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Unknown Mortal Orchestra announce Manchester gig among just a handful of UK dates on European tour

Another top Anzac artist. (this article contains affiliate links)

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 1st October 2025

One of our favourite live acts we’ve ever seen is coming back to Manchester as Unknown Mortal Orchestra are set for a stunning return to the city – and at one of our most beloved venues, no less.

The New Zealand psychedelia-infused rock and indie outfit may not be on everyone’s radar just yet, but the genre-bending outfit is comfortably up there with some of the best we’ve ever had the privilege of seeing in the flesh.

Currently based in Portland, Oregon, in the States, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) is fronted by multi-instrumentalist and visionary experimentalist producer, Ruban Nielson, who first began the project on his own over a decade and a half ago.

Closer to a three-piece these days, you won’t find many bands that boast a collection of such varied and talented musicians, and they’re heading to Albert Hall.

As detailed by Albert Hall themselves, this show is also just one among a very small handful of dates here in the UK as part of their run of shows across Europe.

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Other shows include one on the night following their Manchester gig over in Yorkshire, which our friends at The Sheff will no doubt be buzzing about, as well as on opening night at Barrowland in Glasgow ahead of a four-show residency in London.

Dubbing their work as nothing short of “psychedelic mastery” (we couldn’t agree more), the iconic live music space will be welcoming them early next year after landing on the mainland continent.

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Other stops on the 2026 Unknown Mortal Orchestra European tour include Lithuania, Latvia and Poland; Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Belgium and Paris.

Now consisting of Nielsen, bassist Jacob Portait, and often Ruban’s brother as well as fellow singer-songwriter, musician and engineer, Kody Neilson – also known for his work with The Mint Chicks, Opossom, Silicone and more – all of whom are as talented in the studio as they are on stage.

They also happen to have one of our favourite Tiny Desks of all time.

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Sorry, but this HAS to be up in there in the top 10.

The London residency already looks to be in high demand, so you can bet their only date here in Manchester and at a venue like Albert Hall will sell out extremely fast.

As well as an entirely instrumental outing earlier this year, UMO also dropped their latest EP entitled CURSE back in June, and it’s fair to say it’s some of the most ‘out-there’ material to date.

If you haven’t listened to it yet and are just expecting more art-poppy indie bops like ‘Hunnybee’, you couldn’t be more wrong…

Unknown Mortal Orchestra play the Albert Hall in Manchester on Friday, 27 March, and you can get ready to grab your tickets right HERE.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

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HAIM at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist, and more for UK tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Rock trio HAIM are gearing up to play their first ever arena show in Manchester next week.

Sisters Este, Danielle and Alana – more widely recognised by their surname, which also doubles as the title of their group, HAIM – are about to perform their biggest Manchester show to date.

This should come as no surprise, with the band amassing a cult following of fans and almost seven million monthly listeners on Spotify – thanks to huge tunes like ‘The Wire’, ‘Now I’m In It’, and ‘Don’t Wanna’, as well as newer single released like ‘Relationships’ and ‘All over me’.

The band have already recently played to a near 70,000 fans, thanks to their longtime friend and musical collaborator Taylor Swift, who brought the band out as a special guest on her global phenomenon The Eras Tour last summer.

But now, HAIM are going it alone.

They’ll be stringing up their guitars, and warming up their vocal chords to sing their angsty and fiery hits over at Manchester’s biggest entertainment venue, Co-op Live.

HAIM are bringing their 'I quit' tour to Co-op Live in Manchester on 30 October / Credit: Supplied
HAIM are bringing their ‘I quit’ tour to Co-op Live in Manchester on 30 October / Credit: Supplied

HAIM – UK Tour Dates 2025

  • Friday 24 October – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
  • Saturday 25 October – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Sunday 26 October – Brighton, UK – Brighton Centre
  • Tuesday 28 October – London, UK – The O2
  • Thursday 30 October – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Friday 31 October – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro

Tickets

No need to ‘Pray to God’, as there’s still a good selection of tickets available for any Manchester HAIM lovers to grab HERE.

If you’re feeling a bit fancier, however, and fancy watching HAIM while ‘Spinning’ the night away in a premium seat, then you can find a handful of tickets up for grabs over on SeatUnique, starting from £25 HERE.

Setlist

  • Gone
  • All over me
  • Take me back
  • My Song 5
  • Cry
  • Spinning
  • Don’t Wanna
  • The Steps
  • Gasoline
  • Blood on the Street
  • Hallelujah
  • Summer Girl
  • Want You Back
  • Relationships
  • Now I’m in It
  • The Wire
  • Down to be Wrong

What are the stage times for HAIM in Manchester?

Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, and with doors opening at 6:30pm and a start time of 7.30pm, this rock trio certainly won’t be working to ‘The Wire’ to cram in all their hits, meaning you can get home before the crack of dawn.

Bedroom pop musician Dora Jar supported the girls throughout the North American shows, however there’s no official artist confirmed for the UK leg so far.

Rock trio HAIM are gracing Manchester, London, Glasgow and more on their UK tour / Credit: Supplied
Rock trio HAIM are gracing Manchester, London, Glasgow and more on their UK tour / Credit: Supplied

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 and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bus

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

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, and directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.

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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:

  • 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 Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
  • Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces

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.

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl scheme, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.

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For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images: Terrence ‘O Connor and Lea Garn / Press Shots (via supplied)

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Benson Boone at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist, and more for UK tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Viral pop belter Benson Boone is bringing his ‘American Heart’ world tour to Co-op Live for two nights of backflipping and radio bangers.

Known for his roster of hits, spanning from ‘Beautiful Things to ‘Mystical Magical’ and everything in between, Benson Boone has soared to success in recent years thanks to his music becoming popular on various social media platforms like TikTok.

This superstar knows a thing or two about performing, singing to the likes of Katy Perry and Lionel Richie when he auditioned and gained popularity through US talent show, American Idol.

With two songs already surpassing one billion streams on Spotify, and a collection of tracks having 100 million streams or more, you’re guaranteed to be singing and dancing for ‘Forever and a Day’.

Now, ‘Mr. Electric Blue’ is taking on the Manchester crowds for himself as he gears up to play two nights at 23,500 capacity entertainment venue, Co-op Live.

Benson Boone is coming to Co-op Live in Manchester for two nights on 26 and 27 October / Credit: David Roemer (Supplied)
Benson Boone is coming to Co-op Live in Manchester for two nights on 26 and 27 October / Credit: David Roemer (Supplied)

Benson Boone – American Heart UK Tour Dates

  • Sunday 26 October – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Monday 27 October – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
  • Thursday 30 October – Glasgow, UK – SSE Hydro
  • Saturday 1 November – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
  • Monday 3 November – London, UK – The O2
  • Tuesday 4 November – London, UK – The O2
  • Wednesday 5 November – London, UK – The O2

Tickets

If you want to watch Boone backflip the night away while singing his recognisable pop ballads, then thankfully you can still find a small handful tickets available for both shows HERE.

And if you’re feeling a bit fancy, you can also treat yourself to a more ‘Mystical Magical’ experience by opting for a premium seated spot thanks to SeatUnique, with an array of options available for both nights HERE.

Setlist

  • I Wanna Be the One You Call
  • Wanted Man
  • Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else
  • Man in Me
  • Drunk in My Mind
  • Slow It Down
  • Be Someone
  • Mystical Magical
  • Pretty Slowly
  • In the Stars
  • Let Me Go / There She Goes / Sugar Sweet
  • Take Me Home
  • Young American Heart
  • Mr. Electric Blue
  • (Surprise song each night – like THIS viral Adele cover)
  • Momma Song
  • Love of Mine
  • Reminds Me of You
  • Beautiful Things
  • Cry
The 'American Heart' tour sees Benson Boone visiting many UK arenas including Manchester and London / Credit: David Roemer (Supplied)
The ‘American Heart’ tour sees Benson Boone visiting many UK arenas including Manchester and London / Credit: David Roemer (Supplied)

What are the stage times for Benson Boone in Manchester?

Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning Boone has plenty of time to ‘Slow It Down’ and still get you all home before the early hours.

Anyone attending can expect the doors to open at 6:30pm with no official kick-off time listed as of yet, but you’ll definitely want to get in early, as supporting Boone is rising star and local Bury lad, James Elliot Reay – who’s featured in our Manchester artists of the month back in December last year.

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 and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bus

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

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:

  • 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.
Expect to hear Benson sing 'Beautiful Things' and 'Mystical Magical' at Co-op Live, Manchester this October / Credit: David Roemer (Supplied)
Expect to hear Benson sing ‘Beautiful Things’ and ‘Mystical Magical’ at Co-op Live this October / Credit: David Roemer (Supplied)

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 Moss (Ashton line) – 183 spaces and 12 disabled spaces
  • Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
  • Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces

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.

Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl scheme, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination, and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.

There’s hire points just near the south west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road, and for more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images: David Roemer (Press Shots) via supplied

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