Liam Gallagher has announced a super-intimate gig in Blackburn this month.
The former Oasis frontman will take to the stage at King George’s Hall to promote a Spezial trainer partnership with Adidas.
The gig on April 27, supported by Blackburn band The Illicits, will also raise money for local homeless charity Nightsafe.
It’s taking place ahead of his stadium gigs this summer, which includes two nights at Knebworth and one at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.
Liam is set to release his third solo album, C’mon You Know on 27 May.
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Liam Gallagher will perform a gig in partnership with Adidas in Blackburn. Credit: Supplied
This will be the first time the rocker has performed at Blackburn with Darwen, which is recognised as the birthplace of Spezial.
The venue itself has previously welcomed music legends like David Bowie, The Beatles, The Clash and The Stone Roses.
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The gig will announce the launch of a new trainer collaboration with Adidas Spezial, called the LG2SPZL.
The Adidas Spezial range was founded and curated by lifelong three-stripes fan Gary Aspden, who is from Darwen, and who is good friends and long-time collaborator with Liam Gallagher.
Liam Gallagher will perform a gig in partnership with Adidas in Blackburn. Credit: Supplied
Liam said: “I’m glad to announce my new collaboration with Adidas Spezial. It’s our take on the one and only Barrington Smash and it’s absolutely incredible.
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“And if that’s not enough to blow your wig off, I’m going to be playing The King George’s Hall in Blackburn, Lancashire. All proceeds from the gig will be in aid of Nightsafe, a local homeless charity.”
Gary was the driving force behind the hugely popular Adidas Blackburn SPZL shoes and the Blackburn Spezial exhibition – which drew in thousands of visitors from around the world to the town.
This was followed up with the C.P. Company 50th anniversary event in an underground car park in Darwen last year – attracting a string of famous faces from Dynamo the Magician to Goldie and Shaun Ryder.
Gary said: “I could not be happier that Adidas agreed to support this event in east Lancashire and am super made up that Liam has agreed to come and perform here.
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“He has never performed in Blackburn before and given how the roots of Spezial are connected to the town it feels like an appropriate location to announce the forthcoming LG2SPZL trainer collaboration.
Liam Gallagher will perform a gig in partnership with Adidas in Blackburn. Credit: Supplied
“This should bring some great energy and positivity to Blackburn and will hopefully give Nightsafe a much needed boost after what have been a difficult few years for everyone.”
Denise Park, chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We’re grateful to Gary and his team at Adidas for once again backing Blackburn with Darwen and working so hard to host such a high-profile event here – in King George’s Hall’s 100th year too.
“It’s an opportunity for us to again showcase what we have to offer in the borough as well as raise vital funds for Nightsafe – a fantastic charity.
“Gary is passionate about regenerating towns through culture and he is making a real difference to the place which he is proud to call home.
Manchester institution ‘a little emotional’ after receiving a visit from rock icon Hayley Williams
Daisy Jackson
Rock icon Hayley Williams has been spotted shopping at Manchester institution Afflecks.
The legendary independent retail emporium said it was ‘feeling a little emotional’ after its halls were graced with rock royalty.
And not only did the Paramore frontwoman and acclaimed solo singer-songwriter come for a browse, she even gave Afflecks a shout-out on stage later that night.
Hayley Williams headlined two solo shows at Manchester Academy on Monday and Tuesday this week.
The shows are in support of her third studio album, Ego Death at a Bachelorette Party.
And despite being known globally as one of music’s best lead vocalists, this is actually Hayley Williams’ first solo tour (her previous dates were cancelled because of Covid).
While on stage in front of fans last night, she said: “I’ve learnt some Mancunian, and I’ve been to Afflecks!”
It sounds like she’s as lovely as she is legendary, with Afflecks saying that the star hung around to chat and take photos.
Sharing photos of the star inside the building, Afflecks wrote: “So a very special visitor stopped by Afflecks yesterday…
“A huge thank you to Hayley Williams for taking the time to visit us, say hello, and pose for a photo. She was so super lovely, kind, and welcoming, and to top it all off she even gave Afflecks a shout-out during last night’s show.
“Safe to say we’re feeling a little emotional about it. Thank you again Hayley for supporting Manchester’s small businesses.”
Secret stages, surprise sets and non-stop sunshine – here’s what went down at Parklife 2026
Clementine Hall
Parklife 2026 has officially wrapped up, and dare we say it might have been the best one yet?
Well, that’s it folks. One of the biggest weekends on Manchester’s musical calendar has been ticked off, and what a time we had.
The rolling hills of Heaton Park welcomed thousands of ravers who two-stepped from the moment the gates opened until the final vibrations echoed from the speakers.
So, while we nurse our sore feet and slap on the aftersun, let’s reflect on Parklife 2026 and catch you up on what you might have missed.
Images: The Manc Group
For once, the weather actually delivered.
Blue skies and glorious sunshine stuck around all weekend, giving festival-goers the perfect excuse to stay out from open to close and making Heaton Park look more like Ibiza than north Manchester. We’re exaggerating, of course, but you get the picture.
While headline sets from pop princess Zara Larsson and grime MC Skepta drew huge crowds, some of the biggest moments happened away from the main stages.
Images: The Manc Group
After all, when else can you watch Manc icon Bez DJing on a rooftop at a secret garden party? It truly was a sight to behold.
The festival introduced three brand-new secret stages this year, which we think were a fantastic addition. Our favourite was the Bossmans Tent – an exclusive stage hidden behind the facade of a corner shop, where festival-goers had to enter through a fridge to discover the music inside.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a festival without a few cheeky surprise sets thrown into the mix. Enter Aitch.
At this point, the Manchester rapper is basically a Parklife resident, popping up each year to surprise crowds with a song or two. This year, our hometown hero joined Bou on stage, sending fans into a complete and utter meltdown.
Images: The Manc Group
The city was also well represented through a number of stage takeovers across the weekend. Ghosts of Garage, the Manchester-born brand that has built a loyal following across the region, brought together a host of local DJs on Sunday for a takeover that felt like a celebration of the city’s thriving dance music scene.
One of the most anticipated additions for 2026, the new Panorama stage was a real standout. Featuring a belting 100m LED screen, huge dance platforms and behind-the-booth access, there wasn’t a quiet moment there all weekend – and it’s not hard to see why.
Sheffield DJ Silva Bumpa drew one of the busiest crowds of the weekend at Panorama, creating relentless energy from start to finish. Fans were packed shoulder-to-shoulder as one of the UK’s fastest-rising names delivered a set worthy of all the hype.
Daisy Jackson -
19th April 2022 
