Entertainment
Biggest concerts, gigs, comedy tours and festivals taking place in 2021 as lockdown rules are lifted in England
Live music is back with Sir Elton John and more hitting the road (Photo: Javier Bragado/Redferns)
It’s Freedom Day, and for many that means live music and entertainment are poised for a triumphant return after a difficult time during the pandemic.
Lockdown measures meant plenty of huge festivals and tours were cancelled over the past 16 months, with many artists turning to live streams as an alternative.
Of course, there’s nothing like being in an actual venue with real people and a genuine connection from everyone involved.
With restrictions lifted across England today (July 19), that means venues will be able to open without having to limit attendance, implement social distancing or move outdoors as many have done more recently.
Just in time for the glorious summer months, live music, comedy and festivals are returning with to venues of all sizes up and down the country.
Sometimes, there’s nothing better than discovering a new unsigned band or comedian at a local bar, and there are plenty of acts hitting the road at independent venues in need of support, while some of the biggest names in music and comedy are heading out on tour.
A sight for sore eyes (Photo by Katja Ogrin/Getty Images)
Here’s our round-up of the biggest stars getting back in the saddle…
Gigs, concerts and tours in 2021
Elton John (October 30 to December 4 including dates at AO Arena in Manchester, The O2 in London and the SSE Hydro in Glasgow)Steps (November 2 to December 1, including dates at Sheffield Arena, Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, Manchester’s AO Arena and The O2 in London)Gary Barlow (November 27 to December 28, including dates at The SSE Arena in Belfast, Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena and The O2 in London)McFly (September 14 to 29, including (SSE Arena, Wembley in London, Manchester’s AO Arena Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena and a one night only show at The O2 on November 21)Paloma Faith (September 16 to October 26, including dates at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall, the Globe in Stockton and a double header at the London Palladium)
McFly will be hitting the road later this year (Photo: Simone Joyner/Getty Images)
As well as bands playing independent venues across the country, there are upcoming tours for the likes of Rak-Su, Gregory Porter, Haim and Ellie Goulding.
Meanwhile, fans will also be able to see acts like Blondie, Yungblud, Fatboy Slim, Paul Weller, Genesis and more all hitting the road.
UK festivals going ahead in 2021
Reading and Leeds (August 27-29, Stormzy, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Post Malone, Liam Gallagher)Latitude (July 22-25, Wolf Alice, Bastille, Chemical Brothers, Bombay Bicycle Club)Camp Bestival (July 29-August 1, Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada, Kelis, Friendly Fires etc)Creamfields (August 26-29, Peggy Gou, Carl Cox, Deadmau5, Scooter)Wireless (September 10-12, Crystal Palace, Skepta, Migos and Future)Parklife (September 11-12, Dave, Megan Thee Stallion, Disclosure, Skepta, Jamie xx, Mabel)Isle of Wight (September 16-19, Liam Gallagher, Sam Fender, Snow Patrol, David Guetta, Duran Duran, Tom Jones)
There are festivals going ahead up and down the country with stacked line-ups, with others – such as Tramlines, Boardmasters, Victorious, Mighty Hoopla, TRNSMT, Slam Dunk, Frank Turner’s Lost Evenings and more – going ahead.
Reading and Leeds 2021 will have two main stages (Picture: Simone Joyner/Getty Images)
Many have been rearranged from their earlier slots and feature different bills after last year’s cancellations, but all promise to be a wonderful experience.
Comedy tours in 2021
Russell Howard – Respite (July 23 to October 16, including Plymouth Pavilions and a run at the Eventim Apollo in London)Ricky Gervais – Supernature (September 11 to December 6, including SEC Armadillo in Glasgow and a residency at the London Palladium)John Bishop (September 1 to December 17, including warm up shows and Right Here, Right Now, continues into 2022)Katherine Ryan – Missus (September 2 to December 11, including Glasgow’s Pavilion Theatre, the Stockport Plaza and the O2 Apollo in Manchester, with more dates in 2022)Jimmy Carr – Terribly Funny (July 21 to December 23, including Stockport Plaza, Birmingham’s Symphony Hall and the O2 Academy in Brixton, with more dates in 2022)
More: Elton John
Everyone needs a good laugh after the last 16 months, and thankfully there are plenty of comedians treading the boards to make us all giggle.
Sarah Millican is also getting back out there, as is Emily Atack, and Chris and Rosie Ramsey are taking their S****ed, Married, Annoyed podcast on the road.
Of course, there are also comedy clubs up and down the country featuring rising stars who will also be getting back out there over the coming months.
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