Gigs & Nightlife

Paddy McGuinness announces work-in-progress shows ahead of first stand-up tour in eight years

It's been a hot minute since he was last on the circuit. (this article contains affiliate links)

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 29th April 2024

Beloved British comic Paddy McGuinness is heading back out on his first live stand-up tour in eight years this year and has announced a new run of work-in-progress shows in preparation, including one right here in Greater Manchester.

McGuinness hasn’t been out on the live comedy circuit for the best part of a decade but announced his long-awaited return late last year, with the 50-year-old heading out on the road this October.

However, as he looks to get stage sharp shape ahead of his ‘Nearly There’ tour, Paddy has picked a pair of local North West venues for the WIP sets, with a trio of shows at The Met in Bury, as well as half a dozen over in Darwen, Lancashire.

Just like the tour itself, these are sure to go quickly.

The Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy star is playing nearly half a century of shows across the UK and Ireland from this fall onwards before closing out his tour in Dublin by April 2025.

ADVERTISEMENT

His last tour, ‘Daddy McGuinness’ ran from 2015-16 and got pretty decent reviews across the board, with the focus largely revolving around his journey into parenthood, but his latest material is set to be quite the shift in tone.

Speaking ahead of the tour, the former Take Me Out and Top Gear host said: “It’s been eight years since my last tour and there’s lots of things to laugh about! I’m looking forward to getting back in front of a live audience, along with running the gauntlet of cancel culture, clickbait and fake news!”

ADVERTISEMENT

Paddy also made a bit of a stir around these parts recently after he declared Bolton as still being part of Lancashire. No likey, no lighty on that one – sorry Paddy.

Paddy McGuinness admits he thinks Bolton is ‘still in Lancashire’ not Greater Manchester
It’s giving ‘No, Stockport is Cheshire’.

Read more:

But never mind all that, we’re glad to see him getting back to his roots. The Farnworth-born funny man was also recently given a permanent role on BBC Radio 2 after becoming a firm favourite amongst the listenership. He will now run the 11am-1pm slot on Sundays.

As for his tour, after his warm-up shows in Bury and Darwen, the household name will be heading to The Lowry in Salford in March next year, with other nearby shows in the likes of Blackburn and Blackpool.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tickets for Paddy McGuinness’ work-in-progress dates go on sale Friday, 3 May at 10am.

You can grab yours HERE.

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

Featured Images — Press Images

Gigs & Nightlife

Black Keys at Co-op Live, Manchester – huge venue’s first taste of the blues

Charlie Watkinson Charlie Watkinson The Black Keys at Co-op Live Manchester, reviewed

As a huge Black Keys fan, when I found out they were set to be the first band to grace the stage at Co-op Live, I just knew I had to be there.

Of course, it didn’t turn out that way.

After numerous cancellations and rescheduling, Elbow managed to nab the first spot, with the Black Keys taking to the stage the following night instead (several weeks later than their original show date).

Let me tell you though – they did not disappoint.

Having been one of the starry-eyed fans at Elbow the previous night, and been properly impressed by the sound quality inside the massive new Manchester venue, the thought of hearing Dan Auerbach’s epic bluesy riffs had me beyond excited.

Entering the stage playing the heavy-hitting I Got Mine, followed by one of their most well-known tracks, Gold on the Ceiling, it was evident we were in for a great show.

I have to admit, though, as a die-hard Black Keys fan, I couldn’t ignore how static the crowd was throughout the whole performance.

It almost seemed like the room was filled with people who didn’t know their songs, perhaps due to rescheduling and Co-op Live dishing out tickets to say ‘sorry for the inconvenience’?

The quiet stillness of the crowd did a great disservice to the electrifying talent on stage. Luckily, this didn’t matter too much.

Closing with their most popular song, Lonely Boy, I almost forgot how still the crowd had been as I watched the entire stadium howling, “DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH – DAH DAH DAH DAH DAH.”

Although I wanted more from the crowd, all in all, the Black Keys played a setlist fit for a super fan and gave Co-Op Live its first taste of the blues.

I just wished the audience had been Howlin’ for You all night, not so Tighten Up’… As you were.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

Gigs & Nightlife

Travel advice issued ahead of ‘really busy’ weekend with Barry Manilow and Manchester City playing next door to each other

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Travel advice issued ahead of 'really busy' weekend with Barry Manilow and Manchester City playing next door to each other. Credit: TfGM

The new Co-op Live arena will really be put to its first big travel test this weekend when it welcomes Barry Manilow on the same day that Manchester City are playing next door.

Travel advice has now been issued ahead of what’s set to be a ‘really busy’ Sunday in the city.

Tens of thousands of people will travel to and from the neighbouring venues of Co-op Live and the Etihad Stadium for the two huge events.

TfGM has warned people to ‘leave plenty of time’ for travelling to either Barry Manilow’s gig, or to see Manchester City potentially scooping another Premier League title against West Ham.

 It’s advised to use public transport and active travel to get to either venue, with parking at Co-op Live already sold out and a strict residents parking scheme in operation in the surrounding area.

And of course, ticket-holders for Barry Manilow do have free Metrolink tram travel included with their event ticket.

 The free tram travel is valid for four hours before and after the show, and can also be used on post-event shuttle buses from Co-op Live back to the city centre.

As for Manchester City fans, a double tram service will be running between town and Etihad Campus before and after the match, and there’ll be a bespoke shuttle bus service to the city centre and 17 supporters’ bus services around Greater Manchester.

Manchester City will be aiming for a new Premier League title on Sunday while Barry Manilow plays next door. Credit: Unsplash
Credit: Unsplash, Jonny Gios
Travel advice for getting to Barry Manilow at Co-op Live has been issued
Credit: Publicity picture
Travel advice has been issued as Barry Manilow and Manchester City events take place in neighbouring venues on the same day.

If City do claim their fourth Premier League title, the buses will leave later, at 7.15pm.

Public transport will be extremely busy before and after the events (and there’ll be some crossover with thousands of footy fans leaving the area as thousands of gig-goers arrive).

One of the most straight-forward ways to get to the area is just to walk, if you’re able to, with a new walking route laid out that takes around 35 minutes from town.

The step-free, well-lit, interactive walking route (also marked on maps as ‘CityLink’) is clearly signposted from Piccadilly Station and through the Ancoats and New Islington areas, with new light and art installations along the route.

 Helpers will be on hand to support people as they make their way to and from the events.   

Walking route to Co-op Live and Etihad Stadium

Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Officer at TfGM, said: “We’re expecting it to be a really busy Sunday with Barry Manilow in town and Manchester City on the brink of a fourth consecutive Premier League title – that’s why we’ve worked with partners on plans to ensure our transport network is as robust as possible on the day.   

“We want everyone to have a great time and, would encourage those off to the Etihad or Co-op Live to use public transport for their journeys, or consider walking, cycling or wheeling as the best way to get to and from their destination.   

“Planning and preparation for events such as this is done in great detail and there will be plenty of staff on hand to help and support people making their way to and from their destination.

“Enhanced bus and tram services will be in place and we will also be monitoring the network and providing up to date travel information so people’s journeys run as smoothly as possible.”

Further information on getting to the Co-op Live Arena and the Etihad Stadium can be found on the TfGM website. 

Read more

Featured image: TfGM

More Gigs & Nightlife

Elbow officially opened Manchester's Co-op Live arena last night

Audio

Elbow at Co-op Live arena – local lads officially open troubled venue with staggering performance

The Black Keys Co-op Live stage times

Audio

The Black Keys at Co-op Live – tickets, support act, stage times, setlist and more

Childish Gambino Manchester gig AO Arena new world tour

Audio

Donald Glover announces surprise world tour along with new Childish Gambino album out of the blue

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches