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
Billie Eilish reveals the reason why she chose Manchester to film her new movie
Danny Jones
Global superstar Billie Eilish has revealed the reason why she chose Manchester, of all places, to film her upcoming new movie.
The answer won’t surprise you, but we were buzzing with it nonetheless.
In case you were unaware, Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour is the new documentary and live concert film directed by Billie herself, along with some help from none other than James Cameron.
Being screened not only in cinemas but also in 3D (yes, that’s still a thing), the performance-based movie captures content taken from her run of gigs right here in Manchester. Here’s why she picked us:
Though it’s still no surprise, really, we always find it so surreal seeing some of the world’s most famous artists speaking so highly about our city.
As you can see, while she did quip that the schedule lined up production-wise, it was an easy decision to pick her four – yes, FOUR sold-out nights at Co-op Live, as the place to film the project based on the atmosphere alone.
“I fricking love Manchester”, said the 24-year-old, going on to add, “Honestly, Manchester is one of my favourite audiences ever.”
Manc fans simply couldn’t get enough of her, hence why she was able to book so many big dates at the massive arena.
Here’s the big surprise she brought out for the show we were lucky enough to be at:
We love Billie and, as it turns out, she feels the same about us.
The release date for Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft tour movie is coming around early next month, with the film set to be screened in selected cinemas across the UK and beyond on May 8, 2026.
Speaking in the recent interview on the red carpet with the BBC, she also detailed how fellow Academy Award-winner Cameron contacted her first about the prospect of creating this immersive music project.
Imagine just picking up the phone to James Cameron – as you do…
Will you be watching? Better still, were you at one of the shows and plan to look out for yourself in the crowd, which is now soon to be splashed on the big screen?
A League Of Their Own LIVE is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The inaugural live tour version of A League Of Their Own Live Tour is heading out across the UK, with a big Manchester show booked on the list of dates.
For fans of the hit sports-based TV show on Sky, this will be the first time ever that the A League Of Their Own (ALOTO) cast will be presenting, performing and cracking plenty of jokes in front of a proper live audience.
There’s no stopping and resetting to get the shot with this production: just them and the crowds up and down the country – we know you won’t let the side down, Manchester.
Booking one of the city’s biggest and most storied live entertainment spaces, we have every faith they’ll make it a night to remember.
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN LIVE TOUR
The hit TV show announces its first-ever live arena tour! Hosted by Jamie Redknapp!
As you can see, already confirmed to be taking part in the live adaptation of the panel show are regular co-hosts Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott, as well as some of the big names.
In addition to famous former sports personalities like Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and ex-boxer Tony Bellew, they will also be joined by comedians Tom Davies and Maisie Adam.
Massive football fans themselves, who have both been part of the ALOTO cast in the past, it’s a funny lineup, for sure.
While the main presenter, Romesh Ranganathan, has not been confirmed as part of the touring crew, it’s worth noting that the lineup could change closer to the time. We wouldn’t be surprised if they have some special guests up their sleeves for one or two of the shows, either…
Please let us see ‘Wazza’ roped in to recreate this moment:
Speaking of the dates, you can see all the shows – including the Manchester this coming autumn – currently announced down below:
A League Of Their Own Live Tour dates – 2026
Friday, 4 September – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Saturday, 5 September – AO Arena, Manchester
Tuesday, 8 September – OVO Arena Wembley, London
Friday, 11 September – Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
Monday, 14 September – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham
Thursday, 17 September – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
As detailed above, early access can be enjoyed either for Three Mobile members or via the venue’s official presale window, which opens at 10am this Thursday, 30 April.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live at the same time the following Friday (1 May); you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
25th August 2022 
