Oasis fans here in the UK, i.e. the ones that helped send them into the stratosphere in the first place, have been left begrudged by the legendary Britpop band after a key decision has been made about their recently announced US tour.
However, it’s fair to say the news was more massive here in Britain (especially here in Manchester) than any other nation, no matter how much of a global following the band amassed back in the 1990s.
So, after UK and Irish Oasis fans recently learned that North America will be avoiding the same ‘dynamic ticket pricing’ mechanic that has seen them fork out hundreds for their tickets to see their favourite band’s comeback, they’ve naturally been left a bit miffed…
As you can see, there are countless fans from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland in the comments calling out the disproportionate treatment and prioritisation of those in the US, Canada and Mexico.
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For context, some of those who stayed in the queue for Oasis tickets ended up paying well over £300 – the ‘in-demand’ rate after the initial ballot sold out – and Ticketmaster’s main claim is that it prevents ticket touting. Their statement says the aim is now to “avoid a repeat of the issues fans in the UK and Ireland experienced recently.”
The band’s Instagram post is littered with just as much backlash, with one person replying, “So just the UK fans that get mugged off then? Sound”; another adding, “Cool – so where’s the refund of the extortion charged for the UK fans then?”, and several going so far as to demand a public apology.
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One commenter wrote: “So refunds for fans in the UK above face value? Of course not… A public apology from Live Nation, Ticketmaster and SJM [Concerts] is perhaps due, respectfully.
“There’s too many people not speaking out and it’s scalping artists on profits made as well as fans. The issues over these companies and [the] ticketing monopoly is 30+ years old now plus the recent ticketing issues is spitting in the face of entertainment.
“Do something about it please team up with the market of fans, artists and maybe help smaller venues in doing so. Thank you x”. It’s by no means the first time these kinds of inflated prices have been called out, as Robert Smith of The Cure took similar issue with the fleecing of his fans.
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That being said, there are some trying to justify Oasis’ dynamic ticket pricing simply due to the sheer demand their reunion tour resulted in; others still believe it’s an excuse to simply “exploit loyalty” and that the US is getting a let-off over the fans from their homeland.
overcharged how? there was demand which makes prices go up, and people paid those prices. just cause it was too expensive for you so you’re upset. not their problem
It's unreal that they're trying to maintain that falsely inflating the prices by more than 100% is actually a tool to combat touting, rather than a tool to exploit fans loyalty… 🤷
One consumer group here at home has already suggested that fans be refunded after being forced to pay for in-demand ticket prices if they want to stand any chance of seeing Oasis live again.
The boys from Burnage have insisted they have nothing to do with the decision itself and “at no time had any awareness that dynamic pricing was going to be used” after they announced two additional Wembley dates, “but due to the unprecedented demand [avoiding it] became impossible to achieve.”
Regardless of how unfair it seems, there is sadly little we can do about it without artists leading the way to change the music industry and live ticketing, in particular.
Unfortunately, people will also continue to pay over the odds when backed into a corner like with the Oasis reunion because that’s what loving an artist so much can do to you – not that it makes it right in way, shape or fashion.
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All we can say now is: you won, US Oasis fans – enjoy the tour, we hope it makes you happy. Dear lord, what a sad little life, North America…
You ruined our day completely so you could have the money and the tickets, and we hope now you can spend it on lessons in grace and decorum, because you have all the grace of a reversing dump truck without any tyres on. So America AND Oasis, take your money and get off our property…
Hip-hop, soul and R’n’B legend Mary J Blige is coming to Manchester for a massive arena show
Danny Jones
Manchester is getting ready to welcome a global icon of hip-hop, soul, pop and R’n’B as Mary J Blige is set to put on a massive arena show.
With a music career spanning more than 30 years, Mary J Blige is an absolute legend of the American music scene, with nine GRAMMY Awards and nearly 40 nominations, along with a plethora of BET, Billboard, and AMA nods over the years.
Currently on ‘The For My Fans Tour’, jetting quite literally all over and recently adding on even more dates, not only has London been given some love, but so has Greater Manchester – and rightly so.
Announcing the special one-off show and Co-op Live debut this Wednesday, 16 April, Mary J Blige won’t have to wait too long to be part of the ‘Family Affair’.
The 54-year-old from New York will be coming to the state-of-the-art, one of the biggest indoor entertainment venues in all of Europe, in just a few months’ time.
On top of the already well-established AO Arena, this is the pedigree of truly worldwide artists that Co-op Live was built to further attract – and it looks to be working.
It’s been the best part of a decade since she was last in these parts, so she’s sure to get a huge reception.
While most audiences in the likes of North America have been treated to fellow R’n’B favourite Ne-Yo, those watching Ms Blige will be keeping things domestic as long-standing London collective and producers, Soul II Soul, will be joining her for the show.
‘Back to life, back to reality…’
So there you have it! Mary J Blige will be coming to Manchester on Friday, 4 July 2025, with her own pre-sale going live at 10am on Thursday, 24 April, but Co-op members can get there even earlier, with the venue’s early access available from the same time the day before.
As for general admission, you can get ready to grab your tickets HERE from 10am on Friday, 25 April.
Fri 18 April – London, UK – OVO Arena Wembley (Sean Paul, Ashanti and Big Joe)
Sat 19 April – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Sun 20 April – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
22 April – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
23 April – Brighton, UK – Brighton Centre (Sean Paul ONLY)
24 April – Bournemouth, UK – BIC (Sean Paul ONLY)
Sean Paul and Ashanti tickets for AO Arena gig
Just like Ashanti’s 2002 hit, you’d have been ‘Foolish’ not to get tickets when they first came out, however, there’s still a chance for you to ‘Get Busy’ like Sean Paul’s ‘02 throwback.
There’s a limited run of tickets left throughout the venue, including standing, seated and even an option to watch the show from ‘The Mezz’ if you’re after a VIP experience – AllHERE.
There’s no official setlist yet, however, if you consider the past selection of hits from their previous separate gigs, fans are in for a jam-packed night.
Sean Paul:
So Fine
Get Busy
Ever Blazin’
Cheap Thrills
Baby Boy
Bailando
Hot Gyal Today
Infiltrate
Breathe/ Make It Clap
Give It Up To Me
Got 2 Luv U
Mad Love
No Lie
Boasty
Love Me Ladies
Tip Pon It
Volcano
Bring It
Greatest
I’m Still In Love
Light My Fire
Punkie
Rockabye
Like Glue
Deport Them
Trumpets
She Doesn’t Mind
Temperature
Ashanti:
Happy
Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)
Mesmerise
Only U
Baby
Southside
Down 4 U
Body On Me
What’s Luv?
Ain’t It Funny
Always On Time
Foolish
What are the stage times for Sean Paul and Ashanti in Manchester?
AO Arena has a curfew of 11pm; anyone attending this link-up of a lifetime can enjoy their night knowing they’ll be ‘Ever Blazin” after a full night’s sleep.
Doors for the ‘Bring It Tour’ are scheduled for 6pm with a kick-off time of 7pm, with no confirmed or mentioned support acts as of yet.
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.
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Getting there by car and parking
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.
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About the AO Arena
The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirements carefully before you travel.
For example, only one small bag per person is allowed, and bags like backpacks, travel cases and laptop bags are not permitted inside the arena.
All bags are scanned on entry to check for prohibited items like laser pens, flares, projectiles, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and even selfie sticks.
Danny Jones -
1st October 2024 
