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The Pogues announce Manchester gig on first tour since death of frontman Shane MacGowan

It will be an emotional one, that's for sure. (this article contains affiliate links)

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 19th November 2024

The Pogues have announced their first UK tour since the death of former frontman, Shane MacGowan, with Manchester one of just half a dozen cities chosen.

Nearly a full year on from his death at just 65, the Anglo-Irish favourites best known for their eternal Christmas classic, ‘Fairytale of New York’, are gearing up for their first outing since their iconic lead singer’s passing as a celebration of his life and their seminal second album.

It’s been 13 years since their last headline tour shortly before their split and it will be 40 years since the release of Rum Sodomy and the Lash by the time they hit the road along with special guests.

Safe to say it’ll be an emotional series of shows for everyone involved.

Revealing just six shows here in the UK, the long-standing band are set to play their sophomore release in full as well as a selection of their greatest hits.

The tour will feature remaining original members James Fearnley, Jem Finer, and Peter Richard ‘Spider’ Stacy, as well as a series of support that are yet to be confirmed.

Speaking on the upcoming dates, The Pogues said: “After the uproarious bash which was the 40th anniversary of our first record, Red Roses for Me, in 2024, we wanted to do it again, but with Rum Sodomy & the Lash.”

The music veterans are remaining tight-lipped about who they’re bringing along but they have promised their selections have been “thoughtfully chosen”.

With MacGowan, lead guitarist Philip Chevron (2013), bassist Darryl Hunt (2022) and long-time collaborator Kirsty MacColl (2000) now having passed away, the band will be roping in plenty of help on vocals and instrumentation.

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Even though the gigs themselves will be coming at the of next spring, you can rest assured you’ll get to hear your beloved festive ballad.

Kicking off the tour in Leeds, The Pogues will play their first Manchester show in over a decade – and without Shane MacGowan front and centre – at the O2 Apollo on Wednesday, 7 May 2025.

General admission will be available from 9:30am on Friday, 22 November but you can access pre-sale by registering via their website by 5pm this Tuesday (19 November).

Get ready to grab your tickets HERE.

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

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)/Mordac (via Flickr)

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Country star Tyler Childers is coming to town for his biggest Manchester show to date

Danny Jones Danny Jones Tyler Childers Manchester tickets

US country music star Tyler Childers is returning to Manchester for his biggest ever show in this city, and tickets go on sale very soon.

Fresh off the back of his new album, Snipe Hunter – which was only just dropped back in July – the 34-year-old singer-songwriter is riding a fresh wave of excitement after years of hard work within the genre, mixing in plenty of classic bluegrass and folk into his modern take on the classic American sound.

As one of the most-streamed and well-respected contemporary country musicians on the scene right now, the Kentucky-born solo star and understated acoustic guitarist often falls into that category of your favourite artist’s favourite artist.

Now Tyler Childers is coming to our most legendary arena as part of his UK and European tour early next year, and we’ll certainly be queuing online for tickets.

As far as AO Arena shows booked in for the new year go, we’re very excited about this one.

His seventh studio album has been well-received by his die-hard followers and newcomers alike, delivering that same traditional Appalachian storytelling and hard-bitten humour, as well as plenty of attitude and anecdotal idiosyncrasies, not to mention plenty of vocal range as always.

Having not long come back from a pilgrimage to India, Lawrence County king teamed up with legendary producer Rick Rubin (along with some help from Sylvan Esso’s Nick Sanborn) to create one of his most eye-opening, broad and best records yet.

Post-release, the Associated Press went on to label him “one of country music’s most compelling and unpredictable artists”, and we tend to agree.

The LP immediately spawned plenty of fan favourites, and we certainly have ours – and the video has definitely had a hand in it:

It may just be his best work yet.

Experimenting with his current unique take on country rock sound more than ever, you couldn’t ask for a better time to go and see him live.

To quote the words of Rolling Stone magazine, he’s “one of his generation’s most important voices”, and you really should see him live if you can.

Once again, Tyler Childers comes to the AO Arena in Manchester on Sunday, 8 March 2026, with an official pre-sale available via Three+ from 9am on Wednesday, 10 September.

As for general admission, tickets go live at the same time on the following Friday (12 Sep); you can get ready to grab yours HERE.

We don’t know about you, but we’re very much enjoying our country moment at the minute…

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

Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

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Lil Baby cancels entire European tour including Manchester Co-op Live date

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Lil Baby cancels entire European tour including Manchester Co-op Live date

A major act at Co-op Live has cancelled their gig today, just weeks ahead of their scheduled appearance.

Rapper Lil Baby has called off his entire European tour, which included a massive gig here in Manchester.

Fans have been notified via email that the shows will no longer be going ahead.

The Grammy award-winning artist was set to play the Co-op Live on Friday 26 September as part of his WHAM World Tour.

But Lil Baby will no longer be performing in Manchester – along with cancelled shows in London and across Europe – due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.

A statement from AXS sent to fans said: “The event organisers have been in touch to let us know that due to unforeseen circumstances, Lil Baby’s performance has now been cancelled.

“We will be automatically refunding your tickets to the method of payment you used to buy your tickets, so you don’t need to do anything further.

“Thank you for your patience and understanding.”

Lil Baby has released four chart-topping albums, with his seminal album My Turn going seven-time Platinum.

Fans have been voicing their dismay at the cancellation of the tour, with one writing on X: “All rappers do is cancel SMH. Lilbaby cancelled tour cba.”

Another wrote: “Why the hell has lil baby cancelled his show.”

Someone on TikTok said: “I woke up to this email now my day is ruined cos Wdymm.”

And someone else posted: “I PURPOSELY TOLD MY PEOPLE NOT GOING ON HOLIDAY FOR MY BDAY BECAUSE LIL BABY PERFORMING IN LONDON ON 27 THE NEXT DAY! FOR HIM TO CANNNNCEEELLLLL 2 WEEKS BEFORE.”

Lil Baby has not yet addressed the cancellation.

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