Plan a fantastic 2025 and beyond with these incredible live shows in Manchester

November is here - which means, one, the festive season is just around the corner, and two, the hunt for the perfect Christmas gift is on.

Luckily, if you’re looking for a present with a difference, or even just a nice treat for yourself, there’s a host of fantastic live music shows coming up in Manchester throughout 2025 - and even 2026 - to grab tickets to.

From award-winning soloists like Darius Rucker, to well-known bands such as Primal Scream, Manic Street Preachers and the much-loved Fisherman’s Friends, there’s something to suit a wide range of music tastes. Take a look below for the line-up and where to get your tickets…

Darius Rucker - AO Arena, Manchester

October 3, 2025

Three-time Grammy award-winner Darius Rucker has announced his return to the UK in autumn 2025 for a major arena tour, where he will visit Belfast, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and London - and be joined by very special guests Jake Owen and The Shires.

The news comes following the release of Darius’ latest album ‘Carolyn’s Boy’, and memoir ‘Life’s Too Short’, in which he tells his remarkable story through the lens of the songs that shaped him - from Al Green, Stevie Wonder and KISS, to Lou Reed, Billy Joel, Nanci Griffith, and more.

Darius first achieved multi-platinum status as lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the Grammy award-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish, who have sold more than 25 million albums worldwide, including double diamond-certified debut ‘Cracked Rear View’.

Since releasing his first country album in 2008, Darius has earned a whole new legion of fans with four number one albums on the Billboard Country chart, including RIAA platinum-certified ‘Learn to Live’ and ‘True Believers’, plus 10 number one singles on country radio and 11 gold, platinum or multi-platinum certified hits.

Tickets are on sale here now.

Primal Scream - Aviva Studios, Manchester

April 11, 2025

Ahead of the release of their forthcoming new album ‘Come Ahead’, Primal Scream have announced a headline tour for March and April 2025.

The upcoming tour marks Primal Scream’s anticipated live return after 2022’s ‘Screamadelica Live’ and their 2023 summer shows were rapturously received. The band’s headline performance at Crystal Palace’s South Facing Festival was described as “a powerful, emotionally charged performance” by The Telegraph in a five-star review.

On their 2025 tour, Primal Scream will be supported by Baxter Dury in Bristol, Southampton, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Nottingham - and by Fat White Family in London, with more guests soon to be announced.

The songs that have already been released from ‘Come Ahead’ have been rapturously received by fans and critics alike. ‘Ready To Go Home’ was described as “a beautifully pointed piece of songwriting” by CLASH, whilst ‘Love Insurrection’ was called “cosmic” by NME and “a foot stomping slice of jazz-tinged balladry” by The Telegraph. The album is also already receiving acclaim, with MOJO declaring "Come Ahead is up there with Primal Scream’s best".

Tickets are on sale here now.

Clubland - AO Arena, Manchester

May 10, 2025

Following the huge success of last year’s tour, Clubland have announced their live return to UK arenas in May 2025. In a spectacular three-hour action-packed show, attendees can relive all the classic tunes in a party atmosphere and enjoy the Clubland experience.

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, with artists such as Cascada, Scooter, Bass Hunter and Ultrabeat amongst many more – selling over 30 million albums in total.

See Cascada, Darren Styles, Ben Nicky, Basshunter, Ultrabeat, Billy Gilles ft Hannah Boleyn, Flip n Fill, Kelly LLorenna and Karen Parry perform (on selected dates).

Tickets are available here now.

Manic Street Preachers - O2 Apollo, Manchester

May 2, 2025

Manic Street Preachers have announced a series of UK tour dates to follow the release of their forthcoming album, ‘Critical Thinking’ - out January 31, 2025.

The band have released a new single, ‘Hiding In Plain Sight’, which features - for the first time - lead vocals from bassist/lyricist Nicky Wire. Initially inspired by a line from poet Anne Sexton, ‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ contrasts a fearful midlife nostalgia - one in which the writer longs to “keep the curtains drawn all day” - with a gloriously uplifting melody that draws on classic ’70s rock’n’roll of The Only Ones, Cockney Rebel, and the loose flow of Dinosaur Jr’s ‘Freak Scene’.

‘Critical Thinking’ celebrates conflicting ideas colliding, with unflinchingly soul-searching lyrics meeting some of the most head-on, addictive melodies the band have ever recorded.

Tickets are now available here.

Fisherman’s Friends - Bridgewater Hall, Manchester

April 12, 2026

To celebrate performing together for over 30 years, Fisherman’s Friends have announced brand new UK tour dates for 2025 and 2026.

Having sold out every venue on their last tour including the Royal Albert Hall, the band are looking forward to performing songs - old and new - across some of the UK’s most prestigious venues.

Over the last year, they've reached over 100,000 followers on Facebook and have two feature films to their name - grossing more than $15 million at the UK box office and are now featured on terrestrial and digital television. Plus, chart-topping album releases, a musical inspired by their story, a BBC Folk Award, a best-selling book, TV documentary, and huge performances at The Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Hyde Park’s Proms in the Park, Glastonbury, Strictly Come Dancing and more.

In January, Fisherman’s Friends released their fifth album ‘All Aboard’ - and the past summer saw their song ‘Brave Volunteers’ - a collaboration with Seth Lakeman, part of Radio 2’s ‘21st Century Folk’ - playlisted at Radio 2.

Tickets are sale here now.

Pete Wylie & The Mighty WAH! - Night & Day, Manchester

March 21, 2025

Pete Wylie is back with the Mighty WAH! for a brand new show with the ‘Songs Of Strength & Heartbreak’ tour 2025. Celebrating 25 years of ‘Songs of Strength & Heartbreak’, a special deluxe edition of the album will be released on March 7, with more news to follow.

After successive sell-out tours celebrating a storied career with the ‘Teach Yself WAH! Best Of’, attention now turns to the record Pete Wylie returned with after breaking his back. ‘Songs Of Strength & Heartbreak’ is the stuff of legend; Sony spent a million pounds on it, then dropped it before release, despite its brilliance.

This upcoming tour will feature a brand new set, and all the biggies like ‘The Story Of The Blues’, Come Back’, and ‘Sinful’ - plus the best of ‘Songs Of Strength & Heartbreak’.

Tickets are now available here.