Legendary singer Michael Bublé is heading to Manchester this weekend, for two massive gigs at the AO Arena.
The Canadian crooner is bringing his Higher Tour across the UK in spring, with massive arena shows booked in over the coming weeks.
With 11 studio albums to his name, Michael Bublé has been named by Billboard as the third top Canadian artist of all time, beaten only by Celine Dion and Shania Twain.
He’s pretty well-known for his Christmas albums, which routinely get wheeled out every December, and released his latest record Higher in March last year.
Here’s everything you need to know about Michael Buble’s AO Arena gig this weekend.
Yes! There’s still quite good availability for both nights at the AO Arena.
The cheapest tickets are £64.95 each, which will see you popped up in the upper tier of the seating in the huge arena.
Then there are other tickets priced at £87.50, and at £109.95.
You can see the latest availability and book your tickets at Ticketmaster here.
When is Michael Bublé playing at the AO Arena Manchester?
Michael has added two Manchester dates to his UK tour, which also includes stops in Leeds, Newcastle and London.
He’ll be in Manchester at the AO Arena on both Friday 21 and Saturday 22 April.
Then he’s off on the road again, with a night at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, two shows at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro, one at P&J Live in Aberdeen, two nights at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, one gig in Cardiff, and two shows in Birmingham.
Michael Bublé. Credit: Publicity picture / Evaan Kheraj
Who is supporting?
No one. He’s riding solo.
Okay, moving on…
What are the stage times?
The doors to the AO Arena will open at 6pm for both shows, on Friday and Saturday.
The show is expected to start at 7.30pm, but as always, this is subject to change.
Make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to get in, clear security and find your seat.
It’s hard to know exactly what songs Michael will play, although he will, of course, wheel out his big hit ‘Haven’t Met You Yet’.
It’ll be a night of gorgeous covers and big-band hits.
The below is the setlist he used when he opened the UK leg of his tour in London last month.
Feeling Good (Anthony Newley cover)
Haven’t Met You Yet
L-O-V-E (Nat King Cole cover)
Such a Night (Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters cover)
Sway (Dean Martin cover)
When You’re Smiling (Seger Ellis cover)
Home
Everything
Higher
Hold On
Smile (Charlie Chaplin cover)
I’ll Never Not Love You
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley cover)
You’re the First, the Last, My Everything (Barry White cover)
It’s a Beautiful Day
Cry Me a River (Julie London cover)
Smile (Charlie Chaplin cover)
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) (Marvin Gaye cover)
Save the Last Dance for Me (The Drifters cover)
You Were Always on My Mind (Gwen McCrae cover)
About the AO Arena
The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirements carefully before you travel.
For example, only one small bag per person is allowed, and bags like backpacks, travel cases and laptop bags are not permitted inside the arena.
All bags are scanned on entry to check for prohibited items like laser pens, flares, projectiles, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and even selfie sticks.
Featured image: Publicity picture
Manchester
Manchester City issue statement as they reach agreement over ‘APT’ controversy
Danny Jones
Manchester City and the Premier League have agreed a settlement over their long, drawn-out APT rules controversy.
For starters, no: this is not to do with the outstanding 115 charges still alleged against the local side; that’s to do with FFP.
In case you weren’t aware of the latest with this story, after winning a watershed court case against the English top flight last October regarding ‘Associated Party Transactions’ (APT) – an outcome with the Premier League contested – Man City have now put the case behind them.
Updating supporters on social media this week, the club revealed that the situation has now been resolved and is essentially over.
Sharing the update on social media, they gave a brief overview of how the debate related to transparency surrounding sponsorship deals and commercial dealings was finally concluded.
A statement reads as follows: “The Premier League and Manchester City FC have reached a settlement in relation to the arbitration commenced by the club earlier this year concerning the Premier League’s Associated Party Transaction, and as a result, the parties have agreed to terminate the proceedings.
“This settlement brings an end to the dispute between the parties regarding the APT Rules. As part of the settlement, Manchester City accepts that the current APT Rules are valid and binding.
“It has been agreed that neither the Premier League nor the club will be making any further comment about the matter.
Although the decision was ultimately reached following extensive investigation by an independent commission, some are already speculating about what this could mean in terms of wider controversies surrounding the club. It’s also opened the door for them to resume partnerships already in the pipeline.
#ManCity have accepted the Premier League’s new ATP rules and have received assurances that they will not be treated differently when securing sponsorship with companies linked to their owners.
Manchester City are now able to complete a hugely lucrative, long-term deal with… pic.twitter.com/oqn9seWSbS
Conversely, the Premier League itself is yet to offer any public response of its own, with the assurance that the City Football Group (CFG) accepts that said APT Rules are “valid and binding” essentially being the final word.
Many fans have been quick to question online whether this has any impact on the aforementioned FFP saga (don’t forget City’s 115 charges were actually increased to 130 back in December), but very little is still publicly known about the latter.
The hearing itself technically began this time last year, but we have yet to actually find out what the result was, despite the 10-week process ending in December.
Meanwhile, that isn’t the only concern for die-hard Blues of late…
Halloween in the City will return to Manchester with iconic inflatable monsters and loads more
Emily Sergeant
Halloween is soon set to return to the city, and dozens of huge inflatable monsters will be invading Manchester next month.
Yes, it’s that time of year yet again… the monsters are back.
After several years of looming over Manchester‘s most-notable rooftops and lurking around famous city centre sites, it’s been revealed that the iconic MCR Monsters will be returning for another year of spooky celebrations next month, along with loads of other terrifying tricks and treats – with something for the whole family to get involved with.
Organisers Manchester BID are set to turn the city centre into a ‘monstrous playground’ once the free two-day festival of frightful fun returns.
Halloween in the City will return to Manchester with iconic inflatable monsters and loads more / Credit: Manchester BID | CityCo
This year’s annual Halloween in the City celebrations will feature a week-long colourful invasion of the MCR Monsters, following the two-day family festival across the city’s popular shopping destinations.
For the first time ever, the epic MCR Monsters – which are created by talented local artists, Filthy Luker and Pedro Estrellas – will invade the city’s rooftops and buildings on the opening day of the Halloween in the City festival.
They’ll be taking over leading locations including Manchester Arndale, Selfridges, The Royal Exchange, KAMPUS, and AO Arena – with more terrifying takeovers yet to be announced.
A slimy creature will also be on the loose across the city centre, as ‘The Leech’ – a wriggling eight metre-long monster, created and produced by Walk the Plank – makes its anticipated return.
As for other spine-chilling activities over the weekend-long festival, you can expect family games, storytelling, and the bone-rattling Monster Party Procession, complete with giant puppet monsters, stilt walkers, and a live band.
Then as night falls, the city will glow ‘eerie green’ as iconic buildings light up in spooky style.
To finish things off, thousands of pumpkin lanterns will, once again, line the city’s shopping streets to add a ‘flicker of fun’ to the festival celebrations.
Halloween in the City festival will take over Manchester city centre on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October, and MCR Monsters will be in town from Saturday 25 – Friday 31 October.
The pumpkins may potentially appear even earlier, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.
Daisy Jackson -
20th April 2023 
