Manchester’s outdoor gig series Sounds of the City is wrapping up, with Two Door Cinema Club set to take to the stage tonight.
The rockers, one of the biggest indie bands of the 2010s, will be performing at the beautiful canal-side venue on Sunday 9 July 2023.
The Northern Irish band Two Door Cinema Club shot to success with their debut album Tourist History in 2010, which included singles Something Good Can Work and Undercover Martyn.
Arguably their best-known song is What You Know, a staple on nightclub dance floors for more than a decade.
They then went on to release three more studio albums, Beacon, Gameshow, and False Alarm, each reaching the top 10 of the UK albums chart, before dropping their fifth album Keep On Smiling.
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So there’ll be plenty for them to work with at Castlefield Bowl tonight.
They’ve burst back on to the scene in recent weeks with new single Friends of Mine, with their third studio album, Better Luck Next Time, due for release this autumn.
Welsh indie rockers The Royston Club will be opening up the show, hot off the back of supporting Blossoms.
As always, these are subject to change, but here are the stage times for Two Door Cinema Club.
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5.30pm – Doors open 5.30pm – DJ 6.45pm – The Royston Club 7.45pm – Sundara Karma 9pm – Two Door Cinema Club
What’s the expected set list?
Here’s Two Door Cinema Club’s set list from their gig this week at Crystal Palace Park, and we’ll probably get something similar in Manchester tonight.
This Is the Life I Can Talk Are We Ready? (Wreck) Undercover Martyn Eat That Up, It’s Good for You Wonderful Life Come Back Home Talk Changing of the Seasons Next Year Do You Want It All? Lucky What You Know Costume Party Someday Cigarettes in the Theatre Sun Sleep Alone Something Good Can Work
Weather forecast at Castlefield Bowl, Manchester
Blossoms at Castlefield Bowl, Manchester
…. pack a rain coat.
It’s looking a bit soggy down at Castlefield Bowl tonight, with a chance of thunder storms across Manchester.
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The Met Office is currently predicting a 60% chance of rain at around 8pm, with 30% chance the rest of the time.
It will be quite warm though, with highs of 21 degrees and lows of 14.
About Castlefield Bowl
Castlefield Bowl is an amphitheatre-style outdoor venue in the city centre.
Although all tickets are billed as unreserved standing, if you’re quick you can take a seat on the large concrete steps that curve around the stage.
Many people also take a perch up on the grassy banks at the back of the venue too.
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Castlefield Bowl is located at 101 Liverpool Road in the city centre.
The closest tram stop is Deansgate-Castlefield, which is only a six-minute walk away.
You can also walk it from the major train stations, or use the 101, 197, 255, 256, 41, 50 or X50 buses.
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.
Tickets go on general sale tomorrow (Thursday 2 April) at 9:30am, and you can get your hands on them when they go live here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Sara Cox tipped to replace Scott Mills for Eurovision 2026
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own Sara Cox is reportedly set to replace Scott Mills at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following his sacking from the BBC.
Mills was axed by the news and entertainment corporation on Monday, 1 April, for ‘misconduct’, which has now been revealed to involve a historic relationship with a boy aged under 16.
While the fallout surrounding Scott Mills is only just beginning, the task of finding his replacement in multiple roles has already begun – though it looks like one may have already been decided.
Now reported by multiple outlets, it appears as though Bolton-born Sara Cox is first in line to pick up Mills’ co-hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision show.
Having already been involved with coverage of the event on multiple ocassions in the past, it now appears that she’ll be in post for the Grand Final too.
As a long-standing radio and TV staple, it only takes a quick look at social media to see how much backing she has already received in the past, with a post from last year reading, “Great to have Sara Cox back commentating on Eurovision“, and others from over a decade ago praising her past presenting.
In fact, it might not end just here either, as many are already calling for her to replace the 53-year-old breakfast show host.
From her days as a Radio 1 favourite to becoming a BBC mainstay across the board, her popularity only seems to have grown over the last decade, especially thanks to her charity fundraising efforts.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, the feeling is that it is all but confirmed for her to take over from Mills as part of the Eurovision commentary team.
As for the now vacant early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, the likes of Claudio Winkleman, Vernon Kay, fellow Manc Nick Grimshaw, the aforementioned Rylan, and several others have all been floated as potential stand-ins/future full-time hosts.
Do you think both should be given to Sara Cox, and if not, who would you like to see replace Scott Mills?
Daisy Jackson -
9th July 2023 
