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Legendary Manchester band Inspiral Carpets are reuniting for a 2023 tour
The group went on an indefinite hiatus in 2015 shortly after the death of their friend and drummer
Manc legends Inspiral Carpets have announced details of a live tour next spring.
The group, who were an integral part of the Madchester movement, are heading out for their first live shows since 2015.
They say it will be a ‘celebration of the music we created, which has brought so much joy to people over the last 34 years’.
The tour will, of course, include a date in their home city here in Manchester, where they will perform at the Albert Hall.
Inspiral Carpets first formed in Oldham in 1980, and are loved for singles including This is How it Feels, Saturn 5, and She Comes in the Fall.
Their keyboard player Clint Boon is a familiar face on Manchester’s music and nightlife circuit, DJing at venues and festivals across the region.
The group last performed at the Leeds O2 Academy, but went on an indefinite hiatus after the death of their close friend and drummer Craig Gill.
A statement from the group said: “Craig’s death had a profound effect on many people.
“The outpouring of love from around the world at the time gave some comfort to his family and friends as we all tried to come to terms with what had happened.”
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The shows will both celebrate the band’s history and commemorate the life of Craig.
They continued: “We know this will be an emotional journey for a lot of people, not least Craig’s family.
“We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate some of the music we created, and which has brought so much joy to people over the last 34 years.”
Tickets for the tour will go on sale at 10am on Friday 21 October at gigsandtours.com/tour/inspiral-carpets.
Full Inspiral Carpets 2023 tour dates
March 2023
Thurs 23 – Northampton roadmenders
Fri 24 – Newcastle Boiler Shop
Sat 25 – Oxford Academy
Sun 26 – Brighton Concorde 2
Fri 31 – Cambridge Junction
April 2023
Sat 1 – Manchester Albert Hall
Sun 2 – Notts Rescue Rooms
Sat 8 – Leeds O2 Academy
Thurs 13 – Glasgow SWG3 Galvanisers
Fri 14 – Sheffield Leadmill
Sat 15 – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire
Fri 21 – Coventry HMV empire
Sat 22 – Frome Cheese & Grain
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Featured image: Publicity picture
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Robbie Williams announces intimate gig in Manchester for BRITs Week 26 for War Child
Daisy Jackson
Iconic popstar Robbie Williams has announced a surprise gig in Manchester – and it’s soon.
The British star will be performing as part of the upcoming BRITs Week 26 for War Child, a gig series which is seeing huge artists playing intimate venues all over the UK.
Robbie Williams will be taking to the stage at Aviva Studios in Manchester in just a few weeks’ time, ahead of the BRIT Awards’ northern debut at the Co-op Live.
The 18-times BRIT Award-winner be performing tracks from his debut album Life Thru A Lens and his recent number one album BRITPOP, with support from indie chart-toppers Lottery Winners.
The newly-announced gig for Robbie Williams is part of BRITs Week, which takes place around The BRIT Awards 2026, with other artists performing in Manchester including Olivia Dean, Josh Baker, and The K’s.
All proceeds from the shows will go to help War Child’s essential work providing aid, education, specialist mental health support to children whose lives are affected by war.
Robbie Williams will perform at Aviva Studios in Manchester on 27 February.
BRITs Week 26 for War Child full lineup
- 12 February – Fatboy Slim – Boiler Shop, Newcastle, supported by Max Jones
- 16 February – Lambrini Girls – The Garage, London, supported by Bimini
- 18 February – Spiritualized – EartH Theatre, London
- 20 February – The K’s – Gorilla, Manchester
- 24 February – Myles Smith – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, supported by Saint Raymond
- 25 February – Jack Savoretti and Katherine Jenkins OBE – Emerald Theatre, London, supported by Gabriella Cilmi
- 25 February – kwn – Patterns, Brighton, supported by CARI
- 25 February – Josh Baker – YES, Manchester, supported by Deliah and Alexandria
- 26 February – Rossi. – YES, Manchester, supported by Olive F
- 26 February – Olivia Dean – Albert Hall, Manchester
- 27 February – Jacob Alon – Music Hall at Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, supported by Lizzie Reid
- 27 February – Robbie Williams – Aviva Studios, Manchester, supported by Lottery Winners
Fans can enter the prize draw and win a pair of tickets to see the artist of their choice, for just a £10 per entry donation to War Child. Available HERE.
A limited number of tickets are also available on general sale HERE.
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Featured image: Publicity picture
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A ‘Primary School Bangers’ gig is coming to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A night of non-stop, nostalgic primary school bangers is heading up to Manchester this year.
The event comes from viral sensation and Glastonbury festival favourite James B Partridge, who’ll be taking his incredibly silly event on the road in 2026.
Expect to hear all those hits that shaped your childhood, whether you were sat cross-legged on a carpet or one of the lucky ones who got to sit on a PE bench in assembly.
His usual setlist includes classics like Sing Hosanna, One More Step Along The World I Go, and When I Needed A Neighbour.
Primary School Bangers will be heading to the beautiful Albert Hall in Manchester in March, along with a run of dates across the UK.
He’s promising ‘classic school-day singalongs, heart-on-sleeve nostalgia, and the infectious joy that has
made James a national favourite’.
Most recently, the teacher-turned-performer has been delighting audiences with his Big Christmas Assembly tour, playing to tens of thousands across the country.
James continues to teach primary school children during the week, then goes so far as to shut down the fields of Glastonbury with the crowds he pulls in.
He’s also had appearances on the likes of Chris Evans’ Virgin Radio Breakfast Show, BBC Radio 2, The One Show, and Songs of Praise: The Big School Assembly Singalong.
Tickets are on sale now HERE.
The Primary School Bangers UK 2026 tour
- 14 Mar – Gateshead Glasshouse
- 15 Mar – Scunthorpe Baths Hall
- 16 Mar – Manchester Albert Hall
- 3 Apr – Colchester Charter Hall
- 4 Apr – York Barbican
- 6 Apr – London Barbican
- 7 Apr – King’s Lynn Corn Exchange
- 8 Apr – Bury St Edmunds Apex Theatre
- 10 Apr – Watford Colosseum
- 12 Apr – Southampton O2 Guildhall
- 14 Apr – Northampton Derngate Theatre
- 15 Apr – Woking New Victoria
- 16 Apr – Swansea Grand Theatre
- 18 Apr – Bristol Beacon
- 19 Apr – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
- 20 Apr – Blackpool Winter Gardens (Arena)
- 21 Apr – Edinburgh Assembly Rooms
- 23 Apr – Peterborough New Theatre
- 24 Apr – Birmingham Symphony Hall
- 26 Apr – Reading Hexagon
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Featured image: Rebecca Johnson
