Liam Gallagher and John Squire have dropped the second single from the upcoming self-titled album as well as revealed its release date and supporting tour later this year — and you won’t have to wait longeither.
The two Manc music legends revealed their long-rumoured collaboration had finally come to fruition late last year and dropped their debut track, ‘Just Another Rainbow‘ earlier this month.
With a pretty strong reception, even if big brother Noel did take the mick a bit, the excitement around the project is starting to grow and the pair are making sure to ride the wave by dropping the follow-up single, ‘Mars to Liverpool’.
Unveiling the latest song along with their first accompanying tour dates, including not one but two dates at Manchester’s legendary O2 Apollo, this new project is moving fast.
Scheduling a dozen debut dates across various venues in the UK, Europe and America, the pair will be heading out on tour from early March and into April after the album drops on 1 March, 2024.
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Gracing their hometown with two nights on Wednesday, 20 and Thursday, 21 March, the local lads will be rolling back the year for many fans who will have spent most years listening to them in the form of their favourite Oasis and Stone Roses tracks.
With Liam being considered one of the most iconic frontmen of all time, let alone just in the UK, and the Burnage-born singer himself declaring Squire one of the greatest to ever pick up a guitar, there’s some serious pedigree behind the album.
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Here’s a little taster of that debut single and that oh-so-familiar guitar sound.
Liam Gallagher and John Squire’s tour dates include two Manc homecoming tour dates.
Appearing on Zoe Ball’s show on BBC Radio 2 this week, although many fans were excited to hear the new tune and received it just as well as the first, there were plenty that remarked on Squire’s “monotone” voice during the interview. Good job he can just focus on guitar and just leave the singing to Liam, eh?
Better yet, with the vocals of fellow British favourite singer-songwriter Jake Bugg coming along with them for the ride, we have no shame in admitting we’re personally very excited about these shows.
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You can hear their new track, ‘Mars to Liverpool’, in full down below. It’s another thumbs up from us, to be fair, and we’re really loving the style of all this album artwork.
Tickets for the two Manc gigs go live on Friday, 2 February at 9:30am and you can grab yours HERE.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall Manchester – groovy, hazy and effortlessly cool
Clementine Hall
Unknown Mortal Orchestra at the Albert Hall proved exactly why they’ve built such a cult following over the past decade.
Formed in 2010 by frontman Ruban Nielson, the band first broke through with their scrappy, lo-fi self-titled debut and since then, they’ve become known for their signature blend of psychedelic rock, funk, and warped pop.
I first saw the band back in 2023 at Glastonbury, and yes sorry I am one of those annoying people that bring it up all the time.
They’re the perfect band to close your eyes, sway your head and tap your foot to – and that’s exactly what the crowd were doing in unison last night at the Albert Hall.
Image: The Manc Group
From the second they stepped on stage, there was no rush – just that signature hazy groove met with enough stage lights to sink a ship.
You could barely see them on stage, but that made it even cooler. And you can only imagine how gorgeous the Albert Hall looked with hundreds of spotlights in different colours whizzing all over it.
Early tracks simmered and pulled us in before the band stretched out into crowd pleasers like ‘Multi-Love’ and ‘Hunnybee’. What an absolute tune by the way.
Image: The Manc Group
There wasn’t much crowd interaction but, again, there didn’t need to be. They let the music do the talking and by treating us to some of the most epic guitar solos we’ve ever heard (no, seriously), we’ll forgive them for not talking to us.
Each song melted into each other as the band oozed effortless charm and talent throughout the almost two hour set, which is no mean feat.
Of course, a sea of phones shot up for ‘So Good at Being in Trouble‘, their most popular track which prompted a harmonious audience singalong. Not very harmonious by me, admittedly.
It was a fantastic ending that left the audience feeling united by the laidback brilliance of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and I hope they don’t leave it too long to come back this time.
Review | Leon Thomas at Manchester Academy – ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’ but this gig healed me
Thomas Melia
American singer-songwriter Leon Thomas visited Manchester Academy last night, performing hits from his deluxe album to a sold-out crowd of more than 2,600.
One year after an exclusive London MUTT Live date, Mr Thomas returns to the UK with the ‘MUTTS DON’T HEEL’ Tour, venturing to five cities, including the music capital of the North: Manchester.
The night started off just how it should’ve done with ‘HEEL’, as the audience were welcomed by the drum-loop and a chill atmosphere from the start.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Leon Thomas gig without at least one Ty Dolla $ign collaboration making the setlist, and there’s plenty to choose from with a new one dropping just over a month ago, ‘miss u 2’.
Leon Thomas performing hits at Manchester Academy (Credit: Audio North)
The funk-influenced musician opted for ‘FAR FETCHED’, and the audience was in the palm of his hand. No matter which of the four link-ups he chose, it was always going to go down well – Manchester never disappoints.
Leon didn’t even have to ask the crowd to bring more energy; they already matched him. When he sings, “For someone who don’t ask for favours, I’ve done way too many favours”, on ‘PARTY FAVORS’, he really meant it.
Last year, Leon Thomas dropped PHOLKS, a project which saw him exploring old-school funk and soul sounds even further and ‘Just How You Are’ had even the shyest dancer pulling out a little two step.
This isn’t the only hit that sent the crowd into a frenzy; ‘Baccarat’ and its impressive psychedelic guitar solo had jaws literally falling to the floor at Manchester Academy.
His songs might not be dramatic or extravagant, but they don’t need to be. Leon’s artistry prevails when he’s softly singing, and you’re still able to detect each instrument.
Leon Thomas brought the MUTTS DON’T HEEL Tour to Manchester Academy (Credit: The Manc)
‘Breaking Point’ is an easy-listening soul track that had all 2,600 Leon Thomas fans in our feelings as we realised we were coming to the end of a phenomenal concert.
And of course, ‘Mutt’ – his biggest single to date: a bouncy and swag-filled number that sticks in your head for weeks on end – sounded even better when backed by a live band as I discovered last night.
There was some insane musicality, distinct bangers and impeccable live arrangements that elevated the original studio recordings. Maybe ‘Mutts Don’t Heel’, but Leon Thomas definitely healed me.
He wasn’t the only cool cat playing last night either:
Danny Jones -
26th January 2024 
