The Clone Roses, alongside a host of other Manchester band tribute acts, will be taking to the stage at Heaton Park next summer.
The massive outdoor gig will celebrate our city’s rich musical heritage, with names like Oas-is, The Smiths Ltd, and Courtbetweeners all performing.
The show comes in celebration of The Clone Roses’ 25th anniversary and follows the success of last year’s Spike Island gig.
‘Heaton Park – The Resurrection’ will see the much-loved The Stone Roses tribute band follow in the footsteps of their idols Ian Brown, John Squire, Mani and Reni.
The Clone Roses. Credit: The Manc Wanderer
A decade after The Stone Roses’ 2012 reunion gigs at Heaton Park, The Clone Roses will be commemorating their own milestone.
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Gav Scott (aka ‘Ian’) says: “We’ve been wanting to do Heaton Park for ages but it’s such a popular and busy park. When the opportunity finally came, we couldn’t say no!
“Over the years, we’ve played the Blackpool Empress Ballroom, Spike Island, and now this… it feels like we’ve completed The Stone Roses cycle to a certain degree!”
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The Stone Roses at Heaton Park in 2012. Credit: Flickr
Speaking of those 2012 Heaton Park gigs, which Gav watched from the crowd, he said: “We went on the Saturday and it was strange for us as we weren’t really getting into it like everyone else… we were thinking things like ‘what’s Mani wearing’, ‘what’s the guitar John is playing,’ making notes on setlist!
“Still loved it mind, and we never got to see them first time round so it was an incredible moment for us… That Roses Heaton Park setlist was all the classic songs you’d hope them to play so I’ve no doubt our show will be very similar to their set in 2012.”
He continued: “We’d love to celebrate our 25th Anniversary in the city that have been so loyal to us from day one.
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“I think people have accepted that we really put the effort into recreating a Roses show and they are really supportive of what we do. In terms of the day itself, there’s going to be an absolute feast of Manchester music!”
Warm-up acts will include famous faces from the original Madchester era, like DJ sets from Bez and Clint Boon.
There’ll also be other ‘cloners’ (or tribute acts) including Oas-is, The Smiths Ltd, The Courtbetweeners, Happy Mondaze and The James Experience.
Heaton Park: The Resurrection will take place on Saturday 13 May 2023.
Tickets will be priced from £22.50, with VIP packages available, and go on sale on Saturday 5 November at 10am. You can get yours at www.the-resurrection.co.uk.
Gig Review | Mika shines at the AO Arena in Manchester on the first night of his world tour
Aimee Woodcock
Mika’s Manchester stop on his ‘Spinning Out’ global tour was a vibrant, high-energy celebration of all things pop.
Not happy with just walking on stage – this is Mika we’re talking about – he made his entrance on a spinning hamster wheel, bathing the AO Arena in kaleidoscopic lights.
Opening with ‘Modern Times’ and ‘Eleven’ from his latest discography before leaning into one of the classics, ‘Relax, Take it Easy’, the atmosphere inside the packed arena felt charged.
His stamina was something that stood out from the get-go, delivering every track with that signature Mika flair, accompanied by choreography and a live band that matched his energy – no mean feat.
The production leaned heavily into colour and movement, with swirling visuals and playful stage design that mirrored the tour’s theme of motion and momentum with nods to themes of LGBTQ+ rights.
Working through this current album, and after a quick outfit change, we were treated to an a cappella intro to another classic, ‘Lollipop’ with Mika dressed in a full pink suit (and shoes).
Between songs, Mika’s easy rapport with the crowd added warmth and intimacy to the arena-sized performance.
He shared anecdotes and playful banter, encouraging the crowd to sing along, uniting the fans.
Highlights included a rendition of ‘Grace Kelly’, which sparked one of the loudest reactions of the night, and a heartfelt performance of his more reflective ‘Happy Ending’ offered a welcome contrast to the glittering pop anthems.
Robbie Williams announces intimate gig in Manchester for BRITs Week 26 for War Child
Daisy Jackson
Iconic popstar Robbie Williams has announced a surprise gig in Manchester – and it’s soon.
The British star will be performing as part of the upcoming BRITs Week 26 for War Child, a gig series which is seeing huge artists playing intimate venues all over the UK.
Robbie Williams will be taking to the stage at Aviva Studios in Manchester in just a few weeks’ time, ahead of the BRIT Awards’ northern debut at the Co-op Live.
The 18-times BRIT Award-winner be performing tracks from his debut album Life Thru A Lens and his recent number one album BRITPOP, with support from indie chart-toppers Lottery Winners.
The newly-announced gig for Robbie Williams is part of BRITs Week, which takes place around The BRIT Awards 2026, with other artists performing in Manchester including Olivia Dean, Josh Baker, and The K’s.
All proceeds from the shows will go to help War Child’s essential work providing aid, education, specialist mental health support to children whose lives are affected by war.
Robbie Williams will perform at Aviva Studios in Manchester on 27 February.
BRITs Week 26 for War Child full lineup
12 February – Fatboy Slim – Boiler Shop, Newcastle, supported by Max Jones
16 February – Lambrini Girls – The Garage, London, supported by Bimini
18 February – Spiritualized – EartH Theatre, London
20 February – The K’s – Gorilla, Manchester
24 February – Myles Smith – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham, supported by Saint Raymond
25 February – Jack Savoretti and Katherine Jenkins OBE – Emerald Theatre, London, supported by Gabriella Cilmi
25 February – kwn – Patterns, Brighton, supported by CARI
25 February – Josh Baker – YES, Manchester, supported by Deliah and Alexandria
26 February – Rossi. – YES, Manchester, supported by Olive F
26 February – Olivia Dean – Albert Hall, Manchester
27 February – Jacob Alon – Music Hall at Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, supported by Lizzie Reid
27 February – Robbie Williams – Aviva Studios, Manchester, supported by Lottery Winners
Fans can enter the prize draw and win a pair of tickets to see the artist of their choice, for just a £10 per entry donation to War Child. Available HERE.
A limited number of tickets are also available on general sale HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd November 2022 
