Eric Clapton will return to Manchester for his first show here in 10 years – and he’s chosen the brand-new Co-op Live arena to do it.
The legendary guitarist and multi-award-winning artist is the second show to be announced at the huge new arena (the first was Jonas Brothers), which will be the largest in the UK when it opens in April 2024.
The Co-op Live arena is promising 25 shows within its opening month, with fans waiting eagerly for the line-up.
Eric Clapton will be performing on 18 May 2024, his first gig in Manchester in more than a decade.
The 18-time Grammy Award-winner is regarded as one of the greatest guitarists of all time, selling more than 280 million records worldwide.
His appearance at Co-op Live will be one of nine dates on his upcoming UK and Ireland tour.
The venue itself is a joint venture between Oak View Group and City Football Group, and has been built as a music-first arena.
An aerial impression of Co-op Live arena in Manchester
That means world-leading acoustics, an innovative bowl design and a large standing floor to bring fans closer to the artists, and a concourse packed with bars, clubs, and restaurants.
Gary Roden, executive director and general manager at Co-op Live, says: “We are thrilled that Eric Clapton will return to Manchester for the first time in ten years as part of Co-op Live’s opening season from April 2024.
“With Co-op Live’s intimate design, there will be no better place to see him play his decades-long list of classic songs. We look forward to revealing some of the other artists performing during our opening season in the coming weeks.”
Eric Clapton will perform at Co-op Live in Manchester on 18 May 2024.
Co-op members will gain early access to tickets through a designated pre-sale from 10am on 7 September 2023. General sale tickets are available through See Tickets from 10am on 11 September 2023.
Fontaines D.C. at Wythenshawe Park – tickets, times, supports, setlist and everything you need to know
Danny Jones
Besides Oasis’ glorious Heaton Park homecoming, the two biggest headline gigs in Greater Manchester are happening this weekend, with Fontaines D.C. kicking off Live From Wythenshawe Park 2025 this Friday, 15 August.
The Irish giants are bringing their now global, groundbreaking and critically acclaimed musical exports to Manchester for the second time in less than a year, only this will be their biggest gig in this city to date.
Fontaines last visited Manchester back in November as one of the biggest rock, indie and alternative bands to play Aviva Studios, home of Factory International; it’s fair to say it was a stormer.
And now scenes like THIS are set to be scaled up to a field full of Mancs and tourists alike, so it’s best to know what you’re in for…
Fontaines D.C. at Wythenshawe Park – all the important info
Fontaines Wythenshawe Park tickets: are there any left?
For starters, if you’re wondering whether there are tickets left for Fontaines at Wythenshawe Park, we’re afraid to inform you that general admission unfortunately sold out in a flash.
There are still VIP options available via Ticketmaster if you fancy treating yourself, but they will set you back a pretty penny.
Of course, you can always keep your eyes out via trusted resale sites like Twickets and TicketSwap, but as always, proceed with caution – let’s help the kick touts out of the music industry.
'I'M GON' HIT YOUR BUSINESS IF IT'S MOMENTARY BLISSNESS—UGHHHHH!' 🔥
We’ll confess, one of the things we’re most excited about ahead of the Dublin County icons returning to 0161 is the lineup of supports booked for Fontaines D.C. at Wythenshawe Park.
There are no warm-ups; we would and have already happily paid full whack to see some of these supports headline both here in Manchester and around the North.
Not only will fans be getting to see fellow Irish post-punk band The Murder Capital kick off the live music proceedings, but Leeds’ very own Mercury Prize-winning English Teacher will be following them up, before Gaelic rap trio, Kneecap from Northern Ireland, really ramp up the energy.
There’s even going to be DJ sets from So Young record label and magazine, as well as none other than The Stone Roses’ Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield.
Fortunately, the DC boys have also made things nice and simple when it comes to stage times, too, with a full running order for each artist’s set already published.
They are as follows:
The Murder Capital – 16:25
English Teacher – 17:35
Kneecap – 18:50
Fontaines D.C. – 20:30
Doors to the massive outdoor Wythenshawe music venue will be open from 4pm, and the aforementioned DJ sets will be played in between each of the support acts, before the main event gets underway slightly earlier than most other headliners.
As for what the lads will be playing, an added bonus of their ongoing world tour is that it’s given us plenty of time to get to grips with the current Fontaines setlist – or at least the bulk of it.
This is based on their last big standout headline show at Cardiff Castle in Wales (courtesy of Setlist.fm).
Starburster / In Heaven (Lady in the Radiator Song)
Last but not least, there’s just the small matter of getting there. While we’d always recommend travelling as green as possible/using public transport where you can, there are still some car park tickets that you can buy online from the Live From Wythenshawe website.
As for those of you catching a ride, there is yellow signage to the north of the site, which will lead you to the pick-up/drop-off point on Wythenshawe Road, M23 0AB.
There are also three tram stops to choose from: Wythenshawe Park, Moor Road and Baguley. However, it’s worth noting that both Wythenshawe Park and Baguley will be closed from 9pm, so you won’t be able to get back home this way.
Finally, you can always catch one of the shuttle buses back into the city centre. The service will be operating in a loop from Sale and the city centre, running from 1-8pm on the way to Wythenshawe Park and then from 8pm-1:30am when heading home.
For more information, you can find all the up-to-date travel stuff HERE or check out (TfGM) Transport for Greater Manchester’s guidance and even use their interactive map
We also want to remind everyone to get there with plenty of time to avoid queuing and congestion on public transport in and around Greater Manchester.
Last but not least, make sure to mind the weather, drink plenty of water, look after each other and, above all else, have an absolute belter.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press Shots (supplied)
Music
A huge record fair is coming to Manchester city centre this bank holiday
Thomas Melia
There’s a record fair making its way to Manchester next weekend, and it’s taking over one of Manchester’s iconic live music venues.
Record lovers and music fanatics this one’s for you.
Whether you’re after growing your own record collection back home, or showing off your DJ skills, this event has everything you could ever ask for.
The Very Good Plus record fair is arriving in Manchester city centre, and it’s coming to none other than independent live music venue, New Century.
You’ll be able to browse through some of the best vinyl in the region and hopefully spot some releases by some of your musical icons.
There’s even family-friendly stations which give little ones and grown-ups alike the chance to try their hand at making and designing their own record sleeve, as well as getting stuck in with a screen-printing workshop.
A record fair event is taking place at Manchester music venue New Century and NOMA this bank holiday / Credit: The Manc Group
If you cant find any LPs you’re after, you’ll definitely find a caffeinated drink or two at Sadler’s Yard and even have a go at creating your own track on the open decks.
There will be a variety of food and drink options, as well as some food for the soul too, thanks to an array of DJ sets running until the evening courtesy of Ded Luvly on a Pulp Coffee sound system.
Live music lovers can rejoice as just for this record fair event, they’ll be able to roam around this huge gig space and if you head downstairs there’ll be a DJ workshop and sound system experience taking place.
This music-oriented event is a collaboration between iconic music venue New Century, city centre neighbourhood NOMA, and DJ and music aficionado, Living Room Dance Club.
So get ready to dig through the crates, create a few demos of your own, design an album cover or two and enrich yourself in all things music because this event has it all.
The Very Good Plus record fair is coming to NOMA and New Century in Manchester on Saturday 23 August from 11am until 6pm, and it’s completely free – apart from all the money you spend on some good quality vinyl, of course.
Daisy Jackson -
1st September 2023 
