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There are big changes at Parklife 2025 – including a seriously swish new VIP area

Here's what else is new

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 13th June 2025

Parklife 2025 is upon us, and we’ve been down to the festival site for a little look around at what’s new for this year.

The beloved Manchester festival will be filling the fields of Heaton Park with live music and an unbeatable party atmosphere on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June.

This year’s headliners include Charli XCX, 50 Cent, Confidence Man, Jorja Smith, Peggy Gou, and Bicep, as well as plenty of space on the line-up for local talents like Antony Szmierek and Interplanetary Criminal.

BUT the eagle-eyed among you will have already noticed from the Parklife map that there are a few changes afoot this year, including new stages, a new lay-out, and a very swanky new VIP area.

Firstly, there are two new stages to check out, one of which we think will get pretty popular when it rains…

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Big Top is a new covered tent with a cracking line-up over the weekend, including Skream & Benga, Joy Orbison, and Armand Van Helden.

Also new on the stage front is Matinee, flanked on either side by black shipping containers and ready to host Chris Stussy, Alex Farell, and Manchester’s very own Interplanetary Criminal.

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Matinee is a new Parklife stage
Matinee is a new Parklife stage
The Hangar is back
The Hangar is back
The Valley has become the only main stage
The Valley has become the only main stage
The big wheel is gone but new fairground rides have appeared
The big wheel is gone but new fairground rides have appeared

A major loss for 2025 is the big wheel, which has always given the very best views of the Parklife site.

But worry not, adrenaline junkies – it’s been replaced with a new sky-high swing ride, so you can dangle above the festival crowds, along with several other fairground rides.

Also missing from Parklife 2025 is the Parklife Stage, which has always acted as a secondary main stage hosting more pop and mainstream artists.

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This year, all the headliners will be performing over at The Valley, with the Parklife Stage sent into retirement (at least for this year).

That means less stages but still plenty of live music and huge acts to enjoy over the weekend.

The new 'Backstage' VIP bar area at Parklife 2025
The new ‘Backstage’ VIP bar area at Parklife 2025
The new 'Backstage' VIP viewing area at Parklife 2025
The new ‘Backstage’ VIP viewing area at Parklife 2025
A VERY swanky new VIP area

There’s a new layout now too, with only The Valley and the G Stage staying in the same spots as last year.

Magic Sky, normally tucked into a corner of the festival site, has moved into the heart of the action.

Meanwhile The Hangar dominates the west side of Parklife, with the two new stages – Big Top and Matinee – nearby.

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VIP is totally new this year too, and better than ever.

The Parklife VIP area has jumped across to the other side of the festival site this year and is now right in the heart of the action near the Valley Stage.

From here, you have an exclusive viewing area of the stage, plus exclusive food and drink, priority entry, VIP toilets, a hair and makeup pamper station, and plenty more.

Then there’s a new Backstage ticket type this year, which gets you on-stage access to the Hangar stage, an exclusive viewing area of the Valley Stage, a backstage bar and a chill out area – it’s £165.00 each to upgrade for the weekend.

If you’ve already bought a ticket but want to upgrade yourself to VIP, it’s not too late (and speaking from experience, WORTH IT).

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You can upgrade your whole weekend to VIP for £72.80 each, or £44.80 each for day tickets.

Find out more about Parklife 2025 HERE.

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Featured image: The Manc Group

Audio

Role Model adds Manchester arena show to world tour after huge demand

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Role Model has added a Manchester AO Arena gig to his tour

Platinum-certified singer-songwriter Role Model has just added a huge Manchester gig to his upcoming world tour.

The star – real name Tucker Pillsbury – had previously only added one single UK date to his Chuck on Tour tour, and that was down in London.

But now Role Model is officially heading north, announcing a massive gig at the AO Arena in Manchester.

The news follows a sold-out run of dates last year, which brought him to the (much smaller) O2 Apollo here.

His star really rose after the release and viral success of his 2025 single, ‘Sally, When the Wine Runs Out’.

And now with a third studio album to his name – Chuck Timely & The Hourglass – Role Model is ready to return to Manchester and London on his 2026-2027 global tour.

The tour will travel across North America before heading overseas, with dates across Europe early next year.

Keni Titus will support Role Model at all dates on the UK and European leg of the Chuck on Tour tour.

Role Model will perform at the AO Arena in Manchester on Sunday 28 February, with pre-sales available on 4 and 5 November before general release tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday 6 November – grab yours HERE.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

Audio

Pop icons S Club announce new arena tour, with huge Manchester gig

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Pop icons S Club announce new arena tour, with huge Manchester gig. Credit: Luke Dyson

S Club will be heading back to Manchester on a newly-announced 13-date arena tour next year.

The pop icons have announced the Ain’t No Party Like A S Club Party tour, which will see Bradley, Jo, Jon, Rachel and Tina back on stage for the ultimate pop party.

The huge tour includes a night at the AO Arena in Manchester, as well as two gigs at the O2 in London.

S Club are one of Britain’s most successful pop groups, formerly known as S Club 7, who went on to become a cultural phenomenon with their own TV series – one of which, L.A. 7, remains the highest-rated programme of all time on CBBC.

Their smash hits include Reach, Don’t Stop Movin, Bring It All Back, Never Had A Dream Come True, and S Club Party.

In 2023, S Club celebrated their 25th anniversary with a sellout UK and US tour, shortly after the tragic death of former member Paul Cattermole.

Now, five of the original seven are ready to bring the party back to Manchester, as S Club return to the stage.

They’ll have very special guests supporting on the tour too, announcing Boyzlife, the supergroup made up of the former Boyzone and Westlife members Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden.

S Club say: “We can’t wait to get back out on tour, see you all and celebrate the songs, memories and moments we’ve shared together over the years.

“It’s going to be one BIG party, and we want you all to be part of it!”

S Club will play the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 9 October 2027.

Tickets for all shows go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 6 November HERE.

S Club UK tour dates in full

  • Fri 08 Oct 27 Glasgow OVO Hydro
  • Sat 09 Oct 27 Manchester AO Arena
  • Tue 12 Oct 27 Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
  • Wed 13 Oct 27 Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
  • Thu 14 Oct 27 Cardiff Utilita Arena
  • Sat 16 Oct 27 London The O2 MATINEE
  • Sat 16 Oct 27 London The O2 EVENING
  • Wed 20 Oct 27 Leeds First Direct Arena
  • Thu 21 Oct 27 Birmingham Utilita Arena
  • Fri 22 Oct 27 Sheffield Utilita Arena
  • Sat 23 Oct 27 Newcastle Utilita Arena
  • Tue 25 Oct 27 Belfast SSE Arena
  • Tue 26 Oct 27 Dublin 3Arena

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Featured image: Luke Dyson

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