Arctic Monkeys have announced details of their biggest-ever UK and Irish tour – and your best chance at getting tickets ends today.
The Sheffield rockers are set to perform in Manchester next summer, with a massive gig at Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground.
Alex Turner, Jamie Cook, Matt Helders and Nick O’Malley will also play shows in Bristol, Coventry, Middlesbrough, Norwich, Swansea, Southampton, London, Dublin, Glasgow, and two gigs in their hometown at Hillsborough Park.
The tour announcement follows news of a new album, The Car, which is due for release on 21 October.
Arctic Monkeys have already released one single from their seventh studio album – There’d Better Be a Mirrorball dropped last month, to rave reviews.
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The group first formed back in 2002 and were one of the first groups to shoot to fame via the internet.
Arctic Monkeys tickets go on sale this week. Credit: Zackery Michael
Their 2006 critically-acclaimed debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not, became the fastest-selling debut album in UK chart history.
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They’ll be supported on their May and June tour dates by fellow indie rockers The Hives and The Mysterines.
The Arctic Monkeys general sale will begin at 9am on Friday 30 September, but there’ll also be a fan pre-sale for an extra chance at grabbing tickets.
To gain access to the pre-sale, fans need to pre-order The Car from the band’s official web store before 3pm today, Wednesday 28 September.
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Pre-sale tickets will then go up for grabs at 9am on Thursday 29 September.
Arctic Monkeys 2022 UK and Ireland tour dates
May 29 Bristol – Ashton Gate Stadium 31 Coventry – Building Society Arena
June 2 Manchester – Emirates Old Trafford 5 Middlesbrough – Riverside Stadium 7 Norwich – Carrow Road Stadium 9 Sheffield – Hillsborough Park 10 Sheffield – Hillsborough Park 12 Swansea – Swansea.com Stadium 14 Southampton – The Ageas Bowl 16 London – Emirates Stadium 17 London – Emirates Stadium 20 Dublin – Marlay Park 25 Glasgow – Bellahouston Park
Featured image: Zackery Michael
Audio
A big Christmas sing-along concert with Alexander Armstrong and Aled Jones is coming to Manchester
Emily Sergeant
We know it’s only April, but brace yourselves… we’re about to talk about Christmas.
You are reading today’s date correctly, but whether you can believe it or not, this isn’t an April Fool, as it’s time to get ready to lift your voices and celebrate the festive season because The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long starring much-loved performers and presenters, Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong, is heading out on its debut UK tour later this year.
This heartwarming live experience is promising to be an ‘unforgettable’ evening of music, laughter, and Christmas cheer.
Performing in some of the most beautiful cathedrals and venues across the UK, when the concert arrives in Manchester in late November, it’ll be taking over the stunning Manchester Monastery.
On the night, Aled Jones – who is one of the UK’s most iconic voices – will perform some beloved highlights, including his signature rendition of ‘Walking in the Air’, alongside a selection of classic festive carols, and joining him on stage will be Alexander Armstrong, whose rich vocals and natural charm will bring ‘humour, warmth, and festive sparkle’ to every performance.
It may be Aled and Alexander’s show, but audiences are also being told to expect some special surprises along the way too.
As this is a sing-along event, audiences will be invited to put on their favourite Christmas jumper and join in with a joyful mix of traditional Christmas carols and modern festive favourites.
The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long – UK Tour Dates 2026
Tuesday 24 November – Llandudno Venue Cymru Theatre
Sunday 29 November – Manchester Monastery
Tuesday 1 December – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Wednesday 2 December – Durham Cathedral
Thursday 3 December – Bath Forum
Friday 4 December – Guildford G Live
Wednesday 9 December – Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
Thursday 10 December – Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
Friday 11 December – York Barbican
Sunday 13 December – Edinburgh Queens Hall
Tuesday 15 December – Birmingham Town Hall
Sunday 20 December – Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion
Monday 21 December – London Union Chapel
The tour kicks off in Llandudno on 24 November and wraps up in London on 21 December – with a stop off here in Manchester on Sunday 29 November.
The Big Christmas Sing-a-Long is coming to Manchester Monastery on Sunday 29 November, and is expected to capture the true spirit of Christmas, offering a magical evening filled of festive cheer and uplifting songs that everyone can join in with.
Tickets go on general sale tomorrow (Thursday 2 April) at 9:30am, and you can get your hands on them when they go live here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Audio
Sara Cox tipped to replace Scott Mills for Eurovision 2026
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own Sara Cox is reportedly set to replace Scott Mills at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following his sacking from the BBC.
Mills was axed by the news and entertainment corporation on Monday, 1 April, for ‘misconduct’, which has now been revealed to involve a historic relationship with a boy aged under 16.
While the fallout surrounding Scott Mills is only just beginning, the task of finding his replacement in multiple roles has already begun – though it looks like one may have already been decided.
Now reported by multiple outlets, it appears as though Bolton-born Sara Cox is first in line to pick up Mills’ co-hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision show.
Having already been involved with coverage of the event on multiple ocassions in the past, it now appears that she’ll be in post for the Grand Final too.
As a long-standing radio and TV staple, it only takes a quick look at social media to see how much backing she has already received in the past, with a post from last year reading, “Great to have Sara Cox back commentating on Eurovision“, and others from over a decade ago praising her past presenting.
In fact, it might not end just here either, as many are already calling for her to replace the 53-year-old breakfast show host.
From her days as a Radio 1 favourite to becoming a BBC mainstay across the board, her popularity only seems to have grown over the last decade, especially thanks to her charity fundraising efforts.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, the feeling is that it is all but confirmed for her to take over from Mills as part of the Eurovision commentary team.
As for the now vacant early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, the likes of Claudio Winkleman, Vernon Kay, fellow Manc Nick Grimshaw, the aforementioned Rylan, and several others have all been floated as potential stand-ins/future full-time hosts.
Do you think both should be given to Sara Cox, and if not, who would you like to see replace Scott Mills?
Daisy Jackson -
28th September 2022 
