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TikTok sensation Cian Ducrot stuns Mancs in city centre — their faces are priceless
Millions have seen him on TikTok in recent months, but few were expecting him to pop up in the Arndale.
Musician and TikTok star Cian Ducrot caught many a Manc off-guard last week after he decided to rock up to the Arndale Centre for Christmas. With a choir.
The Irish singer-songwriter has shot to fame thanks to his social media videos over recent months, going from sharing first listens of his songs with loved ones to playing them for packed-out arenas.
Not long ago, the 25-year-old released a version of his viral track, ‘All For You’, with fellow artist and former X-Factor contestant Ella Henderson, sending the song even further across the UK.
But, most recently, he decided to pop up in and around Manchester along with his own choir to surprise locals going about their Christmas shopping. Here’s how it went:
It’s the woman who nearly has a heart attack for us, and the lady on the phone — ok, it’s all of them.
As you can see in the video, unsuspecting Mancunians riding are left shocked as Cian and co. starting belting out his other big single this year, ‘I’ll Be Waiting”, at full volume.
The acoustics in the Arndale sound pretty good, to be fair, so much so that he decides to stay and grab a coffee. Well, not really.
New Costa radio slaps.
But the shopping wasn’t the only place Ducrot appeared in the city, as he also took his team into the middle of a busy Piccadilly Station, jumping on the piano for a quick rendition of the festive classic, ‘Hallelujah’. I mean, the perfect song for a choir, isn’t it?
Once again, the reactions were gold.
However, our favourite video and undoubtedly his best surprise gig wasn’t his performance at all: it was that over a local busker playing on Market Street.
Singer JP Fretwell also happened to be playing Ducrot’s track as wrapped up Mancs walking by suddenly stopped as the writer and his choir stumbled upon his set and decided to join in.
He looks absolutely buzzing, going on to thank the Irishman for the “surreal” and “crazy moment”.
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Well in, Cian — spreading some much-needed festive cheer and giving us Mancs a song.
Don’t let some of the faces fool you, we always appreciate live music around here.
He isn’t the only musician to have surprised the people of Manchester recently either…
For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Image — Cian Ducrot (via TikTok)
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The K’s book Castlefield Bowl for their biggest ever headline show
Danny Jones
High-flying indie rock outfit, The K’s, are set to play a landmark headline show right here in Manchester, as the local lads have been confirmed as the first act for Sounds of the City 2026.
The cult favourite working class heroes from down the road in Newton-le-Willows have had an incredible couple of years, climbing their way up the ranks around the North, playing bigger venues and festivals up and down the country, and now they’re on a fully-fledged European tour.
It’s been brilliant to watch their rise thus far, and we couldn’t be more buzzing to hear that they’ve booked none other than Castlefield Bowl for the single largest standalone gig of their careers to date, and you can bet The K‘s army will be out in full force.
Announced alongside another massive outdoor venue this week, the toast of Earlestown will be one of several artists set to play the Sounds of City (SOTC) concert series next year.
Confirming Castlefield Bowl alongside the magnificent Piece Hall in Halifax for summer 2026, the four-piece will make their way from Merseyside, not only down the M62 to Manchester but over to Yorkshire for what is one of the most stunning outdoor venues in the country.
These two incredible atmospheric amphitheatres are not only incredible spaces for live music, but in the case of our very own city centre stunner, Castlefield Bowl boasts a capacity of approximately 8,450 – making it comfortably The K’s biggest show yet.
Having opened for the likes of Blossoms at Live From Wythenshawe Park last year, and playing huge festival slots at the likes of Kendal Calling back in just last month, they’re no strangers to big crowds – but this will be something special.
Speaking of Kendal, we were in the field ourselves when the group got to revel in the moment of announcing their second album, Pretty On The Internet, had reached number one just in time for their main stage set.
You can watch the magical moment down below:
Official artist presale access will be available this Wednesday, 17 September from 9:30am by signing up to their mailing list, but general admission tickets for both dates will go live at 9am the following Friday (19 Sep).
You can get ready to grab yours HERE.
Once again, we can only say well done on the number one; having been there to discuss their debut record’s release while they threw plastic balls around a room, we couldn’t be more gassed to see how far they’ve come.
‘SYDTF x’
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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 shot (supplied)/Audio North
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Lewis Capaldi announces huge outdoor Manchester gig at Wythenshawe Park next summer
Emily Sergeant
Lewis Capaldi has announced a run of huge outdoor shows next summer, and he’ll be stopping off here in Manchester.
After unprecedented demand saw one of the biggest-ever rushes for tickets across both pre-sale and general sale earlier this year, Lewis Capaldi is currently blazing through a triumphant 200,000-ticket sold out 17-date UK arena tour as we speak – and is set to take to the Co-op Live stage for two huge Manc gigs this weekend.
But he shows no signs of slowing down soon, as he has today announced his biggest ever UK and Ireland headline gigs for next summer.
Wythenshawe Park is fast becoming one of Manchester‘s go-to outdoor gig venues, and Lewis’s visit next summer is only helping the reputation, as the Scottish 28-year-old will be headlining the park for one night only next August.
The announcement of the run of summer outdoor shows comes amid Lewis’s first return to touring in two years following his triumphant Glastonbury 2025 return after an extended break to take care of his mental health break, and following the release of his comeback track ‘Survive’, which shot to the top of the UK charts and became the fastest-selling single of 2025.
The response to Lewis’s current tour has been ‘electric’, according to critics, who have been unanimous in their praise for him.
Prior to his comeback, Lewis played a run of Scottish warm up shows in May that saw him return to the stage as a guest of mental health charity CALM, in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Week.
Lewis Capaldi – Summer Outdoor Gigs 2026
- Wednesday 24 June – Marlay Park, Dublin
- Friday 26 June – Thomond Park, Limerick
- Sunday 28 June – TX Maxx presents Live at Powderham, Exeter
- Tuesday 30 June – Blackweir Fields, Cardiff
- Saturday 4 July – American Express presents Roundhay Festival, Leeds
- Saturday 11 July – American Express presents BST Hyde Park, London
- Thursday 20 August – Vital, Belfast
- Saturday 22 August – Wythenshawe Park, Manchester
With no pressure and no level of expectation, the shows allowed Lewis the space to gauge his comfort and emotional response before returning to the spotlight – a move which ended up proving nothing short of a triumph.
Lewis Capaldi will be coming to Wythenshawe Park in Manchester on Saturday 22 August 2026, and tickets go on pre-sale this Thursday 18 September at 9am, before general sale commences the following day (Friday 19 September), again at 9am.
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Get your tickets here.
Featured Image – Supplied
