Ian Brown replaced by James for Neighbourhood Weekender festival
Ian Brown has dropped out of Neighbourhood Weekender as the festival reschedules for September - posting tweets about refusing 'proof of vaccination' in the aftermath.
Ian Brown was due to play the Saturday headline slot at the Warrington festival
Ian Brown has dropped out of Neighbourhood Weekender as the festival reschedules for September – posting tweets about refusing ‘proof of vaccination’ for entry.
Festival organisers revealed that Brown would be replaced by James for the event – which will now be held over three dates (Sep 3-5) at Victoria Park in Warrington this autumn.
The Stone Roses lead singer confirmed he would no longer play at Neighbourhood, posting a tweet about ‘vaccine proof’ in the process.
Brown stated: “My Saturday night headline show at NHBD Weekender Festival will now not happen!
“I refuse to accept vaccination proof as condition of entry. Refunds are available!”
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There has been no communication or confirmation from Neighbourhood Weekender as to whether proof of vaccination would be required upon entry to the event.
My Saturday night headline show at NHBD Weekender Festival will now not happen! I refuse to accept vaccination proof as condition of entry.Refunds are available! X
Brown has posted conspiracy theories online at various points throughout the pandemic.
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Back in February, the musician claimed he would “never sing to a crowd who must be vaccinated as a condition of attendance”. Last year, he claimed the pandemic had been planned “to make us digital slaves”.
Many of his tweets have since been deleted.
The addition of James to the Neighbourhood Weekender lineup has been well received, and the festival has thanked fans for “their patience and continued support for the event”.
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Full update on #NBHDWKND21 below. We can't wait to see you this September!
The festival’s line-up is a big one – with Gerry Cinnamon headlining on Friday night before Sam Fender, Shed Seven and The Coral play on Saturday alongside James.
Sunday headliners will be Catfish And The Bottlemen – with Miles Kane, The Wombats and Sea Girls also on the bill.
All tickets remain valid for new dates.
More information is available on the Neighbourhood Weekender website.
Music
Take That at Etihad Stadium, Manchester – setlist, stage times, merch, support, and more
Daisy Jackson
Take That will be arriving in Manchester very soon for FOUR huge shows at the Etihad Stadium.
The much-loved pop trio are bringing The Circus Live back to stadiums across the UK, recreating their record-breaking 2009 tour.
Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, and Howard Donald are bringing back all the over-the-top, circus-themed madness of the hit tour, more than 17 years later.
And now that the tour has kicked off, we’ve got a good idea of what Take That will be bringing to Manchester – non-stop entertainment.
Expect a hot air balloon, a huge mechanical elephant, clown face paint, acrobats, unicycles, fireworks, sparkly costumes, and loads more.
Take That said upon announcing their Etihad Stadium shows: “The Circus tour was one of our favourite experiences as a band and, in the years since, we’ve talked many times about how much we’d love to do it again one day. Well, that time has come!
“We’re so excited to welcome audiences old and new across the UK and Ireland to the spectacle of The Circus Live next summer. See you out there!”
What dates are Take That performing in Manchester?
Friday 19 June
Saturday 20 June
Sunday 21 June
Wednesday 1 July
Tickets for Take That at Etihad Stadium
Take That are back in Manchester for four stadium shows. Credit: Jason Hetherington
None of Take That’s Manchester gigs have totally sold out yet, but some nights have better availability than others.
Availability for opening night is still decent, with plenty of space in both seating and standing, and it’s similar scenes for Sunday 21 June.
For Saturday 20 June, the Etihad Stadium is down to only single seats (unless you grab an official resale ticket).
And if you can wait til Wednesday 1 July, there’s a really good mix of tickets still available, including seats from just £49.25.
Do What U Like / Promises / It Only Takes a Minute / Take That and Party
Said It All
Never Forget
Patience
Relight My Fire (Dan Hartman cover)
Encore
Hold Up a Light
Rule the World
Take That merch prices
Take That have got a massive range of merch available on The Circus Live Tour, including t-shirts, football tops, totes, jumpers, and even elephant stuffed toys.
The big hitters seem to be their bomber jackets, and the football-inspired shirts and scarves – but your wallet will take a hit too…
Take That t-shirts – £45
The Circus Live football top – £85
Take That bomber jacket – £170
Take That striped t-shirt – £55
Oversized tote bag – £35
Take That striped jumper – £90
Take That hoody – £90
Official tour book – £25
Elephant plushie – £50
City-specific posters – £20
Football scarf – £35
Headband – £20
Key ring – £15
Car air fresheners – £10
Stage times
The Etihad Stadium hasn’t announced the exact stage times for Take That just yet, but based on previous shows on the tour, it should be something like this:
Take That have gathered some incredible support acts for the entire The Circus Live Tour, including their four nights in Manchester.
They’ll be supported by American singing legend Belinda Carlisle, whose solo hits include Heaven Is A Place On Earth, I Get Weak, and Leave a Light On.
Then warming up the crowd even more will be The Script, the beloved Irish pop rock band who are responsible for huge songs like Hall Of Fame, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, and Breakeven.
Phoebe Bridgers announces long-awaited return with HUGE phones-free arena gig in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
It’s official, Phoebe Bridgers is back on earth.
More than six years since her last studio album, Punisher, was released to the world, cementing her status as one of indie folk’s leading figureheads, Phoebe Bridgers has given fans the news they have been waiting so patiently for.
A new tour North America and EU tour is on the horizon, and she’ll be stopping off here in Manchesterlater this year for a huge arena gig.
Following a sold-out acoustic show at New York City’s Madison Square Garden last night (4 June), Phoebe has now revealed details of ‘The Lost Tour’ for 2026.
Other than the series of surprise pop-up acoustic shows that have wrapped around the country over the last few weeks – beginning in Roswell in New Mexico on 8 May, and continuing on to smaller venues in other US cities before culminating in last night’s dazzling MSG show – this upcoming full band tour marks the first Phoebe Bridgers shows since early 2023.
Phoebe will be taking to the stage at Co-op Live here in Manchester for one night only on 26 November 2026 – with tickets going on sale next week.
And just like the pop-up shows, the use of mobile phones, cameras, and other recording devices will be strictly prohibited on this tour, encouraging fans to be more present in the moment.
This means the Co-op Live event will utilise secure pouches to store all devices during the performance.
Phoebe Bridgers is playing a huge arena gig in Manchester on her UK tour later this year / Credit: Supplied | Raph PH (Wikimedia Commons)
Upon arrival, all phones, smartwatches, and related accessories will be secured in these pouches, the pouches will be unlocked at the conclusion of the show, and any guest observed using a non-permitted device during the performance will be escorted out of the venue.
If the news of Phoebe’s return wasn’t exciting enough for fans as it is, she won’t be the only one making a highly-anticipated return to the stage, as support on the UK & EU leg of the tour is to be provided by former Black Country, New Road frontman, Isaac Wood.
Wood stepped away from the ensemble band – and the limelight as a whole – right before the release of BCNR’s critically acclaimed second studio album, Ants From Up There, in 2022, citing mental health reasons.
Phoebe has also partnered with PLUS1 so that €1/£1 from every ticket sold on the European tour leg goes to local organisations throughout the EU/UK working to support those impacted by sexual assault and violence.
Phoebe Bridgers will be playing Co-op Live as part of ‘The Lost Tour’ on Thursday 26 November 2026.
Tickets officially go on sale first through the Phoebe Bridgers Pass Presale via Fan3, and Co-op Member Presale starting at 10am on Wednesday 10 June, before general sale then begins on Friday 12 June, again at 10am.
The Manc -
4th March 2021 
