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Biffy Clyro announce massive Manchester comeback on upcoming European tour
It's been a hot minute since they were last in town.
British rock giants Biffy Clyro have just announced a massive Manchester gig as part of a huge tour across the UK and Europe.
The Scottish stars haven’t been to our city since 2018, if you can believe that, having seen their intended 2020 AO Arena date cancelled amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
But good things come to those who wait, as they say, and now the thrashing three-piece are heading back in our direction on their 27-stop tour across the continent, including nine domestic dates in the UK and Ireland.
Announcing their return on Thursday, 24 July, the multi-award-winning outfit will be making their debut at Manchester’s newest and biggest arena.
That’s right, set to play the space for the first time, the Biffy boys will be performing at Co-op Live early next year, and you can expect fans to be clamouring for Clyro tickets the very second they go on sale.
With a capacity of 23,500, we’d say you have a decent chance of getting your hands on some, but then again, they haven’t been here in seven years – well, it’ll be close to eight by the time they get here.
In fact, when they last came to Manchester, it was for a stripped-back ‘MTV Unplugged’ concert at the Manchester Opera House, which almost seems surreal to think of now.
More importantly, this also means they haven’t had a proper big, bouncing up and down arena gig since 2016, which means it’ll have been almost a DECADE since a full-on Manc headline show.
All that being said, we’re sure you’ll agree it’s been far too long already, and having announced their highly anticipated 10th studio album, Futique – which is set to release on 26 September – fans will have a whole bunch of new songs to hear live.
The Kilmarnock trio formed way back in 1995 and last released a record back in 2021, just months on from their previous outing, but it’s fair to say that plenty of excitement has been built in the ‘fallow years’ since that prolific period.
As if this all wasn’t exciting enough as it is, they’ll be joined by two brilliant support acts in the form of Soft Play (formerly known as Slaves) and American hardcore and punk collective, Armed.
This is going to be a real rager, isn’t it?…
Early access for Co-op members and those who pre-order the album goes live at 10am on Tuesday, 29 July, and general admission tickets will be available from the same time the following Thursday (31.9.25).
You can get ready to grab your tickets for Biffy Clyro at Co-op Live, with Manchester being their only Northern show in all of England, HERE.
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Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)/Audio North
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A big Christmas sing-along concert with Alexander Armstrong and Aled Jones is coming to Manchester
Emily Sergeant
We know it’s only April, but brace yourselves… we’re about to talk about Christmas.
You are reading today’s date correctly, but whether you can believe it or not, this isn’t an April Fool, as it’s time to get ready to lift your voices and celebrate the festive season because The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long starring much-loved performers and presenters, Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong, is heading out on its debut UK tour later this year.
This heartwarming live experience is promising to be an ‘unforgettable’ evening of music, laughter, and Christmas cheer.
Performing in some of the most beautiful cathedrals and venues across the UK, when the concert arrives in Manchester in late November, it’ll be taking over the stunning Manchester Monastery.
On the night, Aled Jones – who is one of the UK’s most iconic voices – will perform some beloved highlights, including his signature rendition of ‘Walking in the Air’, alongside a selection of classic festive carols, and joining him on stage will be Alexander Armstrong, whose rich vocals and natural charm will bring ‘humour, warmth, and festive sparkle’ to every performance.
It may be Aled and Alexander’s show, but audiences are also being told to expect some special surprises along the way too.
As this is a sing-along event, audiences will be invited to put on their favourite Christmas jumper and join in with a joyful mix of traditional Christmas carols and modern festive favourites.
The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long – UK Tour Dates 2026
- Tuesday 24 November – Llandudno Venue Cymru Theatre
- Sunday 29 November – Manchester Monastery
- Tuesday 1 December – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
- Wednesday 2 December – Durham Cathedral
- Thursday 3 December – Bath Forum
- Friday 4 December – Guildford G Live
- Wednesday 9 December – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
- Thursday 10 December – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
- Friday 11 December – York Barbican
- Sunday 13 December – Edinburgh Queens Hall
- Tuesday 15 December – Birmingham Town Hall
- Sunday 20 December – Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion
- Monday 21 December – London Union Chapel
The tour kicks off in Llandudno on 24 November and wraps up in London on 21 December – with a stop off here in Manchester on Sunday 29 November.
The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long is coming to Manchester Monastery on Sunday 29 November, and is expected to capture the true spirit of Christmas, offering a magical evening filled of festive cheer and uplifting songs that everyone can join in with.
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Tickets go on general sale tomorrow (Thursday 2 April) at 9:30am, and you can get your hands on them when they go live here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Audio
Sara Cox tipped to replace Scott Mills for Eurovision 2026
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own Sara Cox is reportedly set to replace Scott Mills at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following his sacking from the BBC.
Mills was axed by the news and entertainment corporation on Monday, 1 April, for ‘misconduct’, which has now been revealed to involve a historic relationship with a boy aged under 16.
The case was originally dropped back in 2019 after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it had insufficient evidence to charge him; the BBC have also apologised for failing to properly investigate the broadcaster after allegations were raised last year.
While the fallout surrounding Scott Mills is only just beginning, the task of finding his replacement in multiple roles has already begun – though it looks like one may have already been decided.
Now reported by multiple outlets, it appears as though Bolton-born Sara Cox is first in line to pick up Mills’ co-hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision show.
Having already been involved with coverage of the event on multiple ocassions in the past, it now appears that she’ll be in post for the Grand Final too.
As a long-standing radio and TV staple, it only takes a quick look at social media to see how much backing she has already received in the past, with a post from last year reading, “Great to have Sara Cox back commentating on Eurovision“, and others from over a decade ago praising her past presenting.
In fact, it might not end just here either, as many are already calling for her to replace the 53-year-old breakfast show host.
From her days as a Radio 1 favourite to becoming a BBC mainstay across the board, her popularity only seems to have grown over the last decade, especially thanks to her charity fundraising efforts.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, the feeling is that it is all but confirmed for her to take over from Mills as part of the Eurovision commentary team.
As for the now vacant early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, the likes of Claudio Winkleman, Vernon Kay, fellow Manc Nick Grimshaw, the aforementioned Rylan, and several others have all been floated as potential stand-ins/future full-time hosts.
Do you think both should be given to Sara Cox, and if not, who would you like to see replace Scott Mills?
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Featured Images — Bryan Ledgard/ESC Discord (via Flickr)
Danny Jones -
24th July 2025 
