It’s rare that we get to speak in superlatives like this but arguably the biggest rock band on the planet is coming to Manchester this week; that’s right, the Foo Fighters are back in town.
Undoubtedly one of the biggest names to ever do it, it’s been six years whole years since the Foos last came to 0161 and nearly a decade since they last played the Old Trafford cricket ground, delivering one of the most legendary sets this city has ever seen.
Having released their most recent record, Here We Are (Foo Fighters’ 11th studio album and the first since the tragic loss of Taylor Hawkins) around this time last year, we’re looking forward to hearing all their latest hits live for the first time – as well as all the bangers, of course.
Let’s be honest, they’re pretty much all bangers, that’s why they sell out massive arena tours all over the world. Anyway, enough prattling on, here’s everything you need to know about Foo Fighters’ return to Manchester and Emirates Old Trafford.
We’ll be straight with you, it’s very slim pickings.
ADVERTISEMENT
Unsurprisingly, you’re only hope of grabbing a ticket to see Foo Fighters here in Manchester is by opting for a resale, with tickets for the main standing pitch starting from £92 on Thursday, 13 June (before fees) and what seats there are left strictly in the Platinum section. Things look even pricier for the Saturday.
We’re talking £172.50 upwards but if money’s no object and you want to spring from a fully decked-out hospitality experience, then by all means, go right ahead.
ADVERTISEMENT
You can see what limited availability there is left HERE and obviously, be sure to keep your eye out via trusted resellers like TicketSwap and Twickets but we urge you to avoid illegal ticket touts at all costs.
Who is supporting Foo Fighters in Manchester?
Well, the answer to this question all depends on which night you’re going along to.
For those with tickets to see the first Foo Fighters show on the Thursday, you’ll be treated to the stylings of breakout British stars Wet Leg, as well as fellow rising indie-rock and funky post-punk stars Loose Articles, from none other than right here in Manchester.
ADVERTISEMENT
However, if you’re heading to the weekend show on Saturday, 15 June, you’ve got a different pair of support acts in store, as Aussie singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett and Welsh alt-rock trio Chroma will be serving as warm-ups for the main event.
Either way, you’re going to have a hell of a show on your hands.
As for when you can expect all of these lovely acts to take the stage, obviously set times are always subject to change but here is everything we know so far.
It’s a much earlier start than most gigs – at least on Thursday, anyway – with gates opening from 4pm and Manc outfit Loose Articles getting things started at 5:25pm and due to finish just before 6pm.
Wet Leg are then set to follow up with the main support set at 6:15pm and playing until 7pm. From there, you’ll have a half-hour interval to grab yourself a drink, nip to the loo etc. before Dave Grohl and co. start their headline set at 7:30pm.
ADVERTISEMENT
The curfew is set to 10.30pm, leaving you plenty of time to get home, and although the times haven’t been officially rolled out for Saturday, you can expect something roughly similar.
Setlist
Now, we just so happen to be the first stop on the UK leg of their ‘Everything or Nothing’ at All tour, so we can only go off the most recent run of shows over in the US when looking at what the boys are going to play later this week.
Fortunately, the folks over at trusty old Setlist.fm have done exactly that to compile an average setlist for Foo Fighters’ double bill at Manchester’s Old Trafford Cricket Ground. Subject to change, as always, but here’s what you can roughly expect.
All My Life
No Son of Mine
Rescued
The Pretender
Times Like These
La Dee Da
Breakout
Medicine at Midnight
Walk
Guitar Solo / Sabotage / Keyboard Solo / Blitzkrieg Bop / Whip It / March of the Pigs
The Sky Is a Neighborhood
Learn to Fly
Arlandria
These Days
Shame Shame
Monkey Wrench
The Glass
Aurora
Best of You
Everlong
Encore:
The Teacher
Foo Fighters have made no secret about their love of Manchester crowds and our music heritage. (Credit: Scarlet Page)
Travel info
Getting there by tram
There are a number of stops within easy walking distance of the ground:
ADVERTISEMENT
Old Trafford (Bury/Altrincham lines) – located next to the stadium
Trafford Bar (Altrincham/East Didsbury/Manchester Airport lines) – 10-minute walk.
Along Chester Road/Trafford Bar – a 20-minute walk from the venue
X50 – Piccadilly Gardens – Old Trafford – Trafford Park – Worsley
250– Piccadilly Gardens – Trafford Park – The Trafford Centre
You can see a full interactive map for public transport down below.
Getting there car/parking
According to TfGM, congestion on the roads close to the ground is due to build around two hours before the event, with hotspots towards the ground from junction seven of the M60 (Chester Road), and the Mancunian Way if you are travelling from the city centre, as well as Trafford Park and the Trafford Centre.
If you need to travel by car to the Emirates Old Trafford, we advise you to plan your journey in advance, official parking is available at the venue with entry gates located on both Talbot Road and Great Stone Road, with ‘Pay on Foot’ machines installed at official car parks.
ADVERTISEMENT
It goes without saying that you need to ensure you’re parking responsibly during the events so that other road users and local residents can also use the highways in and around the ground.
And that should be just about all you need to know about the Foo Fighters two dates at Old Trafford this week – we cannot wait to see all the footage popping up on socials.
We know it’s going to be an emotional couple of nights as this is the first time Manc crowds will be seeing the rock legends take the stage without Taylor, but you already know we’re going to sing our hearts out.
Go and make it a special one, Manchester.
Featured Images — Andi K. Taylor (supplied)/The Manc Group
Audio
Nostalgic rock icons Weezer announce huge arena show in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Weezer have announced a massive gig in Manchester as part of an upcoming arena tour, celebrating a brand-new album release.
The nostalgic rock icons will be playing at the Co-op Live next spring, alongside gigs in UK cities including Leeds, Newcastle, and Glasgow.
The American rockers have announced The Gathering 2027 World Tour and released the music video for C.E.O, starring Tony Hawk, Curry Barker, and more.
They’ll also be releasing a self-titled new album, Weezer, on 21 August, which Rolling Stone has already called ‘one of the best Weezer albums of this century’.
It’s set to be their 20th (twentieth!!!!) studio album, joining chart-topping records like Make Believe, Maladroit, and the Green Album.
Weezer will be performing hits from their huge back catalogue, including Buddy Holly, Hash Pipe, and Say It Ain’t So.
The huge tour will kick off in the States in February next year before heading across to Japan and Europe.
And Weezer will have some huge support in the form of fellow American rock group, Taking Back Sunday.
Weezer will be performing at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 25 May, 2026.
You can pre-order the new album from the Weezer webstore before 3pm on Monday 10 August to get pre-sale access.
Then the general sale begins from 10am on Friday 14 August, with tickets on sale HERE.
Weezer, The Gathering World Tour – UK and European dates in full
Wed 12 May – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena
Fri 14 May – Newcastle, UK – Utilita Arena
Sat 25 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Mon 17 May – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
Wed 19 May – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Fri 21 May – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Sat 22 May – London, UK – Alexandra Palace
Sun 23 May – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
Tues 25 May – Paris, France – Zenith
Wed 26 May – Amsterdam, The Netherlands – AFAS Live
Kendal Calling turns 21 in fine form with a brilliant bunch of headliners – and that was just the start…
Danny Jones
Oh, what a long weekend we had at Kendal Calling 2026, our fourth consecutive visit to the beloved festival proclaimed as ‘the favourite’ by many across the North West, and forever ‘the best’ if you hail from in and around Cumbria.
Now 21 editions into its run, the Penrith party down in Lowther Deer Park has gone from being a cult classic among natives in and around the Lake District a couple of decades ago, to one celebrated all over – and for good reason.
Apart from delivering stellar lineups year in, year out, it’s also one of the most family-friendly festivals you’ll ever come across.
But having said that, they still know how to kick a party into gear when the sun sets…
With The Kooks, The Cribs, Manchester up-and-comers Spangled, Oldham’s very own Tim Burgess, and many more opening up the party on Thursday night, they hit the ground running early doors.
Speaking of the turf, the wider arena was nice and dry this year, with punters only being treated to very short showery intervals, and most overnight.
Having the perfect conditions obviously helps, but we will say that Kendal Calling remains one of the brave few that powers in through regardless of the weather.
Nevertheless, we didn’t have to worry about it for KC2026, and maybe it’s just recency bias, but the entire festival site somehow looked prettier than ever, especially soaked in all that sun.
The dappled rays coming through trees over in the ‘Lost Eden’ definitely made the Woodlands stage as special as we’ve ever seen it – including those magical neon nights – and we even got to chat with Yorkshire lass Ellur ahead of her spellbinding set out in the forest.
Still surprising people more than two decades in
Lots caught us by surprise this year, such as Dutch indie pop group Son Mieux (our new obsession, by the way), as well as Fletchr Fletchr, who we now believe really need to be seen live to truly appreciate every aspect of their huge potential.
And then there was rising Sunderland star Tom A. Smith (again, over in the Woodlands), who joked he was “never there” after filling in on short notice at the same festival he first played when he was 12.
Fair to say he’s come some way since then, and you won’t find many more electric performers from this very confident, talented and still very young man.
But nothing more so than the surprise acoustic set starring the legendary Pete Doherty ahead of The Libertines’ main stage slot later that day, which we had to sprint across the fields to just about catch after hearing about. We had to climb up the side of a window to get the view of those that beat us there.
This year, we also thought we’d go around and ask those who know it best just what makes it so special, and more importantly, what keeps them coming back. Here’s what they had to say:
“I’ve been five times over 11 years. I’m Cumbrian-born but based in Manchester, so there’s always the pull to travel back home for it, and I’d definitely come more if I could. First memory that pops into mind is seeing The Vaccines when they were just getting big, and now over a decade on I got to see them on the main stage all these years and albums later – really full circle.
“One of the best parts about it is just how much there is on; back when I first started coming, they still were spotlighting local bands like Colt 45, but they just so happened to be on the same bill as Snoop Dog – and now I’ve seen everyone from Tom Jones and the Sugarhill Gang to The Darkness and now Biffy.
“Despite the festival growing in size and in terms of the acts that flock to it now, it still feels like one that looks after smaller names; it’s still got that wholesome, all-ages feel, and can be enjoyed for lots more than the music. I’ve definitely grown a new appreciation for everything it has to offer as I’ve gotten older.”
Nick, 32, from Dearham
The LathumsBiffy ClyroRed Rum ClubDeaf Havana, and SO many more…Credit: Audio North
We also asked another seasoned veteran of the annual summer fest how they’d sum it up in as few words as possible, to which they responded: “Nature, variety and (at times) questionable weather.”
Once again, we’ve definitely had wetter ones in the past – it is the North of England after all – but the music gods were smiling down on us all weekend long, and that extra dose of vitamin D definitely helped keep us going.
More personal highlights include closing headliners Wolf Alice, as well as Circa Waves and Groove Armada on the final night, as we somehow managed to catch a bit of all three, not to mention Deaf Havana, who drew their loyal crowd of passionate fans and gave us one of the best sets of the whole weekend.
And then, of course, there was ‘Biffy… F***ing… Clyroooo’. The Manc arm of the Audio North team were lucky enough to catch the Scottish gods at their huge headline gig at Co-op Live, but BOY did jumping around in a sea of people from all over as confetti, streamers, fireworks, and literal fire hit even harder.
With Kendal, Tramlines, Parklife, Beat-Herder, and Neighbourhood Weekender all under our belt already this year, we feel truly blessed to be in what is undoubtedly one of the best periods for live music festivals we’ve known; you can check out some of our other reviews down below.
Other than that, all we have left to say is thank you to Hanglands and the KC crew as always for having us along, and we’ll catch you in the fields the same time next year. Over and out.
Danny Jones -
11th June 2024 
