KISS will perform in Manchester this week as part of their final-ever tour.
The metal rock band announced details of their End of the Road World Tour last year – some 23 years after announcing that the band were retiring.
But 2023 will officially mark the final shows of this legendary’s group’s career, which started way back in 1973.
Made up of Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer, they’re famed for their black and white face paint and huge hair as much as their massive hits.
KISS were meant to perform in Manchester in 2021, but had to reschedule to Friday 7 July due to – well, you know what.
KISS said of their farewell tour: “All that we have built and all that we have conquered over the past four decades could never have happened without the millions of people worldwide who’ve filled clubs, arenas and stadiums over those years.
“This will be the ultimate celebration for those who’ve seen us and a last chance for those who haven’t. KISS Army, we’re saying goodbye on our final tour with our biggest show yet and we’ll go out the same way we came in… Unapologetic and Unstoppable.”
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re seeing KISS at the AO Arena in Manchester.
Are there tickets left for KISS at AO Arena, Manchester?
Ticketmaster still has some availability for tickets for tonight’s show, though there aren’t loads left.
The cheapest tickets start at £75.95, with the majority of seated tickets priced at £87.50.
Things get pricier after that – floor standing tickets are £98.50, while the better seats are £109.95.
Standard seats go all the way up to £171.50, and then you’re into Platinum seats and VIP packages.
Who’s supporting KISS in Manchester?
KISS will be supported by Welsh heavy metal band Skindred at their show in Manchester.
Skindred are known for fusing metal with reggae sounds, and for their blistering live shows.
The Wild Things, who will also be performing at Night & Day in October, are also taking to the stage at the AO Arena to open the show.
Expected setlist
This is the setlist KISS used at their London O2 Arena gig this week.
Detroit Rock City Shout It Out Loud Deuce War Machine Heaven’s on Fire I Love It Loud Say Yeah Cold Gin Lick It Up Makin’ Love Calling Dr. Love Psycho Circus 100,000 Years God of Thunder Love Gun Black Diamond Encore: Beth I Was Made for Lovin’ You Rock and Roll All Nite
Stage times for KISS
The AO Arena hasn’t, at the time of writing, confirmed the stage times for KISS, and it doesn’t look like they’ve made a habit of announcing stage times at previous shows either.
Doors to the venue will open at 6pm, with the AO Arena saying the show won’t start until 7.30pm.
Based on that, you can expect The Wild Things on stage around 7.30pm, Skindred around 8.15pm, and KISS on stage somewhere around 9pm, ahead of the venue’s curfew.
The venue
The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirementscarefully 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.
Featured image: Publicity picture
Audio
Rising Manc star Lusaint and more to serenade cricket crowds at The Hundred 2025
Danny Jones
The Hundred crowds inside Emirates Old Trafford are in for a real treat as rising Manchester star, Lusaint, is set to join the lineup of live music acts playing the 2025 tournament.
We’re so excited about this up-and-coming local singer and the rest of the live music lineup on show at this year’s competition.
Ahead of the fast-paced, family-friendly format returning to Emirates Old Trafford this August, the bands and musicians offering yet more entertainment on matchdays have now been announced, along with details of more activities for all ages.
The Hundred Final at Lord’s in London will be headlined by solo singer, Perrie (a.k.a. Perrie Edwards, formerly of Little Mix), and the Manchester games are boasting some great names too.
In addition to Perrie, other big names signed up for 2025 are the likes of York four-piece Glass Caves, Bristol experimental live-looper, Bexx, as well as the best of soul and R’n’B in Brighton, Iyamah.
But we can’t lie, naturally, it’s all about whose playing The Hundred fixtures at Old Trafford that we’re most fussed about.
Following past years where the competition has seen the likes of Zara Larsson, Rudimental, Bastille and Jax Jones; Raye, Becky Hill, Everything Everything and Self Esteem, they’ve managed to pique our interest yet again.
Really channelling the platforming power of the BBC Introducing partnered stages for the latest edition, Lusaint was the first name to catch our attention for obvious reasons.
She featured on our Manchester artists of the month list not too long ago, and if you haven’t given her music a try before, now’s the perfect time before seeing her in person at The Hundred – worth the ticket price on her own, if you ask us.
Better still, she’s not the only name we’re excited about seeing this summer, as joining the live music lineup in Manchester is native hip-hop, grime, soul and afrobeats musician, Prido, whose storytelling style has been making waves not just within the genre but across the city.
For instance, his last live set for BBC Introducing at Reading Festival 2024 saw plenty of attention online, and he’s definitely one to watch, even if you don’t manage to catch him at the cricket. Aimei 媚 and Lowes complete this year’s lineup and are set to take the stage throughout August.
Manchester Originals women’s player Sophie Ecclestone said: “The live music at The Hundred is one of my favourite things about playing in the competition. It brings an extra element to The Hundred which is different to other forms of cricket.”
With early bird tickets available from just £5 for under 16s and for £17 adults, it’s no surprise that 9,000 have already been sold for the Originals‘ derby against Northern Superchargers on Sunday, 17 August.
You can find out more information on what else is in store at The Hundred 2025 beyond the live music lineup and grab your tickets for Manchester HERE.
You can read our review of her recent show HERE.PerriePridoJust some of the names that make up The Hundred live music lineup for 2025. (Credit: Press shots/Audio North)
Featured Images — The Manc Group/The Hundred (supplied)/Press Shot/Prido (via Facebook)
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80s icons Duran Duran are hosting a special Halloween gig at a massive Manchester venue
Danny Jones
British pop-rock legends Duran Duran are heading back to Manchester, but not just for any old gig: they’re hosting a huge Halloween special at the city’s biggest arena.
The ‘Rio’ and ‘Girls on Film’ singers are still going strong nearly five decades on, and after releasing their 16th studio album, Danse Macabre, back in October 2023, the boys have been in a somewhat gothic mood for a hot minute now.
With that in mind, the Brummy boys are sticking in that lane for a little while longer, deciding to set up an All Hallow’s Eve night just a couple of years on from the LP’s release.
Better yet, they’ve managed to book no less than the bloody Co-op Live for it too. Massive.
Duran Duran are summoning all Halloween enthusiasts to show up, dress up, and celebrate All Hallows’ Eve here in Manchester!@coopuk members get first in line for tickets Co-op Member Presale: 10:00 25 June 2025 General Sale: 10:00 27 June 2025 pic.twitter.com/7EP3qiCOnN
Encouraging all those coming along to show up in the finest fancy dress and get in the holiday spirit, the show is taking place on Halloween itself, so that’s your plans for this year sorted already.
As per an official press release, “fans can expect a one-night-only exclusive Halloween set filled with the essential hits, alongside rarely-played songs from the Duran Duran crypt.”
The first of what is now a “highly anticipated annual tradition”, ‘The Danse Macabre Halloween Party’ first began at a fabled October 31st gig at the Wynn Theatre in Las Vegas in 2022.
With that night now immortalised across 13 songs on the eponymous cult favourite record, which features new tracks, themed covers, as well as dark reimaginings of Duran Duran classics, Manchester is set for its first state of the experience.
At the risk of overusing a very easy pun, it does sound spook-tacular. Sorry not sorry.
We’re absolutely here for this era of Duran Duran.
Once again, Duran Duran make their way to Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on Friday, 31 October, setting fans up for a perfect Halloween 2025 weekend.
VIP pre-sale for official Co-op members begins this Wednesday, 25 June from 8am onwards, with general admission tickets going live to the public at 10am the following Friday (27 Jun).
Daisy Jackson -
6th July 2023 
