So, that’s it. 2021 is over, and we can all take a breath. Even by the insane standards of recent history, this was a year that managed to leave a trail of eye-rubbingly implausible stories in its wake.
After a deadly pandemic put Blighty’s famous ‘Blitz Spirit’ to the test in 2020, we’d have all settled for a simple 12 months with some normality. But what we got instead was another unpredictable, topsy-turvy chapter that seemed to crawl and fly by simultaneously.
Bookended by the grim spread of COVID variants with some light in the middle of the tunnel, 2021 has turned out to be as much of a rollercoaster as its predecessor. It all began with a winter of discontent as everyone hid indoors, and it looks set to finish in a similar way. But en route there was plenty to talk about. And some of the strangest stuff happened right on our doorstep.
Here, we look back at the most peculiar episodes during another wild year in Manchester. The result is a list that features giant pigeons, penis enlargement adverts and ‘Julie’s I Pad’…
Flying for a beef sandwich
This fella flew from Salford to Preston for a beef butty in lockdown / Image: Chipping Farm Shop
In March 2021, lockdown was in full force, but there was hope on the horizon. The government’s ‘roadmap to freedom’ had been unveiled, COVID cases were falling, and businesses were finally preparing to reopen their doors to customers. Within a matter of days, we’d be able to head to pubs and restaurants and dine outdoors.
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But one helicopter pilot didn’t feel like waiting until the restrictions eased. He was hungry now, and what he really fancied was a beef butty.
So, he hopped in his chopper, took off from Salford, whizzed 80 miles across to the Chipping Farm Shop in Preston, and collected his sandwich before flying back home.
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Pictures of the man receiving his order were posted on social media and the story made quite the splash, but authority figures didn’t see the funny side.
One councillor labelled it a “fragrant abuse of lockdown rules”, and police forces said they opened an investigation into the matter.
Two thieves took refuge in Robinsons Brewery / Image: David Pickersgill
Picture this: You’re in Stockport, you’re on the run, and you need a place to hide. Where do you go?
Two suspected burglars faced this conundrum in March 2021. And they chose badly.
Having already been identified as fugitives by police and with sirens hot on their heels, the duo decided to dive into Robinsons Brewery.
At the time, it might have seemed like a decent spot to stay until the heat died down. The famous building on Lower Hillgate is big, dark, and best of all, full of beer.
In April 2021, a press release sent Gary Neville into meltdown.
“I’m disgusted,” he snarled, his gnashing teeth obscured by a padded Sky Sports microphone.
“Absolutely disgusted. I’m disgusted with Manchester United and Liverpool most.”
The former England footballer was delivering an emotional on-screen response to the published plans for the European Super League (ESL) – a new breakaway division featuring 12 of the continent’s biggest football teams (including Premier League sides Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea).
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The contest effectively amounted to an elite members’ club where the same sides would play one another over and over again and the rich owners would get richer. It was foul.
Neville was one of the first to start frothing at the mouth in response, but he would not be the last. Within days, the vitriolic backlash against the ESL saw panicked clubs pull out and the competition folded like a house of cards. But fan power’s fight continued – with supporters using the victory over the ESL as a springboard to battle back against the club owners who had signed up to join the division in the first place.
On May 2, with the world watching, Manchester United fans held a demonstration against the Glazer family at Old Trafford before their match with old rivals Liverpool. The barriers were breached and several hundred people broke into the stadium before kick-off.
The match was abandoned – and the passionate scenes made headlines across the globe.
The incident prompted the Premier League to bring in a new owners’ charter designed to stop any future attempts to join a breakaway league. It also led to the Glazers briefly opening a dialogue with supporters via a fans forum – the first communication of its kind during nearly 16 years of ownership.
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Fans had won the battle, but not the war. Ringleaders over at Real Madrid, Juventus and Barcelona still want to revive the ESL project when the time is right. And the vilified American Glazer family remain at the helm at Old Trafford.
This one isn’t over.
The chaotic parish council meeting in Handforth
Handforth Parish Council’s emergency meeting was an unlikely global hit / Image: ma0sm
A year ago this month, a council meeting was taking place in Handforth – a little town just outside of Greater Manchester – that would end up shooting its participants to stardom.
The group had arranged an emergency online forum to talk politics, with question marks hovering over the conduct of certain members.
The whole thing was a typical Zoom huddle of blurry faces, scrambled audio and people talking over one another. But when a recording of it was posted to social media in February 2021, everything changed.
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The footage revealed a council meeting so jaw-droppingly chaotic it proved a monster hit online – generating thousands of views in a matter of minutes.
Handforth Parish Council became its very own soap opera: Introducing us to a rich mix of four dimensional comedy characters that ranged from the tooting Brian Tolver to the enigmatic Julie’s iPad.
The breakout star, of course, was Jackie Weaver – a member of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils who’d seemingly been drafted in to get the Handforth house in order. Weaver gained worldwide fame for remaining stoic in the face of disruptive members during the meeting, responding to an onslaught of cries and accusations by coolly kicking complainers out of the call.
The endlessly quotable (“You have no authority here Jackie Weaver!”; “Read the standing orders! Read them and understand them!”) footage has done the rounds all year – and even led to the council changing its name to “move away from the toxic side of Handforth”.
Weaver, meanwhile, has published a book titled You Do Have The Authority Here! and become one of Handforth’s most famous associates, even being invited to switch on the town’s Christmas lights in 2021.
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Giant pigeon parades through Piccadilly Gardens
“These pests at Piccadilly are really getting out of hand now” / Image: LeafyLeg via Reddit
You can usually find something peculiar happening in Piccadilly Gardens at any time of day. It’s a part of Manchester where seemingly anything goes. Even human-sized pigeons.
Pigeons are so populous in Piccadilly Gardens they ought to be paying rent. Walking down the paths here involves tiptoeing around dozens of pests all fluttering and cooing by the fountains, whilst dozens more swoop in to feed on scraps left behind by commuters, shoppers and loiterers. They’re everywhere. Which might explain why a mammoth bird almost managed to get across the gardens unnoticed in 2021.
It was a piping hot August day, and everyone was simply minding their own business, when someone dressed in a huge pigeon suit began plodding through Manchester’s central square.
One person nearby managed to capture a snippet of video, but few others seemed to bat an eye.
We’re apparently so used to pigeons round these parts, even the gigantic ones can blend in…
On a cold, dark January evening, supermarket staff working the late shift were stunned to witness an ambulance rock up in the car park with its blue lights flashing, before an entire family spilled out of the vehicle to do some shopping.
Puzzled police turned up and proceeded to pull the driver aside, discovering they had no insurance and were wanted by the court.
It was later revealed that the ambulance had been purchased second hand, and that the driver had been taken into custody for the incident.
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So, just to recap: An uninsured, wanted driver bought an emergency services vehicle and used it to take his family shopping, turning on the lights in the process. During lockdown.
Ridiculous.
Swarms of bees descend on the city
Bee-MW… / Image: The Manc Group
Something miraculous happened in Manchester this summer. For a magical moment, it seemed like the bee symbols dotted right around the city had all sprung to life.
On at least three separate occasions during June, thousands of bees were found swarming to specific spots of Mancunia. First, they took over the back window of a BMW, before settling on a sign for Manchester International Festival on Peter Street. Later in the month, a few thousand more were spotted around the corner as they engulfed a canopy outside of Albert’s Schloss bar.
The sudden appearance of these pulsing gold and black blankets was a sight to behold – but it also invited many questions. Why had these insects apparently decided to reclaim Manchester?
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According to the British Beekeepers Association, it’s not unusual for honeybee colonies to swarm on warm days between May and July – ordinarily after a queen departs. Scout bees search for a suitable new spot to make a nest, whilst the other bees wait together until a home is chosen.
That’s apparently what we were seeing back in summer. And it was pretty amazing.
Sunny Brow Park made the headlines in 2021… for a very strange reason / Image: Wikimedia Commons
Lots of Gorton residents head into Sunny Brow Park when the weather is good, either to enjoy a leisurely stroll with river views or take the kids to the playground.
In many ways, it’s a park like any other. But in June 2021, this unassuming little green space on Knutsford Road made the headlines for a very strange reason.
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A couple were spotted – and pictured – engaging in some frisky activity in broad daylight below a tree.
First at around midday. Then again at 2pm.
The incident(s) resulted in stunned by-passers calling the police, and the duo were arrested on suspicion of outraging public decency.
Yikes.
Posters for penis enlargement pop up in shop windows
The peculiar posters appeared on Market Street in autumn / Image: The Manc Group / TikTok
Head-turning artworks have a habit of appearing overnight in Manchester. Throughout 2021, we’ve woken up to huge posters lambasting Boris Johnson for his failures in government, and a stencilled spray painting of a boy flying a kite in Stockport (which was initially rumoured as a Banksy before Salford artist Mr Eggs took credit). But the most bizarre of the bunch was an ‘advert’ for free penis enlargement.
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In November, an image materialised in a shop window on Market Street joking that drivers of specific vehicles could be eligible for the enhancing treatment.
The caption read: “Do you drive a 4×4, Jeep or Range Rover in the city? You could be entitled to FREE penis enlargement therapy on the NHS.”
A phone number was displayed below images of the vehicles, alongside a logo for a company called Megacorp.
This prank, promotional device, or political stunt – whatever it might be – has apparently been done before, with the Metro reporting that a similar poster was seen three years ago in the Midlands, albeit with a different contact number listed.
The Manchester Evening News believed the latest posters had been put together by an anonymous designer working under the alias Foka Wolf.
The real purpose remains unclear. But it definitely raised a few smirks at the time.
What to expect from Soho House when it finally opens in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Soho House Manchester is surely one of the city’s most hotly-anticipated (and long-awaited) new openings.
The luxury members’ club has been slowly transforming the Old Granada Studios in the city centre into a multi-storey hub that will include restaurants, bars, bedrooms, event spaces, a gym, and – notably – a rooftop pool.
At one point, its grand opening was locked in for 2022 – but now we’re in 2024 and still no official opening date has been announced.
But there’s good reason for that – you cannot rush perfection. And you can expect perfection when annual membership costs close to £3,000.
We may still be looking at the same set of artist impressions for Soho House Manchester, but after a whistle-stop tour of several other of their UK locations, we finally have an idea of what to expect from their first venture north.
One thing you’re guaranteed to find is attention to detail.
Not one inch of Soho House is overlooked when it comes to their design – every corner, nook and cranny has been considered and made beautiful.
Every site is different from the last, lifting inspiration from the building it takes over and the history of the local area.
Bedrooms at White City House in LondonA lounge area at Soho House’s White City HouseWhite City House’s barPen Yen, a Japanese restaurant in Soho HouseAnother Soho House lounge spaceThe rooftop pool at White City HouseClick or swipe through the gallery above to see inside Soho House’s White City House
For example, White City House, constructed within the iconic, circular former BBC HQ, has collages of nostalgic programmes, analog TVs stuck to the walls, and mid-century modern furniture that tastefully nods back to the building’s most significant era.
But then you head to the very first Soho House location, tucked in a tall townhouse in the heart of bustling Soho, and it’s all about elaborately patterned wallpapers, plump colourful cushions, chintzy curtains.
With Soho House Manchester taking shape inside Old Granada Studios, we can expect a nod to our city’s broadcasting heritage, probably some 1960s-inspired interiors (this building held the Beatles’ first television performance in 1962), and hopefully not a Hacienda stripe in sight…
You want another example of attention to detail? Every Soho House even has its own stripe, used on its towels and stationery and other items dotted around the spaces. For Manchester, it’s going to be a navy and ochre wave pattern.
So while there are similarities between every location, this is far from being a copy-and-paste brand.
The same applies to the customer service. It’s quite remarkable to sit and watch how staff at each House will greet members by name at just a glance, very much like that scene in The Devil Wears Prada but I can’t see a panicked Emily Blunt whispering in anyone’s ear here.
Another recurring feature at Soho House will be total privacy. There’s a strict no-photos policy that means even the most A-list of guests (yes, including Harry Styles) can relax and enjoy the space without the fear of having their picture sold to a tabloid.
The pool at Soho FarmhouseSoho Farmhouse bedroomsPrivate dining space at Soho FarmhouseThe ‘Lazy Lake’ hot tubs at Soho FarmhouseAnother Soho House restaurantA look around Soho Farmhouse before Soho House opens in Manchester
If you whip out a phone, you’ll be told politely but firmly not to take photos or videos… not that many people even try. The application process to become a Soho House member is rigorous, so once you’re in, almost everyone plays by the rules.
And it really is private. One does not simply walk into Soho House, even if you do have cash to spend. In fact, the only way you can set foot into these hallowed halls without being a member is to be invited as a guest of an existing member.
Memberships are generally offered to those working in the creative industries, so you’re never more than a few metres from artists, music industry bigwigs, actors, dancers, writers, designers and more.
Inside any one house, you probably will spot a famous face or two (on our trip to Soho Farmhouse I clocked a legitimate Hollywood A-lister), but you might not notice – they’ll be treated the same as every other guest, and will be relaxing safe in the knowledge that they’re not about to be pestered for a selfie.
Restaurants for Soho House Manchester haven’t been confirmed yet, but our tour of existing locations included several signature restaurants that would be very welcomed in our city.
We could get Pen Yen, a vibrant Japanese restaurant; or Little Berenjak, a sister site for the Persian restaurant in London that is so popular, it’s nigh-on impossible to get a table.
Picante, Soho House’s signature cocktailAttention to detail even includes complimentary condoms in the bedroomsAn event space in the original Soho HouseBikes at Farmhouse
One thing we’re sadly not likely to experience here in Manchester is the peace and tranquility enjoyed at Soho Farmhouse, where features include a heated outdoor pool and hot tubs sunk into the lake, pretty green bikes you can cycle around on, and cosy rooms built into wooden cabins or ‘piglet’ style huts.
But if you sign up for the ‘Every House’ membership, you can at least pay it a visit.
But what is on the cards for us is a rooftop pool with sunbeds and a bar; an enormous gym space (Soho House has said this is a priority, and after seeing how busy the gym at White City House is, I can see why), fitness studios; a steam room and sauna; a ninth-floor late-night bar and live music space; casual lounge areas serving food and drink; a formal restaurant; an events space with a bar and DJ booth; 23 bedrooms of varying sizes; and an 80sq metre two-bedroom private apartment. Phew.
Set to be the first Soho House site in the north, it will join other UK sites across London, in Oxfordshire, in Somerset, in Windsor and in Brighton.
An exact opening date for Soho House Manchester is expected to be confirmed soon.
Soho House Manchester – memberships and application process
The full membership gains you access to all 41 Soho Houses globally, and costs £2,950.
But if you want to just use Soho House Manchester, that will cost £1,925.
There are cheaper memberships available for under-27s.
As part of the application process, you’ll need to supply a headshot, information about your work and industry, links to your online profiles, and several other titbits about yourself.
It helps if you already know a couple of existing Soho House members who can refer you, too.
And you must confirm that you’ll abide by the house rules, which you can see here.
Soho House Manchester memberships are open now and you can apply here.
What’s on at Co-op Live, Manchester’s huge new arena with packed programme of gigs and shows
Dean Hadcock
The Co-op Live finally opens its doors in April 2024 and it already has a huge list of shows planned for this year and all the way into 2025.
Manchester’s newest arena, entertainment venue and arts space, which is the largest indoor arena in the UK, is set to host some huge musicians over the next year or so.
The massive venue officially opens on 23 April, with Greater Manchester legend Peter Kay lined up for the first performance.
Then it will be the Black Keys who take the honour of being the first music act on stage – and this venue has been built with music in mind.
Take That have also signed up for a frankly ridiculous SEVEN shows – but there’s sure to be plenty more revealed in the coming months.
Here’s the full list of artists confirmed for Co-op Live thus far.
What’s on at Co-op Live – gigs, comedy shows and other events
In chronological order, here all the Co-op Live gigs on the schedule over the next two years:
Peter Kay – 23-24 April, 2024
Peter Kay has been announced as the opening act for Co-op Live Arena. Credit: Supplied
Bolton’s finest export Peter Kay will be the official opening act for the Co-op Live Arena, after selling out shows for literal years into the future at the AO Arena. He’s promised to keep tickets the same price they were when he last toured more than a decade ago too. You can get yours here.
The Black Keys – 27 April, 2024
The Black Keys. Credit: Larry Niehues
This rock duo are behind massive hits like Lonely Boy and Gold On The Ceiling, and are stopping off at the Co-op Live for a very special gig. They’ll be performing not long after they release their twelfth studio album, Ohio Players, which features collaborations with names including Noel Gallagher, Beck, Greg Kurstin, Dan “The Automator” Nakamura and more. You can get tickets here.
A Boogie Wid Da Hoodie – 1 May, 2024
Known for his collaborations with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Chris Brown and Meek Mill, rising star rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie will be one of the very first to perform at the Co-op Live. He’s on his way to being one of the biggest names in hip-hop.
Olivia Rodrigo — 3-4 May, 2024
Olivia will be hitting up Manchester during her GUTS World Tour. It’s in support of her second album of the same name, which was released back in September. The last time she was in Manchester, fans were shocked to see her casually singing and having a drink in Bunny Jackson’s after the show. Let’s see where she ends up post-gig this time in May.
Keane – 5 May, 2024
They’re back and they’re celebrating 20 years since their landmark debut album Hopes and Fears. They’ll be playing songs from throughout their career, performing the best of the best and to make things even better, they’ll also have support from Manchester’s own, The Lathums.
As if this wasn’t joyous news enough, wait until you see the supports… 👀
Somewhere Only We Know is going to sound magnificent in here.
Take That — 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 May AND 11-12 June (wow…)
They announced a new tour alongside the announcement of their ninth studio album, This Life. We obviously thought these big hitters would be doing a couple of shows here but no one expected their return to involve them ramming seven massive Manchester Co-op Live shows down our throats — not that we’re complaining.
We were going to do the ‘four naan, Jeremy?’ meme but they just kept adding dates…
Elbow – 14 May, 2024
It’s hard to believe Elbow have been going since 1997 since it wasn’t until 2008 they brought out their magnum opus The Seldom Seen Kid. Now here they are about to head on their first arena tour since 2018, celebration their tenth album, due for release early in the year.
Eric Clapton – 18 May, 2024
Adding one last show in Manchester to his UK tour, this is Clapton’s first performance here in over a decade. Expect him to be performing all his classics like ‘Tears In Heaven’ and ‘Layla’, as well as reminding everyone why he’s still at it so many years later.
With a huge legacy that includes multiple awards including a GRAMMY and a Tony, as well as officially surpassing Elvis for the longest-running residency in Las Vegas, our Barry has had quite the career. As for how he intends to spend next year, at least one chapter will include him coming to the Co-op Live for an exclusive Manchester-only show.
Nicki Minaj – 24 May, 2024
Nicki Minaj is coming to Manchester’s Co-op Live on her Pink Friday 2 World Tour
The ‘Queen of Rap’ Nicki Minaj is heading to Manchester as part of the Pink Friday 2 World Tour – her largest to date. The Starships and Anaconda singer is performing in celebration of her fifth studio album and will make the Co-op Live the first stop on her European leg of the tour.
Eagles – 31 May, then 1, 4, 7 and 8 June, 2024
Legendary US rock, country and folk band the Eagles have announced their last-ever UK gigs and Manchester’s Co-op Live arena has been given the honour of bidding them a British goodbye. One of the most successful and seminal bands of the 1970s and beyond, the LA hitmakers best known for tracks like ‘Hotel California’, ‘New Kid in Town’, ‘Desperado’ and countless others, are rounding off their global Long Goodbye tour with five final shows here in Britain and our city’s newest venue. Tickets are available here.
Pet Shop Boys – 9 June, 2024
Iconic UK duo Pet Shop Boys are bringing their incredible live Dreamland show to Co-op Live in June. The show’s already received a flurry of 5-star reviews and is a celebration of all of their greatest hits.
The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer – 13 June, 2024
Two absolutely massive names will come together to co-headline Manchester’s newest – and biggest – arena. Multi-platinum, GRAMMY® Award-winning, alternative rock pioneers, The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer will gig alongside each other at Co-op Live.
James – 14 June, 2024
One of the longest-running Manc bands, James will be putting on a huge summer hometown show and have chosen to be one of the first artists at the Co-op Live next year to do it, with a little bit of help from Noughties icons Razorlight as support acts, no less.
Liam Gallagher is back and he’s heading out on a massive UK tour next year, with not one but THREE Manchester dates on the lineup. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of Oasis’s massively influential debut album, Definitely Maybe, Liam will be embarking upon the ‘Definitely Maybe 30 Years’ arena tour in 2024.
The Killers – 18, 19, 21 and 22 June, 2024
The Killers have announced four massive arena shows here in Manchester for next summer on their Rebel Diamonds Tour. The Las Vegas indie rock legends have announced the tour to celebrate 20 years of hits together, and will release a brand new compilation album of the same name next week.
Pearl Jam – 25 June, 2024
These Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees will be another huge rock name playing the Co-op Live, bringing their Dark Matter World Tour to the city. They’ll be supported by special guests The Murder Capital.
Megan Thee Stallion – 5 July, 2024
Megan Thee Stallion announces massive Manchester gig on Hot Girl Summer Tour
Megan Thee Stallion is visiting Co-op Live as part of her 31-city world tour, called the Hot Girl Summer Tour. She’ll be heading across the US and Europe with her first-ever headline arena tour, which will feature a special Chicas Divertidas VIP section. The star will visit several major cities in the states before beginning her international leg here in the UK on 4 July.
Stevie Nicks – 9 July, 2024
Stevie Nicks has announced a Manchester gig at Co-op Live. Credit: Publicity picture
Rock legend Stevie Nicks, famed for her work with Fleetwood Mac as well as her impressive solo career, will be in town in summer. These will Stevie Nicks’ first UK shows in almost seven years, and she’ll be one of the first rock acts to perform at Manchester’s shiny new Co-op Live arena.
Kings of Leon – 10 July, 2024
Kings of Leon have announced a new run of UK shows as part of their 2024 world tour, and they’ll be coming to visit us here in Manchester. Following on from the announcement of their brand-new album, as well as a headline performance at BST Hyde Park this summer, the beloved American rock band have now revealed details of their long-awaited Can We Please Have Fun World Tour that’s kicking off later this year. Tickets are on sale here.
Justin Timberlake – 8 August
Mr Sexy Back himself is indeed back, with the so-called Prince of Pop announcing a Manchester date on the European leg of his massive The Forget Tomorrow World Tour. He’s the voice behind songs like SexyBack, Mirrors, and Trolls hit Can’t Stop The Feeling.
Arijit Singh – 11 August
India’s undisputed superstar Arijit Singh will be delivering a night of massive Bollywood hits when he arrives in Manchester this summer. The multi-award winner has become one of the most sought-after playback singers in the Indian film industry, lending his voice to numerous hit songs.
Noah Kahan – 13 August, 2024
Singer-songwriter sensation Noah Kahan is heading to the Co-op Live next summer, showing off his incredible music from three full-length albums as well as his collaborations with Hozier and Julia Michaels. He had his highest album position in the UK to date with last year’s Stick Season.
Niall Horan – 27 August, 2024
He’s already announced he’ll be playing in Manchester at the AO Arena in March. He’ll be back though after his world tour ends as he’s also announced he’ll be playing at the Co-op Live in August. With Harry Styles an investor in the new arena, One Direction reunion when?
Jonas Brothers – 12 September, 2024 (RESCHEDULED from 17 June)
They’ve been doing their own solo stuff for so long that we almost forgot they were a highly successful boy band in the 2000 and 2010s. In case you weren’t aware, they’ve been back making music together since 2019 and in May released their sixth studio album, but we’re looking forward to them playing all the hits, of course. Alexa, play ‘Burnin’ Up’…
Pop phenomenon Melanie Martinez has just announced arena gig here in Manchester as part of her The Trilogy Tour. The singer is currently performing as her alter-ego ‘Cry Baby’, which involves her wearing an other-worldly mask that transforms her into a cat-like creature with four eyes and gigantic ears.
Glass Animals – 2 November, 2024
Glass Animals have announced details of their long-awaited global tour, including a gig here in Manchester. The Grammy and BRIT-nominated British band already have three studio albums to their names and smashed into the UK Singles Chart with their biggest hit, the four-times Platinum certified Heat Waves. That song? Oh yeah, it’s just the biggest international hit from a British band in almost 30 years.
Hits Radio Live – 23 November, 2024
This night will bring together the biggest current names in music – previous years have featured Ed Sheeran, Busted, Sam Smith, Anne Marie, Lewis Capaldi, Rita Ora, Becky Hill, Tom Grennan and many, many more.
Sleep Token – 26 November, 2024
The fast-rising and genre-bending rock group Sleep Token have announced their biggest-ever headline tour in the UK and will be coming to Manchester later this year. The masked outfit is probably providing one of the most unique and sprawling sounds in the industry right now.
Charli XCX – 27 November, 2024
British singer Charli XCX has announced the tour in support of her forthcoming album BRAT, her sixth studio album. Charli XCX was discovered through Myspace way back in 2008, hitting the big time in 2012 with the release of the two-time platinum single I Love It. She went on to have huge success with tracks like Boom Clap and Doing It, as well as featuring on huge songs like ‘Fancy’ with Iggy Azalea and ‘Girls’ with Rita Ora.
Slipknot – 17 December, 2024
Heavy metal legends Slipknot will visit the Co-op Live on a massive European tour, which will celebrate 25 years since they first played on the continent. They’ll also bring Scottish heavy metal group Bleed From Within on the tour as support.
Slipknot will come to Manchester on their 2024 tour. Credit: Publicity photo
Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium – 30 January, 2025
Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium have announced a huge joint arena tour, including a date in Manchester, where they’ll be playing their respective albums in full to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Both bands will be performing at the Co-op Live arena as part of The Poisoned Ascendancy UK Tour in 2025.
Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds – 6 April, 2025
Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds will be coming to Manchester as part of a monumental new arena tour. The much-loved musical spectacular, based on the dark Victorian tale by H. G. Wells, will feature a 3D hologram of Liam Neeson, who recounts his story of survival from the Martian invasion of 1898.
Simply Red – 27 Sept, 2025
We don’t know what we’re doing next week, never mind in winter 2025. Mick Hucknall does though as he already has ‘playing in Manchester’ on his calendar for September 2025 to celebrate 40 years of Simply Red.
Lastly, Jason Manford was the first comedian to be announced to perform at the Co-op Live. Jason Manford fans will be beaming to see the local funny man performing on such a big stage. Unfortunately, they’ll have to wait two whole years to see him — but at least you’ve got plenty of time to sort tickets!
And that’s your lot: top acts for you to enjoy in 2024 and 2025 already with plenty more to come.
It’s been a while since we’ve had a brand new venue of this kind of size and calibre open anywhere in Greater Manchester, so we’re looking forward to seeing what it looks like in the flesh once it’s open.
In fact, The Manc even had the pleasure of popping inside earlier this year to take a glance at how it’s coming along.
The Manc -
1st January 2022 
