Audio

Bring Me The Horizon announce huge Manchester gig for Count Your Blessings anniversary

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 13th April 2026

Bring Me The Horizon have sent British rock fans into bedlam by booking a special anniversary gig celebrating 20 years since their debut album, Count Your Blessings, and we’re lucky enough that it’s coming to Manchester.

And that’s not the only massive announcement they’ve dropped along with it.

It seems hard to believe it’s been two whole decades since the Northern favourites first burst onto the scene with their first LP, and the Yorkshire heavyweights have come a long way since, both sonically and career-wise in general.

Teaming up with Outbreak ahead of their 2026 festival, they teased the show with a series of posters dotted around Manchester city centre last week.

Yes, the band are set to perform their maiden studio outing, along with a few bonus tracks, in its entirety for the first time EVER.

It remains unclear whether they’ll be playing it in the original order, nor do we know how many big hits from other albums they’ll be throwing into the set.

All we know is that it’s going to be absolute chaos in those pits.

Presented by Outbreak, the landmark show will be held at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre, a.k.a. the BEC Arena, where the hardcore, punk and all things alternative festival is hosted every year.

Even the poster alone is making us feel nostalgic for our ‘mosher’ phase (as if it ever ended); get your fringes, skinny jeans and checkerboard Vans at the ready.

One of the biggest names to have ever come out of Sheffield – an impressive feat in itself given its rich musical heritage – they’ve done wonders for heavier genres domestically.

Whether you dub them emo, metal, deathcore/anything and everything in between, you can’t deny they’re one of the biggest UK exports this scene has ever, well, seen.

Better still, the all-day event will also feature performances by Static Dress, Rolo Tomassi, Dying Wish, Heriot, Car Underwater and Still In Love.

Last but not least, in arguably even more exciting news, the band have also revealed that they are releasing a full re-recorded version of Count Your Blessings to mark the milestone, dubbing it the ‘Repented‘ version. Not to exaggerate, but we’re absolutely screaming over here…

Fans get their hands on early access by pre-ordering the remastered album from a special old-school, very Myspace-esque landing page; as for general admission, tickets go on sale at 10am this Friday, 17 April – you can get ready to grab yours HERE.

Read more: Courteeners to play huge Leeds gig as part of upcoming UK tour

Featured Images — Publicity picture (supplied)/Audio North

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Rick Astley at First Direct Arena, Leeds – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Pop hitmaker Rick Astley is playing a few UK shows and is treating Leeds to a night of live music as part of The Reflection Tour.

Newton-le-Willows-born singer Rick Astley has achieved worldwide success, most notably with his work in the 80s alongside songwriting and production duo Stock-Aitken and Waterman.

Astley's album Whenever You Need Somebody has amassed 15 million sales across the globe and is a pivotal record that many would use to define 80s music.

On this LP is his huge hit 'Never Gonna Give You Up' which dropped back in 1987, with the track gaining more attention courtesy of social media trickery.

The worldwide recognition of this hit is all down to people online who deliberately link to the music video for this song, with the term being coined 'The Rickroll'.

Now, Rick Astley is returning to Leeds and ready to play out to over 13,500 people at one of Leeds' biggest indoor arenas First Direct Arena this April.

Gig guide | Rick Astley at First Direct Arena, Leeds - all you need to know

Rick Astley is bringing The Reflection Tour to Manchester this April / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
Rick Astley is bringing The Reflection Tour to Manchester this April / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
Rick Astley is bringing The Reflection Tour to Leeds this April / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH

Rick Astley UK tour dates

  • Fri 10 April - Glasgow, UK - OVO Hydro
  • Sat 11 April - Newcastle, UK - Utilita Arena
  • Mon 13 April - Belfast, UK - SSE Arena
  • Tue 14 April - Dublin, IE - 3Arena
  • Thu 16 April - Liverpool, UK - M&S Bank Arena
  • Fri 17 April - Manchester, UK - Co-op Live
  • Sat 18 April - Leeds, UK - First Direct Bank Arena
  • Mon 20 April - Bournemouth, UK - Bournemouth International Centre
  • Tue 21 April - Cardiff, UK - Utilita Arena
  • Wed 22 April - Nottingham, UK - Motorpoint Arena
  • Fri 24 April - Birmingham, UK - BP Pulse Live
  • Sat 25 April - London, UK - The O2
  • Fri 5 June - Scarborough, UK - Scarborough Open Air Theatre
  • Fri 19 June - Newport, UK - Isle of Wight Festival
  • Wed 24 June - Llangollen, UK - Llangollen Pavilion
  • Thu 25 June - Lincoln, UK - Lincoln Castle
  • Sat 27 June - Gloucester, UK - Westonbirt Arboretum
  • Fri 24 July - Ludlow, UK - Ludlow Castle
  • Sat 25 July - Sheffield, UK - Tramlines
  • Sat 30 August - Silverstone, UK - Carfest

Are there any tickets left for Rick Astley in Leeds?

No need to 'Cry For Help', there's plenty of tickets for Rick Astley's Leeds show at First Direct Arena and you can grab yours HERE.

It's been 'Driving Me Crazy' waiting for the right opportunity to do a little Rickrolling of my own - the actual tickets can be found HERE.

Rick Astley setlist for 2026 tour

The Reflection Tour sees Rick Astley play various shows and festivals across the UK / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
The Reflection Tour sees Rick Astley play various shows and festivals across the UK / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH
The Reflection Tour sees Rick Astley play various shows and festivals across the UK / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH

This year will mark Rick Astley's first official headline tour since 2024 meaning a full setlist is yet to be confirmed.

Here is a setlist from 2024 when the 80s performer played a series of festival sets:

  • Never Gonna Stop
  • Together Forever
  • Beautiful Life
  • It Would Take a Strong Strong Man
  • Dippin My Feet
  • Start Me Up (The Rolling Stones cover)
  • She Wants to Dance With Me
  • Juice (Lizzo cover)
  • Forever and More
  • Hold Me in Your Arms
  • Seventeen Going Under (Sam Fender cover)
  • Cry For Help
  • Dance
  • Angels On My Side
  • Whenever You Need Somebody (O 'Chi Brown cover)
  • Good Times (Chic cover)
  • Highway to Hell (AC/DC cover)
  • Maria Love
  • Never Gonna Give You Up

Stage times for Rick Astley and support act for First Direct Arena, Leeds

Doors for Rick Astley's The Reflection Tour are set to open from 6.30pm with an official starting time of 7.30pm.

Support for this show comes in the form of another celebrated UK performer who achieved prominence the decade after Astley - Gabrielle.

This R&B-pop singer is recognised for her 1993 hit 'Dreams' and is known for soundtracking the 90s and noughties with multiple chart entries throughout the decades.

How to get to first direct arena

Bus Station

Located on Dyer Street next to Leeds City Bus Station and approx. 15min walk from first direct arena and is wheelchair friendly.

Support and help for any persons with a disability is available as the station is a registered ‘Safe place’ to come into and ask for assistance.

Nearest Bus Stops

  • Clay Pit Lane
  • Wade Lane/Lovell Park Road
  • Woodhouse Lane

Nearest Train Station

Leeds City Station on New Station Street is around a 15min walk from first direct arena and a major hub on the national, regional and local rail network providing connections to a wide variety of destinations.

Parking

There are over 7,500 car parking spaces within a 15-minute walk of the arena. The arena doesn’t have it’s own car park however there are lots of options nearby. To receive 5% off Q Park when attending a show at first direct arena click here

The nearest Car Park with EV charging is located on Albion Street click here.

None of the above car parks are operated by the arena so for questions, queries or comments we ask that you contact the companies directly.

Hiring Bikes in Leeds 

If you’re looking to hire a bike in Leeds, here are some of the best options you can try:

  • Beryl bikes – you’ll find the ‘Leeds City Bikes’ from Beryl stationed throughout the city. These are all e-bikes, and they’re available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis. It costs £1 to unlock the bikes, and then 16p per minute to use them. We’d say these are great for zipping around the city and getting from A to B.
  • Talio – for a wider selection of electric bikes to choose from, Talio based at Buslinthorpe Green is a great option. From this company, you can hire cruiser bikes, mountain bikes, and cargo bikes. Prices start from £20 per day for rental, but if you’re hiring for a month or longer you’ll get a good discount.

Read more: Audio North’s Artist of the Month: Sharan | April 2026

And about the rickrolling earlier... sorry not sorry.

Featured Images - Press shots via Peter Neill / Wikimedia Commons via Raph_PH

Audio

Audio North’s Artist of the Month: Sharan | April 2026

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Why have one northern city when you can have two? Sharan, our latest Artist of the Month, was born in Leeds and is now based in Liverpool.

Giving herself the titles of DJ, workshop facilitator and community advocate while also balancing life as a cardiac physiologist – is there anything Sharan can’t do?

This multi-talented music maker has played sets for Crop Radio, supported Sammy Virji, Barry Can’t Swim, SBTRKT and even soundtracked Liverpool FC’s official store ahead of a new kit launch.

Her sets cover all different music genres, meaning she can fit and curate any vibe, including UK funk, Amapiano, house and more.

Images: Press shots

An interview with Sharan – Audio North’s Artist of the Month

Now, the Leeds-born DJ takes a break from the decks, community programmes and medical assistance to chat about being Audio North‘s latest Artist of the Month.

What music did you grow up listening to?

I’ve always been around music. My Dad brought me up on Queen and then when I got to school my best friend listened to Bassline, UK Funky and I downloaded all these songs onto my Blackberry.

Annie Mac and Hannah Wants were real inspirations for me growing up and seeing female DJs in the media is great.

Tell us about the work you do in the DJ community?

I’m originally from Leeds but moved to Liverpool for work four years ago and I’ve become quite heavily involved in the DJ community. I do workshops through ‘Decks in the City‘; I’m a DJ Programmer for Dishoom and I play gigs across the North too.

Why do you want to give back to the DJ scene?

I joined a charity called Getaway Girls, who I still am with today, and I joined a music group through them and I remember decks being in the corner of the room and being intrigued. Then, at 14 I started going to their music workshops.

They’re the reason I got into music and inspired me to want to make the music industry a fairer place for women as well as advocating for women in music.

I love teaching women how to get into music or giving them the opportunity they wouldn’t necessarily have.

What do you hope to achieve through your DJ workshops?

I believe everyone should have the chance to try out being a DJ, or more broadly just have a go at learning a new skill in relation to music.

I want to give everyone a fair and equal chance to learn how to DJ and that’s why the courses I do are accessible and affordable.

As a South Asian DJ who’s also a woman, I want to encourage women and anyone from underrepresented communities to get involved.

In the long run, I’d love to improve festival line-ups and make the distribution of live music opportunities fairer.

What have been some of your favourite experiences as a DJ so far?

Alongside my community work, I’ve played at Leeds Festival for JD Sports and supported some big acts including Barry Can’t Swim, Virji, SBTRKT and Girls Don’t Sync.

What’s one fun fact about you?

I’m not just a DJ, I’m also a cardiac physiologist. It’s a really big part of my life aside from being a DJ. I balance the two together, I’m passionate about both.

How does your heritage influence your work?

I’m South Asian and I remember the Bend It Like Beckham soundtrack so vividly growing up. It fused British pop with Bhangra and Bollywood, it was revolutionary.

Even the storyline of the film itself resonates with me, watching the girl pursuing football against her parents wishes, something I’m doing by going against ‘the norm’ through following my dream of being a DJ.

I love this film and soundtrack so much that I wrote an article about this which explores the soundtrack and its impact on British Asian Youth.

Featured Images – The Manc Group/Press Shots (supplied via Liam Heeley)

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