Manchester music heavyweights Noel Gallagher and Blossoms have been confirmed to play this year’s Teenage Cancer Trust gig series at the historic Royal Albert Hall.
Britpop and global rock and roll icon Noel Gallagher will be bringing his High Flying Birds and the local lads from Stockport along to the legendary London venue as two of the very first names to be confirmed for the annual fundraising concert series.
Scheduled as the third date in the upcoming run of gigs, the former Oasis frontman will be pleased to have his fellow Manchester City fans joining him as special guests this March.
Other names already confirmed for Teenage Cancer Trust at Royal Albert Hall 2024 include adopted Manc electronic group, The Chemical Brothers; The Who, Squeeze, Young Fathers and many more.
Noel and Blossoms follow veterans The Who and Squeeze as the first musical acts on the 2024 lineup.
The Teenage Cancer Trust’s long-running partnership with the Royal Albert Hall has entered a momentous year which will see fellow rock legend and The Who frontman Roger Daltrey, who created and founded the series back in 2000, bow out as the driving force of these very special concerts.
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Stepping down as the official curator after 22 years, this year’s series will celebrate his work as he looks to continue as a Teenage Cancer Trust Honorary Patron but step back from his tireless role and allow for the next generation to take over fundraising and advocating for the charity.
For over two decades, Roger has persuaded some of the world’s greatest artists on the planet to perform unique, one-night-only gigs to raise money for the cause, generating over £32 million in vital funds through ticket sales alone and spreading the word of the charity’s extraordinary work.
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Enough to pay for over a million hours of specialist care from Teenage Cancer Trust nurses, or 13 whole TCT hospital units — having been staffed by just five units with just a fraction of those nurses and youth support workers back when it started — the gig series has proved to be life-changing for so many.
Speaking on the significant anniversary, Daltreysaid, “The £32 million raised from these concerts has been the foundation for the 28 specialised units within the NHS, as well as specialist nurses and youth workers to be there for a young person when cancer has turned their world upside down.”
As for Noel, he said: “The Teenage Cancer Trust continue to make a real difference to teenagers in what undoubtedly must be the most challenging years of their lives. Having performed at the very first event back in 2000 it is a charity very close to my heart. 24 years and counting is a triumph in itself. NGHFB will be there en masse. Together we will make the night unique. I’d buy a ticket if I were you.”
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Following what was a massive year for the Blossoms, they’ll no doubt be buzzing to kick off 2024 with such a special performance.
You can see the lineup for Teenage Cancer Trust at Royal Albert Hall so far in full down below.
Set to play on Thursday, 21 March, 2024, tickets for the concertgo on sale at 9am on Friday, 12 January, with proceeds going straight to the Teenage Cancer Trust.
And for all other Manc music news this year, be sure to follow our dedicated The Manc Audio page over on Instagram. Happy gigging, you lot.
Featured Images — Press Image (via Spotify)/The Manc Group
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Dispute over Manichester now ‘resolved’, say Mounfield family
Danny Jones
The family of the late, great Manchester musician, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, have said that the drama surrounding the highly-anticipated tribute festival in his name, Manichester, has now thankfully been settled.
Now the focus can once again return to remembering him as best as possible.
Following plenty of talk about the project following his passing late last year, a live music festival honouring Mani was finally confirmed in March, and the reaction following the event’s announcement has been unsurprisingly phenomenal.
Well, at least for the most part, as there was also some confusion over whether or not Manichester was still a charitable effort as advertised, with son Gene Mounfield disputing claims online. Fortunately, it all seems to have been put to bed now.
On behalf of the boys, and as their legal guardian, I want to thank everyone for the kind messages and concern for their wellbeing. There was a misunderstanding regarding the upcoming Manichester tribute concert, but we’re pleased to share that everything has now been resolved. pic.twitter.com/j8jEMrFzsD
Being organised by Madchester.com and locally-founded fashion label, GIOGOI, the debut edition was said to have the total blessing of Mani’s family, including his brother, Greg Mounfield.
It was also said that the funds raised by the show would be going to the legendary Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassists’ twins, George and Grene, but the latter recently argued that “nothing” was going to either him or his brother and that the news was “dropped” the plans just a fortnight prior.
He also said that “if it was a charity gig it would be at Co-op [Live] or Heaton Park, and it would be done by SJM [Concerts]”: a Manchester-based promoters and events company.
All of this was also wrapped up in ever more paper talk and sensationalism, as some were reporting that Noel and Liam Gallagher, as well as other members of Oasis, would be surprising fans as the still yet to be revealed ‘major headliner’.
These rumours have since been quashed, as has whatever miscommunication caused the misunderstanding between the parties concerned, and we are now back to simply looking forward to seeing an already stacked lineup here in the city centre this May.
As for the surviving Mounfields, they went on to add in an accompanying Instagram post: “We would also like to express our gratitude to PH.
“It means a great deal to all of us that so many people loved Mani enough to give their time and energy to honour his memory in this way. We are genuinely touched by the support.
“It has been an incredibly difficult few years for the boys and for our whole family. We hope this event will bring some much‑needed joy and create new, positive memories for everyone who cared about him.
“With love and thanks – The Family”
It goes without saying that we can’t wait for this city and Greater Manchester as a whole to honour a Manc icon and are looking forward to another year celebrating the thing that never fails to bring us all together: music.
Featured Images — livepict.com (via Wikimedia Commons)/Publicity pictures (supplied)
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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.
Danny Jones -
8th January 2024 
