Emerging rock band Villanelle, fronted by Gene Gallagher, have just announced a new tour of university-backed UK and Ireland venues, including a gig right here in Manchester.
The still relatively rookie group led by the son of legendary Mancunian music icon, Liam Gallagher, is still in its very early days, but the four-piece has already flirted with everything from straightforward indie music to post-punk, grunge and alternative.
Yes, if you were expecting LG‘s youngest son to just be imitating his dad’s sound, you’d be wrong; the impressive fledgling outfit are already carving a creative little space for themselves.
More importantly, they’ve already hit the road plenty of times over the past 12 months or so, including on the Definitely Maybe 30th anniversary tour, and now Villanelle are coming back to Manchester once again for a show and one of our most beloved live music spaces: Night and Day.
Join us across the UK on the Punchbag University Tour.
Working with promoters Punchbag, who have created the brand-new ‘Punchbag University Tour’, Villanelle are one of multiple artists joining the inaugural event.
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The dedicated uni-sponsored series sees multiple names heading to key grassroots entertainment spots, celebrating up-and-coming talent as well as student culture at large.
Other bands and solo acts taking part in the debut Punchbag uni tour include Florentenes, Bino Bames and Die Twice.
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Places getting involved with the shows themselves include the likes of Sidney and Matilda in Sheffield, Hyde Park Book Club in Leeds, Zerox in Newcastle, among many more.
It looks like it’s already shaping up nicely if you ask us.
Once again, Villanelle will be playing iconic Manc music institution Night and Day on Friday, 17 October, which will precede another highly anticipated headline show in the city at The Castle Hotel.
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As for the Night and Day gig, it’s actually a place they’ve played before, too.
The boys visited the venue back in November last year and brought a pretty strong die-hard following with them from the off, and have played plenty more support slots around the North since then.
If you’re interested, tickets for all musicians and their respective gigs are on sale now, and they’re being snapped up fast, so click HERE soon if you’re keen on catching any of them.
Whilst you’re here, you might as well stick around and find out what we made of Villanelle’s first full studio release down below.
Featured Images — Seb Barros (press shot)/Audio North
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Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics is returning to Manchester next year
Clementine Hall
IconicDJ and radio presenter Pete Tong MBE is making his way back to Manchester with a whole host of guests ready to help you dance the night away.
Known for his live radio shows such as the ‘Essential Mix’ on BBC Radio 1, Tong is bringing back his widely successful Ibiza Classics club night to Manchester with an equally impressive roster of guests.
The ‘Ibiza Classics’ concept originated and debuted back in 2015 with Tong and co. taking on Royal Albert Hall as part of BBC Radio 1’s Proms schedule, paying homage to the island’s infectious anthems.
Since then, the English DJ has built a music event bigger than he could have ever imagined, and after a milestone year marking the 10th anniversary of the acclaimed Ibiza Classics show, Pete Tong has announced a brand-new run of UK arena dates for 2026.
Some of Tong’s notable releases include ‘Where’s The Music Gone’ and ‘Apocolypse’, alongside some very respectable dance music artists.
Other tracks to his name include ‘You Got The Love’ and ‘Time’, both collaborations with Jules Buckley, one of the famous faces you’ll get to see on this special Ibiza Classics tour.
The seven-date arena tour kicks off in Glasgow’s before heading to Manchester’s AO Arena on Friday 4 December 2026.
He will also be playing in Leeds, Birmingham, and Nottingham, culminating the tour with two huge nights at The O2 London.
Ibiza Classics Live 2026
Thursday 3 December – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
Friday 4 December – Manchester, AO Arena
Saturday 5 December – Leeds, First Direct Bank Arena
Wednesday 9 December – Birmingham, Utilita Arena
Thursday 10 December – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December – London, The O2
He will be joined by long-standing collaborators Jules Buckley and The Essential Orchestra.
This night is expected to be filled with pure dance hits, and based on recent shows, there might even be appearances from even more musical talents and special guests.
Pete Tong, Jules Buckley, and The Essential Orchestra are bringing Ibiza Classics to AO Arena on Friday 4 December 2026.
Tickets go on sale next Monday 15 December, and you can get them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Indiana Jones, live in concert, is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
An all-time Hollywood favourite is being brought to Manchester audiences like never before, as a special showing of the first Indiana Jones film is coming to the city centrein concert.
Steven Spielberg and George Lucas’ action-adventure series is one we all know and love – and if you haven’t seen it before, what are you playing at?
Having said that, the original beloved blockbuster still stands up as the most fondly remembered of the series to this day; put simply, the ‘best’ film in the ‘Indy’ franchise is Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Whether you agree with us or not, you can’t deny that the idea of hearing a live concert version of that iconic Indiana Jones score being played in the flesh by a proper orchestra sounds mega. Case in point:
The legendary John Williams score has been played in some of the most prestigious rooms in the world.
Now, how about hearing those incredible trumpets and French horns over the audio of the film itself, soundtracking each scene as it plays on the big screen in front of you?
Yes, we are nerding out, and so should you be.
After a globe-trotting trek that Indy himself would be proud of, the Disney Concerts production is now gearing up for its UK tour, with just a handful of lucky cities selected for the privilege.
You can see the full list of tour dates down below (we’ve highlighted other Northern shows for you, too):
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark: Live In Concert – UK tour dates | 2026
Sunday 31 May – Manchester Bridgewater Hall Monday 1 June – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall Tuesday 2 June – Edinburgh Usher Hall Wednesday 3 June – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Thursday 4 June – Birmingham Symphony Hall Friday 5 June – Sheffield City Hall Sunday 7 June – London Eventim Apollo
As you can see, not only will the run of live shows be kicking off on home turf, but they have selected the one and only Bridgewater Hall for the movie concert experience – a more than fitting venue.
Released back in 1981, it’s unbelievable how timeless and instantly recognisable the iconic Indy theme and film score still is to this day.
Disney’s early access window and the presale via the venue both open from 10am this Thursday, 11 December, with general admission going live at the same time the following Friday (12 Dec).
You can get ready to grab your tickets to the Manchester screening and live orchestral performance next May right HERE.
Be it movies, TV or even games, we’re loving how many of these kinds of shows are coming to our city now, from all-time classics like Indiana Jones to cult favourite bits of British kids’ telly…
Danny Jones -
22nd September 2025 
