Kool And The Gang's special UK gig takes place tonight

With special guests The Real Thing

Kool And The Gang
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 11th Jul 2025
Last updated 11th Jul 2025

Earlier this year, Kool And The Gang announced a very special gig taking place this month. The band are performing a gig in Manchester's AO Arena tonight (11th July) for the first time in 15 years.

The 'Get Down On It' singers will be performing in Manchester, where they will be joined by special guests, 'You to Me Are Everything' singers, The Real Thing.

Kool And The Gang

Kool And The Gang, formed in New Jersey in 1964, by brothers Robert 'Kool' Bell and Ronald Bell. Throughout the years, the group has gone through numerous line-ups, however they have remained a force in the music industry for over five decades.

The band is known for their blend of musical styles, and Kool And The Gang have produced a string of hits including 'Cherish', 'Fresh', 'Joanna' and 'Celebration'.

When are Kool And The Gang performing in the UK?

They will be in Manchester at the AO Arena, on Friday 11th July.

How to buy tickets to see Kool And The Gang

You can now buy tickets from Aloud.com

Take a look through other tours taking place in 2025:

ABBA - 'ABBA Voyage'

ABBA's virtual tour 'ABBA Voyage' started in May 2022 and has now been extended until August 2026. The tour sees the ABBA avatars accompanied by a 10-piece live band, all taking place in a custom-built arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.

Billy Ocean

In October 2025, Billy Ocean announced dates for his Summer 2026 tour where he will be performing across the UK from May until August. The singer will be joined by special guest, former Wet Wet Wet and solo artist Marti Pellow.

Westlife

After much excitement and teasing, Westlife revealed they will be playing across the UK in September and October 2026, as part of their 'Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour'. The band will start their UK leg in Aberdeen on Tuesday 29th September, before performing across the UK, ending with FIVE dates in Belfast.

Duran Duran

Duran Duran, who released 'Free To Love' with Nile Rodgers earlier this year, will be performing five dates in the UK, in Glasgow, Belfast, Birmingham, Liverpool and Leeds, starting in Glasgow on 15th October 2026.

The Stylistics

'Betcha by Golly, Wow' singers, The Stylistics, have announced a huge tour for 2026 in October and November. They will be playing 22 dates across the UK.

Heaven 17

Heaven 17 have announced a tour to celebrate the release of their debut album 'Penthouse and Pavement', which as released in September 1981. The band will start their tour in early October 2026, with a date at Wolverhampton' Wulfrun Hall, before they travel to locations such as London, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Liverpool and a homecoming gig at Sheffield's Octagon on Sunday 18th October.

Transvision Vamp

The band, fronted by Wendy James, will play dates across the UK, starting in Newcastle on 6th October 2026, before continuing to venues in Glasgow, Leeds, Cardiff, Manchester, London and many more. They will end their tour in Belfast on 1st November.

Paul Heaton

Paul Heaton has announced he will be going on tour later this year, in October and November. The former Housemartins and Beautiful South singer also announced a new album called 'Jenius', and the lead single 'Favourite Kind Of Idiot'.

Tony Hadley

Tony Hadley will be heading out on 'The Christmas Big Band Tour 2026', taking place in November and December 2026. Announcing news of his new tour, Tony told his fans: 'Following the huge success of last year's sold-out tour, The Fabulous TH Band and I are heading back out on the road this November and December for the Christmas Big Band Tour!'


He will perform songs by legendary artists including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Elvis Presley, along with big band versions of Spandau Ballet's 'True', 'Gold', and 'Through The Barricades'.

Del Amitri

The tour, called 'Past to Present - Four Decades of Their Greatest Music', will open at Leeds O2 Academy on Monday 9th November, and wrap up with two homecoming shows at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom on Sunday 6th and Tuesday 8th December.

Culture Club

In May 2026, Culture Club announced they would be heading out on 'The Singles Tour' with very special guests ABC and Haircut 100. The band start their tour in Bournemouth on Monday 7th December, continuing throughout the month, ending at The O2 Arena on Saturday 19th December 2026.

Jack Whitehall

Jack Whitehall hosted the BRIT Awards in February 2026, and will be going on his 'Bad Influence' tour in January and February 2027 across the UK. The tour will start in Newcastle on 7th January 2027, and will see the comedian perform across the UK, finally ending in a month later in Derby.

Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde has announced a 13-date UK tour in March 2027. She will be joined by 'I Think We're Alone Now' singer Tiffany. Kim will start her tour in Bristol on 12th March, before travelling across the country and finishing her tour in York on 28th March 2027.

Gabrielle

Gabrielle will be going on a headline tour in March and April 2027, performing at locations such as Portsmouth, Glasgow, Bradford, Newcastle, Bath, London, Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester and many more. This new tour will mark an exciting new chapter for the singer, who rose to fame following the success of her debut single 'Dreams' in 1993 and her landmark 1999 album 'Rise'.

Wet Wet Wet

Wet Wet Wet will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their debut album 'Popped In Souled Out' with a 40-date UK tour in 2027. The run is split across February and October, beginning on 7th February in Watford and wrapping up on 29th October in Portsmouth, with one October date still to be announced.


Across the shows, they'll perform songs from the milestone album alongside a set packed with career favourites, including hits that helped define their pop success. Select dates will also feature special guests including Roachford, Nick Heyward, Rebecca Ferguson, Heather Small, Johnny Hates Jazz, The Christians and The South.

Francis Rossi

Status Quo legend Francis Rossi has extended his 'Songbook: Quo – Past, Present, Future' UK tour into 2027. He has announced dates throughout March, April and May 2027.

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