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Watch as The 1975 bring on Taylor Swift in London and the crowd absolutely lose their minds
This tour just keeps getting more bonkers by the minute.
As The 1975 slowly work their way back towards Manchester on their massive world tour, they played the first of two stunning sold-out shows in the capital on Thursday night.
However, those lucky enough to get a ticket to the gig at London’s O2 weren’t just treated to The 1975 ‘At Their Very Best’, as the band also had a very special surprise in store as well.
Yes, not only did the audience fans get to see Matty Healy and co., but they also had their minds blown as the band just casually dropped a Taylor Swift guest appearance in their laps.
As you can imagine, the reaction was utterly ridiculous. Here is the moment The 1975 bring on Taylor Swift to thousands of unsuspecting fans, just because they can. Headphone users beware…
This one is by far the best. A pure meltdown.
Rumours of both Swift and Harry Styles being spotted in and around the venue, but no one could have prepared themselves for this.
Set to embark on a fresh tour herself in March following the release of her new album Midnights back in October, she decided to pop up with a little acoustic set as The 1975 lads watched on from the wings.
As well as doing her own cover of ‘The City’ from Wilmslow‘s outfit Facedown EP and self-titled debut album, Taylor also played her latest hit single ‘Anti-Hero’ live for the first time.
Again, the reaction was as ecstatic as you expect:
The surprises didn’t just stop there either. Guitarist Adam Hann’s wife Carly Holt finally got her moment in the spotlight too, as she joined the band on stage for only the second time to perform ‘About You‘.
Holt sings the bridge on the penultimate song on the group’s latest album, Being Funny in a Foreign Language, with the track and her section, in particular, becoming a bit of a cult favourite among their fan base.
The clamour on social media for her to become part of the permanent setlist has been massive and it seems the band have been listening. This is rather sweet, isn’t it?
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American fans attending during the American leg of the tour were also treated to a surprise appearance by Phoebe Bridgers back in November and whilst it hasn’t been a staple of their shows, historically, fans are starting to wonder who else might step out on stage before the full run of shows is done.
With their homecoming gig at the AO Arena just around the corner (20 January) and a certain ex-One Direction star already having been spotted at that gig, some are starting to wonder whether they’ll be seeing some extra Style for Manchester date.
Either way, the pandemonium, controversy and unlimited supply of memes this tour has sprung really is quite something. We don’t see there being a future 1975 gig without “don’t like menthols” hanging over it for some time.
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Featured Image — @mewlancholia (via Twitter)/ben37as (via TikTok)/The 1975 (via IG)
Audio
Kaiser Chiefs continue debut album’s 20th anniversary celebrations with more tour dates
Danny Jones
Northern music veterans Kaiser Chiefs are set to continue the celebrations of their debut album’s 20th anniversary with even more milestone tour dates next year.
It’s hard to believe it’s been two decades since their very first LP, Employment, was first released, just before the onslaught of indie landfill took over the UK and beyond back in the 200s, but it really has been that long.
2025 has seen the beloved Yorkshire band rolling back the years and playing all the hits from the seminal debut record, and since the scenes at Glastonbury, Kendal Calling, Tramlines, Latitude and more have been such good vibes, they’ve decided to keep the party going even longer.
Announcing further tour dates next February, the Leeds legends will be heading back on the road before you know it and playing all of the hits.
Confirming a dozen new live shows, the noughties hit-makers behind ‘I Predict A Riot’, ‘Ruby’, ‘Oh My God’ and many more will be heading to Manchester for just the second stop on their upcoming tour.
Heading to O2 Victoria Warehouse on Saturday, 14 February, the ever-familiar British five-piece haven’t yet announced a hometown gig.
That being said, we have a feeling you can expect something extra special – perhaps a Temple Newsam 2.0 – to be revealed for them not too far down the line.
Speaking on the tour extension, frontman Ricky Wilson said: “This summer, we played a load of shows to mark the release of our debut album, Employment. It went well. Probably better than our first summer 20 years ago.
“It was the year after that first year that things really took off, so we hope you will join us in February to help celebrate with us ‘the year it really took off’.
“If you were with us the first time, or unfortunately missed out due to other commitments, we hope you will join us for a joyous lap of honour. (Plus, I spent quite a bit on a new blazer and want to get my money’s worth)”.
Our Audio North followers will be glad to hear that there a plenty of gigs taking place up at the top end of the country, and you can see the full list of ‘More Employment‘ shows down below.
Kaiser Chiefs’ 2026 UK tour dates:
- 13 Fri – Bradford, Live
- 14 Sat – Manchester, O2 Victoria Warehouse
- 15 Sun – Stockton, Globe
- 17 Tue – Dundee, Live House
- 18 Wed – Glasgow, Barrowland
- 20 Fri – London, Eventim Apollo
- 21 Sat – Hull, Connexin Live
- 23 Mon – Norwich, UEA
- 24 Tue – Swansea, Building Society Arena
- 26 Thu – Bournemouth, International Centre
- 27 Fri – Cambridge, Corn Exchange
- 28 Sat – Wolverhampton, The Halls
Tickets for the Kaiser Chiefs’ show here in Manchester, as well as all other nights live on Friday, 22 August from 9am; you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
We’ll see you there.
And until then, why not see what the lads had to say to our friends over at The Hoot when we interviewed them back in May?…
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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.
Featured Images — Cal McIntyre (supplied)/press shots/The Manc Group
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Manchester Pride announces Nelly Furtado as surprise headliner
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Pride has just dropped another huge headliner for this year’s festival – and it’s only global pop superstar Nelly Furtado.
The huge LGBTQ+ festival, celebration and protest had kept its final headliner under wraps for months, but has today announced the Maneater star will be joining the line-up for 2025.
Nelly Furtado will co-headline Manchester Pride alongside Olly Alexander, with tickets for both the Gay Village Party and Mardi Gras already on sale.
Also announced on the line-up today are DJ Paulette and Moonchild Sanelly.
Manchester Pride 2025 will take place from Friday 22 to Monday 25 August, with four days of live music, celebrations, the parade, parties, and the candlelit vigil.
Already-announced headliners include Olly Alexander, Leigh-Anne, Billy Porter, and Tulisa, alongside loads more queer artists.
Nelly Furtado is known for her anthems like Maneater, Promiscuous and I’m Like A Bird, and will bring Mardi Gras to an uplifting, powerful end on Sunday 24 August.
Homegrown legend DJ Paulette will also join the Sunday Mardi Gras line-up, along with South African trailblazer Moonchild Sanelly on Friday at the Gay Village Party.
Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, said: “Welcoming an Icon like Nelly Furtado alongside DJ Paulette and Moonchild Sanelly further showcases the diversity of musical tastes that we’re catering for. They’re each sure to create some unforgettable moments.
“Manchester Pride 2025 will be bold, brilliant, and bursting with Pride energy, but it’s at a tipping point.
“Pride can only thrive if our community shows up: by attending events, joining the Parade, and buying supporter bands.
“We’ve seen what happens when we don’t rally together, and we cannot let that happen in our City. This is the moment to stand up, come together, party as a protest and ensure Pride continues to shine long into the future.”
For full-day line-ups and more information on Manchester Pride 2025, download the Manchester Pride app.
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Featured image: Supplied
