new material with beloved classics, all while maintaining an electric stage presence, is what sets them apart.
For those fortunate enough to have tickets for the next shows, you’re in for an absolute treat.
Manchester’s very own Interplanetary Criminal announces major headline Warehouse Project show
Daisy Jackson
Interplanetary Criminal will play a major headline show this autumn, taking the stage at Warehouse Project in his hometown.
Manchester’s very own rising star producer, who has been a driving force behind the global resurgence of UK garage, will play his biggest headline show to date.
Interplanetary Criminal will be joined by a huge line-up that includes ANZ, Joy Orbison, Jyoty, HAAi, and more.
He’ll be returning to his home city for a Warehouse Project gig on Saturday 10 October – his only Manchester appearance of the year.
As well as taking over the illustrious Depot Mayfield, including Depot, Concourse and Archive stages, there’ll be a special WHP Records takeover at the iconic Star & Garter pub too.
Manchester’s very own Interplanetary Criminal announces major headline Warehouse Project show
The line-up has been curated by Interplanetary Criminal himself and spans house, garage, techno and beyond, with a series of surprise B2Bs in the works too.
There’ll be key names on the bill like ANZ, Joy Orbison, Jyoty, DJ Seinfeld, HAAi and Skin On Skin, alongside a deep roster of emerging and established talent.
Pre-sale tickets for Interplanetary Criminal at Warehouse Project in Manchester go on sale from 10am on Thursday 30 April, priced at £35 plus booking fees – you can sign up HERE.
General sale is from 10am on Friday 1 May.
Interplanetary Criminal at Warehouse Project A-Z line-up
All-girl K-pop powerhouse aespa book MASSIVE Manchester arena show
Danny Jones
All-girl K-pop group, ‘aespa’, are coming to Manchester for some of their largest performances to date as part of a new global tour.
If you know anything about the K-pop scene, you’ll know that most acts are even bigger than you could ever imagine.
Manchester has gained a steady supply of gigs from artists within the genre over the past year or so, and now aespa are the latest to book the AO Arena for a headline show.
Rest assured, these tickets will fly…
aespa SYNK : COMPLæXITY
Catch the LIVE TOUR in Manchester at @AOArena on Thu 14th January 2027!
Register by [Wed 29 Apr at 6AM PT / 8PM CT / 9AM ET] for access to the artist presale: https://t.co/JuWFFMCE8Q
Dubbed the ‘SYNK : Complæxity World Tour’, this follows on from their last live iteration, ‘æXIS LINE’ shows, which began back in August 2025 and, technically, have only just ended this April.
As per an official press release, “Produced by Live Nation, the tour will bring aespa’s acclaimed live production and immersive performance experience to arenas across Asia, North America, Latin America, the UK, and Europe.”
There are actually just two shows in the entirety of Britain (the other being down in the capital), and Manchester has the good fortune of kicking off not only being the first of both, but the inaugural date of the entire European leg.
Consider us honoured.
Made up of a talented quartet – Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning, the rising South Korean stars – this female-led phenomenon is arguably one of the fastest rising acts in the world of K-pop.
Having now been to a couple of these shows for ourselves, we’re starting to understand that these artists might have some of the most passionate followings on the planet.
Kicking off the latest run of performances back in their home country’s capital of Seoul, they’ll hit multiple continents before wrapping things up in Paris.
aespa EU tour dates 2027
14 January – AO Arena, Manchester
16 Jan – London
19 Jan – Amsterdam
22 Jan – Stockholm
24 Jan – Copenhagen
26 Jan – Berlin
29 Jan – Milan
31 Jan – Barcelona
2 February – Paris
If you’re a fan or are interested in throwing your hat in the ring for a first K-pop gig experience, you can register by signing up for their exclusive pre-sale window.
As for general admission, tickets to see aespa at the AO Arena in Manchester will go live at 3pm on Wednesday, 6 May; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
Emily Johnson -
19th June 2024 
