Justin Bieber has announced that he’ll be stopping off right here in Manchester as part of his world tour in 2023.
The global superstar will be playing the AO Arena on Saturday 25 February 2023.
The Canadian singer – who first shot to fame all the way back in 2008 after being discovered on YouTube, and has since gone one to become a teen idol with millions of fans across the globe – will be headlining the city’s largest music music venue, the AO Arena, as part of his first worldwide tour since 2017.
The new tour involves more than 90 shows at stadiums and arenas around the world, launching with a 52-date run through North America in February 2022, and then the UK and Europe shows taking place the following year.
He will also perform in Glasgow, Aberdeen, London, Birmingham, and Sheffield.
ADVERTISEMENT
🆕 🤩 JUST ANNOUNCED /// @JustinBieber is bringing his Justice World Tour to #Manchester's AO Arena on 25 February 2023!
📲 Set those reminders! 🎫 Tickets will be available from 10am on Friday 19 November.
Announcing the tour in a statement on social media today, Justin, 27, said: “We’ve been working hard to create the best show we’ve ever done, and we can’t wait to share it with fans around the world.
“I’ll see you soon.”
ADVERTISEMENT
General sale tickets to the UK leg of the tour will go live at 9am on Friday 19 November 2021.
Amex card-holders will have exclusive access to a presale for all events – excluding London – starting at 10am on Tuesday 16 November.
The UK dates are as follows:
ADVERTISEMENT
8 February: Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
11 February: Aberdeen, UK – P&J Live
13 & 14 February: London, UK – The O2
22 February: Birmingham, UK – Resorts World Arena
25 February: Manchester, UK – AO Arena
26 February: Sheffield, UK – Utilita Arena
The global superstar will be playing the AO Arena on Saturday 25 February 2023. / Credit: AO Arena
The Canadian singer – who is most famous for smash-hits including ‘Baby’, ‘Boyfriend’, ‘Sorry’, and more – has had tumultuous career, but has become the #1 artist on YouTube and Spotify after first entering the spotlight at 13.
Since childhood, he’s released six studio albums, and last year broke Elvis Presley’s record as the youngest solo artist to have eight albums reach #1 on the Billboard 200 charts.
Many people may remember that Bieber has an interesting history with Manchester, after playing several shows in the city in the past – most-notably making an appearance during the One Love Manchester benefit concert at Emirates Old Trafford, following the Manchester Arena attack in 2017.
He’s also grabbed local headlines in the past after being refused entry to Sankeys Nightclub in 2013, when the venue turned him away due to the fact he “shuffles on stage”, and after also ordering Manchester crowds to “shut up” during ballads in 2016.
ADVERTISEMENT
During his last appearance at Manchester Arena, he then preceded to storm off stage after audience members would not stop “screaming”.
You can grab tickets to Justin Bieber’s Justice World Tourhere.
Featured Image – Flickr
Gigs & Nightlife
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall Manchester – groovy, hazy and effortlessly cool
Clementine Hall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall proved exactly why they’ve built such a cult following over the past decade.
Formed in 2010 by frontman Ruban Nielson, the band first broke through with their scrappy, lo-fi self-titled debut and since then, they’ve become known for their signature blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and warped pop.
I first saw the band back in 2023 at Glastonbury, and yes sorry I am one of those annoying people that bring it up all the time.
They’re the perfect band to close your eyes, sway your head and tap your foot to – and that’s exactly what the crowd were doing in unison last night at the Albert Hall.
Image: The Manc Group
From the second they stepped on stage, there was no rush – just that signature hazy groove met with enough stage lights to sink a ship.
You could barely see them on stage, but that made it even cooler. And you can only imagine how gorgeous the Albert Hall looked with hundreds of spotlights in different colours whizzing all over it.
Early tracks simmered and pulled us in before the band stretched out into crowd pleasers like ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Hunnybee’. What an absolute tune by the way.
Image: The Manc Group
There wasn’t much crowd interaction but, again, there didn’t need to be. They let the music do the talking and by treating us to some of the most epic guitar solos we’ve ever heard (no, seriously), we’ll forgive them for not talking to us.
Each song melted into each other as the band oozed effortless charm and talent throughout the almost two hour set, which is no mean feat.
Of course, a sea of phones shot up for ‘So Good at Being in Trouble‘, their most popular track which prompted a harmonious audience singalong. Not very harmonious by me, admittedly.
It was a fantastic ending that left the audience feeling united by the laidback brilliance of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and I hope they don’t leave it too long to come back this time.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Emily Sergeant -
15th November 2021 
