Everyone and their nan has been trying to get tickets to see Coldplay across one of their twelve UK dates next summer.
The nine-time BRIT award winners have continued to see immense success ever since their debut album in the millennium.
Their most recent achievement is one many artists can only dream of: selling out Wembley Stadium for a whopping 10 whole dates across August and September next year.
Unfortunately, fans of the world-renowned band have been left frustrated after tickets to the upcoming events followed the same fate of Taylor Swift and Oasis.
Coldplay announced their tour this month.Crowds are always special at Coldplay gigs.Credit: Stevie Rae Gibbs/Supplied
Coldplay seem to be skipping over Manchester this time round, they’re playing two nights at Craven Park in Hull and ten almost back-to-back dates at Wembley Stadium in London.
But ear not, us Mancs act fast – here is a rundown of plenty of Coldplay-inspired events happening soon to get your ‘Viva La Vida’ fix.
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Coldplay-inspired events this year
The Music of Coldplay By Candlelight – The Monastery, Openshaw
The first event eases you into the hits of one of the best-selling music acts of all time. Instead of the usual guitars and drums that are heard in their most famous songs, an orchestra takes the lead.
Originally there was one date available on Friday, 15 November but due to the event selling out unexpectedly, an additional concert has been added on Friday 25 October which still has tickets left.
Prices start at £30 for Band B, £35 for Band A, £40 for Premium and £45 for VIP tickets. Access tickets are also £30 with a free companion too with proof of ID. You can grab tickets HERE.
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There are Coldplay tribute acts galore, as it turns out. (Credit: Facebook)
Ultimate Coldplay – Manchester Academy, City Centre
Is that Chris Martin? No, it’s Ultimate Coldplay, who have an uncanny lookalike taking on the role of the famous frontman and live band.
For £18.15 you and over 2,000 fans can be transported through Coldplay’s musical timeline as this tribute act makes your night one to remember, at a fraction of the price.
Playing at Manchester Academy on Saturday 7 December, doors will open from 7:15pm and there’s a curfew of 11pm meaning attendees can get home in time to ‘dream of para-para paradise’. Tickets HERE.
Coldplay-inspired events in 2025
A Head Full Of Coldplay – The Witchwood, Ashton-under-Lyne
The UK’s self-proclaimed ‘number one Coldplay tribute act’ are setting their sites on one of Manchester’s many boroughs, choosing Ashton-under-Lyne to show off their talents.
On Saturday 1 March, audiences are treated to ‘A Sky Full of Stars’ when they leave the venue as this event doesn’t finish until the early hours, with a curfew of 1am.
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They double down on the statement before saying they’re ‘The number one Coldplay tribute act in the world – fact’, so if you fancy hearing them live catch them while you can. Sort your tickets for the tribute night HERE.
Whether this is your closest stop on the tribute acts tour or you’ll be following them all around the North-West, these boys are making sure everyone gets a chance to have an ‘Adventure of a Lifetime’.
This time Ultimate Coldplay are painting the town ‘Yellow’ as they travel across Manchester, reaching The Met in Bury on Saturday 29 March.
Tickets are categorised by two prices, £24 for seats and £22 if you’re up for standing with the other 400 people in this more intimate and up-close performance space.
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Ultimate Coldplay – Irlam Live 2025, Manchester
If you haven’t had enough of these cheeky chaps yet, they’re back but this time at a festival with a wide range of other tribute acts.
‘Harry Styled’, ‘Bootleg Blondie’ and ‘VengaLive’ are just a few of the acts listed on the lineup for the Manchester festival which is taking place at the start of summer next year.
With this being a festival ticket prices are dependent on how long you’re planning on attending. ‘Ultimate Coldplay’ and the acts listed above are all gracing the stage on Friday 30 May.
Hip-hop, soul and R’n’B legend Mary J Blige is coming to Manchester for a massive arena show
Danny Jones
Manchester is getting ready to welcome a global icon of hip-hop, soul, pop and R’n’B as Mary J Blige is set to put on a massive arena show.
With a music career spanning more than 30 years, Mary J Blige is an absolute legend of the American music scene, with nine GRAMMY Awards and nearly 40 nominations, along with a plethora of BET, Billboard, and AMA nods over the years.
Currently on ‘The For My Fans Tour’, jetting quite literally all over and recently adding on even more dates, not only has London been given some love, but so has Greater Manchester – and rightly so.
Announcing the special one-off show and Co-op Live debut this Wednesday, 16 April, Mary J Blige won’t have to wait too long to be part of the ‘Family Affair’.
The 54-year-old from New York will be coming to the state-of-the-art, one of the biggest indoor entertainment venues in all of Europe, in just a few months’ time.
On top of the already well-established AO Arena, this is the pedigree of truly worldwide artists that Co-op Live was built to further attract – and it looks to be working.
It’s been the best part of a decade since she was last in these parts, so she’s sure to get a huge reception.
While most audiences in the likes of North America have been treated to fellow R’n’B favourite Ne-Yo, those watching Ms Blige will be keeping things domestic as long-standing London collective and producers, Soul II Soul, will be joining her for the show.
‘Back to life, back to reality…’
So there you have it! Mary J Blige will be coming to Manchester on Friday, 4 July 2025, with her own pre-sale going live at 10am on Thursday, 24 April, but Co-op members can get there even earlier, with the venue’s early access available from the same time the day before.
As for general admission, you can get ready to grab your tickets HERE from 10am on Friday, 25 April.
Fri 18 April – London, UK – OVO Arena Wembley (Sean Paul, Ashanti and Big Joe)
Sat 19 April – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Sun 20 April – Manchester, UK – AO Arena
22 April – Cardiff, UK – Utilita Arena
23 April – Brighton, UK – Brighton Centre (Sean Paul ONLY)
24 April – Bournemouth, UK – BIC (Sean Paul ONLY)
Sean Paul and Ashanti tickets for AO Arena gig
Just like Ashanti’s 2002 hit, you’d have been ‘Foolish’ not to get tickets when they first came out, however, there’s still a chance for you to ‘Get Busy’ like Sean Paul’s ‘02 throwback.
There’s a limited run of tickets left throughout the venue, including standing, seated and even an option to watch the show from ‘The Mezz’ if you’re after a VIP experience – AllHERE.
There’s no official setlist yet, however, if you consider the past selection of hits from their previous separate gigs, fans are in for a jam-packed night.
Sean Paul:
So Fine
Get Busy
Ever Blazin’
Cheap Thrills
Baby Boy
Bailando
Hot Gyal Today
Infiltrate
Breathe/ Make It Clap
Give It Up To Me
Got 2 Luv U
Mad Love
No Lie
Boasty
Love Me Ladies
Tip Pon It
Volcano
Bring It
Greatest
I’m Still In Love
Light My Fire
Punkie
Rockabye
Like Glue
Deport Them
Trumpets
She Doesn’t Mind
Temperature
Ashanti:
Happy
Rock Wit U (Awww Baby)
Mesmerise
Only U
Baby
Southside
Down 4 U
Body On Me
What’s Luv?
Ain’t It Funny
Always On Time
Foolish
What are the stage times for Sean Paul and Ashanti in Manchester?
AO Arena has a curfew of 11pm; anyone attending this link-up of a lifetime can enjoy their night knowing they’ll be ‘Ever Blazin” after a full night’s sleep.
Doors for the ‘Bring It Tour’ are scheduled for 6pm with a kick-off time of 7pm, with no confirmed or mentioned support acts as of yet.
For those of you heading to AO Arena, luckily, it’s connected to Manchester Victoria Station and it has an integrated Metrolink stop to make your life even easier.
Head along the pink, light blue or yellow lines directly to the Victoria stop, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Train
Considering this live entertainment venue is situated right in the middle of one of Manchester’s most frequented stations, concertgoers should find no problem getting to the arena wherever they are.
Bus
A variety of buses cover AO Arena andVictoria Station on their route, such as the 2 bus, which stops just a one-minute walk away from the venue.
A full list of buses and their routes can be found HERE.
Getting there by car and parking
The Arena has its own official CitiPark, with 958 car parking spaces including 40 Blue Badge parking bays, which can be booked in advance.
Alternatively, anyone attending a gig can park at their nearest train station and jump on a train service or the various Metrolink park and ride facilities.
Walk/cycle
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes through the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app.
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.
Thomas Melia -
6th October 2024 
