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The Weeknd at Etihad Stadium — stage times, support acts, setlist and more

It's been bouncing at the Etihad the past few weeks and it shows no signs of stopping anytime soon!

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 9th June 2023

It is an absolutely massive few days of music here in Manchester and although while plenty will be focused on the arrival of Parklife, there’s another big name arriving at the Etihad this Weeknd.

See what we did there?…

That’s right, Abel Tesfaye, a.k.a. The Weeknd is one of many amazing incredible acts set to perform this Saturday, following Coldplay last week by taking the stage at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.

With The Courteeners kicking off the Heaton Park party vibes on Friday before the Parklife festivities get into full swing, you obviously can’t cram absolutely everyone onto one big field, so for those of you that are going along, here’s everything you need to know.

Are there any tickets left for The Weeknd’s Manchester gig?

We’ve got some bad news for you, tickets to see The Weeknd at the Etihad sold out a while ago — we’re talking seated, standing, hospitality, the lot.

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He is one of the biggest pop and R&B artists on the planet, so not that much of a surprise, to be fair.

You can obviously always keep your eye out on resellers like TicketSwap and Twickets for any spares that might go up but, as always, we advise caution when purchasing second-hand tickets from anyone and to steer well clear of ticket touts.

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Who are The Weeknd’s support acts?

As for those of you who have managed to bag a ticket, you’re in for an absolute treat as not only will you be seeing The Weeknd but his support acts are absolutely dynamite.

As well as prolific producer Mike Dean (not the one that’s usually at the Etihad) as the first support, who has worked with the likes of Kanye West, Travis Scott, Drake and countless other big names — The Weeknd included, obviously — you will also get to see global DJ and electronic sensation Kaytranada before the main event.

Madness, right? For anyone still sleeping on Kaytra (there can’t be many of you left in the world), the fellow Canadian is arguably one of the best live acts going at the minute, selling out stadiums all across the world, headlining Coachella and costing a fair few quid to see alone.

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It’s not hard to see why:

@adelamariiaa best night of my life #kaytranada #kaytranadalondon ♬ original sound – adelamariiaa

The Weeknd ‘After Hours til Dawn’ setlist

Now, when it comes to setlists, given that artists like switch things up from show to show all the time, we can only ever really give you predictions.

However, according to Setlist.fm and his last show in Passeio Marítimo de Algés, Portugal, he is what you very well be hearing come Saturday night.

We’ll warn you now, it’s an absolute whopper of a line-up.

  1. Take My Breath
  2. Sacrifice (Swedish House Mafia remix)
  3. How Do I Make You Love Me?
  4. Can’t Feel My Face
  5. Lost in the Fire
  6. Hurricane
  7. The Hills
  8. Often
  9. Crew Love
  10. Starboy
  11. House of Balloons
  12. Heartless
  13. Low Life
  14. Reminder
  15. Party Monster
  16. Faith
  17. After Hours
  18. Out of Time
  19. I Feel It Coming
  20. Die for You
  21. Is There Someone Else?
  22. I Was Never There
  23. Wicked Games
  24. Call Out My Name
  25. The Morning
  26. Save Your Tears
  27. Less Than Zero

Encore

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  • Blinding Lights
  • Double Fantasy
  • Creepin’ (Metro Boomin cover)
  • Popular

What a show this is going to be.

Stage times

The Weeknd support acts Manchester
Kaytranada tour Manchester date
The Weekend stage times Manchester
Mike Dean/Kaytranada/The Weeknd (via Instagram)

Speaking of the lineup, in case you’re wondering when you can expect each of them to rock up to the Etihad stage, doors are set to open at 4pm and with Manchester set for yet another gorgeous day, you can spend hours enjoying tunes in the heat before the sun even goes down. Wonderful stuff.

While the exact times of each act are yet to be fully announced, the live entertainment is set to start around 7pm, with The Weeknd expected to take the stage around 9pm.

With a setlist this long, who knows how long he tends to go on for, but we’d ballpark that the show will finish around 11pm.

How to get to the Etihad Stadium

Last but not least, getting to the Eithad should be a doddle regardless of how you’re getting there. If you’re choosing public transport, the Metrolink is the most direct route, with a tram stop right outside the ground and just a few stops away from Manchester Piccadilly.

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Both Holt Town and Velopark Metrolink stops, located on either side of the Etihad Campus stop, will not be open for at least an hour after an event at the stadium and they’ll obviously be very busy, so just make sure plan accordingly.

The trams will be very busy though, and since the weather looks so nice again, so you might prefer to walk; if so, it’s only around a 30-minute stroll from town with this safe walking route recommended.

If you need to drive in, official car parking is priced at £25 for cars, £50 for coaches and £40 for minibuses. There are of course other unofficial car parks and drop-off points nearby too, so just make sure you’re not getting ripped off.

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We repeat again, this weekend in Manchester is going to be absolutely MASSIVE and we can’t wait.

Whether you’re doing The Courteeners, The Weeknd, Parklife or any of the countless other gigs going on around town, we hope you have a sick time.

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God, we love summer.

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

Featured Image — The Weeknd (via Instagram)

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Where to go before and after a gig in the musical city of Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Manchester is a music city through and through, especially when it comes to the live scene, but one question we hear time and time again is ‘Where should I go before and/or after a gig?’

In fairness, if you’re from the area or have lived here long enough then you’ll have your answer or certainly a few tried and tested go-to places but, for anyone still new to Manchester, there’s some serious concerted effort that goes into planning these things. Get it?

Seriously though, you’ll be pleased to know that not only do we boast some of the best acts to have ever come out of the UK and some of the best venues to watch live music in the country, but we also have some of the best spots to enjoy yourself before and after seeing your favourite artists.

You’ll never need to wonder where to go before or after a gig in Manchester again.

10 of the best pre and post-gig bars and venues in Manchester

big hands bar manchester
rizzos manchester
big hands oxford rd
rooftop terraces in manchester
A top-tier choice either before or after any Manchester gig. (Credit: The Manc Group)

1. Big Hands

First up on our list is a long-standing favourite among students and gig-goers alike: Big Hands, a.k.a. one of the coolest little boozers you’ll find anywhere in the city centre. It also happens to be right near all the Manchester Academy venues, which is handy.

With decent prices catering to those gigging on a budget along the busy university strip of Oxford Road, a lovely dimly-lit aesthetic complete with gig posters galore; a rooftop garden terrace adorned with twinkly lights and plenty of plants, it’s a pure vibe in here.

They also hold live music and DJ set nights of their own, as well as currently serving up great Italian street food from Rizzo’s – formerly T’arricrii) – like pizza by the slice and their famous arancini, it’s quite simply one of our happy places.

2. Bunny/Junior Jackson’s

In a number two is a twofer of sorts because we love them both as much as each other really, but if you’re looking for some solid scran and pre-gig fuel on the cheap, then Bunny Jackson’s is the answer.

Comfortably the best dive bar on the planet, the playlist in here is literally undefeated if you like rock, pop-punk, emo and some good old-fashioned Americana. They also regularly host afterparties following live shows and even the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, The 1975 and more have sampled the goods.

The only thing it has over its sister site Junior Jackson’s or the new country-style karaoke bar (both in Northern Quarter) is the 25p wings. In fact, we’ve got the perfect plan: Bunny’s before the gig, karaoke after and Junior’s well into the small hours.

3. Night and Day Cafe

night and day northern quarter
night and day cafe events manchester
Credit: mcrjh.pix (via Instagram)/The Manc Group

In at number three is another Manc music institution and arguably one of the most important venues of the past two decades or so that has given so many big names their start. It also happens to be a great place for before and after a gig in Manchester.

Should you be starting your pre-concert ritual super early, you can grab breakfast, brunch or pizza all the way up until 2pm, as well as some pretty darn good coffee too, but the reason to head here is to soak up the history and culture literally dripping from the walls – oh, and boogie until 2am, of course.

With artwork and Stanley Chow prints to be studied, as well as that warm red, orange and yellow paint scheme, we always feel welcome walking in here. It may have had a tough time keeping the doors open over the past couple of years, but live music lovers have kept it alive and will continue to do so.

4. New Century

What’s better than a bar right near the venue you’re going to? How about one big bar within an even bigger food hall that’s already inside the same building as the concert?

New Century Hall only opened back in 2022 but it’s fast become not only one of our favourite live music spaces in the entire city – with that spring floor, top-notch sound system and stunning psychedelic illuminated disco ceiling – but it’s also the perfect place to go beforehand too.

With so many independent vendors inside serving up everything from pizza, parmos; Japanese, Vietnamese and plenty of other cuisines on offer, not to mention a great beer, wine and cocktail selection, this stylish 60s-inspired room is right below the venue itself and we love it from top to bottom.

5. Stage and Radio

Similar to fellow Northern Quarter fave Night and Day, Stage and Radio on the other side of the district feels like the equivalent for fans of electronic, dance music and DJ in general.

It acts as a bar in the afternoon and early evening, perfect for pre-drinks especially come happy hour, but by nighttime it hosts a wide range of its own shows, welcoming up-and-coming artists.

The star of the show, however, is the club room in the basement which serves up some seriously good late-night shows, so whether you’re just heading downstairs after a chiller on the ground floor or looking to rave into well into the next day, you won’t go far wrong with this gaff.

6. The Salisbury

From EDM and clubbing to the old-school rock and roll haunt that is The Salisbury, which is arguably one of the very places that comes to mind when we think of where we like to go before and/or after the game, a gig and pretty much any other event to be honest. We’re big fans.

Full of rockers of all ages all either queuing up for the bar or the jukebox, Little Ireland’s little gem of a boozer is much more than just a pub, it’s one of the most well-trodden haunts on Oxford Rd to be found nearby and for very good reason: it’s mint.

Whether you like heavier stuff or just want a good boozer to get ready for a night of tunes, it’s well worth a go. They also have a somewhat secret outdoor area out back that not everyone stumbles across and their in-house New York pizza, Dough161 (fantastic name), isn’t just decent – it’s genuinely up there.

7. Grand Central

In a very similar vein to The Salisbury, next door or rather right in front of one rock pub is another recently renovated bar popular among students, those who enjoy the alternative scene and loved by a fair few of us here at The Manc.

No, we’re not asking you to imagine NYC or turn back to before Manchester Central was even called the GMEX, Grand Central is the name of the longstanding bar that promises a few things: cheap drinks, great music and now plenty of live performances too.

The name is fitting too given the central location for anyone travelling in the city, hence why it’s often heaving. We’ve also got a soft spot for another neighbour known for its Northern Soul nights, so if either or both of the last two suggestions are too busy you can always try Thirsty Scholar.

8. YES

If you cross the road and make your way to Charles Street, just a few short minutes away you’ll find a multi-purpose venue that YES, with food, drink, music and more sprawling across four storeys.

You can do it all here. There are gigs in the Pink Room on the first floor, official artist afterparties and club nights down in the basement; bloody good butties from Micky’s and booze as well as dancing, pizza and tonnes more on the ground floor, plus a beautiful rooftop terrace. Something for everyone.

Students regularly pack this place out too but don’t worry, the various deals are available to everyone and you’ll find it busy with people pretty much all day and night – including our very own Will.

9. Rebellion

This is another one that we’d probably put in the post-gig column but Rebellion just opposite Deansgate Locks is arguably one of the most underrated music-related venues in Manchester.

It’s another city centre venue that (not so) quietly hosts some of the rowdiest nights you’ll come across; you’ll sometimes hear the noise booming from the walls on a walk home from a night out and we’ll admit it’s drawn us in on more than one occasion.

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We always remember bumping into local alt-rock and indie icons Everything Everything in here and losing our minds, so it gets bonus points for that interaction alone.

Credit: Rebellion (via Facebook)

10. Satan’s Hollow

And finally, it’s possibly the very first shout we make on where to go most certainly AFTER a proper rock show, Satan’s Hollow is a haven for metalheads emos, goths – whatever arbitrary label you want to throw our way.

All we know is that if you like heavy music, we’re not telling you to go here, we’re considering it a Manc rockers rite of passage if you’ve still got the energy to headbang post-gig.

Tucked away behind Gay Village and strictly cash-only entry, what goes on behind these tall, demonic-looking gates stays behind them and we promise it’s better to leave it to your imagination and just enjoy the carnage once you’re in there.

rock bars and clubs in manchester
what is satans hollow manchester
If you know, you know… (Credit: The Manc Group)

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Featured Images – The Manc Group

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Neighbourhood Weekender returns after hiatus with incredible first wave lineup for 2025

Danny Jones Danny Jones Neighbourhood Weekender back with 2025 lineup

After a year out to help fine-tweak what is already one of the best festivals in the North West, Neighbourhood Weekender returns for 2025 with a simply incredible first-wave lineup.

The Warrington-based music festival spread across two fantastic days and jam-packed with some of the best talent from all over the UK is officially back after its short hiatus and buzzing is an understatement.

Neighbourhood will no doubt be a familiar name to many of you who have attended the city centre day festival that first started back in 2016, but the full weekender which began a couple of years later has become a giant in its own right, welcoming some huge acts to the stage in the past.

Spoiler alert: there are some pretty bloody big ones this year too.

Credit: Tom Martin (supplied)

With the likes of Pulp, James, Shed Seven, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Blossoms, Sam Fender, Lewis Capaldi, Inhaler and countless other big names having come through taken the NBHD rite of passage in previous editions, it’s fair to say the lineup also sees both established and up-and-coming names.

Another thing it can take as a compliment is that many of these bands are artists keeping coming back every year or two – in fact, there are a fair few returning customers in 2025 and we’re sure that same goes for the crowd too.

Boasting a daily capacity of around 25,000, make no mistake, this thing is massive and if you’ve never been before, we can’t think of a better time than next summer for their comeback festival now that we’ve seen who’ll be playing.

NBHD Weekender 2025 will not only see headline performances from Manc rock and indie legends, James, as well as fellow veterans and the veritable pride of Wales, Stereophonics, but other huge names include The Wombats, Inhaler, The Lathums, Dizzee Rascal, Ocean Colour Scene and SO many more.

Drum roll, please…

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The names we’re excited to see a virtually endless and this is just the first wave, mind you.

We’re especially excited to see the likes of Wunderhorse, CMAT, overpass, Sigrid, as well as returning favourites The Lathums, The Reytons, The Snuts, The Lottery Winners, The K’s and we simply must stop there otherwise we’ll just end up listing the whole lineup.

Set to take place on the bank holiday weekend of 24-25 May, tickets for Neighbourhood Weekender go live at 9:30am on Friday, 22 November via www.gigsandtours.com, Ticketmaster and the NBHD website.

Residents in postcodes WA1 – WA5 will have access to a local presale, which also opens from 9:30am on Wednesday, 20 November.

See you at the park!

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

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)

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