Kings of Leon have announced a new run of UK shows as part of their 2024 world tour, and they’ll be coming to visit us here in Manchester.
Following on from the announcement of their brand-new album, as well as a headline performance at BST Hyde Park this summer, the beloved American rock band have now revealed details of their long-awaited Can We Please Have Fun World Tour that’s kicking off later this year, and are set to take to the stage at several major UK cities.
The multi award-winning Tennessee rockers’ UK and Ireland tour will officially open in Leeds on 20 June, all before they head on over to Birmingham, Bristol, London, Glasgow, Dublin, and Nottingham along the way.
Not only that, but alongside these shows, they’re also set to play down at Silverstone for the British F1 Grand Prix on 4 July too.
But what better way to end a show-stopping summer than here in Manchester?
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After taking in the sights of the rest of the country, the Followill clan will be stopping off in our city for a major gig at Co-op Live this July, and tickets are set to go on sale this week.
Kings of Leon have announced a huge Manchester Co-op Live gig on their 2024 world tour / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
As Manchester‘s newest – and soon-to-be the UK’s largest – live entertainment arena nears closer to officially opening its doors and welcoming visitors, Co-op Live has been slowly revealing the music acts set to grace the stage as part of its huge launch season jam-packed full of events.
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Bolton comedian Peter Kay will open the arena with a special show this April, and countless other major world-renowned artists have all been announced as performing throughout the rest of the year – including Eagles, Olivia Rodrigo, Jonas Brothers, Eric Clapton, Take That, Simply Red, Niall Horan, and so more.
Kings of Leon will be taking to the stage at Co-op Live on Wednesday 10 July as part of the Can We Please Have Fun World Tour tour.
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They’ll be joined by British indie rockers The Vaccines as the support act in Manchester.
Kings of Leon – UK and Ireland Tour 2024
20 June: Leeds – First Direct Arena
22 June: Birmingham – Utilita Arena
23 June: Bristol – Ashton Gate Stadium
30 June: London – Hyde Park BST
2 July: Glasgow – OVO Hydro Arena
4 July: Silverstone – British F1 Grand Prix
6 July: Dublin – Marley Park
8 July: Nottingham – Motorpoint Arena
10 July: Manchester – Co-op Live Arena
Tickets officially go on sale this week, with fans able to pre-order the album from the band’s store before 5pm tomorrow (Tuesday 27 February) to get early access to tickets, and Co-op members given additional presale access on Wednesday (28 February) at 9am, all before the rest go on general sale this Friday (1 March) at 9am.
There’s a non-alocholic pairing dinner coming to Manchester this Dry Jan
Thomas Melia
A one-night-only pairing of two dining out staples from the food and drink world is coming to Manchester next month, and it also happens to be non-alcoholic for anyone doing Dry January.
Taking place at the wonderful Maray over on Lincoln Square, each dish served throughout the night will be expertly paired with a non-alcoholic drink from zero-per cent experts, Lucky Saint.
This Middle Eastern eatery is always surprising its diners, last September they made their infamous roasts free for one day only, and this upcoming event is sure to be as exciting with its unique tastings.
Lucky Saint came to fruition after partnering with a historical brewery in Bavaria who’ve produced beer for over 400 years, creating a non alcoholic alternative which greeted UK drinkers in 2020.
Lucky Saint will be readily available and paired with every meal.Diners can expect some sensational food as always from Maray. Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Titled ‘The Official Beer Of Dry January’, supplying IPAs and lagers to a host of stockists, not only are their products fully non-alcoholic but they’re also entirely plant-based – meaning they’re the perfect tie-in with Veganuary.
If their website is anything to go by, diners are set to enjoy refreshments such as their unfiltered lager and a 0.5% ‘Hazy’ IPA which contains juicy tropical notes. Don’t mind if we do.
Although it’s hard to say what the food offerings may be, it’s guaranteed that anyone who attends is in for a treat as this site has even served famous faces like Dua Lipa back in 2022 while she was on tour.
Their vegan menu features some meat free feasts like a falafel sharer and a delicious oyster mushroom shwarma, it’s a well-loved restaurant.
Vegans are certainly catered for at this event as it’s not only the free-flowing drinks that contain no animal products, there will also be an entirely vegan menu on hand.
Maray have multiple locations but anyone who couldn’t get enough of the flavours the first time in Manchester can attend their Liverpool pairing dinner which is happening the very next day.
The Maray x Lucky Saint Dry January Pairing Dinner is coming to Manchester on Wednesday, 15 January from 7-9:30pm with tickets live HERE.
And if you’re looking for other places to enjoy a guilt-free drink in the city centre this month, we’ve got a few suggestions for you:
Doing #DryJan doesn't have to mean staying in or saying goodbye to the pub. 🍹
US comedian Shane Gillis is coming to Manchester very soon
Danny Jones
Popular comedian, writer, producer and actor Shane Gillis is coming back to Manchester for one of his biggest UK shows ever as he prepares to play Co-op Live.
Known for his acclaimed stand-up shows Live In Austin and Beautiful Dogs, as well as sketches on Saturday Night Live and cult-hit Netflix comedy, Tires, he is currently selling out stadiums and huge rooms all across the US – and it won’t be long before he crosses the Atlantic.
The last time the Manc comedy scene saw Shane Gillis’ name on a dressing room door was back in March 2022 when he was playing the second-largest room at the Manchester Academy. Fast forward to this coming spring and he’s now set to sell out the city’s and one of Europe’s biggest indoor arenas.
As mentioned, his latest tour – simply entitled, Shane Gillis Live – is not just selling out all over North America but is even breaking attendance records at storied venues, surpassing the likes of U2 for most tickets sold and countless other regional feats.
The 37-year-old from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania (yes, that’s actually what it’s called) has become one of the hottest comics on the planet in recent times, returning to SNL to write several popular skits in 2024 – including doing his infamous Donald Trump impression in costume.
Still considered a controversial figure on the circuit for some of his early routines, having initially been fired as a writer on the show for comments made on his podcast back in 2019, his ‘edgy’ brand of stand-up definitely pushes up against the boundaries of what many label ‘offensive’ comedy.
Nevertheless, he remains one of the most highly-rated contemporary performers in the live stand-up genre, appearing as a guest on the Kill Tony live comedy podcast on multiple occasions and seeing his original sitcom, Tires, renewed for a second season.
The first clip from the latest series, teasing a celebrity guest appearance, dropped in December.
Fans won’t have to wait long either as Gillis arrives at Co-op Live on Thursday, 20 March, almost three years on from his last visit to Manchester.
General admission tickets go live this Friday, 10 January at 10am, but official Co-op members can access the exclusive pre-sale window from 12 noon on Wednesday (8 Jan).
If you fancy going along to the show, you can grab tours HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
26th February 2024 
