As the clocks fast-forward an hour this weekend, it's clear spring is here. And, as well as brighter and warmer weather, the official change in season also brings with it plenty of gigs and shows to look forward to.
This week, there are tickets available for Kelis, Fall Out Boy and Radiohead's Philip Selway, as well as a cracker of a show from the cast of Mrs. Brown’s Boys, and what’s shaping up to be the biggest party this spring, Clubland.
Read on for the full line-up and where to get your tickets.
Philip Selway - Gorilla, Manchester
May 21, 2023
As a solo artist, Radiohead's Philip Selway has released and toured three albums, ‘Familial’, ‘Weatherhouse’ and ‘Let Me Go’, the latter being the official soundtrack from the film of the same name. He also scored soundtracks for the independent film ‘Carmilla’ and ‘Sea Longing’, a play for BBC Radio 3.
In 2014, he was commissioned by Rambert Dance Company to write the music for the first reinterpretation of choreography by Merce Cunningham, the influential American choreographer.
Aside from his muggle drumming duties in Radiohead, he has also featured in the wizarding band ‘The Weird Sisters’ in the film ‘Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’.
Tickets are on sale here now.
Mrs. Brown’s Boys - Opera House, Manchester
August 30 - September 1, 2023
The multi-award-winning Brendan O’Carroll and Mrs. Brown’s Boys have announced their much-loved classic play, Mrs. Brown Rides Again, will return to the UK stage for the first time in 10 years.
Mrs. Brown’s Boys' success has been nothing short of incredible. The much-loved sitcom’s awards include 5 BAFTAs, 4 National Television Awards, 3 TV Choice Awards, 4 IFTA awards, and 3 TV Times Awards, as well as RTS, TRIC and National Comedy Awards.
BBC series All Round to Mrs. Brown’s continues to achieve record-breaking viewing figures and Mrs. Brown’s Boys Christmas Day and New Year’s Day TV specials also returned for the festive period dominating ratings once again.
Live, Mrs. Brown’s Boys has broken box office records across the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Tickets go on sale here at 10am on Friday, March 24, 2023.
Ocean Colour Scene - Liverpool University Mountford Hall
December 11, 2023
Formed in Birmingham in 1989, OCS spent six years fine-tuning their sound before lighting up the Britpop party with three Top 5 albums; 1996’s ‘Moseley Shoals’, 1997’s ‘Marchin’ Already’ and 1999’s ‘One From The Modern’.
The band has also achieved 17 Top 40 singles, including a staggering run of nine successive Top 20 singles and a mantelpiece full of awards.
On their new tour, Ocean Colour Scene will perform their biggest hits and anthems, including The Riverboat Song, The Circle, Traveller’s Tune, Hundred Mile High City and The Day We Caught The Train.
Guitarist Steve Cradock said: “This feels like the first proper tour Ocean Colour Scene have done in years. Last year, we managed six dates because of the World Cup, and the year before, Covid was still scaring people, so we are going to make it something special. Roll up, roll up for the magical OCS Tour!”
Tickets are on sale here from 9am on Friday, March 24, 2023.
Fall Out Boy - AO Arena, Manchester
October 29, 2023
Fall Out Boy have cemented their position as one of rock music’s biggest-selling bands - and have just released their eighth studio album, So Much (For) Stardust. The album marks the band’s first new album in more than five years.
In July 2021, Fall Out Boy embarked on The Hella Mega Tour in the US alongside Green Day & Weezer, playing live in front of over one million fans on a sold-out global stadium tour and marking the first time the three bands had headed out on the road together.
Tickets are flying for both their US and Europe tours with many dates sold out, and additional shows added.
Tickets for their Manchester show are available here.
Clubland - AO Arena, Manchester
April 8, 2023
Legendary dance brand Clubland is back in UK arenas for the first time in over 10 years.
Clubland began as a series of compilation albums in 2002 and was the umbrella brand for an entire movement of commercial dance music which spawned countless classic dance hits over the past 20 years with artists such as Cascada, Scooter, BassHunter and Ultrabeat amongst many, many more.
With a fabulous, fast-moving three-hour show, you can guarantee an exciting return to the times when dance music produced the best tunes, incredible energy and an amazing feel-good factor – guaranteed to make you smile.
Tickets are still available here.
Kelis - Albert Hall, Manchester
June 21, 2023
Born and raised in Harlem, New York, Kelis Rogers, better known by just her first name, first came to prominence singing the hook of Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s hit Got Your Money.
Years of chart-dominating songs and thrilling, boundary-pushing music followed resulting in millions of albums sold and numerous top 10 hits. She has released six albums, won Brit, Q, and NME Awards, and been nominated for two Grammy Awards.
Her latest album Food, made with a live band and horn section, mints a sound that is rootsy, raw, and soulful without ever being retro. Upon release, the album was praised as one of her most adventurous works yet.
Kelis has toured every corner of the world, performed at every major festival, and shared the stage with the world’s top artists.
Tickets to Kelis' special Manchester show can be found here.
Ward Thomas - Albert Hall, Manchester
April 5, 2023
Ward Thomas are back! After the brilliant lockdown album release of Invitation, the Hampshire-duo have returned with Music In The Madness, their fifth studio album.
Still only 28, Catherine and Lizzy are on a roll and already working on a sixth album which they plan to release before they turn 30.
The twins said: “We look up to artists like Brandi Carlile, whose career has grown organically. Of course, we love success, but the artists we admire are the ones who keep showing up and don’t sell out. We do what we do because we love music and we have something to say.”
For as long as that continues, there will be Ward Thomas.
Grab your tickets here.
