Hayley Williams, lead singer of Paramore, was up to her usual tricks on stage in Manchester last night, pulling audience members up on stage with her.
But the huge crowd at the AO Arena got an unexpected treat when one of the people handed the mic ended up being the singer of a local band.
Jess Branney from Peaness, an up-and-coming all-female group from Chester, shared the same space as the American rock band, and fans have absolutely loved it.
Paramore also invited a pair of best friends up at the same time as Peaness, with Hayley joking that the four of them were The Spice Girls.
On Instagram, Jess’s bandmate Rach Williams shared videos of the insane moment, which saw her catapulted from their usual intimate stage size (like their recent gig at Gorilla) to the mighty 21,000-capacity AO Arena.
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She wrote: “Absolutely LOSING MY SH*T at Hayley Williams talking about Peaness loooool.”
Jess later shared a video where she said: “It’s 2am. I’ve been processing in bed. I’ve calmed down a bit now.
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“Firstly, I’m sorry I messed it up – no one’s more upset than me. But um, what a night, and it’s been nice to see some footage back from different spots in the arena. Because honestly, when I was up there, I didn’t know what was going on.
“My body was reacting, flailing around, having a party, going ‘oh my god it’s Paramore’. What a night.”
Can’t believe that just happened. Like, Hayley Williams knows our band. I pushed my air into her personal microphone. WTFFFFFF
pls help me find my mizbiz partner 🥲🥲🥲 i wanted to send her the pictures but didnt see her afterwards (i peaked in life at 22) (paramore manchester) #paramoremanchesterpic.twitter.com/x3m8SHO2im
She also posted on Twitter: “Can’t believe that just happened. Like, Hayley Williams knows our band. I pushed my air into her personal microphone. WTFFFFFF. Thanks for all the love but holy heck what a night and what a band @paramore are.”
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Other people on Twitter were showering Jess and Peaness with praise after the Paramore gig – although some did struggle with their band name.
One person wrote: “JESS of the p*nis (?) band, wherever you are, please know you slayed mizbiz (i thought for a sec hayley was still on the mic)
Someone else wrote: “Living for Jess from @peanessband getting pulled up onstage to sing with @paramore and smashing it!”
Another said: “Okay so everyone who was at @paramore in Manchester (and actually just everyone regardless) should go and follow @PeanessBand right now. Jess did Miz Biz and they are just the most wonderful band, and deserve all of our love.”
One person tweeted: “Amazing to see @BlocParty and @paramore on the same line up with a little bonus @PeanessBand!”
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Someone posted: “i am having an asthma attack this is so amazing an ABSOLUTELY deserved you absolute legend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PEANAMORE TOUR NOW”
What’s on at Co-op Live, Manchester’s huge new arena with packed programme of gigs and shows
Dean Hadcock
The Co-op Live finally opens its doors in April 2024 and it already has a huge list of shows planned for this year and all the way into 2025.
Manchester’s newest arena, entertainment venue and arts space, which is the largest indoor arena in the UK, is set to host some huge musicians over the next year or so.
The massive venue officially opens on 23 April, with Greater Manchester legend Peter Kay lined up for the first performance.
Then it will be the Black Keys who take the honour of being the first music act on stage – and this venue has been built with music in mind.
Take That have also signed up for a frankly ridiculous SEVEN shows – but there’s sure to be plenty more revealed in the coming months.
Here’s the full list of artists confirmed for Co-op Live thus far.
What’s on at Co-op Live – gigs, comedy shows and other events
In chronological order, here all the Co-op Live gigs on the schedule over the next two years:
Peter Kay – 23-24 April, 2024
Peter Kay has been announced as the opening act for Co-op Live Arena. Credit: Supplied
Bolton’s finest export Peter Kay will be the official opening act for the Co-op Live Arena, after selling out shows for literal years into the future at the AO Arena. He’s promised to keep tickets the same price they were when he last toured more than a decade ago too. You can get yours here.
The Black Keys – 27 April, 2024
The Black Keys. Credit: Larry Niehues
This rock duo are behind massive hits like Lonely Boy and Gold On The Ceiling, and are stopping off at the Co-op Live for a very special gig. They’ll be performing not long after they release their twelfth studio album, Ohio Players, which features collaborations with names including Noel Gallagher, Beck, Greg Kurstin, Dan “The Automator” Nakamura and more. You can get tickets here.
A Boogie Wid Da Hoodie – 1 May, 2024
Known for his collaborations with the likes of Ed Sheeran, Chris Brown and Meek Mill, rising star rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie will be one of the very first to perform at the Co-op Live. He’s on his way to being one of the biggest names in hip-hop.
Olivia Rodrigo — 3-4 May, 2024
Olivia will be hitting up Manchester during her GUTS World Tour. It’s in support of her second album of the same name, which was released back in September. The last time she was in Manchester, fans were shocked to see her casually singing and having a drink in Bunny Jackson’s after the show. Let’s see where she ends up post-gig this time in May.
Keane – 5 May, 2024
They’re back and they’re celebrating 20 years since their landmark debut album Hopes and Fears. They’ll be playing songs from throughout their career, performing the best of the best and to make things even better, they’ll also have support from Manchester’s own, The Lathums.
As if this wasn’t joyous news enough, wait until you see the supports… 👀
Somewhere Only We Know is going to sound magnificent in here.
Take That — 7, 8, 10, 11, 12 May AND 11-12 June (wow…)
They announced a new tour alongside the announcement of their ninth studio album, This Life. We obviously thought these big hitters would be doing a couple of shows here but no one expected their return to involve them ramming seven massive Manchester Co-op Live shows down our throats — not that we’re complaining.
We were going to do the ‘four naan, Jeremy?’ meme but they just kept adding dates…
Elbow – 14 May, 2024
It’s hard to believe Elbow have been going since 1997 since it wasn’t until 2008 they brought out their magnum opus The Seldom Seen Kid. Now here they are about to head on their first arena tour since 2018, celebration their tenth album, due for release early in the year.
Eric Clapton – 18 May, 2024
Adding one last show in Manchester to his UK tour, this is Clapton’s first performance here in over a decade. Expect him to be performing all his classics like ‘Tears In Heaven’ and ‘Layla’, as well as reminding everyone why he’s still at it so many years later.
With a huge legacy that includes multiple awards including a GRAMMY and a Tony, as well as officially surpassing Elvis for the longest-running residency in Las Vegas, our Barry has had quite the career. As for how he intends to spend next year, at least one chapter will include him coming to the Co-op Live for an exclusive Manchester-only show.
Nicki Minaj – 24 May, 2024
Nicki Minaj is coming to Manchester’s Co-op Live on her Pink Friday 2 World Tour
The ‘Queen of Rap’ Nicki Minaj is heading to Manchester as part of the Pink Friday 2 World Tour – her largest to date. The Starships and Anaconda singer is performing in celebration of her fifth studio album and will make the Co-op Live the first stop on her European leg of the tour.
Eagles – 31 May, then 1, 4, 7 and 8 June, 2024
Legendary US rock, country and folk band the Eagles have announced their last-ever UK gigs and Manchester’s Co-op Live arena has been given the honour of bidding them a British goodbye. One of the most successful and seminal bands of the 1970s and beyond, the LA hitmakers best known for tracks like ‘Hotel California’, ‘New Kid in Town’, ‘Desperado’ and countless others, are rounding off their global Long Goodbye tour with five final shows here in Britain and our city’s newest venue. Tickets are available here.
Pet Shop Boys – 9 June, 2024
Iconic UK duo Pet Shop Boys are bringing their incredible live Dreamland show to Co-op Live in June. The show’s already received a flurry of 5-star reviews and is a celebration of all of their greatest hits.
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The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer – 13 June, 2024
Two absolutely massive names will come together to co-headline Manchester’s newest – and biggest – arena. Multi-platinum, GRAMMY® Award-winning, alternative rock pioneers, The Smashing Pumpkins and Weezer will gig alongside each other at Co-op Live.
James – 14 June, 2024
One of the longest-running Manc bands, James will be putting on a huge summer hometown show and have chosen to be one of the first artists at the Co-op Live next year to do it, with a little bit of help from Noughties icons Razorlight as support acts, no less.
Liam Gallagher is back and he’s heading out on a massive UK tour next year, with not one but THREE Manchester dates on the lineup. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the release of Oasis’s massively influential debut album, Definitely Maybe, Liam will be embarking upon the ‘Definitely Maybe 30 Years’ arena tour in 2024.
The Killers – 18, 19, 21 and 22 June, 2024
The Killers have announced four massive arena shows here in Manchester for next summer on their Rebel Diamonds Tour. The Las Vegas indie rock legends have announced the tour to celebrate 20 years of hits together, and will release a brand new compilation album of the same name next week.
Pearl Jam – 25 June, 2024
These Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees will be another huge rock name playing the Co-op Live, bringing their Dark Matter World Tour to the city. They’ll be supported by special guests The Murder Capital.
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Megan Thee Stallion – 5 July, 2024
Megan Thee Stallion announces massive Manchester gig on Hot Girl Summer Tour
Megan Thee Stallion is visiting Co-op Live as part of her 31-city world tour, called the Hot Girl Summer Tour. She’ll be heading across the US and Europe with her first-ever headline arena tour, which will feature a special Chicas Divertidas VIP section. The star will visit several major cities in the states before beginning her international leg here in the UK on 4 July.
Stevie Nicks – 9 July, 2024
Stevie Nicks has announced a Manchester gig at Co-op Live. Credit: Publicity picture
Rock legend Stevie Nicks, famed for her work with Fleetwood Mac as well as her impressive solo career, will be in town in summer. These will Stevie Nicks’ first UK shows in almost seven years, and she’ll be one of the first rock acts to perform at Manchester’s shiny new Co-op Live arena.
Kings of Leon – 10 July, 2024
Kings of Leon have announced a new run of UK shows as part of their 2024 world tour, and they’ll be coming to visit us here in Manchester. Following on from the announcement of their brand-new album, as well as a headline performance at BST Hyde Park this summer, the beloved American rock band have now revealed details of their long-awaited Can We Please Have Fun World Tour that’s kicking off later this year. Tickets are on sale here.
Justin Timberlake – 8 August
Mr Sexy Back himself is indeed back, with the so-called Prince of Pop announcing a Manchester date on the European leg of his massive The Forget Tomorrow World Tour. He’s the voice behind songs like SexyBack, Mirrors, and Trolls hit Can’t Stop The Feeling.
Arijit Singh – 11 August
India’s undisputed superstar Arijit Singh will be delivering a night of massive Bollywood hits when he arrives in Manchester this summer. The multi-award winner has become one of the most sought-after playback singers in the Indian film industry, lending his voice to numerous hit songs.
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Noah Kahan – 13 August, 2024
Singer-songwriter sensation Noah Kahan is heading to the Co-op Live next summer, showing off his incredible music from three full-length albums as well as his collaborations with Hozier and Julia Michaels. He had his highest album position in the UK to date with last year’s Stick Season.
Niall Horan – 27 August, 2024
He’s already announced he’ll be playing in Manchester at the AO Arena in March. He’ll be back though after his world tour ends as he’s also announced he’ll be playing at the Co-op Live in August. With Harry Styles an investor in the new arena, One Direction reunion when?
Jonas Brothers – 12 September, 2024 (RESCHEDULED from 17 June)
They’ve been doing their own solo stuff for so long that we almost forgot they were a highly successful boy band in the 2000 and 2010s. In case you weren’t aware, they’ve been back making music together since 2019 and in May released their sixth studio album, but we’re looking forward to them playing all the hits, of course. Alexa, play ‘Burnin’ Up’…
Pop phenomenon Melanie Martinez has just announced arena gig here in Manchester as part of her The Trilogy Tour. The singer is currently performing as her alter-ego ‘Cry Baby’, which involves her wearing an other-worldly mask that transforms her into a cat-like creature with four eyes and gigantic ears.
Glass Animals – 2 November, 2024
Glass Animals have announced details of their long-awaited global tour, including a gig here in Manchester. The Grammy and BRIT-nominated British band already have three studio albums to their names and smashed into the UK Singles Chart with their biggest hit, the four-times Platinum certified Heat Waves. That song? Oh yeah, it’s just the biggest international hit from a British band in almost 30 years.
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Hits Radio Live – 23 November, 2024
This night will bring together the biggest current names in music – previous years have featured Ed Sheeran, Busted, Sam Smith, Anne Marie, Lewis Capaldi, Rita Ora, Becky Hill, Tom Grennan and many, many more.
Sleep Token – 26 November, 2024
The fast-rising and genre-bending rock group Sleep Token have announced their biggest-ever headline tour in the UK and will be coming to Manchester later this year. The masked outfit is probably providing one of the most unique and sprawling sounds in the industry right now.
Charli XCX – 27 November, 2024
British singer Charli XCX has announced the tour in support of her forthcoming album BRAT, her sixth studio album. Charli XCX was discovered through Myspace way back in 2008, hitting the big time in 2012 with the release of the two-time platinum single I Love It. She went on to have huge success with tracks like Boom Clap and Doing It, as well as featuring on huge songs like ‘Fancy’ with Iggy Azalea and ‘Girls’ with Rita Ora.
Slipknot – 17 December, 2024
Heavy metal legends Slipknot will visit the Co-op Live on a massive European tour, which will celebrate 25 years since they first played on the continent. They’ll also bring Scottish heavy metal group Bleed From Within on the tour as support.
Slipknot will come to Manchester on their 2024 tour. Credit: Publicity photo
Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium – 30 January, 2025
Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium have announced a huge joint arena tour, including a date in Manchester, where they’ll be playing their respective albums in full to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Both bands will be performing at the Co-op Live arena as part of The Poisoned Ascendancy UK Tour in 2025.
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Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds – 6 April, 2025
Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds will be coming to Manchester as part of a monumental new arena tour. The much-loved musical spectacular, based on the dark Victorian tale by H. G. Wells, will feature a 3D hologram of Liam Neeson, who recounts his story of survival from the Martian invasion of 1898.
Simply Red – 27 Sept, 2025
We don’t know what we’re doing next week, never mind in winter 2025. Mick Hucknall does though as he already has ‘playing in Manchester’ on his calendar for September 2025 to celebrate 40 years of Simply Red.
Lastly, Jason Manford was the first comedian to be announced to perform at the Co-op Live. Jason Manford fans will be beaming to see the local funny man performing on such a big stage. Unfortunately, they’ll have to wait two whole years to see him — but at least you’ve got plenty of time to sort tickets!
And that’s your lot: top acts for you to enjoy in 2024 and 2025 already with plenty more to come.
It’s been a while since we’ve had a brand new venue of this kind of size and calibre open anywhere in Greater Manchester, so we’re looking forward to seeing what it looks like in the flesh once it’s open.
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In fact, The Manc even had the pleasure of popping inside earlier this year to take a glance at how it’s coming along.
Featured Image — Take That (via Facebook)/Co-Op Live/Jason Manford
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Fontaines D.C. announce massive gig at Manchester’s Aviva Studios as part of UK tour
Danny Jones
Irish post-punk pioneers Fontaines D.C. have just announced a brand new UK and Ireland tour ahead of their new album later this year and leading new arts and live entertainment venue, Aviva Studios, has been selected for their massive Manchester date.
The Dublin powerhouses have emerged as one of the most exciting acts on the planet for our money, combining everything from new wave, alternative and often grungey guitars, to more classic rock and even indie sounds, making them one of the most instantly recognisable sounds on the modern scene.
With all that being said, we cannot wait for their return to Manchester and what will no doubt be one of the biggest and best gigs Aviva Studios has seen yet.
Fontaines D.C. roll up to 0161 in Fall 2024 and they’ll have a brand new album under their belt to boot.
Become a Factory International Members to gain early access tickets on Wednesday 24 April, 10am.
Fontaines D.C. return to Manchester for the first time since 2022.
Home to Factory International, which kicked off an incredible debut calendar of cultural events last year, Aviva Studios is already proving to be an impressive addition to the Manc skyline, especially now it’s coaxing names like Fontaines D.C. to come and perform there over other gig spaces.
As for the band themselves, they dropped the lead single entitled ‘Starburster’ this week and it proved to be quite the sea change for often fast, frantic and no-nonsense five-piece. If you haven’t heard it yet, strap in and get ready to be over-exhaling out loud non-stop for the next hour – you’ll see what we mean.
With their fourth record Romance set to release on 23 August, we think it’s fair to say this new record – the first with new producer James Ford (Blur, Arctic Monkeys) – is off to a much more experimental start than their heavily acclaimed 2019 debut, Dogrel.
Set to take the stage in Aviva Studios’ Warehouse space on Friday, 29 November, Fontaines’ Manchester date is part of a new run of shows announced as part of their full European which kicks off in June.
Heading back from the continent in August and starting off the UK leg in Wolverhampton on 20 November, it’ll be a fast and furious nine-show run culminating with a homecoming concert in Dublin.
Tickets for all headline dates go on general sale at 10am next Friday, 26 April and for first access to presale, fans can pre-order the album by 3pm on 23 April.
Daisy Jackson -
19th April 2023 
