A brand-new music festival featuring all British artists from years gone by is coming toAltrinchamthis year and just one glimpse at some of the names has got us feeling all full of nostalgia.
Arriving in the North West and not far from Hale this summer — so more Cheshire than Greater Manchester, in truth — the UK-lead lineup makes up The Brit Fest 2024 which is set to descend upon Ashley Hall and Showground from Friday, 5-7 July.
Along with performances by the likes of The Lottery Winners, Scouting For Girls and a DJ set from The Smiths’ Mike Joyce, the festival headliners and other artists are a real British throwback, with old favourites such as The Feeling, Bonnie Tyler, Toploader, Kim Wilde and many more.
Seriously, we’re not exaggerating; there’s Fleur East, Sonia, Hot Chocolate, T’Pau and plenty of other artists from down the years coming along for the inaugural festival and we are absolutely here for it.
Being set up by Great British Festivals company and sponsored by Altrincham-based solicitors Myerson, there’s plenty of backing behind this debut event and they’re even offering accommodation and glamping packages, as well as space for campers and vehicle spaces for caravans too.
Popular TV and Radio presentersJenny Powell and Mike Toolan will also be hosting the live acts on the main stage at the event in July and having already been given the seal of approval by industry veteran Chris Moyles, the buzz is slowly starting to build around this celebration of British music.
Moreover, with a lineup spanning across multiple generations, The Brit Fest also promises to be super family-friendly, as well as plenty more in the cards beyond just live music around the festival village.
For instance, comedian Matt Ford’s Big Band will no doubt provide the perfect crossover and there’ll also be lots of culture, arts, fashion and even classic cars on show — and plenty of food and drink, of course.
Adult day passes start from just £67, with junior tickets priced at just £34 and under fives going absolutely free.
However, if you fancy going along for the full weekend, you get three days of live music and entertainment for just £165 and you can even cop for VIP if you’re feeling all posh.
If The Brit Fest sounds up your street, you can grab yours HERE and, who knows, maybe you’ll see us there — most likely screaming ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ at the top of our lungs.
Country star Tyler Childers is coming to town for his biggest Manchester show to date
Danny Jones
US country music star Tyler Childers is returning to Manchester for his biggest ever show in this city, and tickets go on sale very soon.
Fresh off the back of his new album, Snipe Hunter – which was only just dropped back in July – the 34-year-old singer-songwriter is riding a fresh wave of excitement after years of hard work within the genre, mixing in plenty of classic bluegrass and folk into his modern take on the classic American sound.
As one of the most-streamed and well-respected contemporary country musicians on the scene right now, the Kentucky-born solo star and understated acoustic guitarist often falls into that category of your favourite artist’s favourite artist.
Now Tyler Childers is coming to our most legendary arena as part of his UK and European tour early next year, and we’ll certainly be queuing online for tickets.
As far as AO Arena shows booked in for the new year go, we’re very excited about this one.
His seventh studio album has been well-received by his die-hard followers and newcomers alike, delivering that same traditional Appalachian storytelling and hard-bitten humour, as well as plenty of attitude and anecdotal idiosyncrasies, not to mention plenty of vocal range as always.
Having not long come back from a pilgrimage to India, Lawrence County king teamed up with legendary producer Rick Rubin (along with some help from Sylvan Esso’s Nick Sanborn) to create one of his most eye-opening, broad and best records yet.
Post-release, the Associated Press went on to label him “one of country music’s most compelling and unpredictable artists”, and we tend to agree.
The LP immediately spawned plenty of fan favourites, and we certainly have ours – and the video has definitely had a hand in it:
It may just be his best work yet.
Experimenting with his current unique take on country rock sound more than ever, you couldn’t ask for a better time to go and see him live.
Once again, Tyler Childers comes to the AO Arena in Manchester on Sunday, 8 March 2026, with an official pre-sale available via Three+ from 9am on Wednesday, 10 September.
As for general admission, tickets go live at the same time on the following Friday (12 Sep); you can get ready to grab yours HERE.
We don’t know about you, but we’re very much enjoying our country moment at the minute…
Lil Baby cancels entire European tour including Manchester Co-op Live date
Daisy Jackson
A major act at Co-op Live has cancelled their gig today, just weeks ahead of their scheduled appearance.
Rapper Lil Baby has called off his entire European tour, which included a massive gig here in Manchester.
Fans have been notified via email that the shows will no longer be going ahead.
The Grammy award-winning artist was set to play the Co-op Live on Friday 26 September as part of his WHAM World Tour.
But Lil Baby will no longer be performing in Manchester – along with cancelled shows in London and across Europe – due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’.
A statement from AXS sent to fans said: “The event organisers have been in touch to let us know that due to unforeseen circumstances, Lil Baby’s performance has now been cancelled.
“We will be automatically refunding your tickets to the method of payment you used to buy your tickets, so you don’t need to do anything further.
“Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
Lil Baby has released four chart-topping albums, with his seminal album My Turn going seven-time Platinum.
Fans have been voicing their dismay at the cancellation of the tour, with one writing on X: “All rappers do is cancel SMH. Lilbaby cancelled tour cba.”
Another wrote: “Why the hell has lil baby cancelled his show.”
Someone on TikTok said: “I woke up to this email now my day is ruined cos Wdymm.”
And someone else posted: “I PURPOSELY TOLD MY PEOPLE NOT GOING ON HOLIDAY FOR MY BDAY BECAUSE LIL BABY PERFORMING IN LONDON ON 27 THE NEXT DAY! FOR HIM TO CANNNNCEEELLLLL 2 WEEKS BEFORE.”
Danny Jones -
2nd February 2024 
