One of the most-anticipated gigs of the summer is upon us, with Liam Gallagher set to play a biblical homecoming gig in Manchester.
The former Oasis frontman will take to the stage at the massive Etihad Stadium – the home ground of his beloved Manchester City FC.
Liam will go on this week to play two historic gigs at Knebworth, though sadly without guitarist and long-time friend Bonehead at his side.
The star is performing straight off the back of the release of his new album, C’Mon, You Know, and will likely dip into the huge Oasis back catalogue too.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Wednesday night’s gig.
Who’s supporting Liam Gallagher at the Etihad Stadium?
The Charlatans
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Tim Burgess on stage with the Charlatans. Credit: Flickr
The Charlatans need no introduction, as fellow giants of the mid-90s rock scene that they shared with Oasis – and Liam Gallagher himself.
Fronted by Tim Burgess, the group have 13 studio albums, all of which have charted in the top 40.
They most recently released a greatest hits compilation, titled A Head Full of Ideas.
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Goat Girl
London four-piece Goat Girl will be supporting Liam Gallagher at the Etihad on Wednesday night as well as at his two Knebworth gigs.
They’ll then head out to tour Europe, including additional dates in Manchester at Castlefield Bowl and at Psych Fest.
The group first formed in 2016 and have released two studio albums to date.
Paul Gallagher
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Liam’s big brother Paul has just been announced on the line-up for Wednesday’s Etihad concert.
He’ll be playing a DJ set to get the crowds warmed up.
What are the stage times for Liam Gallagher’s gig?
Doors for the Etihad Stadium will open at 5pm on Wednesday 1 June, with Paul Gallagher on decks to welcome people.
The rest of the stage times are expected to be as follows:
Goat Girl – 6.25pm
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The Charlatans – 7.25pm
Liam Gallagher – 9.00pm
How do I get to the Etihad Stadium?
There’s a tram that runs straight to the Etihad from the city centre in less than 10 minutes, which might be your best option, though it only runs every 12 minutes and is likely to be very busy.
Holt Town and Velopark tram stops won’t operate after the gig until the crowds have cleared from Etihad Campus.
You can also walk to and from the stadium, which takes around half an hour from Piccadilly.
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There are several car parks around the venue if you want to drive, though again, these will be busy and will fill up quickly.
TfGM have said: “Based off data from previous events at the Etihad, we expect the roads such as – Regent Road, Hyde Road, Ashton Old Road and Mancunian Way – to be busy in the hours before and after the concert. Please consider leaving the car at home or re-routing your journey. D’You Know What I Mean? This way, you’ll avoid the congested areas.
“City centre Metrolink stops and services on the Ashton line will run to a 12-minute frequency and will be busier in the run up to the gig. This means You’ve Gotta Roll With It, Gotta Take Your Time when boarding a service. Don’t Look Back In Anger wishing you would have set off a little earlier for a more comfortable journey.”
General admission standing tickets are all gone, but if you don’t mind sitting right up at the top of the huge venue, you can grab a last-minute ticket for £62.10.
There are also a few seats a little closer to the stage, priced at £83.10 each before booking fees.
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What will Liam Gallagher’s setlist be like?
As this is the first date in his stadium tour, and the new album has only been out for a few days, it’s hard to call the setlist at this stage.
When he recently performed an intimate gig in Blackburn, this is what he went for:
Hello Rock ‘n’ Roll Star Morning Glory Wall of Glass Shockwave Everything’s Electric Better Days Slide Away Stand by Me C’mon You Know World’s in Need The River Once Encore: Cigarettes & Alcohol Cast No Shadow Live Forever Wonderwall
Featured image: Publicity picture
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Doves announce first hometown gig for 15 years in Manchester on UK tour
Daisy Jackson
Doves have announced a massive homecoming show – their first Manchester gig in 15 years – on their upcoming tour, but without frontman Jimi Goodwin.
The Manchester-founded band are heading out on a full UK tour in support of their sixth studio album Constellations for the Lonely.
Doves will be heading to Aviva Studios for a huge show, along with dates in Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and London, to name a few.
The new tour dates are in addition to the already sold-out intimate dates in Stoke, Birkenhead and Hebden Bridge.
Lead singer Jimi Goodwin will sit out the live tour to focus on his health – the band had previously cancelled their 2021 tour to protect his wellbeing.
He has said that his current circumstances are ‘not compatible with a mad, city-to-city schedule’.
Instead, Andy and Jez Williams will alternate on vocals and are promising a ‘one-of-a-kind experience’.
In a heartwarming statement about their Doves bandmate, they said: “This tour is incredibly special as Jimi is stepping back from live to focus on his well being.
“Mental health has always been central to Doves, and we fully support him in his decision.”
Doves announced their new album Constellations For The Lonely last week, shortly before confirming their UK tour and Manchester homecoming gig.
The band have recorded tracks, including recent Goodwin-fronted single Renegade, through a patchwork of in-person and remote recording sessions.
Doves UK tour dates in full
Tue 25 Feb – Glasgow, SWG3
Wed 26 Feb – Edinburgh, La Belle Angele
Thu 27 Feb – Newcastle, Boiler Shop
Sat 1 Mar – Leeds, Beckett SU
Sun 2 Mar – Sheffield, Leadmill
Tue 4 Mar – Liverpool, O2 Academy
Fri 7 Mar – Manchester, Aviva Studios, home of Factory International
Sun 8 Mar – Birmingham, O2 Institute
Mon 10 Mar – Nottingham, Rock City
Tue 11 Mar – Norwich, Waterfront
Thu 13 Mar – London, O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
Fri 14 Mar – Bristol, SWX
Sat 15 Mar – Southampton, Engine Rooms
Mon 17 Mar – Brighton, Chalk
Tue 18 Mar – Oxford, O2 Academy
Tickets for all dates go on general sale on Thursday 21 November at 9.30am HERE.
Robbie Williams announces massive Manchester show next summer and ‘new music’ coming soon
Danny Jones
British pop royalty Robbie Williams has just announced a massive Manchester show coming next summer and has teased that new music is “coming soon” – the scramble for these tickets is going to be unreal…
The former boy band favourite turned chart-topping solo star is back at the forefront of the public consciousness once again after revealing the trailer for his upcoming biopic that has caught plenty of people’s attention.
Set to release on Boxing Day 2024, we think it’s fair to say this is no ordinary retelling of a famous musician’s career as it will see Williams reimagined as a CGI monkey, with Robbie lending his voice for the singing and narration sections.
As if that recent unveiling wasn’t eye-catching enough, the 50-year-old has followed it with the sudden announcement of a huge European tour, where it has now been confirmed that songs from the Better Man film and some new stuff will be played.
Sharing details of 28 dates, Robbie said in an official statement: “This tour is going to be my boldest yet – I can’t wait to see you next year.”
He also went on to add, “There will be songs from the movie Better Man and some new music too…but more on that soon.”
Although it’s unclear whether this is the first hint at what would be his 13th studio LP, with previous records including everything from the bread-and-butter pop that made him a household name, to swing, old-world big band covers and even a Christmas album.
Williams’ last outing was the XXV greatest hits compilation album, marking 25 years of his highly successful solo career since leaving fellow 90s icons Take That, who he returned to for a short spell after 15 years back in 2010 before parting ways once again.
He’s also roped in some Northern help from none other than Leigh’s very own The Lottery Winners for all dates but one, meaning the Manc vibes will be immaculate. Huge for the much-loved local band.
Known for his legendary live shows, Robbie Williams is considered one of the UK’s greatest entertainers of all time and previously held the Guinness World record for feats such as selling more than 1.6 million tickets in a single day, not to mention playing to over 375,000 across three nights at Knebworth.
Put it this way, these shows are in very high demand and will sell out quicker than you say ‘Rock DJ’.
Set to play Manchester and make his Co-op Live debut on 11 June, fans can secure early access to tickets for the ‘Live 2025’ tour from 10am this Wednesday by pre-ordering the Better Man movie soundtrack or by downloading the Co-op Members app.
As for general admission, tickets for Robbie Williams’ Manchester date and all other UK and Ireland gigs go live at 10 the same time on Friday, 15 November.
Given his connection to this city, this is as close to a homecoming show as you’re going to get until he headlines Stoke one of these days, so you don’t want to miss it. You can get ready to grab yours HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
1st June 2022 
