The AO Arena is the home of core memories in Manchester, and is about to celebrate a monumental 30 years of creating magical music moments.
Over the last three decades, the AO Arena has been pulling in massive acts across a variety of genres, scales, demographics and styles of entertainment.
It’s hosted some of the world’s biggest tours and been a nurturing place for homegrown talent to perform their first-ever arena-level shows.
From head spinning and record breaking performances in 2008 with the company ofKylie Minogue to hundreds of comedy shows (a hundred of them courtesy ofPeter Kay alone) this live music space really has welcomed some golden moments and continues to do to this day.
Manchester has been a pioneer city for the Northern music scene, and there’s no denying AO Arena has played a major part in transporting this scene to some unreal heights.
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To celebrate the venue’s 30th birthday, we chatted with director of operations Miriam Stone, and although her name may not be familiar to a lot of you, we wouldn’t have the incredible memories we hold so dearly without her.
Interview with Miriam Stone, Director of Operations at AO Arena
There have been lots of acts who have made AO Arena their home for the night or for a couple of nights with their various tours and shows, who’s been your favourite to see live?
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That is the question that people ask a lot. If you imagine over 130 shows a year, for 18 years, that’s a lot of shows. Tina Turner always stands out as being one of the most incredible events that we ever did, partly because you look at the stage and go, that’s Tina Turner. She had these big, massive heels, and went striding out to the audience, incredible!
Prince was the one that made me cry. We had three weeks notice that we were doing Prince’s concerts, and because of my age and where he sat in my life, that made me cry. That was amazing. Those two shows just make me sit back and take a breath.
Kylie Minogue has played more than 30 shows at AO Arena. Credit: Supplied
Living legends and rock royalty alike have stepped out and played shows here over the years, have there been any pinch me moments in your career that still leave you feeling starstruck to this day?
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Billy Bragg. He was always one that made me laugh and made him laugh, I suppose it’s who you grew up listening to, isn’t it? Spice Girls were an interesting one too, because I was too old for the Spice Girls, when they were first around and but when they had their reunion tour, and I stepped out again and had a listen, there was just that swooping moment.
It’s the audiences, almost as much, if not more, than the artists, because when you have that many people all singing all at the same time its magical. When Coldplay did an arena tour I’d never seen seats behind the screen and stage sold before. That’s how much people wanted to be in that room and that crowd, because they all wanted to sing their heart out.
Spice Girls at AO Arena. Credit: Supplied
I had my first ever concert experience here at AO Arena, my first ever show was Ariana Grande all the way back in 2014, who was the first artist you saw play here?
The first concert I worked here was Richard Ashcroft in 2006 followed very quickly by Christina Aguilera, two massive shows!
What are some of the strangest requests the team have received from a performer?
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Most of those requests go to the promoter. We’ve had artists install doors and temporary walls to cut off certain parts of the room. We have a we have a wire that runs around the dressing room walls, because some artists like to style the dressing rooms the same everywhere they go. Most artists have a curtain that they then would normally bring a framework to hang things on to make the room more homely but in our venue, they don’t need to. They can just clip it around the walls. Whatever it is that makes the artists feel the most comfortable, we’ll do it.
What’s the most surprising event that you’ve ever held here?
The World Taekwondo championships, Disney on Ice the day after, and then, Cirque du Soleil was coming in the day after that, Oh my God!
We had to start building ice which we then covered up with wood, carpet and plastic so that we could then build the Taekwondo mats all on top of that, we did the Taekwondo on top of the ice. As soon as the event finished, we whipped it all out, carried on making the ice, did the ice show, brought in mini diggers, to break the ice up,and then loaded in Cirque du Soleil. I suppose those back-to-back days showed a really good range of the of the kind of events that we do.
David Haye at AO Arena, highlighting just the range of events this entertainment space can do. Credit: Supplied
We’re only in the first few weeks of 2025 but I know music lovers like myself will be buzzing to fill up their concert calendars, what artists can we expect to see at the arena so far this year?
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We’ve got, again, that range of things, from James Blunt to Toto to Sean Paul and Ashanti. Olly Murs, The Lumineers, Twenty One Pilots, Busted head to head with McFly, Lynnyrd Skynnyrd, Parkway Drive and Deacon Blue.
As Director of Operations for AO Arena, you will have spoken to plenty of attendees that have walked through the door and into this incredible live entertainment arena, which seat/view have people said is the best?
I mean that changes depending on your taste. When it comes to tennis some people want to be on the net line in 103 and 114. 108 and 109 are just brilliant, if you’re struggling for tickets, the front rows of the upper tiers are brilliant with a great view. The good thing about the front rows of of 102, 103, 114 and 115 is that you can feel like you’re part of the standing floor, but you still get your own seat.
You’ve worked in the music industry for more than a decade so you will be more than aware of how much planning goes into events and concerts, but if you could pick three individuals to play a special one night only show at AO Arena who would you choose?
If I could have David Bowie here, then, then that I could end my career! Billy Connolly, I have never laughed so much as I have watching him, people talk about crying laughing, I was almost sobbing laughing. And finally, The Dalai Lama, I’ve got this photo of him holding my hand, if they could come back and I could do that again, that’s a once in a lifetime, opportunity.
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Another living legend, Madonna performed at AO Arena, opening her European leg of her ‘Invention World Tour’. Credit: Supplied
AO Arena turns 30 on 15 July 2025 and to celebrate they want you to submit your favourite pictures and memories in return for a chance to win free tickets, more info HERE.
Audio North’s Artist of the Month – Aaron Dinning | June 2026
Thomas Melia
Aaron Dinning is an indie-pop act whose songs span the highs and lows of relationships, and now he’s Audio North’s latest Artist of the Month.
Born in County Durham, studied in Leeds, and now the curator of a live music events organisation based in Manchester, Dinning sure knows a thing about northern music.
With hits to his name already like ’24’, ‘Look Who’s Holding The Gun Now!’, this queer musician is gearing up to release a deluxe edition of his sophomore EP Boys Become Men.
If his name feels familiar to you, that’s because it probably is, as Aaron Dinning has performed at a multitude of venues across the north – including Feel Good Club, Popup Bikes, and The Proud Place.
Now, Dinning chats to Audio North about his upbringing and music journey, as he accepts the title of Artist of the Month for June.
An interview with Aaron Dinning – Audio North’s Artist of the Month | June 2026
Aaron Dinning is making his mark in the Manchester music scene with his indie-pop tracks / Credit: Press Shots via Emily Atherton (Supplied)
You were born in County Durham and now live in Manchester. How have those two places shaped you as an artist?
I think there’s such a contrast in the environment of those two places. Durham was so formative for me growing up, back then I didn’t have the autonomy to vocalise it but now I see Chester-Le-Street specifically as such a ‘small town mindset’ kind of place.
If I stayed at home, I would never be the artist I am today. That’s not to say that growing up somewhere like that isn’t just as important as the place which makes you feel accepted. You can’t have such a strong desire for one without a disdain for the other.
What does being a northern musician mean to you?
I think being northern, to me, just means breaking the mould and showing that if I can do it, anybody can. It means building my career on my own terms, it’s taught me to unapologetically be myself, on and off stage.
I always say that I want to write the songs I needed when I grew up because there was nobody like me from the North. Sometimes it still feels like I’m the only one too.
To me, if I can write a song, or put on a performance that resonates with a 15-year-old kid who’s still figuring out who they are or who they love, that’s the most fulfilling thing that can come from sharing my art.
This Northern talent is from Country Durham, studied in Leeds and is now based in Manchester / Credit: Press Shots via Jack Garrod (Supplied)
The music industry can feel very London-centric at times. Have you found being based in the North to be an advantage or a challenge?
It’s a bit of both really. Yes, London is where the majority of the big names in music are, but in my mind, I always compare it to that scene in Baby Reindeer when the guy says ‘You find yourself a background artist in a cast of millions’ (niche).
I like that the industry isn’t as saturated as London up here, but I can see that changing in years to come. The North has always been where it’s at and truly where all these major labels should be looking for who’s up next because you might just find a gem like me waiting to be found.
Is there a northern artist who made you think, “If they can do it, so can I”?
Definitely Sam Fender. I know it’s a bit of a cliche nowadays, but I absolutely love him and he’s what I think of when it comes to a classic northern success story.
I’ve seen him six times and the last time at St James’ Park was a completely different calibre of show to when I saw him at Boiler Room in 2019 and paid fifteen quid for the ticket.
Me and him are completely different, but I imagine we had a similar sort of upbringing in the terms of characters we knew growing up in rougher areas. I feel like he cracked the mainstream so well with his first album and he’s only gotten better since. I’d want my first album to have the same kind of critical acclaim as his.
Dinning fuses his sexuality throughout his music, being an openly queer pop musician / Credit: Press Shots via Tom Hargreaves (Supplied)
What made Manchester feel like the right place for the next chapter of your career?
I recorded my entire EP here whilst I was still living in Leeds with Toby Ollis Brownstone from the beginning of 2024. That year and a half which I spent travelling back and forth in Manchester made me love the city and loathe commuting.
I knew I wanted to move to Manchester when I got invited to play the Queer as F*ck open mic on Valentine’s Day in 2025. That was the first show I played accompanying myself on the guitar, I agreed to play three hours before doors and completely fumbled my way through the set.
The feeling of the room was like nothing I’d experienced before, to come to a show in another city I had never played in and feel so welcomed, at home and accepted by a room full of likeminded people, felt like a feeling I could only replicate in Manchester.
Has living in Manchester changed your songwriting at all?
Generally speaking, I’ve been playing guitar a lot more since moving here. I feel like there’s a naive fresh start that comes along with moving to new places and feeling like your life’s going to drastically change.
Becoming the Producer of SoFar Manchester helped me feel integrated and I’ve met so many cool people doing that job while spotlight my friends who are artists and bring them to the city that I fell in love with – It’s all very full circle.
I’ve brought Romy Taylor, Caitlin Doran, Sophie Green, and GRACEY over to play SoFar events and they’re all equally amazing creatives who are based in Leeds, like I once was.
The ’24’ singer has played gigs in unusual Manchester city centre locations like Popup Bikes in Ancoats / Credit: Credit: Press Shots via Emily Atherton (Supplied)
What do you think Manchester does better than anywhere else when it comes to music?
I think Manchester is such a hot pot of different styles and genres. I think the thing it does best is spotlight LGBTQ+ artists. Not just in music, but drag is somewhere I look to when I think of performance, and the queens in the village are truly a sign of resilience and individuality.
I’ve had more shows just for being queer in Manchester than anywhere else I’ve lived, there’s so many freelance creatives, charities and gig promoters who are looking out for LGBTQ+ artists to celebrate, even making entire lineups out of us.
Featured Images – The Manc Group/Press Shots (supplied)
Gigs & Nightlife
Neighbourhood Festival’s return to the city centre is looking great with after revealing second wave
Danny Jones
Neighbourhood Festival’s city centre all-dayer is returning to Manchester for 2026 after a year off, and with the second wave of the lineup having just dropped, it’s looking very promising.
Following teasers over the past month or so, it didn’t take long for us to figure out that NBHD Festival was coming back, especially with the Weekender in Warrington having taken a similar hiatus in 2024.
However, when festivals like these take time out, it can be easy to worry whether or not they’ll lose momentum or come back stronger.
Judging by this follow-up batch of acts alone, there’s no doubt NBHD Fest ’26 will be another cracker.
As you can see, as well as the fast-rising grungey alternative and garage rock quartet, KEO, being announced as one of the first big hitters on the list, there are some other familiar names on the lineup.
Especially for us Mancs.
With both Bolton and Altrincham youngsters, Florentenes and The Guest List, both joining the roster, as well as the likes of Bury-born ‘rockabilly’ revivalist Elliot James Reay also featuring on there, there’s a good deal of local talent to be enjoyed as always.
That goes for the regional delegation in general, too, with the likes of Jos River heading back up this way from her base in London, and Leeds’ fittingly named indie four-piece, The North, also booking a slot.
We’ll admit there are plenty of bands and artists coming up from the capital for the all-day festival, but at least they know where the UK’s real home of music is.
For instance, we’re buzzing to see the Red Rum Club boys returning to the NBHD stage once again – they never disappoint, and there are so many other guaranteed top performers on the bill. And that was just this year’s Weekener…
It’s worth reminding, once again, that since its inception in 2016 (yes, it really has been a decade now), Neighbourhood Fest has continued to serve as a proper launchpad for the next wave of superstars, not just here in the North West but across the country.
We still remember seeing the likes of Sam Fender, Holly Humberstone, Declan McKenna, Mahalia, The Lathums and more – some for the very first time – on these city centre stages, and it’s crazy to see how big some of them have gone on to become.
Set to take over some of Manchester’s most iconic venues along the Oxford Road Corridor once again, this is, without a doubt, one of the best dates for independents on the annual live music calendar.
Hosting a total of 11 stages on Saturday, 17 October, for a full day of live music, tickets for this year’s Neighbourhood Festival are on sale now right HERE.
And if you’ve already sorted yours, why not read our review of NBHD Weekender ’26 down below to get you in the mood for the next two editions.
Thomas Melia -
24th January 2025 
