Rock legends Rush announce massive Manchester arena gig for 50th anniversary

Danny Jones Danny Jones Rush Manchester gig tickets Co-op Live 2027

Legendary classic rock band Rush has announced a massive Manchester arena gig as part of their ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations, with this being their first return to Europe in over a decade.

The Canadian veterans haven’t been back to Britain in a long time, but with their ’50 Something’ tour now confirmed, they’re finally making their return to the likes of Manchester and more.

Known for tracks such as ‘Tom Sawyer’, ‘Limelight’, ‘Spirit of the Radio’, ‘Fly By Night’, ‘Working Man’ and countless others, they have a discography that spans a whopping 19 albums, with their last studio LP, Clockwork Angels, released back in 2012.

Touring it a year later – the same year they were finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – that was the last time they played here in the UK or anywhere else in Europe, for that matter; safe to say it’s a big deal to have them back.

With co-founders Geddy Lee (bass, keyboard, vocals) and Alex Lifeson (guitar, vocals) still going strong, the pair will pay tribute to their late, great drummer and fellow songwriter, Neil Peart, who sadly passed away back in 2020.

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As you can see, the remaining and seasoned members of the original lineup will be joined by German musician Anika Nilles, who’ll be handling the percussion on the de facto reunion tour.

Better still, they’ll also be joined by the experienced Loren Gold, who previously toured with the likes of Roger Daltrey and The Who, as well as Chicago and more, on the keys.

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Now that’s some pedigree right there.

Detailed in the official reveal by Co-op Live, where they will be making their debut, “the show will feature two sets, with setlists drawn from their hits and fan faves.”

Their Co-op Live, Manchester gig is one of just four shows across three domestic cities here in Great Britain, so Manc Rush fans can count themselves lucky to be included in the run.

Besides the rest of their world tour dates this year, you can see the rest of the schedule down below.

Rush UK tour dates 2027

  • 8 March, OVO Hydro – Glasgow
  • 12 March – Co-op Live, Manchester
  • 16 and 18 March – O2 Arena, London

As always with gigs at this venue, official Co-op members get early access, with tickets going live at 10am this Wednesday, 25 February.

However, exclusive artist presale for the Rush Fan Club and ‘RushBackstage’ members begins even earlier at the same time this Tuesday (Feb 24), as do VIP packages.

For those interested in simple general admission, tickets will be available from 10am the following Friday, (27 Feb) – you can get ready to grab yours HERE.

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Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)

Manchester Sinners actress Wunmi Mosaku scoops BAFTA alongside other ‘surprise’ northern winners

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Wunmi Mosaku wins BAFTA

Manchester-raised actress Wunmi Mosaku was one of the well-deserved winners at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards last night.

Born in the Nigerian city of Zaria to Yoruba parents, Oluwunmi Olapeju Mosaku – known professionally as Wunmi Mosaku – moved to England when she was just a year old, and settled in the Manchester community of Hulme, going on to be educated at Trinity Church of England High School and Xaverian Sixth Form College, before heading off to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London to study acting.

The 39-year-old has been a celebrated actor of the screen for nearly 20 years this year, with some of her most notable roles being in TV series like Vera, Luther, and Lovecraft Country, as well as being a member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

But it was for her role as Annie Ryan Coogler’s 2025 hit horror film Sinners that has truly become one of her breakout roles – a role she won the Best Supporting Actress award for at last night’s BAFTAs.

Wunmi was already a BAFTA TV Award winner or her role as Gloria Taylor in the 2016 TV film Damilola, Our Loved Boy, but this was her first win on the Film side, and it was a win that has turned the Best Supporting Actress ‘Oscar race’ into one of the more up-in-the-air categories this Awards Season.

Taking to the stage to accept the award, Wunmi thanked her family, her fellow nominees and co-stars, director, and wider team, as well as explaining what the role of Annie meant to her.

“I found a part of myself in Annie,” she said in her speech. “A part of my hopes, my ancestral power, and connection, parts I thought I had lost or tried to dim as an immigrant trying to fit in. Through her, I deepened my belief in my potential, my capacity to love and hope in the darkest moments of grief.”

Wunmi’s win wasn’t considered the only ‘surprise’ win of the night in the major acting categories either – nor was it the only major win for a northern actor – as the Best Actor in a Leading Role award went to Hull-born actor Robert Aramayo for his role in the 2025 biographical drama film, I Swear, based on the true life story of John Davidson – a Scottish man with severe Tourette’s syndrome, and follows his life at a time when his condition was barely identifiable.

Robert’s win was considered so ‘surprising’ by many given the fact he is not nominated for any of the other major televised award ceremonies this year – including the Oscars – with the two main frontrunners of the season being heavy-hitters being Timothée Chalamet and Leonardo Dicaprio.

Aramayo also took home the EE Rising Star Award, which is voted on for by the British public.

Sean Penn was another shock – but again, well-deserved – winner of the night, taking home Best Supporting Actor for One Battle After Another, with his win being similar to Wunmi’s in that he is the third winner of the Best Supporting Actor category so far this season.

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Elsewhere in the ceremony, some of the other big winners of the night were One Battle After Another, which scooped Best Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Director for Paul Thomas Anderson, among others, while Hamnet took Best British Film, and the film’s lead Jessie Buckley won Best Actress in Leading Role – with the latter being, arguably, the only expected and predicted acting win of the night.

Featured Image – BAFTA (via YouTube)

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