A returning music series is taking place in Manchester again and it’s bringing together even more great DJs for some fantastic live sets.
Titled ‘The Drop’, this music celebration is the mastermind of Skiddle and Headstock, who have collaborated to raise funds to support the music industry and mental health awareness.
Both the leading organisations put music at the forefront of what they do with Skiddle as a UK-based online ticket platform and Headstock, a hugely important music and mental health social enterprise.
‘The Drop’ is a monthly event series created to raise funds for several charities that exist to support the mental health of people working in the music industry.
This all-new event has support from The Warehouse Project, one of the leading nightlife and music entertainment spots not just in Manchester but the UK, bringing in acts from all over the world.
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There are lots of music-tailored companies getting involved too including our very own music counterpart, Audio North.
DJ Paulette is always lifting our energy no matter where she goes.Turno is about to bring some drum and bass bangers.LF System are ready to show off some well-crafted mixes.Credit: Publicity Pictures (Supplied)
Currently, there are three big headliners that have just been announced and these acts are certainly music champions in the dance music scene, featuring LF System, DJ Paulette and Turno.
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LF System has reached incredible heights thanks to their unforgettable tune ‘Afraid To Feel’, which has now racked up nearly 500 million Spotify streams globally since its release in 2022.
Manchester music legend and Haçienda queen, DJ Paulette has also seen huge success with her mind-blowing mixes and soundtracking various music events.
The final headliner to be announced so far is Turno, who has played out to crowds of 10,000 at WHP and is respected for his in-your-face drum and bass beats.
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Each show within this monthly run will be hosted at Manchester music-led bar, Renae, which already has a cult-following thanks to its community feel and plenty of eclectic events.
DJ Paulette will be kicking off the series with her massive rave bangers and usual charismatic energy on 15 May – grab your tickets now.
‘The Drop’ continues with international DJ and producer Turno from 6:30-11pm on 26 June, with sets happening every month following, tickets are already available.
Following on from this is the sensational LF System who are taking over with a coffee table set joined by some special yet-to-be-announced guests – tickets HERE.
Boyzone to reunite for exclusive New Year’s Eve special on the BBC
Danny Jones
2025 has very much been the year of the comeback – be it Oasis, Britpop fashion in general, or short bobs and pixie cuts – so it’s only fitting that we round off the calendar with one last reunion, as throwback boyband Boyzone are set to feature on a TV special on the BBC this New Year’s Eve.
Turns out ‘All That I Need’ to make a year memorable is a load of 1990s nostalgia.
Now, obviously, despite plenty of other music names enjoying a second renaissance over the past 12 months or so, nothing is ever going to be quite as big as the Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour.
However, if you asked us to guess which group from the era were also going to reunite this year back in January, there’s not a chance we would’ve said Boyzone.
Boyzone are telling us about coming back together for one final run in their most unforgettable concerts yet 🎤
After news first began circulating earlier this week, it has now been confirmed that musician turned presenter Ronan Keating will be getting back together with two of his former bandmates.
Joining the 48-year-old for ‘Ronan & Friends: A New Year’s Eve Party’, ex-Boyzone members Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch are part of an exciting live music lineup.
Other names include actor and singer, Shona McGarty, who recently starred on season 25 of I’m A Celeb, as well as fellow 90s pop artist Louise Redknapp and singer-songwriter Calum Scott.
The exclusive reunion comes after the success of the recently aired Boyzone: No Matter What documentary show.
Spread across three parts on Sky, the docuseries (named after their hit song from 1998) looks back on the career and journey up the charts back in their heyday, all the way up to the present. After seemingly striking a chord with fans and the lads themselves, it looks like they’re not done after all…
Yes, not only is the festive TV special going to see three of the original members performing alongside each other again, but
Here’s hoping that turns into a springboard for something even bigger, and we get a Manchester arena show sometime soon.
As for the programme itself, ‘Ronan & Friends: A New Year’s Eve Party’ will be broadcast on BBC One and made available on BBC iPlayer from Wednesday, 31 December 2025.
A candlelit Queen tribute concert is returning to Manchester
Danny Jones
Yes, you read that right: a candlelit tribute concert to the one and only Queen is coming to Manchester city centre.
In fact, it’s coming home, as this wonderful event started right here in 0161 back in 2021.
Concerts by Candlelight themselves host concerts up and down the country at various points throughout the year, but their much-loved ‘Queen by Candlelight‘ special knows all about lighting up Manc venues.
Having since gone on to become an internationally acclaimed live concert experience, we’re glad we still get to see the ‘Princes of the Universe’ on our doorstep.
Credit: Concerts by Candlelight (supplied)
With the likes of Bridgewater Hall and the magical Manchester Monastery all having played host to the promotion on many ocassions, this time Queen by Candlelight is coming to the legendary Manchester Opera House in the new year.
One of our most historic and legendary theatres, it’s only fitting, really, that they be chosen to welcome a night of equally iconic tunes.
But it’s worth reminding more casual fans that these aren’t just British rock and pop anthems; Queen‘s discography is one that still has global recognition to this day.
That’s why this specific show has been taken to virtually every corner of the world, with the incredibly talented cast of singers and musicians delighting audiences in Dubai, Australia, New Zealand and New York, to domestic crowds here in town and down in London’s West End.
‘Queenies’ or ‘Darlings’, as Freddie Mercury used to call them, can expect all the big hits, from ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and ‘We Are The Champions’, to ‘It’s a Kind of Magic’ and ‘Who Wants to Live Forever’ and plenty more from the back catalogue.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s in store this coming January:
With tickets already flying out fast, we really would recommend securing your seats early before they inevitably sell out.
To quote the promoters themselves, “this spectacular celebration of Queen’s biggest hits is guaranteed to rock you.”
Coming to the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, 6 January, you can book your tickets for Queen by Candlelight right HERE.
And if you’ve never been to one of their candlelit events before, you only need to see how much of a ball we had at their country event earlier this year to find out how much fun they are…
Thomas Melia -
18th February 2025 
