Celine Dion has made the decision to cancel her entire world tour as she continues to battle with an incurable neurological condition.
The Canadian superstar had already rescheduled her shows here in Manchester four times due to her health.
She announced last year that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person’s Syndrome, a rare condition that has caused her to experience spasms.
The disease has affected everything from her ability to walk to her vocal chords, and she has now decided not to push forward with her scheduled Courage Tour.
It means that Celine Dion’s concerts at the AO Arena on 9 and 10 April next year have been cancelled.
She has also pulled out of shows in London, Glasgow, Birmingham and Dublin, as well as gigs across Europe.
Sharing a heartfelt letter on her social media today, Celine wrote that she was ‘so sorry to disappoint all of you once again’ but stressed that she was ‘not giving up’.
Celine Dion’s emotional video statement when she rescheduled previous shows. Credit: Celine Dion
She said: “I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%.
“It’s not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m really ready to be back on stage again. I want you all to know, I’m not giving up… and I can’t wait to see you again!”
The rest of the statement added: “With a sense of tremendous disappointment, Celine Dion’s Courage World Tour today announced the cancellation of all remaining dates currently on sale for 2023 and 2024.
“As the world has emerged from the pandemic, Celine has continued to be treated for a diagnosed medical condition that prevents her from performing.
I’m so sorry to disappoint all of you once again… and even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything until I’m really ready to be back on stage… I’m not giving up… and I can’t wait to see you again!” – Celine xx… More info👉https://t.co/DHUch7W7OFpic.twitter.com/bgszxVd1za
“Celine is working hard on her recovery, but at this time is unable to successfully prepare for and perform the remainder of the tour, which was scheduled to run from August 26, 2023 in Amsterdam through October 4, 2023 in Helsinki; then continuing from March 6, 2024 in Prague through April 22, 2024 in London.
“We do have every hope that someday soon, Celine will be able to come to all of these cities in Europe to perform for her amazing fans, but that time simply is not now.”
The legendary My Heart Will Go On singer had completed the first 52 dates of the Courage World Tour before the pandemic struck.
But as the world emerged from lockdown, she was diagnosed with the syndrome, which is still being evaluated and treated by her medical team.
Tickets for Celine Dion’s cancelled dates will be refunded from the original point of sale.
Featured image: Publicity picture
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Soft rock heroes Foreigner announce UK tour including big Manchester gig
Thomas Melia
Foreigner are bringing their soft rock classics over the waters and to the UK as they embark on a new tour which features a Manchester stop.
Formed in the 70’s, Foreigner are a British-American rock band known for their catalogue of soft rock, including hits like ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’ and ‘Cold As Ice.’
These rockers have gained a newfound following of late thanks to their music making an appearance in an array of yet more contemporary TV shows like Stranger Things, Euphoria, Wednesday and more, having been heard in plenty of films over the years.
This UK tour marks the band’s return to Manchester after four years – and no, you’ve not got ‘Double Vision’: they are in fact revisiting the same iconic arena they played back in 2022, AO Arena.
The band may look a little different on their next visit as Kelly Hansen, former vocalist of Foreigner, has stepped down after 20 years and has handed the reins over to the equally impressive Luis Maldonado.
This newest gig announcement, set for 2026, will celebrate a landmark 50 years since the band formed back in 1976, and you can expect to hear all their greatest hits.
Foreigner are no strangers to the charts with a chart-topping album and single as well as five Top 40 hits and five Top 40 albums – I guess you could call them the ultimate ‘Juke Box Hero’.
The band were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame back in 2024, and to celebrate, they played their timeless classic ‘I Want to Know What Love Is’ with pop singer Kelly Clarkson performing alongside.
Whether you’re there for ‘Urgent’, ‘Double Vision’ or ‘Waiting For a Girl Like You’, the New York-formed rockers will be smashing out their variety of anthems at AO Arena next year.
Now, Foreigner are coming back to Manchester and the AO Arena on Thursday, 18 June, with tickets for the gig going on presale this Wednesday, 3 September at 10am GMT.
As for general admission tickets, they will be available from the same time on Friday, 5 September – you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
They’re not the only rock legends booking big Manc arena gigs recently, either.
Featured Images — Press shot (supplied)/Jim Geuther (via Vinyl Records Gallery)
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Aussie punk rockers and cult favourites Amyl and the Sniffers announced biggest Manchester gig yet
Danny Jones
Australian pub rockers and punk outfit Amyl and the Sniffers have announced their biggest Manchester headline show to date, and we CANNOT wait.
In case you hadn’t guessed, we’re pretty big fans here at The Manc Group.
The cult favourites have made a big splash on the music scene over the past couple of years, playing big festival slots at the likes of Glastonbury and R&L Fest 2025, winning over new fans in the process. We had a feeling they were bringing some big to our shores…
I mean, you could argue they made it fairly obvious where it was going to be held, but it was still a cool little teaser campaign, nevertheless.
That’s right, Amyl and the Sniffers have booked the O2 Victoria Warehouse – an ideal venue for any heavy gig – later this year, following the big poster going up outside the venue in Trafford Park last week.
Fronted by frenetic frontwoman Amy Taylor, they’ve grown a strong following outside of their home country of late, not only winning multiple Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Awards but picking up gongs from the NME, Kerrang and more since 2022.
They received plenty of accolades for their sophomore record, Comfort To Me, and collected even more for their latest album, Cartoon Darkness, which they’ve been touring pretty much ever since.
It’s that same project that they’re bringing to Victoria Warehouse this autumn, with the punchy ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’ performers almost nailed on to sell out the 3,500 capacity venue.
Tipped as a ‘one-night only’ experience, with support from Floodlights and The Menstrual Cramps, this should be a tasty one.
Aussie rock and indie really is having a moment right now, with the likes of Spacey Jane and Royel Otis both set for big Manc gigs this year too.
The early access window opens from 10am this Wednesday, 3 September, with general admission tickets live from the same time the following Friday (5 Sep). Besides the sold-out Ally Pall show, this is their very LAST headline gig of the year, don’t miss it.
You can get ready to grab yours for 22 October right HERE.
In the meantime, why not watch the moment Amy joined Fred Again in the flesh for a live set over in Sheffield last month?
Daisy Jackson -
26th May 2023 
