Aitch has unveiled his upcoming ‘Close to Home’ UK and Europe tour, and there is a massive Manchester gig in the pipeline.

The New Moston-born rapper shared the details of his tour across social media this afternoon, where he announced fourteen dates across the UK and even more further afield.

The tour will kick off in Dublin on October 3rd, before visiting other locations including Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Birmingham, Bristol and London.

The tour will then conclude in Manchester on October 24th with a show-stopping concert at the O2 Victoria Warehouse. 

While tickets aren’t on sale yet, anyone who pre-orders Aitch’s debut album ‘Close to Home’ – set for release on August 19th – by this Friday, May 27th will get exclusive access to early bird tickets. 

Aitch – real name Harrison Armstrong – recently released the single ‘1989’, which samples The Stone Roses’ hit track ‘Fools Gold’ and brief vocals from Happy Mondays’ very own Shaun Ryder. 

Read More: Aitch says men are ‘hiding’ from liking plus-size women following music video backlash

In an interview with The Face, Aitch said Ryder took very little persuading to feature on the track, unlike Liam Gallagher, who ignored his recent offering of £7m for a collaboration. 

The Happy Mondays frontman croaks for the intro of the song: “I’ve [had] loads of nights out involving drugs, sex, f***ing – you name it.

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“But the great thing is I can never remember it.”

The rapper recalled: “[Ryder] said, ​‘I’ll come to the studio if you bring me four cans of Guinness'”.

On the new track, he added: “There’s not really been a representation of Manchester on a worldwide scale since Oasis and The Stone Roses, so it’d just be good to carry that on.”

To get priority access to the ‘Close to Home’ tour, click here.

Manchester City will be parading through Manchester this evening to celebrate their Premier League title victory.

In yesterday’s dramatic match against Aston Villa, Man City overcame a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 in the last twenty minutes, securing their fourth title as Premier League champions in five years.

In the aftermath of their win, the Blues confirmed that they would be parading through Manchester in a traditional open-top bus parade today, Monday May 23rd, at 6pm.

Man City said in a statement: “Manchester City will celebrate retaining the Premier League title with an open-top bus parade through Manchester city centre on Monday 23rd May.”

Detailing the parade’s itinerary, the statement continued: “Pep Guardiola and the squad will depart from Exchange Square at approximately 6pm, travel onto St Mary’s Gate and then south on Deansgate, before finishing at the Beetham Tower where a live stage show will take place with the Champions.

“Onstage entertainment will start at 4:30pm with the players expected to arrive at approximately 7pm.

Read More: Etihad Stadium to host independent food and drink vendors this season

“The parade will be hosted by Manchester City’s City Square presenters Danny Jackson and Natalie Pike, who will be joined by former players and special guests.

“There will also be live music from bands and DJs.”

Commenting on the parade, Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Winning back-to-back titles is a fantastic achievement which I’m sure City fans will be eager to celebrate, especially as the pandemic denied them the chance to do so last season.

“The Council are happy to support the parade and expect a memorable occasion as tens of thousands of fans gather in the city centre to share the moment.”

Ahead of lifting the trophy for the last time, Club skipper Fernandinho said: “To finish my nine years at City by winning my fifth Premier League title is a dream come true.

“This squad is genuinely special. The togetherness of the players is like nothing I have experienced before. These guys are my brothers, which makes winning the title even more special.”

Visit the Manchester City website for more information on tonight’s parade. 

Manchester is preparing for a day of remembrance this weekend to mark five years since the devastating Manchester Arena attack.

On May 22nd 2017, twenty-two innocent people lost their lives in the UK’s worst terrorist attack since the 7/7 bombings.

Today, the date stands as one of Manchester’s darkest days and, to mark five years since the tragedy, the city is preparing for a full line of up of remembrance events to remember those who lost their lives as well as those continuing to live with the disaster today.

Here is the full list of events outlined by Manchester City Council for the fifth anniversary commemoration this Sunday:

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Glade of Light Memorial

The Glade of Light memorial, which was officially opened by Prince William and Kate Middleton last week, will offer people a place to pay their respects.

On the white marble ‘halo’ of the memorial, the names of the twenty-two victims of the attack are engraved, while personalised ‘memory capsules’ with letters and messages written by the bereaved families are embedded beneath.

Candlelit vigils at Manchester Cathedral

Manchester Cathedral will be hosting a number of sessions throughout the day, all of which include prayers, moments of silence and candle lighting.

The Lord Mayor of Manchester will attend the 5.30pm prayers and will lay flowers on the Glade of Light afterwards on behalf of the city.

Sessions will take place at 8.45am, 10.30am and 5.30pm, while bells will ring at 10.31pm to mark the exact moment the bombing took place.

‘A Manchester Story’ at Everyman Cinema

Everyman St John’s Cinema near Spinningfields will be showing the newly released A Manchester Story, a docu-film charting the aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing.

A Manchester Story, directed by Anton Arenko documents the ‘untold stories’ that happened following the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017. The film follows a variety of stories from people across the city and beyond.

All proceeds from the screening will go to the charity We Love MCR, which raises money and awareness for causes across Greater Manchester. Get your tickets here.

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Tributes at Victoria Station

Tributes will be taking place at Victoria Station below the foyer, where the attack took place five years ago.

People will be given the chance to lay flowers and sign a memory book to commemorate the day with any thoughts, feelings or memories of the event.

Moments of silence will be held at 12pm and 10.31pm, while the station announcer will read out the names of those who lost their lives. The railway chaplain will also read a number of prayers.

The Great Manchester Run

This year’s Great Manchester Run has landed on the day of the anniversary, and will include a one-minute applause at the start of each wave of the run in remembrance of the twenty-two who lost their lives in the attack.

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “22nd May 2017 is one of the darkest days in this city’s history. It’s hard to believe that five years has passed since those terrible events.

“We will never forget those whose lives were so cruelly taken, or those whose lives were changed forever that day.

“But nor should we forget the remarkable spirit shown in the aftermath of the attack as the city came together in solidarity, compassion and a refusal to give in to hatred and fear. Love proved stronger.”