Some of the biggest names in music will come together this weekend for the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert.
The late Foo Fighters drummer, who tragically died in March this year, will be remembered in true rock and roll style – with a night of live music.
The all-star concerts have been organised by Hawkins’ bandmates, including frontman Dave Grohl, as well as his bereaved family.
Two shows are set to take place – one at London’s Wembley Arena, and another in Los Angeles.
Famous faces taking to the stage to honour the rock legend will include Liam Gallagher, Brian May, Mark Ronson and Supergrass, to name a few.
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The Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts will start this week. Credit: Facebook, Taylor Hawkins
The Foo Fighters themselves will also be performing on what’s set to be an emotional night.
The band cancelled all tour dates, including a date in Manchester, in the wake of Hawkins’ death, so this weekend will be a rare chance to see them perform again.
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Here’s how you can watch the show from Manchester.
How to watch the Taylor Hawkins tribute concert
Although the actual gig is taking place down in London, Foo Fighters and the Hawkins family have arranged for it to be live-streamed across the planet.
The gig will begin at 4.30pm on Saturday 3 September.
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You’ll be able to watch it live through the MTV YouTube channel below when the concert starts.
MTV will also air a one-hour special across its channels around the world starting on Sunday 4 September.
Who’s headlining?
As one of the most famous and respected musicians in the industry, Taylor Hawkins and his Foo Fighters bandmates aren’t short of famous friends wanting to pay their respects.
It’s led to a bumper bill of rock royalty, who will perform alongside Foo Fighters at Wembley.
In alphabetical order, this is who you’ll see on stage on Saturday.
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Travis Barker (Blink-182)
Nandi Bushell
Martin Chambers (The Pretenders)
Chris Chaney (Jane’s Addiction)
Chevy Metal
Stewart Copeland (The Police)
Josh Freese
Liam Gallagher
Violet Grohl
Omar Hakim
Justin Hawkins (The Darkness)
Shane Hawkins
Joshua Homme (Queens Of The Stone Age)
Chrissie Hynde
James Gang
Alain Johannes
Brian Johnson (AC/DC)
John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin)
Kesha
Greg Kurstin
Geddy Lee (Rush)
Alex Lifeson (Rush)
Brian May (Queen)
Krist Novoselic (Nirvana)
Nile Rodgers
Mark Ronson
Luke Spiller (The Struts)
Supergrass
Roger Taylor (Queen)
Rufus Taylor (The Darkness)
Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
Wolfgang Van Halen
Plus a special guest appearance from Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock
The gigs have been created to raise money for Music Support and MusiCares, as well as to honour the late Taylor Hawkins.
Music Support is a charity that provides help and support for those who work in music and live events affected by mental ill-health and/or addiction.
MusiCares’ website states that they ‘help the humans behind music because music gives so much to this world’.
The charity provides critical health and welfare services to the music community in three key areas: mental health and addiction recovery services, health services and human services.
All merchandise sold will also benefit the two charities.
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What Taylor Hawkins’ loved ones say
Taylor Hawkins and Dave Grohl with the Foo Fighters. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
A statement from Foo Fighters said: “As one of the most respected and beloved figures in modern music, Taylor’s monolithic talent and magnetic personality endeared him to millions of fans, peers, friends and fellow musical legends the world over.
“Millions mourned his untimely passing on March 25, with passionate and sincere tributes coming from fans as well as musicians Taylor idolized.
“The Taylor Hawkins Tribute Concerts will unite several of those artists, the Hawkins family and of course his Foo Fighters brothers in celebration of Taylor’s memory and his legacy as a global rock icon.”
A statement from the Hawkins family said: “As Taylor’s wife, and on behalf of our children, I want to share how much you meant to him and how dedicated he was to ‘knocking your socks off’ during every performance.
“Taylor was honored to be a part of the Foo Fighters and valued his dream role in the band every minute of his 25 years with them. We consider every band member and the extended Foo Fighters team our family.
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“Taylor’s endearing spirit and deep love of music will live on forever through the collaborations he so enjoyed having with other musicians and the catalog of songs he contributed to and created.
“In celebration of his life, it is now up to all of us who loved him most to honor Taylor’s legacy and the music he gave us.
“Thank you all again for your love and sympathy. Taylor loved all of you & we love you too. With gratitude, Alison Hawkins.”
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
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Manchester’s epic club night La Discothèque to take over AO Arena with huge lineup this summer
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most epic club nights is taking things up a notch and heading to the AO Arena this summer.
The global super glam party legends have announced a fully-flamboyant, flamingo-esque festival of disco starring a truly show-stopping lineup.
Famed for throwing immersive disco and house parties, and normally a resident over at the equally iconic – but much smaller and more intimate – Albert Hall, you can expect La Discothèque to be just as heavy on the confetti, feathers, and sequins as it usually is when it takes over Manchester‘s massive AO Arena in June.
If the hugely-popular club night wasn’t already known for its unrivalled production as it is, The Disco Arena will be even bigger and better than ever before.
The legendary La Discothèque 22-piece orchestra will perform at the AO Arena live for the first time, featuring Barbara Tucker and Anita Ward, alongside other major acts such as the former ladies of The Supremes and Norman Jay’s Good Times Band.
Manchester’s epic club night La Discothèque is taking over AO Arena this summer / Credit: Supplied
You can also expect to catch the House Gospel Choir, and Disco Voix featuring Jenna G, as well as a tribute to legend Donna Summer by The Feel Good Choir.
A very special guest is also soon to be announced, so make sure to keep your eyes peeled.
La Discothèque is taking to the AO Arena stage on Friday 6 June 2025, and tickets are ready to go on sale from this week.
The mega lineup includes some huge names / Credit: Supplied
There’ll first be two separate pre-sales, a Three pre-sale on Thursday 20 March from 10am, followed by the AO Arena’s own venue pre-sale this Friday (21 March) also from 10am, before general sale tickets go live next Monday 24 March, again from 10am.
A horror, rock and wrestle festival is coming to Manchester this month
Thomas Melia
Manchester is known for hosting all kinds of celebrations from Parklife to Pride, and now the city is obsessing over horror and rock.
The always wonderful Bowlers Exhibition Centre, one of Greater Manchester’s biggest and busiest event spaces, will be hosting a brand-new event this weekend.
This new ‘Horror, Rock and Wrestle festival’ will boast an unmissable line-up boasting faces from the Scream, A Nightmare on Elm Street and Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchises.
Expect to see David Arquette, Joseph Whipp, Jsu Garcia, Caroline Williams and more actors who have contributed to horror cult classics.
But it’s not just horror that’s taking centre stage at this convention, there’s also chance to spotlight both the rock and wrestling world.
Musicians and professional wrestlers Joe Hendry and Chris Jericho will also be making an appearance with Robert Maillet getting in on the action too.
With so many celebrities of film and screen all popping up in one building, any attendees might think they’ve entered a mini Hollywood.
Taking place at BEC Arena, also known as Bowlers Exhibition Centre, this event will bring together not just film stars and legends, but lots of fun activities and interactive workshops too.
There’s no confirmation of who’s taking the wheel for the rock scene but there is a chance that guests will see live performances from ‘renowned rock bands’ at this mighty ‘Horror, Rock and Wrestle festival’.
You’ll also be able to grab a tattoo, with previous years seeing many fans getting the actor’s signature tatted on them for life, all done by on-site professional artists.
An insight into past events similar to Horror, Rock and Wrestle Festival.With the Horror, Rock and Wrestle Festival could we see Chucky paying another visit to Manchester?Credit: Supplied
Attendees are encouraged to show off your creativity by cosplaying as your favourite character, wrestling icon or rock legend.
Across these two dates there will also be live wrestling matches, circus acts and stunt performers, and even monster trucks.
Collectors get ready as the Exhibitor Hall will be packed with all things comics, collectables, merchandise, apparel and more.
Where else can you meet one of your movie idols then shortly after get a tattoo, watch some wrestling and weave your way through a scare maze?
There will be plenty of guest talks and live performances too.Some of the crazy outfits we might be seeing at Horror, Rock and Wrestle Festival.Credit: Supplied
Taking place on 22 and 23 March ‘Horror, Rock and Wrestle festival’ is coming to Bowlers Exhibition Centre and you can find out everything you need to know and bag yourself some tickets HERE.