Some of the world’s biggest artists will be touching down in Manchester in 2025 with massive gigs announced that will fill up your concert calendar FAST.
We’ve been trawling through all the listings to bring you some of the best live shows coming to town next year.
Manchester is a hub of music and culture and is now home to TWO massive arenas, so it’s no surprise that some serious superstars are flocking to our lovely city to hear our lovely Manc voices sing their biggest hits back to them.
So keep reading for all the live music and gigs inspiration you need for 2025 in Manchester.
(If any of my friends or family are reading this and are struggling for gift ideas, I’ll happily go watch a 5 foot tall sun-kissed blonde sing about a certain coffee drink any day of the week, wink, wink, nudge, nudge…)
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Must-see Manchester 2025 gigs
Katy Perry, AO Arena
Credit: Publicity Picture
The ultimate definition of 2010’s pop, this California girl is swapping the heat of the West Coast for the crowds of the North West.
Getting my daisy dukes ready as we speak and I’m DIY-ing my own cupcake bikini right now in preparation for the pop legend.
Katy Perry is bringing ‘The Lifetimes Tour’ to Manchester on 8 October 2025 with tickets onsale HERE.
Robbie Williams, Co-op Live
Credit: Publicity Picture
Featuring in chart-topping boyband Take That and also having a remarkable solo career, Robbie Williams is no stranger to performing in the music capital of the North.
The Stoke born singer will be hoping this batch of 2025 shows will be just as sweet as his 2012 single ‘Candy’.
Robbie Williams is bringing ‘Robbie Williams Live 2025’ to Co-op Live on 10 and 11 June 2025 with tickets on sale HERE.
Lionel Richie, Co-op Live
Credit: Publicity Picture
Richie and almost 24,000 people are gearing up to dance ‘All Night Long’ with the American hitmaker when he pays a visit to Manchester’s newest live entertainment venue next year.
Last visiting Manchester city centre in 2016, Lionel Richie’s star power hasn’t slowed down he’s always reaching new heights, and that’s because no one can get him down he’s always ‘Dancing On The Ceiling’.
The Jamaican born dancehall act has seen chart success with ‘Temperature’, ‘Got 2 Luv U’ and ‘Get Busy’, Paul has been steadily soundtracking people’s lives since his debut.
Ashanti has her own roster such as ‘Rock Wit U’, ‘Foolish’ and ‘Baby’, the latter single by the New York R&B artist even got an Aitch remix in 2022.
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Sean Paul & Ashanti are bringing the ‘Bring It Tour’ to AO Arena on 20 April 2025 with tickets onsale HERE.
Pierce The Veil, Co-op Live
Credit: Wikicommons
This wouldn’t be a proper gig list if we didn’t have some serious headbanging going on and it’s Californian rock band, Pierce The Veil, who we turn to for some big guitar and drum numbers.
The band are hoping to be the ‘King For The Day’ as they command a spectacular 23,500 audience in autumn of next year.
Pierce The Veil are bringing ‘I Can’t Hear You World Tour’ to Co-op Live on 25 September 2025 with tickets onsale HERE.
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Tyler The Creator, Co-op Live
Credit: Publicity Picture
Influential within the Hip-Hop genre, his latest album Chromakopia has a collection of 2020’s defining rap voices like Doechii, Sexyy Red and GloRilla.
Two support acts in the form of Georgia talent Lil Yatchy and Californian duo Paris Texas who are ready to drop some of the best bars Co-op Live has ever seen.
Tyler The Creator is bringing ‘Chromakopia: The World Tour’ to Co-op Live on 27 and 28 May 2025 with tickets on sale HERE.
Kesha, Albert Hall
Credit: Brendan Walter
The early 2010s wouldn’t have been the same without Kesha spinning our heads right round, right round and we’re not complaining, every single song is a banger.
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There’s a number of hits fans can expect and with a discography as popular as this American vocalist’s, the crowd will be wild.
Her sixth album which is expected the same year as her tour is set to be her first official release under her independent music label Kesha Records with two singles ‘JOYRIDE’ and ‘DELUSIONAL’ out already.
Kesha is bringing ‘Kesha Live In The UK’ to Albert Hall on 30 May 2025 with tickets on sale HERE.
Sugababes, Co-op Live
Credit: Publicity Picture
Mutya, Keisha and Siobhán better known as UK girl group Sugababes have not long left Manchester performing at Parklife just this summer.
They have accumulated a total six number one singles in the span of five years including ‘Push The Button’ and its infamous line which “I’ve been dropping so many hints and you’re just not getting it”.
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These leading ladies have been a UK music staple with ‘Freak Like Me’ and ‘Round Round’ , if you’re going to this you’ll soon be up on your feet busting your best moves.
Sugababes are bringing ‘Sugababes ’25’ to Co-op Live on 11 April 2025 with tickets onsale HERE.
Gary Barlow, O2 Apollo
Credit: Publicity Picture
2025 is set to be an epic year for this boyband heartthrob with the renewal of his TV show ‘Gary Barlow’s Wine Tour’ and a host of UK gigs, what can’t this man do?
Barlow is embarking on a huge tour of the country with 41 UK tour dates including O2 Apollo in Manchester and dates in Blackpool, Halifax, and Liverpool, if you’re after a nice, local afternoon out.
He’s seen much acclaim in Take That but with his solo records too, most notably ‘Sing’, ‘Forever Love’ and ‘Love Won’t Wait’, written by Madonna (We’re not joking).
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Gary Barlow is bringing ‘The Songbook Tour 2025’ to O2 Apollo on 9 May 2025 with tickets on sale HERE.
Teddy Swims, Co-op Live
Credit: Publicity Picture
One of the most recent rising stars, Teddy Swims has built a rapid fanbase who admire him for his strong vocal capabilities heard on his smash hit ‘Lose Control’.
Swims has collaborated with the likes of the incredible hitmaker Meghan Trainor and even country songstress Maren Morris.
The American male vocalist is seeing similar success with newest release ‘The Door’ which is just as soulful as his 2023 groundbreaking single.
Teddy Swims is bringing ‘I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour’ to Co-op Live on 10 March 2025 with tickets on sale HERE.
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Rizzle Kicks, Castlefield Bowl
Credit: Publicity Picture
As the two lads sing themselves in 2011’s ‘Mama Do The Hump’, “Yeah, yeah I love that sound” and we really do love the sound of this duo coming back to Manchester.
They’ve grafted hard with their memorable tracks like ‘Down With The Trumpets’, ‘Skip To The Good Bit’ and even featured on the Olly Murs record ‘Heart Skips A Beat’.
Jordan and Harley have sold over one million singles and 600,000 albums in the UK under the stage name ‘Rizzle Kicks’ and they’re taking over Manchester next summer.
Rizzle Kicks are visiting ‘Sounds Of The City 2025’ at Castlefield Bowl on 11 July 2025 with tickets onsale HERE.
Sabrina Carpenter, Co-op Live
Credit: Publicity Picture
‘Espresso’, ‘Taste’ and ‘Please Please Please’ – Sabrina Carpenter’s grip on the charts this year has literally been phenomenal.
Carpenter is known for keeping her shows fresh from varying her ‘Nonsense’ outros, covering songs via ‘Spin the wheel’ or the big one on everyone’s lips, “What ‘Juno’ position is she going to do in Manchester?”.
Sabrina Carpenter is bringing ‘The Short ‘N’ Sweet Tour’ to Co-op Live on 13 March 2025 with tickets sold out, but you can try resell sites like Twickets. (Good luck).
Oasis, Heaton Park
Credit: Publicity Picture
We’ve saved our favourite Mancs til last and as many of you are probably aware, this tour is more than certainly sold out however it would be a dishonour not to mention it.
Burnage boys, Noel and Liam, have well and truly got the band back together ahead of their 2025 Oasis reunion tour and are set to play five shows at huge outdoor Manchester venue, Heaton Park.
Oasis are bringing ‘Oasis Live ’25’ to Heaton Park on 11, 12, 16, 19 and 20 July 2025 with tickets sold out, however much like the pop princess above, you can also try resell sites like Twickets.
All the events happening around Manchester ahead of the BRIT Awards 2026
Daisy Jackson
For the first time in its three decade-long history, the BRIT Awards are taking place in Manchester this year – and there’s a whole programme of events happening all week in celebration.
Much like the Oasis fever that had the city in its grip last summer, venues all over Greater Manchester will be getting giddy over the upcoming awards ceremony, which will attract some of the world’s biggest music names to our hometown.
The BRIT Awards themselves will be taking place at the Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 28 February, as well as being broadcast live on ITV and ITVX.
Performances on the night will come from Harry Styles, Olivia Dean, Rosalía, Mark Ronson, Wolf Alice, and loads more – you can see the latest line-up for the BRIT Awards HERE.
But before that, Mancs will be able to enjoy everything from free art trails to intimate gigs from massive artists.
The BRITs will really be taking over Manchester – here’s everything that’s going on.
The BRITs Art Trail
Northern Quarter and Ancoats | Thursday 12 February – Monday 16 March
The BRITs Art Trail map
Curated by legendary Manchester artist Stanley Chow, and produced by Wild in Art, a new citywide art trail has appeared in the city.
The work of 21 different North West artists – from murals to billboards to installations – has taken over the Northern Quarter and Ancoats.
You’ll find them everywhere from the side of the landmark pink carpark on Church Street to the windows of Fred Aldous – one of our favourites is a classic David Bailey BRITs comic strip.
A Microdot Design by Brian Cannon
Manchester Piccadilly | Tuesday 17 February – Sunday 1 March, 12pm-6pm
Taking full advantage of the closure of Manchester Piccadilly is one of the music industry’s best-known creatives, with a bespoke gallery exhibition popping up on the station’s concourse.
A Microdot Design by Brian Cannon will celebrate three decades of iconic British music artwork, including his creations for bands including Oasis, The Verve, Cast, Ruthless Rap Assassins, New Fast Automatic Daffodils, Inspiral Carpets, The Lathums and Super Furry Animals.
Brian Cannon said: “I established Microdot in Manchester in 1990, and since then, I have worked with many artists from the city and the wider North-West area. I was delighted, therefore, to be asked to curate an exhibition to celebrate The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard’s first visit to Manchester showcasing my work for musicians from the region.
“The retrospective exhibition includes some classic pieces that most people will be familiar with, alongside some lesser-known work from my archive.”
Entry is free, with advance timed tickets available to book HERE.
BRITs Week for War Child, delivered by DHL
Various dates and venues
Huge artists announce intimate charity gigs for BRITs Week 26 for War ChildRobbie Williams announces surprise intimate gig in Manchester at Aviva Studios. Credit: Supplied
Some of the world’s biggest artists – including BRITs-nominated star Olivia Dean – will be performing intimate shows at grassroots venues right across the UK.
Here in Manchester, that means Olivia Dean herself on stage at the beautiful Albert Hall, The K’s at Gorilla, as well two nights curated Warehouse Project at YES – one with Mixmag’s Year Defining DJ Josh Baker, and the other with DJ Mag’s One to Watch Rossi.
These shows have been announced in support of War Child’s vital work supporting children affected by Conflict.
Tickets and further information can be found HERE.
The Rodeo BRITs special edition zine
Friday 20 February
Independent Manchester music magazine The Rodeo are producing a limited-edition zine to celebrate The BRITs coming to town.
As well as interviews with nominated artists, it will feature words from people across our city’s music scene, and will showcase the events taking place all over the city.
It will officially launch on Friday and you’ll be able to pick up copies in selected shops, record stores, and music venues – UNITOM, Piccadilly Records, Night & Day Cafe, The Rat & Pigeon, Fred Aldous, Ezra & Gil, The Bay Horse Tavern, Cane & Grain, Smithfield Social, Jimmy’s, Pollen, and Cloudwater.
FRINGE LAB
New Century Hall | Friday 27 February
BRITs Fringe will be a week-long programme that celebrates Greater Manchester’s music scene, under the banner ‘Manchester Seen and Heard’.
The event will harness the power of the BRIT Awards to amplify grassroots and local creativity.
At the centre of the programme is FRINGE LAB, a one-day music industry forum, mixer and live showcase at New Century Hall, with a line-up that includes YolanDa Brown OBE DL, Jamz Supernova (BBC 6 Music), Rich Castillo (Lionbear Music), The Lottery Winners, Donae’O, Zed Bias, Låpsley, Sam Potts (AWAL), Scott Lewis (EMI North) and Mark Lippmann (Scruff of the Neck).
But there’ll also be three days of workshops for young musicians – you can find out more information on that HERE.
Kate Lowes, Director at Brighter Sound, said: “We’re thrilled to be announcing some of the incredible artists and industry figures joining us for BRITs Fringe – with more to be announced in the coming days. The line-up reflects both the calibre and generosity of people ready to share knowledge and open doors for the next generation.
“We’ve had a fantastic response from local creatives and can’t wait to welcome everyone to our events in the week leading up to the awards. From development sessions to live showcases, we’re focused on creating clear, meaningful pathways for Greater Manchester talent.”
Manchester Must Dance (an afternoon with Mike Pickering in conversation with Graeme Park)
The Social, Aviva Studios | Saturday 28 February, 2pm
In celebration of Manchester-born musician, DJ and songwriter Mike Pickering, this special event will give guests an exclusive preview of Mike’s forthcoming book Manchester Must Dance, alongside his take on the music, moments and movements that shaped his groundbreaking career.
The event will feature an in-conversation hosted by legendary house music DJ Graeme Park, with a live audience Q&A offering a rare opportunity to hear directly from Mike himself.
Audio North’s Artist of the Month: Roukaya B | February 2026
Thomas Melia
The North is full of amazing artists, and we’re spotlighting one every single month – get ready for Roukaya B to bring the ‘Heat’.
Salford soulstress Roukaya B needs no introduction, but we’re giving her one anyway, as you might not be aware of her sheer musical power.
Self-proclaimed “soul enlightener” and ‘Manchester’s Queen of Soul’, this artist has been uploading music to streaming platforms since 2022.
Rou doesn’t conform to one genre; instead, she deliberately fuses them, blending R’n’B, soul, rap, afrobeats and even jazz to create some of the freshest sounds.
Now, Roukaya B sits down with Audio North after discovering her ‘Artist of the Month’ title to discuss exciting projects, personal stories and her artistry.
An interview with Roukaya – Audio North’s Artist of the Month
What has your journey in music looked like so far? My journey has been quite hectic, but in the best way. I’m a singer-songwriter and all-around creative, and I’ve learned a lot about myself and what my voice can do. I’ve developed my writing and ability to perform on stage, throwing myself into collaborations too.
I’m constantly evolving just like the music I’m putting out.
“Singer, writer, rapper, dancer, actress, drama queen, you can’t compete here” – We couldn’t put it any better ourselves.
Where did you grow up, and what music were you listening to? I was raised in Salford, and music for me was very different as I come from a multicultural background. My Dad is Algerian, my Mum is Jamaican-English; they met in the South and settled up North [great choice] to have a family.
I grew up on a lot of ‘raï’ music – a North African genre with really cool drum patterns, reggae and 90s hip hop. My Mum loved that soul tune, ‘I Believe in Miracles’ by Hot Chocolate, and my Dad absolutely loved M People, especially Heather Small; they made some iconic classic anthems.
I was raised on lots of different genres, and I think that’s showcased in my music today.
When did you realise singing was something you wanted to pursue? I’ve always known that I wanted to be a singer from a really young age. It’s what I said I’d do in primary school, it’s what I wanted to do in high school, and I did it in college.
Salford singer-songwriter Roukaya B claims our inaugural ‘Artist of the Month’ title (Credit: Audio North)
When I was growing up, it wasn’t accessible to the younger generation to see it as a viable career, so I was sort of teased and laughed at for it, so I never really dived into it. I could sing, and I studied music in high school, but I missed my opportunity on YouTube when it was fresh.
It was only after college that I decided to post covers to my Instagram, where people engaged, and it was cool for people to find and discover me. So I did college again as a music student, and the rest is history. All of this has become a part of my musical journey, and everything happens for a reason.
How did you come to this realisation? In short, the realisation was that I wasn’t focusing on my inner drive and trust me, it wasn’t just calling me, it was essentially shouting at me: ‘Hi, babes. Use your voice, whether it’s spoken, whether it’s singing, just use it. This is a healing tool and healing force.’
What is your ultimate dream as an artist?
I want to do a ‘Tiny Desk Concert’ or ‘COLORS’ show, and I’d love to make music with Sasha Keable – if you’re reading this, Rouyaka B wants to collab, haha!
Being true to myself and remaining authentic as I progress in my career is part of that dream. I don’t want to bang out a tune every single month; I want to make sure my work is always consistent. Being a genuine artist is my ultimate dream.
Are there any fellow up-and-coming artists you’re listening to?
Remée, or ‘That Remée Girl’, as she goes by on socials. She’s a Liverpool-based alt-grunge act and let me tell you… She. Is. COOL. There are some festival dates lined up, so if you get the chance, go see her.
This Manc creative champions the city wherever she can. (Credit: Liam Heeley)
What’s next for you in terms of your music career?
There’s a handful of live shows coming up, and they’re going to be very experimental. I also have a collection of work coming out in the future, which I can’t say too much about just yet.
There’s even a youth music project which I’m really, really, really excited about. So much is coming!
It was a pleasure chatting with Rou, and we have every faith that big things are coming for her in 2026 and beyond.
Thomas Melia -
30th December 2024 
