The wait is almost over - Stockport band Blossoms are back in Manchester for four nights at the 02 Apollo later this week. The five-piece announced their latest tour to celebrate the release of their album 'Ribbon Around The Bomb' in August, with stop offs in Bristol, Glasgow, Dublin and London's 02 Academy Brixton, and two dates in Manchester.
Due to high demand in Manchester, when tickets went on sale more dates were added and now the band will be performing a total of four nights in their home city. Blossoms will play the 02 Apollo on Thursday, December 8, Friday, December 9, Saturday December 10, and Sunday 11.
The band formed back in 2013, and have since enjoyed widespread success playing sold-out venues and packed festival stages, as well as their biggest gig to date – a celebratory hometown show at Stockport County’s Edgeley Park – in summer 2019. This summer they also took the headline spot at Y Not? Festival and Truck, as well as their much talked about Glastonbury set, which included a guest appearance from Spice Girl Mel C.
Read more: Reviewed: Manchester's best small gigs in November 2022
The band last performed in Manchester back in May at Band on the Wall, where the band were praised for "unashamedly" knowing how to have fun in what was a standout performance. They also took the stage at the Plaza in Stockport, as part of a hotly antipcated hometown show.
Their fourth studio album, ‘Ribbon Around The Bomb’ was released in April and quickly took the UK Number 1 album spot. The creative direction of the album was developed by Arctic Monkeys’ creative director Edwin Burdis, who also directed an accompanying film for the album featuring performances of the band, and premiered at Stockport Plaza.
Here's all the information about the gig you need if you're heading along to any of the four dates.
Support acts
If you're heading down early you'll catch Edinburgh-born singer-songwriter Brooke Combe, who's star has been on a steady incline over the past year. Known for her cover of Baccara's 'Yes Sir, I Can Boogie', as well as her own singles Miss Me Now and Are You With Me, the singer has a real knack for catchy lyrics and infectious hooks.
In just a short period of time, Combe has already amassed a great deal of success - from selling out King Tut's and signing to Island Records, to winning Best Female Breakthrough Artist at the 21 Scottish Music Awards. Unfortunately, she had to miss the Brighton and London dates on the tour due to a chest infection, but hopefully she'll be well enough to join the Stockport lads on the four-date stint in Manchester later this week.
There's also a chance that Blossoms could bring on surprise special guests, following on from the Brixton Academy Gig in London at the weekend. The band teamed up with Mel C, Rick Astley and Miles Kane during their London show on December 3. Blossoms performed a hit-packed set, which saw Mel C join them for a cover of ‘Spice Up Your Life’ while Rick Astley played hits ‘This Charming Man’ and ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’ later in the show.
Stage times
Exact stage times aren't likely to be confirmed until the day of the gig itself, but according to the 02 Apollo Manchester website the doors will open at 7pm. No doubt many fans will turn up early doors to queue and make sure they get a front-row position.
On previous nights of the tour, support act Brooke Combe has come on at 8pm, so Blossoms are likely to take to the stage at around 9pm. Check back here for exact times when we have them, and also keep an eye on the band's Twitter feed and the O2 Apollo's account too.
Setlist
While there's the possibility of a few surprises on the night considering their gig in London and that the four dates in Manchester represent a homecoming, here's the latest setlist from their gig at 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin from last night (Tuesday, December 6).
At Most a Kiss
Honey Sweet
Oh No (I Think I'm in Love)
The Keeper
How Long Will This Last
Getaway
Blown Rose
Ode to NYC
The Sulking Poet
I Can't Stand It
If You Think This Is Real Life
Care For
Your Girlfriend
Big Word
My Swimming Brain
Acoustic
the Writer
My Favourite Room
Encore
There's A Reason Why (I Never Returned Your Calls)
Charlemagne
Are tickets still available?
Tickets for all four nights are available, however each night has low availability. Tickets are currently priced at £41.80 for General Admission Stranding Area (Stalls).
How to get there
Public Transport
The 02 Apollo is located on Stockport Road ear Ardwick and the closest train and tram station if Manchester Piccadilly. Both taxis and buses are are available form the city centre to the venue including the 192 / 201 / 203 / 204 / 205. Ubers is also the venue's official partner.
Parking / by car
There are two official car parks immediately adjacent to the venue both priced £7.00 (cash only). The smaller car park on the Hyde Road side of the building caters for our those with access requirements, with a limited number of spaces used on a first come first served basis.
Both car parks are open and supervised from one hour before the event doors. Spaces and tickets cannot be reserved in advance. You can use the Postcode M12 6AJ for satellite navigation.
Read more of today's top stories here.
READ NEXT:
-
Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds to play special homecoming gig at Wythenshawe Park next year
-
How to make your own Spotify festival line up with Instafest
-
Eurythmics lyrics heard from Night & Day in neighbouring flat, council claims in court
-
Florence + The Machine announce rescheduled UK and Dublin tour dates after cancellations
-
The Weeknd announces Manchester date for After Hours Til Dawn stadium tour
