Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott have announced a return to Manchester on their autumn UK tour.
The tour will include some of their biggest-ever shows as a duo, with support from special guest Billy Bragg at all dates.
They’ll be gigging at the AO Arena in Manchester, as well as the O2 Arena in London and Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
And despite such massive arena shows on the cards, they’re promising tickets will remain at just £30.
Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott’s tour will be in support of their upcoming new album, N.K-Pop, which is due for release on 7 October.
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Two songs from the album, Still and Too Much For One (Not Enough For Two) have already been released.
Paul & Jacqui UK tour announced with special guest @BillyBragg including dates at Manchester @AOArena & London @TheO2. All tickets £30! Qualify for presale access by pre-ordering the new album at https://t.co/iXyR5p7hCq by 4pm Monday. Presale codes/links emailed from 5pm Monday. pic.twitter.com/RTjD2d8DZl
Their previous album, Manchester Calling, went straight to number one when it was released in March 2020.
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In 2022, Paul Heaton’s songwriting was recognised with a prestigious Ivor Novello Award for Outstanding Song Collection.
With some 15 million album sales under his belt, his music career has included stints as the frontman of The Housemartins (the same group that gave us Norman ‘Fatboy Slim’ Cook) and, of course, The Beautiful South, who released 10 hugely successful albums.
In 2001 Heaton took a break from The Beautiful South – where Jacqui Abbott was lead vocalist between 1994 and 2000 – and released his first solo album Fat Chance, followed by two more solo records.
In 2011, the pair reunited for Heaton’s musical, The 8th, and have since released four albums as a duo.
Earlier this year, Paul Heaton cemented his place in the nation’s hearts by putting £1000 behind the bar of 60 pubs across the UK and Ireland, so fans could have a drink on him on his birthday.
Tickets for Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott’s autumn UK tour will go on sale at 9.30am on Thursday 1 September through Gigs and Tours.
Full tour dates are:
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November 26 SWANSEA Arena 27 LLANDUDNO Cymru Arena 28 BLACKPOOL Opera House
December 1 BRIDLINGTON Spa 2 GLASGOW OVO Hydro 3 STOCKTON Globe 5 PORTSMOUTH Guildhall 6 NOTTINGHAM Motorpoint Arena 8 BIRMINGHAM Resorts World Arena 9 SHEFFIELD Utilita Arena 10 MANCHESTER AO Arena 17 LONDON The O2
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Gigs & Nightlife
The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 16 – 22 March 2026
Emily Sergeant
We’re right in the middle of March now, and we’ve got another busy week in store.
And what a week it is – we’ve got everything from new art exhibitions making their UK debut, to the return of Manchester Folk Festival for 2026, and of course, St Patrick’s Day too, all happening throughout Greater Manchester.
Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? No worries. We’ve chosen a few of the highlights for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide.
Both free things and those that’ll set you back a few pennies are featured.
Europe’s most popular Banksy exhibition, The Mystery of Banksy – A Genius Mind, has officially made its UK premiere down at Depot Mayfield, and the amazing industrial space has been filled with more than 200 reimagined works by the acclaimed street art superstar.
Fans are able to step inside the mind of one of the world’s most prolific artists in an immersive and interactive exhibition that has already wowed audiences in their millions.
Expect to see recreations of his most iconic works, including Girl With Balloon, the thought provoking Devolved Parliament, a fully ‘Banksified’ London Underground carriage, and a towering seven-foot elephant installation.
Did you also know that The Christie cancer patients’ artwork is also being showcased at this exhibition too?
That’s right, The Christie – which is, at present, the only hospital in the UK that offers a dedicated art service for patient – has been invited to showcase a selection of artwork at the new exhibition, all with the aim of highlighting the role art plays in supporting cancer patients.
Patients will have a chance to prove just how powerful and transformative art can be, all while raising money for a very important cause.
The Irish Festival Village is back in Manchester city centre.
With St Patrick’s Day arriving this week, and the popular annual Parade taking place on Saturday (14 March), it wouldn’t be a celebration in the city centre without the return of the Irish Festival Village, this year in St Ann’s Square.
Here you can expect back-to-back live music every day, plus Irish-themed food and drink, and unbeatable craic, of course.
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Wondering where the best Irish pubs and bars are in Manchester? Where serves the best pints of Guinness?
It would be St Patrick’s Day without a pint of the Black Stuff.
Manchester is home to an ever-growing collection of Irish pubs and bars of all sizes, so if you’re looking for somewhere to settle in and spend the night sipping on a Guinness or two, then you’re really not spoiled for choice in our city.
We’ve done all the hard work for you, and rounded up a list of the best places Manchester has to offer for you to take your pick from here.
Credit: The Manc Group
Oh, and on top of that, the city’s also recently been named as having one of the best ‘pub cultures’ in the UK, according to some new research… and we can’t disagree.
A new free exhibition by Pablo Picasso is opening in Manchester this week, including works never-before seen on public display.
The new exhibition, titled Picasso: A Legacy, is comprised of more than 35 original works on paper and ceramics, all of which were created by the artist from the mid 1930s up until his death in 1973, and visitors will get to be guided through the last four decades of his life.
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You’ll also get to encounter the artist’s lovers and muses, mythological alter egos, and playful zoomorphic ceramics, as well as feats of frantic artistic output that made up Picasso’s final decade.
Mamma Mia! The Musical / Credit: ATG Tickets | Brinkhoff/Moegenburg
Here we go again… one of the most iconic stage musicals of all time, Mamma Mia!, has arrived back in to Manchester, and has taken to the Manchester Palace Theatre stage for an extended stay throughout the month.
There’s absolutely no denying that Mamma Mia! has millions of fans right across the globe, after all, when you take all of ABBA’s greatest hits and put them into one all-singing all-dancing show, it’s no wonder it’s so popular.
Going from the West End to becoming a global phenomenon, this irresistibly funny show has been thrilling audiences all around the world for more than two decades.
Find out more and get your last-minute tickets here.
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Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos
Science and Industry Museum
Monday 16 March – onwards
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos / Credit: Science Museum Group | BBC
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos has made its world premiere at the Science and Industry Museum, and is inviting visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System.
Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition encouraging visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.
The new exhibition propels families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.
Looking to escape the elements and have your mind boggled this spring? Sounds like a trip to Museum of Illusions is on the cards then.
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It’s time to let your competitive side out – get ready to experience the city’s most unique attraction like never before. Race through the vortex, create the best mirror image, and complete the brain gym the fastest to win the dazzling trophy at the end.
Whether you’re team building with your work lot, or taking your mates for a bit of healthy competition, it’s a great one to have a go at.
Manchester Folk Festival is back for 2026 this week.
Hailed as arguably the UK’s leading urban folk festival, this multi-venue event offers a welcoming city-centred alternative to the traditional rural greenfield gatherings.
Discover the best contemporary and traditional folk, roots, and acoustic music across a variety of Manchester’s iconic music venues.
From intimate spaces to festival stages, there’s something for everyone, and as always, you can tailor the festival to your own tastes, as individual tickets are available for all gigs, as well as being able to purchase a festival wristband for the full three days.
Looking for a different and creative way to spend your weekend?
If you fancy unleashing your inner artist, or you simply just want a break from staring at your phone for a bit, then this vinyl painting workshop in Manchester is well worth checking out.
Hosted by INK at Renae over in the Northern Quarter, this unique class lets you transform old, damaged records into your own piece of art.
No experience is needed, you just turn up and get creative – with tickets setting you back £18.50, and each including the record, all the supplies you’ll need, and even a drink too. Not bad for a wholesome afternoon out, right?
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Stuck for somewhere to grab a bite to eat?
Just like we do every month, we’ve rounded up some of the best things we got to eat in February, so if you’re on the hunt for somewhere new to eat in March, then we’ve absolutely got you covered as there’s plenty of places across the city region.
It’s been another jam-packed month of insanely delicious eats, and we’ve been lucky to have loads of new openings too. From golden egg pops, to a pickle lover’s wet dream (… sorry) in pizza form, we’ve been scoffing the lot.
Ski season is officially here, the Winter Olympics have well and truly entertained us, and people are jetting off to the slopes left, right, and centre. But if you’ve never been skiing before, and you’re heading on your first ski holiday, luckily you can learn the ropes here at Manchester’s very-own Snow Centre first.
Over a two-hour beginner lesson here, you can learn everything from how to get your skis on, to snow ploughing… and even getting back up again after falling over.
Our Amy’s currently on her first-ever ski holiday this week, so we took her for her initial lesson👇
Are you a fan of Mini Eggs? Oh boy, do we have a treat for you then.
If you ask us, one of life’s greatest pleasures has to be Mini Eggs, and Grandpa Greene’s and Greene’s Bistro over in Diggle and Uppermill have taken this humble choccy treat to the next level – with a whole menu dedicated to them.
There’s a full Mini Egg afternoon tea, stacked pancakes, waffles, French toast, milkshakes, and gigantic sundaes (plus, their homemade Mini Egg ice cream is up there with the best).
Oh and who can forget the Slattery x Grandpa Greene’s hot chocolate. The special Easter menu is available at both sites, but the question is, how will you have your Mini Eggs?
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Featured Image – The Manc Group | Manchester Folk Festival
Gigs & Nightlife
Manchester has been named one of the UK’s top ‘pub culture’ hotspots
Emily Sergeant
New research has revealed which UK towns and cities are home to the best pub culture, and it’s no surprise that Manchester’s made the cut.
With St Patrick’s Day merely days away at this point and summer also firmly on the horizon, it’s about to be a big time for British pubs and the humble beer garden – but which towns and cities across the UK have the best ‘pub culture’ there is to offer? Where are you guaranteed a top-tier night out or day drinking session?
Well, in a bid to get to the bottom of that, the travel experts over at Big House Experience decided to do some important research.
By analysing thousands of data points across every UK postal town area, researchers created a comprehensive index awarding each location a ‘Pub Culture Score’ out of 100.
And Manchester secured a coveted place in the top five.
Manchester has been named one of the UK’s top ‘pub culture’ hotspots / Credit: Ben Black | Fred Moon (via Unsplash)
Overall, Manchester earned itself a ‘Pub Culture Score’ of 96.1, which is pretty impressive if you ask us, and is certainly an ode to the wide – and ever-growing – variety of watering holes, both new and historic, that we have dotted all over the city.
Other northern cities claiming a spot in the top 10 include Newcastle at six, and Sheffield at seven, while out of top 10 is where you’ll find Ripon and Chester, while other major UK cities like London, Glasgow, and Cardiff are all, unsurprisingly, featured too.
The UK’s Top 10 ‘Pub Culture’ Cities
Bristol – 100
Edinburgh – 99.5
Birmingham – 96.9
Manchester – 96.1
Reading – 94.2
Newcastle – 94
Sheffield – 90.7
Glasgow – 89.3
London – 87.5
Chelmsford – 82.3
When it comes to the number one spot though, that title goes to Bristol, as the West Country city scored full marks thanks to offering a total of 1,211 pubs across the entire postal area – which is the equivalent of almost 25 pubs per 10,000 people.
Following closely behind is the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, with a near-perfect score of 99.5, and Birmingham claims third place with a score of 96.9.
Daisy Jackson -
25th August 2022 
