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…
Phoebe Bridgers announces long-awaited return with HUGE phones-free arena gig in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
It’s official, Phoebe Bridgers is back on earth.
More than six years since her last studio album, Punisher, was released to the world, cementing her status as one of indie folk’s leading figureheads, Phoebe Bridgers has given fans the news they have been waiting so patiently for.
A new tour North America and EU tour is on the horizon, and she’ll be stopping off here in Manchesterlater this year for a huge arena gig.
Following a sold-out acoustic show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden last night (4 June), Phoebe has now revealed details of ‘The Lost Tour’ for 2026.
Other than the series of surprise pop-up acoustic shows that have wrapped around the country over the last few weeks – beginning in Roswell in New Mexico on 8 May, and continuing on to smaller venues in other US cities before culminating in last night’s dazzling MSG show – this upcoming full band tour marks the first Phoebe Bridgers shows since early 2023.
Phoebe will be taking to the stage at Co-op Live here in Manchester for one night only on 26 November 2026 – with tickets going on sale next week.
And just like the pop-up shows, the use of mobile phones, cameras, and other recording devices will be strictly prohibited on this tour, encouraging fans to be more present in the moment.
This means the Co-op Live event will utilise secure pouches to store all devices during the performance.
Phoebe Bridgers is playing a huge arena gig in Manchester on her UK tour later this year / Credit: Supplied | Raph PH (Wikimedia Commons)
Upon arrival, all phones, smartwatches, and related accessories will be secured in these pouches, the pouches will be unlocked at the conclusion of the show, and any guest observed using a non-permitted device during the performance will be escorted out of the venue.
If the news of Phoebe’s return wasn’t exciting enough for fans as it is, she won’t be the only one making a highly-anticipated return to the stage, as support on the UK & EU leg of the tour is to be provided by former Black Country, New Road frontman, Isaac Wood.
Wood stepped away from the ensemble band – and the limelight as a whole – right before the release of BCNR’s critically acclaimed second studio album, Ants From Up There, in 2022, citing mental health reasons.
Phoebe has also partnered with PLUS1 so that €1/£1 from every ticket sold on the European tour leg goes to local organisations throughout the EU/UK working to support those impacted by sexual assault and violence.
Phoebe Bridgers will be playing Co-op Live as part of ‘The Lost Tour’ on Thursday 26 November 2026.
Tickets officially go on sale first through the Phoebe Bridgers Pass Presale via Fan3, and Co-op Member Presale starting at 10am on Wednesday 10 June, before general sale then begins on Friday 12 June, again at 10am.
UB40 at AO Arena, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
British-based reggae band UB40 are coming to Manchester for a celebration of all their greatest hits live at AO Arena.
Formed in Birmingham in the late 70’s, this predominantly dub and reggae band has gone on to achieve much success, including 50 UK charting singles.
UB40 have also sold over 100 million records, as well as keeping a consistent line-up for almost 30 years, before lead vocalist Ali Campbell decided to leave the band.
Now, the band’s lead vocalist is former Kioko lead singer Matt Doyle, who’s taken on this role since mid-2021 and is ready to soundtrack your night while you enjoy some ‘Red Red Wine’.
There’s no official setlist confirmed for their latest tour, however, this 11-piece band have played an array of European dates with a pretty consistent roster of tracks:
Here I Am (Come and Take Me)
Maybe Tomorrow
Homely Girl
Sing Our Own Song
One in Ten
Home
Please Don’t Make Me Cry
Many Rivers to Cross
Higher Ground
The Way You Do the Things You Do
I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight
Cherry Oh Baby
Johnny Too Bad
Red Red Wine
Food For Thought
Forever True
Kingston Town
Can’t Help Falling in Love
What are the stage times for UB40 in Manchester?
Anyone up for seeing UB40 play out at Manchester’s impressive 19,000-seater AO Arena will have to get there a tad early.
Doors will open at 6pm with a gig start time of 6:45pm due to the special guests who will be taking to the stage before them.
Make sure you get down early, as you really won’t want to miss the phenomenal duo Aswad, as well as standout vocalist Maxi Priest – It really is a reggae revolution.
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.
The Arena has its own official CitiPark, with 958 car parking spaces, including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.
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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.
Danny Jones -
1st October 2024 
