An undeniable cult-classic of amusical is set to kick off its next UK tour right here in Manchester next year.
That’s right, you can’t stop the beat… or Hairspray The Musical from heading back to our city.
There’s no denying that Hairspray is known and loved by millions worldwide since it first opened on Broadway all the way back in 2002, and has had audiences tapping their feet on the West End and in countless other cities and countries across the globe ever since.
The eight Tony Award wins and the record-breaking 11 Olivier Award nominations prove that all too well, as does the smash-hit success of the 2007 film adaptation too.
Cult-classic musical Hairspray will kick off its UK tour in Manchester next year / Credit: Supplied
After a triumphant return to the stage in 2024, it’s now been announced that Hairspray The Musical is heading out on a major national tour of the UK and Ireland once again in 2027 – with theatre lovers able to get their hands on tickets when they go on sale today (6 July).
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Oh, and what better way to kick things off than right here in Manchester?
In case you’re unfamiliar, the timeless story of Hairspray centres around heroine Tracy Turnblad, who has “big hair, a big heart, and big dreams” and wants to dance her way onto national TV, and into the heart of teen idol Link Larkin.
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When Tracy becomes a local star, she is able to use her newfound fame to fight for liberation, tolerance, and interracial unity in Baltimore.
But the real question is, can she win equality – and Link’s heart -without denting her ’do?
An all-time favourite.
Audiences in Manchester will be the first to hear some of musical theatre’s most well-known songs, including ‘Welcome To The 60s’, ‘You Can’t Stop The Beat’, and ‘Good Morning Baltimore’, before it heads out to other major cities across the country.
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Liverpool, Bradford, York, and Sunderland are just a few of the fellow northern cities where the tour will be stopping off at in 2027.
The show’s original production team of Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale, and Laurence Myers will return, alongside Brenda Edwards and Paul Kerryson as directors.
Meanwhile, choreography will come from Olivier Award winner Drew McOnie, and music is provided by the Academy Award, Tony, and Emmy-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
The all-singing, all-dancing show is taking to the Palace Theatre stage / Credit: Pamela Raith
Hairspray The Musical will take to the stage at Manchester’s Palace Theatre from 2 – 19 July 2027.
Tickets are going on general sale today at 10am, and although prices haven’t been revealed yet, it’s expected they’ll be available in a range of prices so it’s affordable for everyone looking to make the most of the all-singing-all-dancing experience.
Manchester has been named one of the ‘friendliest’ cities in the UK
Emily Sergeant
A new study has crowned Manchester as one of the ‘friendliest’ cities in the UK.
With reviews playing a huge part in the success of small businesses – especially in the hospitality and tourism sector – business insurance expert MoneySuperMarket has analysed more than 100,000 reviews of customer-facing businesses in over 100 cities worldwide to discover where the UK’s ‘friendliest’ places are.
Their new research reveals which cities nationwide attract the highest number of reviews that particularly highlight friendly staff and excellent customer service in their venues and attractions.
For each city, the reviews were analysed for mentions of friendly staff and excellent service.
Cities were then ranked by the percentage of reviews containing these markers – with the highest percentage earning the top spot for friendly customer service.
Manchester came in at a very respectable ninth place in the whole of the UK, with just over 50% of reviews mentioning friendly staff and service.
Other northern cities in the top 10 include Leeds at number six and Liverpool at number two, while looking at the global rankings, the UK dominates for friendliness – with four cities making the top 10, more than any other country in the world.
According to MoneySupermarket, the even spread of cities across the UK suggests that excelling in customer service is a national trait, rather than a local one.
European cities make up seven of the top 10 spots, suggesting that hospitality and friendly service are deeply embedded in the continent’s culture.
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
Manchester
DMA’S announce VERY intimate shows ahead of major tour
Daisy Jackson
DMA’S have just announced details of some of their most intimate gigs yet, with the Aussie trio set to perform at record stores and tiny music venues around the UK.
The indie-rock heavyweights have just announced a handful of very intimate shows this summer, ahead of their much larger tour in 2027.
DMA’S will be treating fans to up-close acoustic gigs in cities including Manchester, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Dundee and Bristol.
The shows are to celebrate the release of their self-titled fifth album, which is due for release on 21 August.
DMA’S will be playing the outstore gigs the week after the album is released, kicking things off in Kingston on 24 August.
Then they’ll head out to some of the nation’s finest record stores and intimate event spaces, which means a show at The Yard here in Manchester.
DMA’S announce VERY intimate shows ahead of major tour. Credit: Roman Jody
DMA’S Manchester gig will be with Crash Records and Piccadilly Records, using the Cheetham Hill creative hub and record studio for the actual show.
Then they’ll end up back up North with a gig at Wardrobe in Leeds.
The announcement follows the release of the band’s latest single Killing Time, a fast-paced, euphoric and instantly infectious anthem that continues to build anticipation for the album.
This is a rare chance to see DMA’S – Johnny Took, Matt Mason and Tommy O’Dell – in an intimate setting, when they normally dominate some of the biggest stages in the world.
DMA’S have accrued over 500 million streams across their catalogue, four multi-platinum singles, multiple ARIA Award nominations, and 13 songs in triple j’s coveted Hottest 100.
These intimate outstores mean that fans won’t have to wait all the way until 2027 to see the boys live again, when they’ll be playing huge shows including two nights at the Manchester Academy.
DMA’S intimate record store shows
Monday 24 August – Kingston, Circuit (with Banquet)
Tuesday 25 August – Manchester, The Yard (with Crash & Piccadilly)
Wednesday 26 August – Middlesbrough, Empire (with Jacaranda)
Thursday 27 August – Dundee, Fat Sams (with Assai)
Emily Sergeant -
6th July 2026 
