The Killers will be performing a huge gig in Manchester this weekend, taking to the stage at the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
As one of the world’s biggest indie-rock bands, the group will be performing in front of a crowd of 50,000 with their Imploding the Mirage world tour on Saturday 11 June.
It’s in support of their last two studio albums – Imploding the Mirage and Pressure Machine – their sixth and seventh releases.
Fronted by Brandon Flowers, The Killers have topped the UK albums chart every single time they’ve released an album – quite an achievement.
The Las Vegas four-piece last performed in Greater Manchester with a show-stopping gig at the Macron Stadium in Bolton.
They’re really ramping things up this summer – and have roped in a pretty famous local group as their support act.
Here’s what you need to know.
Who is supporting The Killers?
Blossoms. Credit: Publicity Picture
The Killers have chosen some home-grown talent to support them at their Manchester gig.
Stockport’s very own Blossoms will be taking to the stage at one of the region’s biggest venues.
The group recently played their own intimate gigs at Band on the Wall and the Stockport Plaza to celebrate the release of their latest album, Ribbon Around The Bomb.
They were also a headliner at the nearby Neighbourhood Weekender in Warrington.
Doors to the venue will open at 5pm, then the stage times should look like this (but are always subject to change).
7.15pm-8.04pm – Blossoms
8.40pm-10.25pm – The Killers
10.30pm – Curfew
How do I get to and from the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground?
The Killers will perform this weekend. Credit: Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground
Trams on the Altrincham line, which services Emirate Old Trafford Cricket Ground, are expected to be busy on Saturday from 5pm.
Those with tickets for The Killers are encouraged to also use Firswood and Wharfside tram stops (on the East Didsbury/Airport line and Trafford Park line respectively) and walk the short extra distance to the venue.
Gig-goers are being urged by TfGM to plan ahead, allow plenty of time, check the last tram and train times, and have a back-up plan in case of any disruption.
A shuttle bus service will be in place, running from Fairfield Street (near Piccadilly station) from 3pm until 7pm. A small number of shuttle buses will go back the other way after the gig.
If you want to drive, official event parking will be at Manchester United, Car Park N3, charged at £15.
The Killers has completely sold out on Ticketmaster at the time of writing.
You may be able to get some tickets on a resale platform, but make sure you’re not buying a fake.
What will the setlist be like?
Based on The Killers’ gig in Norwich on 9 June, this is the setlist we can expect to hear.
My Own Soul’s Warning
Enterlude
When You Were Young
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine
Smile Like You Mean It
Shot at the Night
Running Towards a Place
Human
Somebody Told Me
Fire in Bone
Shadowplay (Joy Division cover)
Runaway Horses
For Reasons Unknown
A Dustland Fairytale
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger cover)
Runaways
Read My Mind
Dying Breed
Caution
All These Things That I’ve Done
Encore
Spaceman
Mr. Brightside
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
Gigs & Nightlife
Bob Vylan dropped from Manchester music festival following Glastonbury controversy
Danny Jones
English punk rap duo Bob Vylan have been dropped from an upcoming music festival in Manchester following the recent controversy surrounding their set at Glastonbury 2025.
The media storm surrounding their much-talked-about and heavily televised Glasto appearance has seen them reportedly dropped by their agency and their US Visas cancelled, along with multiple concerts – one of those being right here in Greater Manchester.
Bob Vylan were scheduled to play RADAR Fest at Victoria Warehouse in Stretford this weekend, but now the organisers have informed gig-goers that the artists will not be performing in their planned slot on Saturday.
The alternative music event did provide any additional details, posting nothing but this image:
For anyone unaware, Vylan were heavily criticised for the pro-Palestine chants, which Glastonbury itself has deemed as having “crossed a line”, labelling the chants against the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) as antisemitic.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also commented on the situation.
In addition to RADAR, Vylan were also due to appear at Kave Fest in France the following Sunday, 6 July, but the music event has also decided not to host them.
The BBC also opted not to broadcast Northern Irish band Kneecap as part of their coverage this year, as the Belfast rap trio have also been outspoken on the issue, among many other musicians of late.
Responding to the decision on social media not long after the news broke, the act simply shared the post on their Instagram story along with the caption: “Silence is not an option. We will be fine, the people of Palestine are hurting. Manchester, we will be back.”
Manchester crowned one of the world’s best cities for music lovers
Emily Sergeant
Manchester has been crowned one of the world’s best cities for music lovers, even beating out New York along the way.
If there’s one thing Manchester is known and loved for over anything else, it’s music.
From Oasis and Joy Division, to Happy Mondays, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, The 1975, and even more modern-day acts, there’s no end to the amount of talented artists this city has produced or been home to over the years, all contributing to Manchester being one of the most prestigious music cities there is.
The city’s live music scene has always been thriving, and that continues right through to this very day, as you’ll see big-name musicians including Manchester as a destination in their UK tour schedules more often than not.
This summer is all set to be a sensational celebration of sound, as not only is an immersive art trail, Music for the Senses, taking over the city from this week, but this year’s annual Manchester Day will be music-themed too, marking one of the biggest years for Manchester music in a long time.
Manchester has been named one of the best cities in the world for music lovers / Credit: Manchester City Council | Eldhose Kuryian (via Unsplash)
Oh, and there’s also the small matter of Oasis reforming for a UK tour, including a run of gigs at Heaton Park this month.
So it’s no surprise that Manchester has been named one of the best cities in the world for music lovers, especially as the IFPI Global Music Report has revealed that the UK has the third largest music market globally – with the music industry’s contribution to the UK economy being £6.7 billion on average.
Taking this recent report into consideration, the experts over at SeatPick have collated data to uncover the best UK cities for music lovers, analysing factors such as the number of concerts, homegrown talents, music businesses, and the total number of music venues, to reveal each city’s overall music score out of 10.
Coming in at second place with a music scene score of 8.97/10 is Manchester.
2025 is all set to be a sensational summer of sound in our city / Credit: Supplied
“Manchester remains one of the UK’s most iconic music cities and with 1,204 concerts between 2025-2026, 116 live music venues, and 380 homegrown acts, the city’s live music offering is as strong as ever,” SeatPick said of its findings.
“2025 is shaping up to be a historic year for Manchester, with Oasis reuniting for the first time in over a decade, with a massive comeback show at Heaton Park – the very spot where they played their last hometown gig in 2009.”
While Manchester may have missed out on the UK’s top spot, with that title going to London, in the global rankings, our city has claimed an impressive sixth place, beating out New York’s influential music scene.
Liverpool and Leeds are two of the other northern cities in the UK’s top 10, taking fifth and sixth place respectively.
“Cities which have a larger number of music businesses are key in creating the perfect city for music fans, as this impacts the city’s cultural, economic, and social vibrancy,” explained Gilad Zilberman, who is the CEO of SeatPick.
“A thriving music scene within a city means it can provide more artistic expression, support a wider range of genres, and enrich the cultural landscape, as well as attracting creative talent.”
Daisy Jackson -
10th June 2022 
