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JLS reuniting for HUGE comeback tour with Manchester date
‘We’re talking to special guests who will come out at different shows so it’s going to be a unique experience every night for fans.’
Popular boy band JLS have announced they’ve reunited for a huge arena comeback tour — including a Manchester date.
After a long hiatus, JLS, consisting of Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, JB Gill and Ortise Williams, are planning on an epic arena tour where they will be performing their greatest hits, including number ones, Beat Again, Everybody in Love and The Club Is Alive.
In an exclusive interview to make the announcement, Marvin said: “There is going to be an element that audiences have never seen before from us. People know that I DJ and the fans have asked that I do some sort of DJing in the show.
“But that would mean the other three getting a rest, which I’m not up for. Aston is DJing now, so there will be a part of the show where Aston will be playing tunes and JB and Ortise will be hyping the crowd.
“We’re not just talking about JLS songs, we’ll be playing big records that represent the era that people know us from.”
Aston added: “You’ve seen flying cars from us and you’ve seen us come down from the ceiling.
“We’ve set trends by doing outlandish stuff on tour so I’m not sure what else we can do to shock people. But everyone’s always expecting greatness from a JLS show, which we will try and provide.”
The Everybody Say JLS: The Hits Tour will kick off first at Dublin’s 3Arena on October 20th, before taking in 15 arena shows ending at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena on November 11th.
Ortise continued: “We just want to get out there and play the hits. It’s those nostalgic songs which remind people of all their experiences growing up. And now some of those fans have children and they want their children to experience what they experienced growing up in the JLS era.”
Marvin added: “We’re not ruling out new music, we just haven’t had the chance to get into the studio yet. If we manage to get some tracks down this year then it will be a big bonus.”
The lads are keen to get back to the gym, admitting that their decision to do a comeback tour has given them the motivation they need. Aston joked: “I need to get in some serious shape. Trust me, I’m trying to be out here looking like Michael B. Jordan.”
Many JLS fans were also eager to know if they could hope for some kind of comeback from The Saturdays — the band Marvin’s wife Rochelle was a member of. Asked if she would return to the stage just like him, Marvin said: “I honestly don’t know. She hung up the microphone a long time ago and she’s so busy with everything else she’s doing.”
He added: “The aim for us is to make the show different every night. We’re talking to special guests who will come out at different shows so it’s going to be a unique experience every night for fans.”
The band are heading to Manchester’s AO Arena on Thursday November 2nd, with tickets going on sale on March 3rd at 9am.
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Manchester to transform into HUGE interactive playzone for free family festival this February half term
Manchester will be transformed this half term
Manchester is launching The Super Duper Family Festival in February, a new free un-ticketed family event spread over four days.
There’ll be various activities that will transform the city into a giant, interactive playground from Saturday February 15th to Tuesday February 18th 2025.
Families can explore unique play zones scattered across Manchester, with everything from giant mazes and steam-powered carousels to retro video games and family raves.
The family festival will feature six key zones across the city, including The Garden in Exchange Square, featuring an 18m x 18m real hedge maze reaching two metres high.
Then there’s The Carnival in St Ann’s Square, a steampunk spectacle of old-school carnival games, including a traditional Victorian Carousel, a mind-bending Hall of Mirrors, and Test of Strength stand.
Other zones include The Playground with Waterloo Road, where popular schoolyard games come to life on New Cathedral Street in collaboration with BBC’s Waterloo Road, gaming at The Arcade in the Printworks, The Sports Hall at Great Northern Warehouse, and The Party at Aviva Studios.
Then there’s The Rave, bringing family raves and parties featuring a world-class sound system and dazzling lighting displays to the Great Northern Warehouse.
Venues like the National Football Museum, Stoller Hall, People’s History Museum and Castlefield Viaduct are also set to host their own exciting activities.
And families can experience the launch of CBBC’s Operation Ouch: Brains, Bogeys and You at the Science and Industry Museum.
Supported by the city’s hoteliers, Manchester Accommodation BID, the festival has been created in partnership with Manchester City Centre Business Improvement District, Manchester City Council, Marketing Manchester, Aviva Studio, Great Northern Warehouse and Printworks.
Manchester Accommodation BID Chairman, Kumar Mishra said, “This festival is a fantastic opportunity to draw families into the heart of Manchester, showcasing the city’s vibrant culture, creativity, and its status as a world-class destination.
“With iconic attractions like the National Football Museum, the Science and Industry Museum, and the breathtaking Castlefield Viaduct, Manchester offers an unparalleled mix of history, innovation, and entertainment.
“By transforming the city into a playground of creative experiences and offering free fun for children of all ages, we’re not only celebrating the best of Manchester, but also inspiring families to explore, stay, and create lasting memories in one of the UK’s most dynamic and exciting cities.”
The festival is a free un-ticketed event, find out more HERE.
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The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Get in the festive spirit!
Get in the festive spirit with a brand new FREE Christmas makers night market, with over 40 traders and small businesses from across the region.
Brought to you by Renaker, the Manchester Made Christmas night market is coming to New Jackson, Deansgate Square from Friday December 6th to Sunday December 8th.
Following on from a successful summer market in May, the Manchester Made Market is returning bigger and better than before but with a Christmassy twist.
Manchester Made Market
Expect a ‘cosy and magical’ Christmas night market experience, with food, drink, live music and even a grotto for visits to Father Christmas.
There’ll be Christmas trees galore, glittering with lighting, with one huge show-stopping tree taking centre stage.
Bringing together over 40 artisanal traders and small businesses from across the region, the three-day event will showcase a plethora of food produce, homewares, crafts and creations.
Manchester Made Market
Visitors will be sure to find unique Christmas gifts that support local businesses, including from The Cole Men and their award winning sauces, Moon & Sixpence’s handmade jewellery, and fine art photography by Craig Barker.
There’ll be live music from a 20-piece choir, playing Christmas classics, cocktails from Manchester Gin and Gooey’s sweet treats.
The experts from Millington Hall Farm in Altrincham will be bringing a taste of their Wild Grill experience, including live sausage making demonstrations and an array of German sausages served from a festive BBQ trailer.
Manchester Made Market
Families with children can visit the Christmas grotto, where Father Christmas himself will be waiting in a cosy tipi – kids will get a gift from Santa, and bookings can be made online for £8.50 per child.
Manchester Made Market will be open from 4pm to 9pm on Friday December 6th, and 1pm to 9pm on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th – pre-register for a free guest list ticket and 50% off a hot chocolate HERE, or book the Christmas grotto HERE.
What's On
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Get in the festive spirit in Stockport!
Stockport’s free, one-day Christmas festival is returning this festive season, with 200 performers and more than 50 shows.
Spectacular Sunday will return to the town on November 17th at various sites and venues.
Following the success of last year’s event, hundreds of performers will take over Stockport, with everything from giant roller-skating presents to a living snow globe and roaming Christmas dolls.
There will also be street theatre, including grumpy Christmas grandads, a gigantic balloon man and water show.
Matthew Nichol Photography
Produced by carnival arts organisation Global Grooves and organised by Stockport Council, Totally Stockport, Merseyway and Stockport Market, the town centre will be buzzing with Christmas excitement.
Events will be happening in iconic Stockport locations like Market Place, Underbanks, Merseyway, Redrock and Suffragette Square.
A grand finale in Merseyway will bring together the brass bands of Stockport, ending the day with a huge flash mob and rendition of All You Need Is Love.
Cirq Delight
Cllr Singleton, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport, said: “We’re so excited to bring this event back after last year’s amazing success.
“It’s such a fun way to get everyone in the festive spirit and really shows off what makes Stockport special – our sense of community and joy.
“With loads of free performances and activities, plus a chance to enjoy the newly improved areas of Merseyway, it’s a perfect day out for families.
“Stockport’s Spectacular Sunday is all about having fun, making memories, and starting the holiday season in style.”
Spectacular Sunday is happening from 11am to 5pm on Sunday November 17th – find out more HERE.
Find something to do in Manchester
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Manchester to transform into HUGE interactive playzone for free family festival this February half term
The VR gaming experience at airport where you can escape reality
The new FREE Christmas night market with over 40 traders from across our region
Free one-day Christmas festival returning to Stockport to kick off festive season
Simmons Bar opens first Northern site in Manchester with free drinks at launch party
