Wigan’s very own Lottery Winners have just announced their first solo headline stadium show right here in Greater Manchester, in yet another huge milestone for the Manc favourites.
Doing big arena gigs is one thing, but booking a full-on stadium date on your own patch is something else entirely.
Announced on Monday, 22 September, the ever-rising indie-pop four-piece are now set to play their biggest ever live concert at none other than Leigh Sports Village Stadium, where they’ll be welcomed back as hometown heroes helping put Wigan‘s music scene back on the map.
Better still, they even got a close personal friend to help them with the reveal…
Imagine a shock appearance from Robbie – that would go OFF.
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To be honest, we’re not ruling it out; as you can see in yet another amusing teaser video by the local band, they’re promising a number of special guests.
Already confirmed for the milestone live date are friends and long-standing collaborators Jon McClure with Reverend and the Makers, Frank Turner, plus fellow pop indie cult favourite Scouting For Girls, as well as another rising Wigan band in the shape of The Lilacs and a DJ set from Katie Owen.
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Frontman Thom Rylance goes on to joke that he’ll “even ask Boy George”, and while they might have duped us last time, we’re not entirely betting against him pulling it off this time.
Judging by the reaction ‘the Rev’ got here in Manchester back in January, you can bet on the atmosphere being nothing short of incredible.
You had to be there.
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Such a tune.
Speaking on the momentous occassion, lead singer and songwriter Thom said: “Leigh Sports Village (LSV) isn’t just another show for us, it’s a marker of everything we’ve worked for. From loading gear into pubs to travelling the world, every step has led here.
“To headline a stadium at home is rare, and we don’t take that lightly. This night will stand as proof of what’s possible when you keep on keeping on.
“Headlining LSV is special in itself, but doing it here in our hometown—surrounded by the people who’ve supported us from the very start—makes it truly unforgettable.
“The fact that we get to welcome legends and friends like Frank Turner, Reverend and the Makers and Scouting for Girls to our town feels incredible. It’s Leigh opening its doors to the world, and we’re proud to be the ones hosting.”
As for the former Take That star, he showed no hesitation in getting invovled with this little skit as the whole bunch of them are curently on the road as part of Robbie’s world tour, which visited Manchester just this past June.
Commenting on the announcement, the 51-year-old said: “I’ve completely fallen in love with The Lottery Winners, and even when the tour was just two weeks in, I had a pang of sadness that their tenure with me can’t last forever.”
We can’t wait to see what other surprises they have up their sleeves come next summer, with the gig scheduled for Saturday, 30 May 2026.
Presale tickets for the show go live this Wednesday, 24 September from 10am, and general admission will be available on Friday (26 Sep) at the same time, also from 10am.
Featured Images — Tom Oxley(press shot)/The Lottery Winners (supplied)
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Shed Seven announce 10th anniversary of ‘Shedcember’ tour
Danny Jones
Music veterans, Shed Seven, are set to bring a special edition of their ‘Shedcember’ live shows to Manchester as they celebrate 10 years of the now annual tour.
The beloved British band has been around for more than three and a half decades at this point, and for nearly a third of those, the alternative rock group have been putting on regular winter gigs for their loyal fan base.
Having developed a fervent cult following during that time, Shed Seven‘s dedicated run of November and December dates has become a bit of a phenomenon, and since 2025 was one of their most significant 18-month periods ever, they’re toasting recent success at the end of this calendar year.
If you’re ‘Shed Head’, you’ll already know all about this event; if not, get to know…
Announcing this year’s 10th anniversary tour – fittingly dubbed ‘Shedcember X – alongside a new short film/teaser written and directed by long-serving guitarist, Paul Banks, those who have been listening since the start
Equally, thanks to this would-be trailer, even those who’ve never been to one of the shows or are yet to fully dive into their discography have had their attention caught.
Focusing on their die-hard crowds who now make sure to attend each Shedcember night, if not every single one of their gigs whenever they come to town, the mini social media movie captures just how passionate their audiences are even after all this time.
Part of the reason that the York-founded outfit has been enjoying somewhat of a resurgence of late is as a result of back-to-back number one albums
Notching the top spot for their A Matter Of Time in January 2024, a whole 29 years on from their maiden release (the longest gap between a debut and a no.1 record in UK history), they then did it again with Liquid Gold, which saw some of their biggest hits remastered and reimagined with orchestral backing.
These two massive and long-overdue moments of recognition arguably deserve a tour all of their own, but we will absolutely take Shedcember X.
Announcing an extensive run of performances for the de facto festival, the 10th anniversary edition of Shed Seven’s – we’ve also highlighted all of the Northern dates for you.
Shedcember X tour dates – 2026
Fri 13 Nov 2026 – Nottingham Rock City
Sat 14 Nov 2026 – Birmingham O2 Academy
Tue 17 Nov 2026 – Norwich The Nick Rayns LCR, UEA
Thu 19 Nov 2026 – Aberdeen Music Hall
Fri 20 Nov 2026 – Glasgow O2 Academy Glasgow
Sat 21 Nov 2026 – Edinburgh Usher Hall
Mon 23 Nov 2026 – Leicester O2 Academy
Tue 24 Nov 2026 – Brighton Dome
Thu 26 Nov 2026 – Cardiff University Great Hall
Fri 27 Nov 2026 – Sheffield Octagon
Sat 28 Nov 2026 – Newcastle O2 City Hall
Mon 30 Nov 2026 – Cambridge Corn Exchange
Tue 01 Dec 2026 – Bristol Beacon
Thu 03 Dec 2026 – Stockton Globe
Fri 04 Dec 2026 – Liverpool Uni The Mountford Hall
Sat 05 Dec 2026 – Manchester O2 Apollo
Mon 07 Dec 2026 – Lincoln Engine Shed
Tue 08 Dec 2026 – Stoke-On-Trent Victoria Hall
Thu 10 Dec 2026 – Bournemouth O2 Academy
Fri 11 Dec 2026 – London O2 Academy Brixton
Sat 12 Dec 2026 – Leeds O2 Academy
Pre-sale is now open to those signed up to the band’s mailing list, and as for general admission, tickets for Shedcember X go live 10am on Friday, 24 April; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
We had the pleasure of speaking to lead singer and songwriter, Rick Witter, not too long ago, and it was great to hear how motivated he and the gang still are.
Featured Images — Audio North/Press shot (supplied via SJM Concerts)
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A live concert version of The Muppet Christmas Carol is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
We know it’s not even the summer yet, but we’re about to drop the C word, because a live concert version of The Muppet Christmas Carol is coming to Manchester.
An all-time classic, adored by children and adults alike, Disney’s Muppet Christmas Carol is arguably one of the best seasonal watches of all time.
Set to be hosted right here in the city centre at one of the most magnificent entertainment venues, the much-loved, festive and musical will be celebrated in its true glory, courtesy of a full orchestra.
It isn’t the first time special screenings of this family-friendly favourite have been held here in Manchester – nor is it the first time the UK has been treated to this particular tour – but if you haven’t tried a Disney Concerts experience before, this is an ideal opportunity.
Announcing not one but two dates at the beautiful Bridgewater Hall, The Muppets’ twist on the legendary Charles Dickens tale, which will see the visuals brought to life with the backing of strings, brass, percussion – the whole shebang.
If you’ve ever been to see one of these ‘live in concert’ type shows, you’ll know how magical they can make rewatching even something you’ve seen countless times before.
With Disney Music Group’s regular troupe of touring players taking on the original score and well-known soundtrack, you won’t be able to help but sing back every word.
Originally composed by Miles Goodman (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Little Shop of Horrors), along with songs by Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy-winning songwriter, Paul Williams (Rainbow Connection and Evergreen), there’s a reason the sound of this film, specifically, has stuck with so many people.
Just imagine this on the big screen as all the instruments kick in right then and there, in the flesh…
Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert – 2026 UK tour dates
We’ve also highlighted some other Northern options for you:
28 November – London Eventim Apollo
29 November – Poole Lighthouse
1 December – Bradford Live
2 December – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
3 December – Edinburgh Usher Hall
4 December – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
5 December – Southend Cliffs Pavilion
7 December – Manchester Bridgewater Hall
8 December – Birmingham Symphony Hall
9 December – Birmingham Symphony Hall
10 December – Sheffield City Hall
11 December – Bath Forum
13 December – Brighton Centre
14 December – Portsmouth Guildhall
17 December – Manchester Bridgwater Hall
With performances booked for 7pm on 7 December and the same time on 17 December, Members’ pre-sale goes live this coming Thursday, 23 April at 10am.
As for general admission, tickets will be available from the same time on Friday, 24 April; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
It’s not the only big Christmassy concert coming to town this year.
Danny Jones -
22nd September 2025 
