Now then Manchester – if you were on the ball buying Elton John tickets at first release way back in 2018, it’s the night you’ve been waiting almost five long years for.
And as Elton appears on stage and kicks off his first night at the AO Arena on Wednesday evening, the arena erupts into monumental cheers. Clearly, it’s been worth the wait.
It’s been more than half a century of touring for Elton, and after performing over 300 concerts worldwide in his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, he’s now reached the final UK leg.
Everywhere you look inside the venue you’re surrounded by glitter-clad baseball jackets (true to Elton’s iconic LA Dodgers baseball uniform), flashing LED glasses and bright feather boas.
Tonight, Elton appears with a swoosh of the lights, perfectly perched at his piano, in true Elton style, with signature rhinestone glasses and bejewelled white tails. The grin on his face is enormous – as is ours.
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Bursting straight into ‘Bennie and the Jets’, you’re instantly blown away by the true showmanship and speed at which he can chase the piano chords, still as dexterous now at 76 years old as he was when his career launched in the 1970s.
Playing ‘Candle In The Wind’, we get a glimpse into what could have been his and Bernie Taupin’s inspiration for one of his biggest hits. With his opening line of “Goodbye Norma Jean” we get the beginning of a beautiful montage of the late Marilyn Monroe.
Perhaps Elton isn’t as physically nimble as he used to be, however, his wit and charm are still untouched by the years.
He slams his piano hood at the end of each song and orchestrates the applause.
Besides, you don’t need to bounce across the stage anymore when your grand piano glides you from left to right as the night goes on…
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Elton confesses his love for the city of Manchester, claiming that it always did have the best audiences – and has always remained the same.
This was his 24th show in Manchester, his first in 17 years, and his last ever opening night here.
Signing off in his signature Elton John tracksuit, he glides up into the stars on his showbiz stairlift for what will be his last appearance for so many of his fans.
What a retirement party it was.
Elton John will perform two more shows at the AO Arena Manchester this weekend – final tickets are on sale now with Ticketmaster.
Role Model adds Manchester arena show to world tour after huge demand
Daisy Jackson
Platinum-certified singer-songwriter Role Model has just added a huge Manchester gig to his upcoming world tour.
The star – real name Tucker Pillsbury – had previously only added one single UK date to his Chuck on Tour tour, and that was down in London.
But now Role Model is officially heading north, announcing a massive gig at the AO Arena in Manchester.
The news follows a sold-out run of dates last year, which brought him to the (much smaller) O2 Apollo here.
His star really rose after the release and viral success of his 2025 single, ‘Sally, When the Wine Runs Out’.
And now with a third studio album to his name – Chuck Timely & The Hourglass – Role Model is ready to return to Manchester and London on his 2026-2027 global tour.
The tour will travel across North America before heading overseas, with dates across Europe early next year.
Keni Titus will support Role Model at all dates on the UK and European leg of the Chuck on Tour tour.
Role Model will perform at the AO Arena in Manchester on Sunday 28 February, with pre-sales available on 4 and 5 November before general release tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday 6 November – grab yours HERE.
Pop icons S Club announce new arena tour, with huge Manchester gig
Daisy Jackson
S Club will be heading back to Manchester on a newly-announced 13-date arena tour next year.
The pop icons have announced the Ain’t No Party Like A S Club Party tour, which will see Bradley, Jo, Jon, Rachel and Tina back on stage for the ultimate pop party.
The huge tour includes a night at the AO Arena in Manchester, as well as two gigs at the O2 in London.
S Club are one of Britain’s most successful pop groups, formerly known as S Club 7, who went on to become a cultural phenomenon with their own TV series – one of which, L.A. 7, remains the highest-rated programme of all time on CBBC.
Their smash hits include Reach, Don’t Stop Movin, Bring It All Back, Never Had A Dream Come True, and S Club Party.
In 2023, S Club celebrated their 25th anniversary with a sellout UK and US tour, shortly after the tragic death of former member Paul Cattermole.
Now, five of the original seven are ready to bring the party back to Manchester, as S Club return to the stage.
They’ll have very special guests supporting on the tour too, announcing Boyzlife, the supergroup made up of the former Boyzone and Westlife members Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden.
S Club say: “We can’t wait to get back out on tour, see you all and celebrate the songs, memories and moments we’ve shared together over the years.
“It’s going to be one BIG party, and we want you all to be part of it!”
S Club will play the AO Arena in Manchester on Saturday 9 October 2027.
Tickets for all shows go on sale at 9.30am on Friday 6 November HERE.
The Manc -
1st June 2023 
