The people's voice of Greater Manchester

X

Audio

Queen + Adam Lambert play the AO Arena next month – here’s how you can watch the gig in style

Daisy Jackson - 14th April 2022

Rock legends Queen + Adam Lambert are set to perform a massive gig at the AO Arena in Manchester next month.

The much-anticipated Rhapsody World Tour will touch down in the city on 30 and 31 May – and there are a limited number of VIP tickets up for grabs.

It means that you still have the chance to watch the world-famous rockers from the best seats in the house at the AO Arena.

Prime View Tickets include fast track entry, access to the VIP lounge before the show with a welcome glass of champagne, and prime seats in the lower tier of the auditorium (block 103 or 114).

Queen + Adam Lambert will perform at the AO Arena Manchester. Credit: AO Arena

Priced at £230 per person, the Prime View package is a first class experience with incredible views for hits such as We Will Rock You, Don’t Stop Me Now, and We Are the Champions.

ADVERTISEMENT

The tour was first announced following the runaway success of the film Bohemian Rhapsody, a biographical musical that charted Queen’s rise to success.

Read more: The beautiful Peak District cave that’s being turned into a cinema this spring

ADVERTISEMENT

American vocalist Adam Lambert first joined members of Queen in 2011 and they have toured the world ever since.

The band first rocketed to fame in the 1970s and 1980s with the late Freddie Mercury at the helm.

To book Prime View Tickets for Queen and Adam Lambert at the AO Arena, email [email protected] or call 0161 950 1069.

Featured image: Publicity picture

Audio

Bright Eyes are heading back to Manchester on their new UK and European tour

Danny Jones Bright Eyes Manchester gig tickets

Bright Eyes Manchester gig tickets

Beloved indie veterans Bright Eyes are coming back to Manchester for the first time in more than three years as part of a brand new UK and European tour.

Formed back in 1995, the Omaha outfit has remained a cult favourite among music lovers all over the world, exciting fans with their latest comeback after an 11-year hiatus in 2020.

However, the Nebraska band have struggled with touring issues ever since, having to postpone a raft of shows during Covid and even after the pandemic was over, they had to cancel the remainder of their 2024 shows back following frontman Conor Oberst’s persistent vocal issues.

Bright Eyes confirmed that the lead singer had “developed a condition that is exacerbated by excessive singing” back in September, but with their new album finally out Oberst and co. are crossing back over the Atlantic to pick up where they left off.

JUST ANNOUNCED: We're delighted to share that @brighteyesband are coming to our venue on the 21st of June, following the release of last year's new album 𝘍𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘋𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘴!

Tickets on sale on Friday the 24th of January at 10am: https://t.co/tMAbPu9RHB pic.twitter.com/2K8q70jLJd
— Albert Hall (@Alberthallmcr) January 21, 2025

Releasing their fifth studio LP Five Dice All Threes towards the end of last year – their first new outing in half a decade – the long-standing group have already got back on the road in North America and are due to land in the UK this summer.

Kicking off a run of 16 continental dates at Rock City in Nottingham, Bright Eyes arrive in Manchester on Saturday, 21 June and are set to play the legendary Albert Hall – a venue singer-songwriter Oberst himself played as a solo act back in 2017.

The last Manc venue they played was the equally iconic O2 Apollo back in 2022 and while they might have been away for a hot minute, their die-hard fandom hasn’t gone anywhere.

As for the new self-produced record itself (recorded at Obert and Mike Mogis hometown studio), its been described as capturing an “uncommon intensity and tenderness, communal exorcism and personal excavation.”

Bascially, if you like the usual emotional introspection Bright Eyes deliver, this is more of it.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bright Eyes (@brighteyesofficial)

Read more:

Tickets for their Manchester gig go on sale this Friday, 24 January at 10am and we hope they bring all the ‘Bells and Whistles’.

You can get ready to grab your tickets HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)/The Manc Group

Audio

World-renowned rockers Lynyrd Skynyrd announce HUGE Manchester anniversary gig

Legendary Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd are returning to Manchester for a limited UK tour at one city’s foremost venues.

Six years since their last visit, we’re sure they’ve missed ‘That Smell’ of a Manchester crowd and it’s safe to say safe we’ve missed them too.

Known for our love of live music and gigs, there’s no better place to stop off at other than Manchester when you’re playing a world tour, especially celebrating the 50th anniversary of the band’s formation.

Their name needs no introduction, however, if you need a reminder of this band’s remarkable career then ‘Don’t Ask Me No Questions’.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AO Arena (@aoarena)

Just kidding, the well-seasoned country and blues veterans from Jacksonville, Flordia are one of the most acclaimed acts to ever come out of the US; in 2006 they received one of the biggest honours any artist could wish for, getting inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame.

With plenty of well-known radio rock staples to their name such as ‘Free Bird’, ‘Simple Man’ and, of course, the iconic ‘Sweet Home Alabama’, they’ve sold more than 28 million records and are ranked at no. 95. in Rolling Stone‘s ‘Top 100 Artists of All Time’.

Now that’s pedigree, right there.

With 14 official studio albums, several EPs and numerous live recordings, there are definitely more than enough songs to pack into one unforgettable night.

As one of just four dates here in England, Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Manchester tour show is taking place at none other than the AO Arena, which has also reached a milestone in 2025 as they celebrate 30 years of unbelievable gigs. What better way to party than with a good ol’ fashioned rock show?

They won’t be travelling solo either, they’re also bringing Georgia-based rockers Blackberry Smoke as a support act, notable for their 2012 single ‘One Horse Town’ along with many others.

rock concert manchester, lynyrd skynyrd, manchester — Rockin’ it out like they always do, bring on Manchester.

rock concerts this year, lynyrd skynyrd, manchester — Rockin’ it out like they always do, bring on Manchester.

They’ve chosen the right venue to belt the hits too and, ironically, they’ve chosen a Tuesday for their Manchester date, meaning you’ll be able to walk out of the concert singing ‘Tuesday’s Gone’ with more conviction than ever.

Similarly to Katy Perry, who also announced a gig at AO Arena set for this year, £1 from every ticket will also be donated to Live Trust in support of grassroots music venues. Love that.

One thing is for sure, with a legacy as big as this, the rockers are guaranteed to have a great time. There might not be any founding members left following the passing of guitarist and songwriter Gary Rossington in 2023, but you can bet the current lineup will do the originals justice and then some.

Lynyrd Skynyrd visit the AO Arena in Manchester on Tuesday 15 July 2025 with tickets going on sale from Friday 24 January at 10am. You can grab yours HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Publicity Pictures (Supplied)