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Everything you need to know about Michael McIntyre’s MAGNIFICENT tour at AO Arena

Dads, we do hope you kept your tickets in the 'man drawer'.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 22nd March 2024

British comedy legend Michael McIntyre is rolling back into Manchester this weekend for a double bill of his brand-new tour, MAGNIFICENT at the AO Arena.

Still one of the biggest names in UK comedy and always delivering a reliable and largely family-friendly performance (this being a 14+ show), he’s set to pack out the legendary Manc entertainment venue this Friday and Saturday.

Despite being a household name for the best part of two decades now, this latest show is actually his first stand-up tour in five years and has already received pretty solid reviews from the likes of Chorlte, so it’s great to see him back out on the circuit.

With all that in mind, we thought we’d provide those going along to either of his two Manchester shows with all the info you need.

Are there tickets left?

michael mcintyre manchester gig tickets
Credit: UKTV Gold

First off, if you’re still looking to grab tickets to see Michael McIntyre at Manchester’s AO Arena, although the Sunday is sold out there are still a fair few tickets left for the Friday, 22 March show.

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With the cheapest tickets starting from just £34.50 and the closest seats going all the way up to £147.06, you can pretty much have your pick of the bunch.

As always, if you’re feeling like being a bit posh and treating yourself (you always deserve it, as far as we’re concerned), you can of course spring for the more premium hospitality packages like the Electric Lounge’s Champagne Experience. You can find the full gamut of tickets HERE.

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Warm-up act and stage times for Michael McIntyre’s Manchester show

As for stage times, comedy shows at the AO Arena skew slightly earlier than the likes of your live music in Manchester but we can still let you know how long you can expect to be there.

Doors are set to open from 6pm on both nights but the jokes won’t start flying until 8pm, so you’ll have plenty of time to grab a drink, something to eat, nip to the loo etc.

With opening support act Jake Lambert — who has also turned with the likes of industry heavyweights Romesh Ranganathan and Jack Dee — set to take the stage for a 20-minute warm-up set at 8pm, McIntyre isn’t due on until 8:20pm, and his roughly 75-minute set will take you up to 22:10pm, so you should be out well before the venue’s curfew at 11pm.

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How to get to the AO Arena and other travel info

The AO Arena is right in the heart of the city centre, so it’s fairly easy to get to.

On foot:

The AO Arena is located within the Manchester Victoria Station complex in the city centre, on the corner of Trinity Way, Hunts Bank and Great Ducie Street. You can enter through the station (up the stairs), through the Trinity Way Tunnel, or from Hunts Bank.

By tram: Also super straight-forward – hop off the tram at Manchester Victoria and you’re right by the stairs to the venue. It’s also a short walk from Exchange Square and Shudehill. Trams run directly to Victoria Station from Rochdale, Bury, Altrincham, East Didsbury and the Airport.

By train: While Piccadilly is the city’s largest train station, plenty of trains do pass through Manchester Victoria. You can plan your journey through the National Rail website.

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Parking: The postcode if you’re driving to the AO Arena is M3 1AR. There’s an on-site CitiPark car park with 958 spaces, which can be pre-booked here. Bear in mind that Trinity Way is closed after concerts to allow gig-goers to leave safely, though cars are allowed out of the car park with directions from staff.

About the AO Arena

The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirements carefully before you travel.

For example, only one small bag per person is allowed, and bags like backpacks, travel cases and laptop bags are not permitted inside the arena.

All bags are scanned on entry to check for prohibited items like laser pens, flares, projectiles, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and even selfie sticks.

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We hope that should be everything you need to know ahead of Michael McIntyre’s two Manchester shows this weekend.

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The veteran comic also recently had to postpone a show in Southampton after undergoing surgery at the start of the month, so we’re glad to hear he’s back fit, fighting and funny.

Also, if you’re looking for somewhere for a classy drink and a nice bite to eat, then the brand-new Mezz restaurant is the perfect spot for some pre-gig fun.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images/The Manc Group

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Yard Act announce handful of new headline shows ahead of 6Music gig in Manchester

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Yard Act are back as they announce first round of UK headline dates since 2024, including a show right here in Manchester – but not before their BBC 6Music Festival gig later this week.

We are so, SO back.

It’s been a few years, but Yard Act have just announced a limited run of domestic shows for later in the year including their homecoming gig at the O2 Academy in Leeds on Friday, 6 November.

But after playing over in Yorkshire, the lads will be performing shows at the O2 Victoria Warehouse on the following Friday (13 Nov).

Yard Act completed the touring for their critically acclaimed second album, Where’s My Utopia?, with a victory lap back home at the 5000 capacity Millennium Square in Leeds in August ’24.

It was a record that brought a stark change of pace to the acerbic, post-punk of their debut, embracing something altogether more playful and bringing a different energy.

It shifted the dynamic on stage too, with the addition of dancing backing singers and additional musicians and openly challenged listeners to reconsider who they thought Yard Act were. 
 
Since then, the band have been keeping busy writing and recording their third studio LP, as well as heading out across the UK and Europe with The Hives – oh, and that intimate one-off show at Blackpool Tower last May.
 
Following a lengthy stint in the studio, the band now look to this coming autumn for three big UK dates and we cannot wait. We spoke to them a little while back and know how much big stuff they’ve got further pipeline; you can see the interview HERE.

yard act interview
yard act live shows uk
Credit: The Hoot/Audio North

Booking just three headline slots, the handful of tour dates are as follows:

  • 06 Nov – Leeds
  • 13 Nov – Manchester
  • 26 Nov – London

Tickets go on artist presale from 10am on Wednesday, 25 March before hitting general sale at 10am on Friday, 27 March. Sign up to grab yours right HERE.

As for those wanting to find out more about this year’s 6Music Fest, you find the full lineup and more down below.

BBC Radio 6 Music Festival reveals 2026 line-up across Greater Manchester grassroots venues

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group

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Enter Shikari announce SUPER intimate show in Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Enter Shikari Satans Hollow anniversary gig tickets

Much-loved British alternative band Enter Shikari have just announced a very, VERY intimate gig in Manchester city centre, and it’s happening rather soon.

It doesn’t matter how die-hard or casual a fan you are, you are simply not ready for this one…

Almost a full 20 years from what they still covet as a watershed breakout gig here in Greater Manchester, Enter Shikari are set to play none other than grassroots rock bar and nightclub, Satan’s Hollow, right in the heart of the city centre.

Pretty much the life and soul of the heavier music scene here in 0161 for decades now, it remains not only a treasured small-cap venue but arguably still among the go-to post-gig spots after any hard gig; you could say Enter Shikari are simply cutting out the middle man.

It’s fair to say that a group of their size very rarely get to play rooms as tiny as this one these days, so it’s sure to be quite a rowdy one for the electronically influenced post-hardcore outfit.

Formed way back in 1999 (if you can believe that), they’re more used to selling out arena tours all over the world, including their upcoming Co-op Live gig this winter.

It’s also worth mentioning that this will be their single biggest domestic headline show to date.

But not before they go back to where it all started for them in this city, booking a certain-to-sell-out Shikari show at Satan’s Hollow – a Manchester venue they first played in 2006.

In fact, they’ve actually shared footage from that fateful night, and yes, the quality is as bad as you’d expect, but it gives you an idea of what the atmosphere was like then, let alone now their fan base has grown so much over the years.

We actually interviewed them a while back ahead of their mini-Manc residency at New Century Hall, and it’s clear they still have a strong affinity for this part of the world – hence why they’re still coming back regularly to this day.

Speaking on this milestone moment, the band wrote in a statement: “Manchester’s a city that means a lot to us. The Satan’s Hollow show back in April ’06 was the first sense we got that ‘something’ was ‘happening’. A queue around the block and total chaos inside.

We’ve had a lot of memorable shows in Manchester since then (and in November we’ll play our biggest ever UK headline show there!), but for some reason that night at Satan’s Hollow kept coming
up in conversation, so the anniversary show was just too tempting.”

Tickets for this unmissable show will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for those who register HERE up until 9:30am tomorrow, Wednesday, 25 March.

The gig itself is happening on 9 April, with support from Liverpool’s very own East Exchange as support. Best of luck to all those trying to cop tickets, and hopefully we’ll see you at Satan’s.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Kate Hook (supplied via Chuff Media)

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