Nicki Minaj has now finally confirmed the rescheduled date for her Manchester gig following her arrest in Amsterdam over the weekend.
In case you need bringing up to speed, the Trinidadian-born rapper and singer-songwriter was due to be flying from the Dutch capital over to Manchester this past Saturday (25 May) to perform a handful of sold-out shows at the city’s newest state-of-the-art arena, Co-op Live, as part of her ‘Pink Friday 2’ world tour.
But, in what was a chaotic and rapidly-developing saga, the 41-year-old was arrested at Amsterdam Schipol Airport after allegedly trying to take what was described as “soft drugs” into another country, according to Dutch Police.
Unsurprisingly, despite fans being let inside the arena and waiting several inside the brand-new premises hoping that Minaj would come on stage to perform, the Co-op Live, gig had to be called-off right at the last minute.
A statement from Co-op Live announcing the gig’s postponement on the night said: “Nicki Minaj’s scheduled performance at Manchester’s Co-op Live on Saturday 25th May has been postponed.
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“Tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled performance which will be announced ASAP.
“Despite Nicki’s best efforts to explore every possible avenue to make tonight’s show happen, the events of today have made it impossible. We are deeply disappointed by the inconvenience this has caused. More information will be available at your point of purchase.”
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The ‘Starships’ and ‘Anaconda’ singer was providing a live commentary of her arrest saga on her official social media platforms on Saturday night, and was very vocal on how her situation was being treated and handled by authorities, before eventually issuing a public apology to all fans who had travelled to see her in Manchester on the first night of her shows.
Nicki Minaj has confirmed the date for her rescheduled Manchester gig after Amsterdam arrest chaos / Credit: Nicki Minaj (via Facebook)
“Please please please accept my deepest and most sincere apologies,” Minaj wrote on X.
“[Dutch police] sure did know exactly how to hurt me today, but this too shall pass. They’ve been doing this over and over and over and over and over again, and I’ve tried so hard to not discuss it because you guys deserve to just get the good stuff. I hate involving you in anything that isn’t for entertainment purposes only.
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“We will have another date for [the 25 May] show shortly, and I’ll probably be able to share it tomorrow.
“One July option and one June option is currently being discussed. I’ll find a way to not only make up the date with the performance, but I’m going to create an added bonus for everyone that had a ticket for this show. Promise.”
Minaj also expressed her gratitude to Co-op Live’s willingness to keep the venue’s doors open until past 11:30pm on the night, in the event that she may have been able to perform.
OK guys, I was JUST RE-ADVISED that we actually CAN NOT do any other date for the make up #gagcityMANCHESTER date besides JUNE 3rd. So JUNE 3rd is the new official date for all ticket holders who originally had tickets to the MAY 25th #Manchester show. I apologize for all the…
And now, following days of discussion to agree on the plan of action – and following ‘confirmation’ of an incorrect reschedule date, which was already booked for Kings of Leon – Minaj and Co-op Live have now officially confirmed the date for the rescheduled show.
The ill-fated 25 May show has now been rescheduled for next Monday (3 June 2024), it has been confirmed.
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“OK guys, I was JUST RE-ADVISED that we actually CAN NOT do any other date for the make up #gagcityMANCHESTER date besides JUNE 3rd. So JUNE 3rd is the new official date for all ticket holders who originally had tickets to the MAY 25th Manchester show.
“I apologize for all the inconvenience this has caused. I really hope you can make the #JUNE3rd show. It’ll be really special.
“Ticketmaster will contact you to advise officially. Love you.”
Featured Image – Nicki Minaj / Live Nation / Ticketmaster
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Greater Manchester’s ‘Stroll for Salford’ walking event returns for its second year in 2026
Danny Jones
Following its successful debut last year, Greater Manchester’s now much-loved Stroll for Salford (SfS) event is back for 2026 this autumn.
We’d like to think everyone from around here is filled with hometown pride, but you ask anyone from Salford, and they’ll quickly remind you that this place is its own city, and that it quite rightly deserves celebrating all of its own.
And that’s exactly what the SfS is all about: not just toasting it as the region’s so-called ‘second city’, but as the culturally abundant place that it is and has been for more than 100 years.
Yes, with this sophomore edition following on from the borough celebrating its official Centenary, what better time to hail all things Salfordian.
Stroll for Salford is back🚶🧡
We are delighted to announce the return of the popular fundraising walk back for its second edition on Saturday 19th September as part of Salford's Centenary Year celebrations!
— Salford City FC Foundation (@SalfordCity_FDN) July 30, 2026
Set up by Salford City FC and the partnered charity arm, Foundation 92, the inaugural walk raised more than £3,000 for charity with its maiden event.
Thousands got behind the cause, be it through volunteering and/or donating, as well as talking on the walking route itself back in October.
It’s actually happening a little earlier this time, with the second Stroll for Salford scheduled for Saturday, 19 September.
Kicking off from 10am, those taking part will be setting out on foot for a six-mile journey across the city, starting at the likes of the Civic Centre in Swinton, before passing through other key towns and finishing, of course, at Salford’s AIG Stadium on Moor Lane in Kersal.
The local League Two side continues to do plenty of important work in and around the community – this is just one of many recent, well-received initiatives.
As mentioned earlier, those getting involved will not only receive a special Salford t-shirt following the event alongside a finisher’s medal, but even a complimentary ticket to go and see ‘The Ammies’ in action at their home ground this season.
Not a bad deal at all.
For anyone uninitiated interested in coming along the journey, the route will also pass several key landmarks and a real sense of local history – all while doing your bit for a good cause.
You can help raise important funds for the local area and sign up for the Stroll for Salford 2026 HERE.
Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, another wholesome all-ages event is fast-approaching this August, too; keep on reading to find out all about it…
Andy Burnham invites opposition party leaders to help tackle ‘broken’ social care system
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has announced that he is making the choice to fix the ‘broken’ social care system by finding ‘common ground’ across party lines.
Attempting to draw a line under what the Government has described as ‘decades of decline’ and a refusal to tackle these problems head on, Andy Burnham has now called on all political parties to focus on solving problems and finding solutions together, rather than pointing fingers at the opposition and getting nowhere.
The Prime Minister has reiterated the need for ‘a new kind of politics’ that puts differences aside in order to come together and face up to the challenges that he says Westminster has left unaddressed for ‘too long’.
Burnham invited the leaders of the two main opposition parties, Kemi Badenoch and Ed Davey, to meet with him today (29 July) to ‘kickstart’ this work and discuss an urgent reform on social care.
The three leaders were jointed by Health Secretary Yvette Cooper and Baroness Louise Casey, who is leading the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care which will draw up recommendations to deliver a National Care Service.
Baroness Casey has also launched the new Big Conversation on Care today.
The Big Conversation on Care is giving the public a chance to share their views and help shape the future of adult social care in England so that it is designed for the people it is there to serve.
The consultation will be open to everyone through a new online platform, and will start off the conversation by asking people about what the ‘values and principles’ we should all expect from a care system are.
“Last week I said we needed a different kind of politics [and] nowhere is that more urgent than social care,” Andy Burnham said in his speech.
“For decades, Governments have kicked this issue down the road because they’ve seen it as too risky, too difficult, and too complicated. Politicians might have different views but I’m serious about fixing this issue, and to do that, we have to find common ground and listen to others to find a way forward.
“That’s why I’m making this choice and I’m prepared to put everything I’ve got behind it.”
The Prime Minister says it’s time to ‘draw a line under people playing politics’ when the human cost of that means carers are struggling, families are paying the price, and the NHS is ‘buckling’ under the strain.
“This comes down to a choice,” his statement continued.
“We can carry on passing the problem to the next generation, or we can face it head on and work together to build a care system that gives people dignity, security and the support they deserve.”
Emily Sergeant -
28th May 2024 
