Gigs & Nightlife

Bugzy Malone is hosting a private lock-in in Manchester tomorrow – here’s how you could meet the man himself

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 2nd December 2021

Grime sensation Bugzy Malone and JD are offering fans the chance to get in on a top-secret event in Manchester.

The rapper is hosting a private lock-in on Friday December 3 – but the rest of the details are being kept under wraps.

Fans who manage to bag an invite will be treated to an exclusive live performance from the M.E.N. singer, as well as an interview.

There’ll be a first look at the Skeleton X1 drop too, a new trainer from Bugzy’s B.Malone’s line.

The sneak comes in a smooth black colourway with contrasting white pattern and will ensure ‘nothing can break your stride’.

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Bugzy’s private event will also see tickets for his hometown gig on the Resurrection tour given away, which is taking place at the AO Arena on Saturday.

Only 30 people will be invited to the lock-in, with JD Official holding all the behind-the-scenes information and passes.

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To enter, you’ll need to register your details at jdsports.co.uk/page/bugzy-malone-lock-in – and keep an eye on your inbox in the morning of Friday December 3.

Featured image: Publicity picture

Gigs & Nightlife

All-girl K-pop powerhouse aespa book MASSIVE Manchester arena show

Danny Jones Danny Jones Aespa Manchester show tickets 2027 AO Arena

All-girl K-pop group, ‘aespa’, are coming to Manchester for some of their largest performances to date as part of a new global tour.

If you know anything about the K-pop scene, you’ll know that most acts are even bigger than you could ever imagine.

Manchester has gained a steady supply of gigs from artists within the genre over the past year or so, and now aespa are the latest to book the AO Arena for a headline show.

Rest assured, these tickets will fly…

Dubbed the ‘SYNK : Complæxity World Tour’, this follows on from their last live iteration, ‘æXIS LINE’ shows, which began back in August 2025 and, technically, have only just ended this April.

As per an official press release, “Produced by Live Nation, the tour will bring aespa’s acclaimed live production and immersive performance experience to arenas across Asia, North America, Latin America, the UK, and Europe.”

There are actually just two shows in the entirety of Britain (the other being down in the capital), and Manchester has the good fortune of kicking off not only being the first of both, but the inaugural date of the entire European leg.

Consider us honoured.

Made up of a talented quartet – Karina, Giselle, Winter, and Ningning, the rising South Korean stars – this female-led phenomenon is arguably one of the fastest rising acts in the world of K-pop.

Having now been to a couple of these shows for ourselves, we’re starting to understand that these artists might have some of the most passionate followings on the planet.

Kicking off the latest run of performances back in their home country’s capital of Seoul, they’ll hit multiple continents before wrapping things up in Paris.

aespa EU tour dates 2027

  • 14 January – AO Arena, Manchester
  • 16 Jan – London
  • 19 Jan – Amsterdam
  • 22 Jan – Stockholm
  • 24 Jan – Copenhagen
  • 26 Jan – Berlin
  • 29 Jan – Milan
  • 31 Jan – Barcelona
  • 2 February – Paris

If you’re a fan or are interested in throwing your hat in the ring for a first K-pop gig experience, you can register by signing up for their exclusive pre-sale window.

As for general admission, tickets to see aespa at the AO Arena in Manchester will go live at 3pm on Wednesday, 6 May; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.

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Featured Images — David J Lee (via Flickr)

Gigs & Nightlife

Music industry rallies around pub and music venue as it’s hit with ‘malicious’ noise complaints

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The Golden Lion in Todmorden

A much-loved pub and live music venue is struggling with a series of ‘malicious’ noise complaints, prompting a huge outpouring of support from music industry insiders. 

The Golden Lion over in Todmorden is facing uncertainty amidst the complaints from ‘some random’. 

Matthanee ‘Gig’ Nilavongse, who runs the venue and its live music offering, said he’s ‘had enough’ and believes The Golden Lion is being targeted, The Hoot reports.

It echoes a similar situation in Manchester city centre several years ago, when Night & Day Cafe faced closures based on noise complaints from a resident in a nearby flat.

Gig stressed that nothing in the venue – the sound system, sound proofing, or anything else in its set-up – has changed since the noise complaints started. 

He also added that people have been travelling from across the UK and even further afield to attend its events, benefitting the wider community of businesses and local economy. 

He added: “Bank holiday next weekend and I’II not tolerate the threat from anyone.”

Hundreds of people, including industry names like Sacha Lord, Luke Cowdrey, and Hot Chip’s Joe Goddard, have voiced their support for the grassroots venue. 

Sacha Lord offered his help fighting the complaints, then added: “I’m sick to death of these NIMBYS who threaten businesses and jobs.”

Chelsea Teesdale, head of marketing for the Warehouse Project and Parklife, said: “Sorry you’re going through this. The golden lion means so much to many. I go to all kinds of gigs and venues, nothing is quite like the magic of your home.”

And Nite School Manchester wrote: “So sorry to hear you’re going through this. What you’ve built at The Golden Lion for the people of Tod (& far beyond!) is a guiding star to us Gig, and we’ll be doing everything we can to support you & the team.”

Following on from this heartwarming display of affection for the venue, Gig added: “Thank you for all supports near and far, you’re close to my heart.

“The show must go on, I’m not back down until the door is close.”

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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