The Killers will be performing a huge gig in Manchester this weekend, taking to the stage at the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
As one of the world’s biggest indie-rock bands, the group will be performing in front of a crowd of 50,000 with their Imploding the Mirage world tour on Saturday 11 June.
It’s in support of their last two studio albums – Imploding the Mirage and Pressure Machine – their sixth and seventh releases.
Fronted by Brandon Flowers, The Killers have topped the UK albums chart every single time they’ve released an album – quite an achievement.
The Las Vegas four-piece last performed in Greater Manchester with a show-stopping gig at the Macron Stadium in Bolton.
They’re really ramping things up this summer – and have roped in a pretty famous local group as their support act.
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Here’s what you need to know.
Who is supporting The Killers?
Blossoms. Credit: Publicity Picture
The Killers have chosen some home-grown talent to support them at their Manchester gig.
Stockport’s very own Blossoms will be taking to the stage at one of the region’s biggest venues.
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The group recently played their own intimate gigs at Band on the Wall and the Stockport Plaza to celebrate the release of their latest album, Ribbon Around The Bomb.
They were also a headliner at the nearby Neighbourhood Weekender in Warrington.
Doors to the venue will open at 5pm, then the stage times should look like this (but are always subject to change).
7.15pm-8.04pm – Blossoms
8.40pm-10.25pm – The Killers
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10.30pm – Curfew
How do I get to and from the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground?
The Killers will perform this weekend. Credit: Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground
Trams on the Altrincham line, which services Emirate Old Trafford Cricket Ground, are expected to be busy on Saturday from 5pm.
Those with tickets for The Killers are encouraged to also use Firswood and Wharfside tram stops (on the East Didsbury/Airport line and Trafford Park line respectively) and walk the short extra distance to the venue.
Gig-goers are being urged by TfGM to plan ahead, allow plenty of time, check the last tram and train times, and have a back-up plan in case of any disruption.
A shuttle bus service will be in place, running from Fairfield Street (near Piccadilly station) from 3pm until 7pm. A small number of shuttle buses will go back the other way after the gig.
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If you want to drive, official event parking will be at Manchester United, Car Park N3, charged at £15.
The Killers has completely sold out on Ticketmaster at the time of writing.
You may be able to get some tickets on a resale platform, but make sure you’re not buying a fake.
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What will the setlist be like?
Based on The Killers’ gig in Norwich on 9 June, this is the setlist we can expect to hear.
My Own Soul’s Warning
Enterlude
When You Were Young
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine
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Smile Like You Mean It
Shot at the Night
Running Towards a Place
Human
Somebody Told Me
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Fire in Bone
Shadowplay (Joy Division cover)
Runaway Horses
For Reasons Unknown
A Dustland Fairytale
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The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger cover)
Runaways
Read My Mind
Dying Breed
Caution
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All These Things That I’ve Done
Encore
Spaceman
Mr. Brightside
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
Gigs & Nightlife
Example announces new headline tour with just a handful of UK shows
Danny Jones
British rapper Example is back for another headline tour and just a handful of UK dates, including what is sure to be a bouncing gig right here in Manchester.
We’re going to say it: it’s the perfect venue for him, too.
The UK rap, dance and pop musician (real name Elliot John Gleave) was a regular chart-topper throughout the 2010s and has still been plenty busy in the time since then.
Although he has gradually pivoted more towards the production side of the music industry in recent years, he’s not lost any energy when it comes to performing – as seen by his most recent run of festival appearances. With that in mind, we can’t wait to see Example back playing live in Manchester.
The 43-year-old is known for his high-octane live shows, and has always had a particular flair for anything EDM-related, smashing sets at pretty much every major music event in Europe, from Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, Creamfields, Bestival, Latitude, Benicassim, TRNSMT and many more.
Announcing his aptly-titled ‘Hits & Bits’ tour for 2026, Example wrote on Instagram: “If the last tour is anything to go by, these shows will sell out.
“I’m playing every single one of my songs that charted in the Top 20 (that’s 14 hits), plus some album favourites and a few new bits; plus huge unique visuals, laser and FX show, which will level up once again, as we always do. Things are about to get very ravey. Don’t sleep on this. El x”
In terms of the ‘bits’ side of things, we reckon he’ll include a little more of his newer material, the most recent of which is his collab with Local, having also worked with the likes of YouTube cult favourite Elro and fellow digital garage, grime, bassline artist, as well as TikTok personality, Window Kid, of late.
You can hear his newest crossover, ‘Head’s Gone’, in full down below.
Bit of a banger, to be fair; hope it’s on the selist.
Here are all the shows he has confirmed for next year, including that sure-to-be-electric gig at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester next spring:
Example UK tour dates 2026
Wed 13 May 2026 – Newcastle NX
Fri 15 May 2026 – Birmingham O2 Academy
Sat 16 May 2026 – London O2 Academy Brixton
Fri 22 May 2026 – Nottingham Rock City
Sun 24 May 2026 – Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse
Pre-sale is set to go live this Wednesday, 12 November, and general admission for the Example Hits & Bits UK Tour will be available on the following Friday (14 Nov) at 10am; you can get ready to grab your tickets for his Manchester gig right HERE.
Featured Images — MRCZMT/Press shot (supplied via SJM Concerts)
Gigs & Nightlife
Role Model at O2 Apollo, Manchester – a night where everyone wanted to be Sally | Review
Clementine Hall
The O2 Apollo was a sea of cowboy hats and gingham for Role Model’s return to Manchesteron his No Place Like Tour.
If you don’t know who Role Model is, then you’re probably not a 20-something year old girl addicted to TikTok and strawberry matcha like me – and that’s absolutely fine, but Role Model, aka Tucker Pillsbury, is more than just a social star with a couple of viral hits.
His steep incline to stardom, especially through his latest album Kansas Anymore released last summer, and the follow-up deluxe Kansas Anymore (The Longest Goodbye), earlier this year, has recently seen him perform on SNL with Charli XCX, as well as this week featuring in People’s Magazine Sexiest Man Alive 2025 edition in the centrefold spot, no less.
So it’s safe to say, he really is the man of the moment.
Role Model on stage at O2 Apollo Manchester in November 2025 / Image: The Manc Group
The all-American heartthrob wasted no time getting into his catalogue of hits, kicking things off with ‘Writing’s On The Wall’, before transitioning smoothly into ‘Look At That Woman’ and ‘Scumbag’, all taken from his 2024 album.
Guitar firmly in hand, Role Model shimmied across the stage effortlessly as a sea of adoring fans sang every single word back without fail.
The highlights from the show are never-ending, like taking a seat and singing the beautiful ‘Something, Somehow, Someday’ from a leather notebook – which he tells us is “my favourite song I’ve ever written, and I’m going to read it to you like a story”.
His vocals are identical to the studio recordings, and the energy in the room was just how you wanted it to be, especially during the iconic bridge in ‘Some Protector’.
Presuming you’re not familiar with the Role Model lore? Well, allow me to fill you in.
Each night during the undeniable smash-hit, ‘Sally, When the Wine Runs Out’, Tucker brings out a special guest to be that night’s so-called ‘Sally’ and dance on stage with him.
On the European tour so far, London were treated to Lewis Capaldi and Niall Horan back to back, so it’s safe to say we were waiting with baited breath to be introduced to our very-own Sally.
Although we didn’t get anyone famous (we were hoping he’d go super meta and get Sally from Corrie, but alas), what did get was arguably better. A lovely, smiling fan who held Tucker’s hand and had the absolute time of her life for that one-minute where all eyes were on her – this is what it’s truly all about, at the end of the day.
If anyone in that crowd went home without feeling a bit in love with Role Model, then I’d be very surprised.
Daisy Jackson -
10th June 2022 
