The weather isn't the only thing that's been hotting up this week; the music scene in Manchester is also sizzling thanks to an exciting slate of live shows planned for this spring and beyond.
From indie rock five-piece Wet Leg and a fresh new tour by garage legend MJ Cole, to award-winning R&B artist Mario and a nostalgic trip down memory lane with Gary Barlow, there's something to delight every music lover in 2025.
Check out the line-up below, mark your calendars, and grab your tickets while they last.
MJ Cole Presents: Sincere - Albert Hall, Manchester
December 6, 2025
One of the godfathers of garage, MJ Cole has announced a special UK tour this winter to celebrate 25 years of his seminal Mercury Prize nominated album ‘Sincere’.
Following his recent sold-out headline show at London’s Jazz Cafe, the tour will revisit tracks from his brilliant and varied catalogue, re-imagined with past, present, and new collaborators. Fans can expect some very special guest appearances and surprises along the way - yet to be announced.
Originally released in 2000 under the iconic Talkin’ Loud label, MJ Cole’s ground-breaking album - and its unforgettable singles ‘Sincere’ and ‘Crazy Love’ - did more than define the sound of an era; it became the pulse of a generation. With shimmering melodies and soulful rhythms, these tracks captured the essence of UK garage music, setting dancefloors alight and weaving their way into the DNA of club culture. Alongside legends like Wookie, Tuff Jam and Dreem Teem, MJ Cole carved out a legacy that reverberates far beyond its origin.
Tickets go on sale here from 10am today (April 4).
Wet Leg - O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
May 29, 2025
Wet Leg - the Isle of Wight five-piece founded by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers - have announced their eagerly anticipated second album ‘moisturizer’ will be released on July 11, alongside details of a UK tour this May.
Joined by Ellis Durand (bass), Henry Holmes (drums), and Joshua Mobaraki (guitar, synth), Wet Leg’s ‘moisturizer’ is fun and freaky and fabulous - an unbridled display of the live muscle the band has built up over a few years of non-stop touring. Punchier and prettier, ‘moisturizer’ is an album of manic love songs and well-timed kiss-offs, delivered by a clan of the UK’s most beloved oddballs.
Touring all over the world, Wet Leg have developed into a taut, caustic live operation that made good on their debut album’s success: #1 chart placements at home and abroad, three Grammys, two Brits, and over half a billion streams.
Tickets will be available here at 10am on Friday, April 11, 2025.
Gary Barlow - O2 Apollo, Manchester
May 8, 2025
Gary Barlow is gearing up for a new solo tour this spring, joined by special guest Beverley Knight.
Set to be a huge celebration of his illustrious four-decade-spanning career, The Songbook Tour will see Gary perform an array of songs from his much-celebrated back catalogue of hits with both Take That and as a solo artist.
Gary Barlow is one of Britain’s most successful songwriters and record producers. As part of the group Take That, he has won eight BRIT Awards and sold over 45 million records. One of the band’s biggest hits, ‘Back For Good’, turned 30 in March - and is still ranked as one of the UK’s favourite pop songs having reached number one on its release in 1995, remaining top of the charts for four consecutive weeks, and becoming the band’s biggest-selling song of the 90s.
Tickets are on sale here.
Mario - O2 Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
May 3, 2025
Grammy-nominated, platinum-selling R&B singer Mario is set to head out on a UK headline tour this spring in support of his brand new album ‘Glad You Came’.
Kicking off in Leeds, Mario will perform six special dates across the country, concluding with a huge show at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse. Mario will also be joined by special guest Eric Bellinger on all dates.
With a dominant 2000s run, Mario’s hits include ‘Just A Friend’ and ‘Let Me Love You’ - the generation-defining serenade that spent nine weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned the singer widespread acclaim. His subsequent album, ‘Turning Point’, generated a ‘Best Contemporary R&B Album’ Grammy nomination, two Billboard Awards, and is part of a robust catalogue that includes four debuts inside the Top 5 of Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, beginning with his gold-certified debut, ‘Mario’.
Tickets are available here now.
Olly Murs - AO Arena, Manchester
May 23, 2025
Olly Murs will be hitting the road this spring on a massive UK arena tour, with an additional show at Manchester’s AO Arena this May, after selling out his Manchester Co-op Live arena date.
The arena shows follow his appearance as a guest on Take That’s tour last year. Get ready to party with a set that features all of Olly’s hits and more!
What’s more, Blue will be special guests on Olly’s must-see arena tour, which kicks off in Plymouth and visits a number of cities across the UK, including Manchester, before culminating at London’s O2 on May 25.
Tickets are on sale here now.
The Stranglers - O2 Apollo, Manchester
October 18, 2025
Tour de force of British new-wave The Stranglers marked their 50th anniversary in 2024, and have been full throttle ever since.
Their new UK tour this autumn will follow an unforgettable summer of shows that sees the inimitable quartet performing in front of huge crowds at open air shows at Southampton Guildhall Square, Lincoln Castle, Warwick’s St Nicholas Park, and Dreamland, Margate. The ’51’ tour celebrates making it past the big five-o, and will hit major towns across the UK including Manchester, before culminating at London’s iconic Roundhouse.
Tickets are on sale here now.
