UK reggae icons UB40 have just announced a massive run of domestic arena dates, including a huge show at an equally legendary venue here in Manchester.
The Brummy veterans of the British reggae and ska scene have been going for more than four decades now, blending both pop and rocksteady styles, as well as other Caribbean influences into their music.
A cult favourite group since their inception, whose lineup has always remained fluid – sometimes featuring more than nine different musicians on stage – they’re known for their brilliant live sets just as much as their studio material.
Started by the Campbell family, the current roster still includes four of the six founding members, and with singer Matt Doyle now serving as the modern lead singer since 2021, there’s still plenty of energy, youth and experience to their spirited gigs.
Revealing a return to Manchester and yet another trip to the AO Arena on Monday morning, 3 November, UB40, this isn’t the first time they’ve played these hallowed halls.
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They will also be joined by R’n’B/reggae-fusion artist Maxi Priest, as well as fellow contemporaries, Aswad – another seasoned act who have been making music in the genre and performing live since way back in 1975.
Speaking on the comeback, co-founder Robin Campbell said: “For more than 40 years, we’ve been one of the hardest working touring bands in pop music.
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“We aim to have a party every show. As much as we enjoyed our Zoom chats [about more shows] during lockdown, there’s no substitute for the relationship and synergy we have with our live audiences.”
Dropping a definitive UB45 compilation featuring their greatest hits back in April 2024 – and celebrating as many years in their recording career – UB40 are also set to release another new album next year, in line with the fresh UK tour dates.
We’re pleased to announce our June, 2026 UK Arena Tour with special guests @MaxiPriest & @aswadband! Sign up to our newsletter via the link below for more info on how to access the ticket pre-sale and to find out more about how to pre-order our new studio album coming in 2026.
Five’s Manchester arena shows – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
English boyband Five are heading to Manchester not once but twice for two pure-pop performances and perfectly-mastered choreography.
Manchester, “get up!” Because Five are about to make you get down when they bring their epic reunion tour to the music capital of the North this November.
Scott, Ritchie, Sean, J and Abz have chosen to play out in both the mighty 21,000 capacity AO Arena AND impressive 23,5000 Co-op Live for their 90s and 00s pop party celebration.
This boyband has sold over 20 million records worldwide and swooned a fair few of our hearts over the years with hits like ‘Everybody Get Up’, ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘Got The Feelin”.
Five – Manchester gig guide
Now, after 25 years apart, these cheeky chaps are heading back on the road for their ‘Keep On Movin” tour, where we’re sure they’ll play all your favourite hits.
Five are coming to AO Arena on 7 November and Co-op Live on 18 November in Manchester. (Credit: Supplied)
Five UK tour dates – winter 2025
Wed 29 October – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
Fri 31 October – Brighton, UK – Brighton Centre
Sat 1 November – Bournemouth, UK – Bournemouth International Centre
Sun 2 November – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
Tue 4 November – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
The official songs might not have been announced yet, but we expect it won’t differ much from this setlist taken from their Aussie ‘Greatest Hits Tour 2024’ below:
Let’s Dance
We Will Rock You
Kick That Wall Down
Got the Feelin’
My Song
Until the Time Is Through
When the Lights Go Out
Keep On Movin’
Written in the Sun
It’s the Things You Do
Slam Dunk (Da Funk)
Reset
Human
Lay All Your Lovin’ on Me
If Ya Gettin’ Down
Everybody Get Up
Keep on Movin’ (21 Remix)
What are the stage times for Five’s Manchester arena shows?
If you’re worried that ‘When the Lights Go Out’ you won’t be getting home til the early hours of the morning, then fear no more as both AO Arena and Co-op Live have a curfew of 11pm.
Support comes in the form of chart-topping DJ, Naughty Boy, whose behind some of the biggest tracks of the 2010’s including ‘La La La’, ‘Runnin” and ‘Wonder’; you do not want to miss his set.
For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily, it’s connected to Manchester Victoria Station, and it has an integrated Metrolink stop to make your life even easier.
Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Train
Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena, wherever they are.
Bus
A variety of buses cover AO Arena andVictoria Station on their route, such as the 2 bus, which stops just a one-minute walk away from the venue.
A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.
Getting there by car and parking
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The Arena has its own official CitiPark, with 958 car parking spaces, including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.
Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.
Walk/cycle
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.
You can see our interview with Five after their recent AO Arena residency down below.
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How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre until 1:00am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
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You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live. You also get free Bee Network travel with any valid event ticket.
Car and parking info
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide come event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
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Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Five are doing a clean sweep of Manchester arenas. (Credit: Audio North)
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Once again, the Beryl app is available for those looking to bike over to the venue; there are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Featured Images — Press Shots (via Supplied)/The Manc Group
Audio
Westlife announce extra Manchester arena show for huge 25th anniversary tour
Daisy Jackson
Legendary pop group Westlife have announced the European leg of their 25th anniversary tour, which includes not just one but a trio of Manchester Arena gigs.
The beloved boyband will be hitting the road from September next year to celebrate a quarter of a century of timeless ballads and chart-topping pop songs.
Westlife, which is made up of Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily, are behind massive hits like ‘You Raise Me Up’, ‘Flying Without Wings’, ‘Swear It Again’, and ‘If I Let You Go’.
The upcoming ‘Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour’ will include shows right across the UK and Ireland, including Leeds, Sheffield and one extra show here in Manchester.
The initial news came ahead of the group performing two sold-out nights at the Royal Albert Hall, and a sell-out success in Dublin and Belfast already.
Following an overwhelming reaction and huge demand, Co-op Live have seen fit to add another Westlife show to their calendar and double up on their venue debut, with other multiple cities now looking at more shows, too.
Over the last 25 years, Westlife have become one of the most successful pop groups of all time, with three billion streams globally, 36 number one albums worldwide, and 14 UK number one singles (ranking only behind Elvis Presley and The Beatles).
In fact, Westlife still remain the UK and Ireland’s top-selling album group of the 21st century.
Westlife have also just released a new single, ‘Chariot’, written by Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid from Snow Patrol and Will Reynolds, as well as being co-written and produced by Steve Mac.
And in February next year (just in time for Valentine’s Day), they’ll release 25 – The Ultimate Collection, a greatest hits album of 21 fan favourites.
Credit: Supplied
Westlife said: “This year marks 25 years since we started this incredible journey together, and it still feels like only the beginning.
“The support from our fans has been unbelievable, and to celebrate with this world tour, new music, and a brand-new album feels truly special.
“We can’t wait to see you all on the road and share this next chapter together.”
Westlife will perform their first night at the Co-op Live arena on Friday, 23 October 2026, before playing a second and third night in Manchester over the weekend.
General sale tickets are already on sale HERE, with affordable VIP packages also available through Seat Unique HERE.
What do you make of the new Westlife song?
Westlife UK/IE tour dates
Thu September 10 2026 – DUBLIN, 3Arena
Fri September 11 2026 – DUBLIN, 3Arena
Sat September 12 2026 – DUBLIN, 3Arena
Tue September 15 2026 – DUBLIN, 3Arena
Wed September 16 2026 – DUBLIN, 3Arena
Fri September 18 2026 – DUBLIN, 3Arena
Sat September 19 2026 – DUBLIN, 3Arena
Sun September 20 2026 – DUBLIN, 3Arena
Tue September 22 2026 – DUBLIN, 3Arena
Wed September 23 2026 – DUBLIN, 3Arena
Thu September 24 2026 – DUBLIN, 3Arena
Fri September 25 2026 – DUBLIN, 3Arena
Sat September 26 2026 – DUBLIN, 3Arena
Tue September 29 2026 – ABERDEEN, P&J Live
Wed September 30 2026 – GLASGOW, OVO Hydro
Thu October 01 2026 – GLASGOW, OVO Hydro
Sat October 03 2026 – NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, Utilita Arena
Sun October 04 2026 – NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, Utilita Arena
Danny Jones -
3rd November 2025 
