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Volbeat set to play massive arena gig in Manchester later this year

'Still Counting' down the days 'til I get tickets.

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 6th March 2025

Veteran Danish rockers Volbeat are crossing the English Channel to play their first Manchester gig in over five years.

Volbeat formed in 2001 and have seen worldwide acclaim, especially in Europe with hits like ‘Still Counting’, ‘Die To Live’ and ‘Last Day Under the Sun’.

The band last stopped off in Manchester in 2019 performing to a rapturous crowd at O2 Apollo capping at 3,500, and no matter the years that have gone by, their fan base hasn’t gone anywhere.

Now, they’re hoping to impress AO Arena’s mighty 20,000 crowd which is sure to be filled with avid metal heads this winter.

Credit: AO Arena (supplied)

This should come as no surprise to anybody as this upcoming announcement will mark the second time the Danish lads have played at this phenomenal indoor music venue, last visiting in 2016.

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Volbeat’s music can’t be boxed into any category as it fluctuates and flows between different musical styles, however, they do tend to mix lots of heavy metal elements with contemporary rock, pop, jazz and even electronics into their work.

They’ve often been described as ‘psychobilly’ or groove metal act – all we know is they’re class and since they’ve been back in the studio of late, we can’t wait to hear what they come up with next.

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Denmark may be ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world but Volbeat’s song titles seem to tell a different story with examples such as ‘The Devil’s Bleeding Crown’ and ‘Black Rose’.

As for the gig itself, they won’t be visiting one of Manchester’s biggest arenas alone either, bringing along not one but two support acts.

As you can see London-formed rock band, Bush, are the first to join forces with the Danish natives and they’ve got an equally large list of potential setlist staples to warm up the crowd.

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But before that, American hardcore outfit, Gel, are also set to support Volbeat; these New Jersey punks may only be a decade or so into their career, but they have a number of EPs and albums that have seen them grow a cult following – the only dilemma will be condensing everything into an opening slot.

Volbeat are set to play AO Arena in Manchester on 8 November with two staggered pre-sales on 12 and 13 March. Meanwhile, general sale will start from 10am on Friday, 14 March.

This is going to be a belter.

You can find out more information and you can get ready to grab your tickets HERE and roll on that new album…

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Featured Images — Publicity Pictures (Supplied)

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Don’t worry if you didn’t get Oasis tickets, one of the UK’s best tribute bands is coming to Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Didn’t get tickets for Oasis? How about we all just go see one of the best tribute acts in Manchester instead? Sounds like a plan, let’s do it.

Yes, unfortunately, one of the biggest downsides to one of the greatest bands of all time returning for a worldwide reunion tour is that, rather ironically, pretty much everyone on the entire planet wants a ticket.

The reality is that many of us Mancs and Oasis fans all over the country and the globe will sadly be missing out on the comeback gigs this summer. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean we have to miss out on listening to the same iconic tunes as everyone else in a room full of other Britpop lovers.

After all, as we all know, seeing bands live is great and all that – but half the fun is jumping up and down like a loon with hundreds of other people, and these lads can certainly sort that.

That’s right, hailed as the UK’s ‘best and most authentic Oasis tribute band’, Oasi-is will be coming to the legendary Manchester Academy complex to give us locals the next best thing.

Not only that but the highly celebrated impersonators and soundalikes will be playing the 950-cap venue on Friday, 11 July, i.e. the same night as Oasis‘ first of five hometown Manchester shows at Heaton Park.

To make things even more interesting and appealing to the die-hards who can’t be there for the real deal this summer, Oasi-is are the only tribute act to the 90s rock and roll stars that can boast using official Oasis equipment in their sets.

Gig-goers will also be treated to authentic visuals and footage projected on the big screens behind them, and dedicated tour DJs to drum up an unrivalled recreation of their heroes, as well as shades and ‘Wellend’ haircuts so convincing you’ll soon forget it’s not the actual Gallagher brothers.

Aiming to mirror the ‘Live ’25’ tour shows as best as possible, you can expect all the classics and even a few curveballs from Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants and Dig Out Your Soul. Who knows? All we can guarantee is that we’d rather be here than just sit enviously watching clips of it at home come July.

We’re not forcing that familiar ‘no-Glasto fever’ on ourselves, we’re just going to make the best of it, thanks to Oas-is.

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As if it wasn’t already a pretty great value-for-money gig, with general admission priced at just £20 (plus booking fees), you’ll also get to see an equally brilliant tribute band as well as a local legend for the support slots.

Warming up the crowd will be the world’s premier Arctic Monkeys tribute act, Arctic Numpties, along with Manc DJ legend, Dave Sweetmore. That’ll do just fine.

Tickets are already on sale and it won’t surprise you to learn that, the genuine article or not, it’s selling really well because let’s be honest: we just want to spend the night singing our hearts out whilst jumping up and down to the hits with all our mates.

You can grab your tickets for the Oas-is’ ‘Same Hits. Same Night. Same City’ tribute show at Manchester Academy 2 HERE and, in the meantime, you might want to check out these fellow Oasis obsessives over in Japan too…

We found a Japanese Oasis tribute band on TikTok — and they’re actually mint

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

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)

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Harry Styles mural unveiled at Cheshire railway station to welcome fans to his hometown

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Harry Styles mural

A mural of Harry Styles has been unveiled at a railway station in Cheshire to welcome fans to his hometown.

The pop megastar and former One Direction member, turned actor, grew up in the picturesque Cheshire village of Holmes Chapel, and in recent years – most notably around the time of the 2022 Manchester dates on his world tour, Love On Tour – the village has become a popular place for visiting fans keen to see where Styles spent his younger years.

The gates of his high school and the bakery where he used to work are just a couple of the locations that Harry Styles fans like to visit when they’re around his neck of the woods.

Holmes Chapel has very much lent into the novelty of being a tourist hotspot, and nothing proves that more than the fact the village’s railway station has now unveiled a brand-new mural featuring the singer-songwriter in all his glory.

The new artwork depicts the 31-year-old donning one of his many famous flamboyant outfits – a yellow tweed-style blazer, with a pink feather bower around his neck.

The stunning tribute was created by local artists Eamonn Murphy and Victoria Holland, and is one of several to be installed at the station that celebrate the village and the surrounding areas, with Styles featuring alongside local landmarks such as St Luke’s Church and Hermitage Bridge.

“Artwork that pays tribute to a local area, or in this case, a very famous former resident, is always a welcome addition to a station,” commented Craig Harrop, who is the regional director for Northern.

Harry Styles mural
Image shows artwork at Holmes Chapel station / Credit: Northern

“This new artwork adds to the station’s personality and charm and will no doubt prove very popular with Harry Styles fans visiting the village.”

Peter Whiers, who is the chair of Holmes Chapel Partnership that led on the creation of the artwork, added: “Eamonn and Victoria are both incredibly talented local artists and we are delighted with how they have brought our vision for this mural to life.

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“This new installation not only honours Harry Styles and the impact his global success has had on our community but also enhances the station and creates a colourful new welcome to the village.”

Featured Image – Northern

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